Introduction:
Cycling mainly on quiet backroads and farm tracks we discover the magical region of Cappadocia in central Turkey, where soft lava and ash rock has eroded over millennia to form a fairytale landscape unlike any other on earth. Bizarrely shaped rock forms and exotically contoured cliffs feast the eye while underground a fascinating network of tunnels, rock-cut churches, caves and even whole cities are waiting to be explored. Our route takes us through the best of Cappadocia's landscapes but also to areas seldom visited by tourists which seem to belong in a different age.
 Rock-cut Churches of Ihlara: Our first ride takes us through the narrow valley of Ihlara, where majestic cliffs rise on either side - up to 170 metres in places. Dozens of rock-cut churches puncture the cliff sides, carved here in the Byzantine era by early Christians who painted wonderful frescoes in black, orange and carmine on the vaulted ceilings and walls.
Amongst the Fairy Chimneys: We explore the extraordinary underground city of Kaymakli and then cycle into the heart of the region, through valleys lined with cones and 'fairy chimneys' (tall columns of ash rock protected from erosion by blocks of basalt perched precariously on top). Whilst the landscape itself is dramatic the route we follow is relatively undemanding, following gentle trails along the valley floor.
 Anatolian Villages & Hospitality: Cycling from village to village and staying in small, family-run pensions, we encounter the hospitality for which Turkey is famous. Plenty of time is allowed each day for unplanned breaks: pause to watch the harvest being brought in, accept an invitation for tea or join the locals in a game of 'tavla' (backgammon). During our time in this remarkable landscape we cycle through the perfectly contoured White Valley to Uchisar - a near vertical tower of rock honeycombed with tunnels and passages - climbing to the top for panoramic views of the whole region: a truly magical sight.
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