🚲 🌎 I am Giant Cheerio, a bicycle traveler, exploring the world by bike since 2021!
My life on the road is my passion and being able to do what I do is an every day gift but sometimes you have to go through unpleasant moments while being on a journey.
Throughout my trip in Turkey, I encountered unexpected situations that tested my limits, and I’ll share those stories. From unusual encounters on the road to the physical and mental challenges I faced, you’ll get a glimpse into the world of my solo bikepacking adventure in Turkey.
An unfiltered story, about a my thoughts of being alone out there as a female traveler.Lean back and enjoy watching!
Cheerio, Goodbye, Salut & Adios!
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0:00 Intro
0:50 Starting in Istanbul
2:30 Camp spot
5:39 Unwanted encounter
8:30 Being a solo female traveler
10:17 Saddle sores
13:13 Hospital & Surgery
14:11 Outro
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#Bikepacking #BikepackingForBeginners #SoloBikepacking #FemaleBikepacking #AdventureCycling #TravelTips
32 Comments
Thank you. You make me proud to be human. Get well. Be safe. It is indeed a sad and beautiful world.
Saddle comfort, Brooks B-17, rub Brooks Profide on underside of saddle 3 or 4 times when new. Look at how the locals treat dogs, that is a clue to how women are treated in that rural area. Hang in there.
get a job
Forget the pepper spray, you need to carry BEAR spray.
If the earth is 100 or 1000 times bigger, would people still wanna travel the whole world? I’m simply saying that I’m grateful to stay at my little country
omg i am so sorry for your experience in Turkey. Before watching your video I taught myself "I would never go to Turkey alone if i were a girl" and it's so sad you prove me right. I hope you're alright since then and that you have a wonderful journey
well done lovely
So sad for you that you have to take this break! Did I see correctly, that you now got a Brooks saddle?
You should wear laced shoes judt in case you need to run fast or defend yourself, instead of flip flops. First thing that struck me
As someone who likes to go on solo hiking and wild camp trips and is often scared to actually wild camp by myself, this incident makes me so mad. Men have no idea how free they are to do whatever and how it takes just 1 scary incident to ruin your whole trip as a woman. Men know they´ll always be the stronger ones compared to most women and thus have all the power.
You are so right. As a woman who loves tramping and cycling in the backcountry, it honestly sucks that I cannot go out by myself to enjoy nature but have to get my husband to come as those places do not have any cellphone reception and can be full of dodgy people.
Margaret Atwood — 'Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.'
I'm so sorry that you had some bad encounters! Wishing you the very best on your bike journey!!
👍👍♥♥🇮🇳🇮🇳
I feel so bad that you feel something like this situation. In our world, unfortunately a bad people are still alive. However, dont forget that you re such a strong person! Be safe and good cycling
Nice!!! Cool video!!! Looking forward to more of these!!!
Turkey is a beautiful country and a great place to see, but unfortunately can be challenging at times for female travellers. I visited Turkey earlier in the year and met a couple of women travelling by themselves who had similar encounters. They were able to manage the situations as you did and can understand how distressing it can be. I hope your feeling better and back to full health.
He stopped you in the middle of the road and then what? Maybe he's just a bicycle hater or something it's not always because you're a woman.. Don't let your ego inflate too much, happens to everyone, there's plenty of annoying people out there. Will also add that I'm a man and I've had encounters with very very angry woman assuming the worst intentions out of me even if I stop to ask directions or other innocent things, it's a tough world for men too not just you
Hardcore cycling no matter how good your spandex is it requires raw alcohol on your parts and pieces every day to keep the machine going.
Men experience plenty of weirdo encounters too. The anecdotal data is where it gets interesting.
Why do you think being accosted, assaulted, beaten, raped etc etc etc is only a womans problem. Travelling alone is dangerous for men too.
I wish I could say something to make you feel more safe. I totally understand the discomfort. I hope you understand that this has nothing to do with you or your behaviour, it is just the numbers game when you meet a lot of people good and bad things happen.
Men make every space unsafe. I had an incident in Instanbul years ago.
Hey ho cheerio 🥰 A female ultra distance rider here in Oz inspired me to push my cycling beyond what I ever dreamed I could do. I’m grateful to her for that. With so few female cyclists to admire I especially appreciate your videos sharing your journeys. It infuriates and frustrates me that women are subjected to this treatment and how brave you are to continue, but you shouldn’t have to be. Thankyou for this unfiltered content. Cycling experiences are often documented with a ‘Pollyanna’ lense. It’s helpful to see that others experience this and that we are not alone. Keep safe 💕
Sidearm 👌🏽
I like that you are honest. When i travel with my gf we will take caution of that. Your warnings are important and matter to save lives. Who knows what could happened. Stay safe.
So sorry you had that unpleasant experience, Giant Cheerio. Sadly, there are individuals and micro cultures that are a negative force in our world. All of the women in my life, including my daughters, have had incidents, regardless of whether it was in a urban or rural environment. Thank you for sharing the story of your encounter(s) and how it impacted you. We need to hear it, to sympathize with that suffering, and be courageous agents of change. On your infection, sounds like a pressure-point sore that became an abscess, which often requires surgery. I agree with one of the other comments that managing bacteria is important; however, the underlying cause is likely more structural. A professional bike fitting is the first and crucial step, in my view, to achieving pain- and injury-free cycling. Supplement with a properly fitting saddle for the type of cycling, and never skimp on bike shorts—get the highest quality with a robust chamois. I offer these thoughts in hope of being some help. Please forgive if these are considerations you are already well aware of. I admire your courage and sense of adventure and wish you many wonderful experiences on your future bike tours.
Sucks that in 2023 you still can't travel this world alone as a woman or minority .. stay safe, carry a weapon and any other protection and keep up your courage
You are powerful woman . Dont let others lose your path . Respect and prayers from Turkey.
Well in America you have to be careful of male and female 😢
I love you from my heart.shamim zahuri from bangladesh 💞👏🧡🦋
this will never change, no matter how much work or urbanization is done. as a woman you enjoy a lot of advantages throughout your life, but this is one of the big and evil "disadvantages" that will always exist, sadly.
Great personal video, take care and stay safe.