ANCIENT CITIES CAMPING BICYCLE TOUR | 2019
Voluntary Action, Have Fun Together
You cycle along Izmir’s historic paths and ancient city routes, settling into accommodations with camping gear carried by your bike, immersed in a culture of collective action. Each year, you stay in a tent for three nights and cycle for four days, following different routes. You participate in the April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day celebrations at the village school, painted and decorated by volunteers a week in advance, and join in the fun and entertainment of the little ones. Expenses are calculated and divided equally among the number of participants. With a sense of volunteer responsibility, you contribute to the positive impact by dividing the work rather than tearing it apart.
CULTURE OF SHARING AND TOGETHERNESS
Taking on a volunteer-based role has never been easier. Thanks to the Lesser-Known Ancient Cities Bike Tour, a local example of international volunteering projects, you can delve into your childhood, find alternative outlets for adulthood, and forge friendships with like-minded individuals.
Crowded family dinners, large family gatherings… Collaboration, charity bazaars, or village weddings… The legacy of the land we grew up on, our mothers, and our ancestors; shared cultural endeavors. When it comes to cycling and learning about history in situ, ABAK’s slogans speak for themselves.
Two Mottos, One Subject
In this region, those who enjoy being outdoors and stray from the main road witness arrows turning left and right and colorful inscriptions in many archaeological sites from Selçuk to Foça, from Lebedos to Agora:
#ABAKHerYerde
Literally, everywhere! It takes place alternately, one year in the south, the other in the north, and if you participate, you’ll rediscover Izmir and its history on two wheels.
#ABAKSeninleGüzel
Rather than being discriminatory, exclusionary or marginalizing, the Ancient Cities Volunteers chant “All Together” in unison, portraying that we are beautiful despite our differences.
Next, Better
The seventh edition is behind us, and I’m sure preparations for next year have already begun. The knowledge and experience accumulated so far, along with the spirit of unity, are setting an example for young people who will strive for the better.
New generations of babies eager to start cycling instead of running before crawling, mothers and grandmothers, three- to five-year-olds towed in trailers, university students, resigned students, those juggling multiple businesses, professional racers or amateur cyclists, perhaps simply nature observers or vacationers—everyone can participate here, as they please.
To many who went on a journey with Flat Wheel…
My observation about ABAK is that it is an alternative and a civilian academy for the future generation, which is being dragged into more pessimism and hopelessness with each passing day by its elders, with reproaches such as “I have no faith, I have lost my hope.”
Once Upon a Time, There Never Was
That’s how my ABAK experience began, like a fairytale. Thankfully, instead of a visit to the evil witch’s castle, my mission was to learn from well-intentioned, white-bearded grandfathers. See you next time, perhaps with a completely different team, perhaps with you, or perhaps without me, but still, I hope it will happen.
Hoping that it brings healing and light to everyone whose beginning and end are consistent within themselves. To many who embark on the journey with Patlak Teker…
Voluntary Action, Have Fun Together
@turkishbicycles
@teosbike
#teosbiketour