(It's getting hard for me to write about you guys. Send me an introductory paragraph about yourselves, so I can put it up here...)
Confirmed
Bintuğ Şahbal: Bintug is a long time rider. He has ridden a variety of styles including Motocross, Chopper, Streetfighter and finally a KTM 990 Adventure. We have done many trips with him in the past and have been thinking about this big one for a while. He has a bit of blog-curse on him. He was never able to log in here but we talk frequently. I believe he is coming.
Serdar Burhan Kalsın: Burhan is the GS'er of the group. He rides almost everyday on the streets of Los Angeles. Now he wants to put some dirt on his bike. He looks very ready. He is currently waiting for his greencard and cannot leave U.S. before that. He also needs to pay-off his beemer to take it out of the country. But we believe all of that will be taken care of before our departure.
Mert İçgören: Here is the national Turkish playboy of Los Angeles. I believe he got into biking to attract more women but he will eventually suffer from the side effects. Whatever this guy does, gets out of control in the end. So far he is the only one speaking Spanish. Thanks to his intimate interest in Latino females. Correct me if I'm wrong Mert!
As of Dec 21 2007 Mert is the only person to properly reply to the invitation using this blog. He is my personal hero!
Baran Özçaylan: I met Baran briefly last year. Found out he was interested and sent him the invitation. He said he was packing up already. Let's hope to hear from him on this blog...
Update Dec 24: Baran wrote a detailed message and sounds like he's coming.
Eren Dursun: Eren joined us through Baran. All I know about him is that he feels too familiar for someone I do not know. Looking forward to meet him...
Erdem Yücel: I started riding long distances on my mountain bike when I was in high school. I went on many solo and group trips all around Turkey. They usually took a couple of weeks and required outdoor camping. Ever since I saw the Motorcycle Exhibition in the Guggenheim Museum NY, I knew I had to ride one. When I finally got my hands on a Ducati Monster 650 at the age of 27, I started travelling again. Soon I realised that it was not the kind of bike to ride on the distances I had in mind. So I transferred to a DL-1000 recently. I have 12,000 miles of experience in total and I'm hoping for more. There is something about this nomadic mood I cannot let go. I tried to explain this to myself many times. Is it the simplicity of life on road, the challange, the people I meet, or the places I see? I don't know really. What I know is that I want to be on two wheels... And preferably moving. I tend to fall when I don't move. There is much more to say but not here.
Unconfirmed
Göktuğ Sarıoz: Goktug is probably more outdoor-minded than any of us. I'm afraid he will soon quit everything and do the "G4 Challange" if we can't convince him to come with us. He offered to escort us with his Land Rover throughout the journey. Carrying essential equipment, spares and communication devices. If that happens, we will all share the additional costs of gas and such equipment. His contribution would be invaluable. Be ready to exchange your bike with his LR3 for a day or two. We all want to see how he looks on two wheels. However, I should also add that Göktuğ is a busy guy with more business plans ahead of him. You never know...
Serkan Zelzele Serkan is Burhan's friend. Lives in L.A. He seems to be excited about biking and touring in general. He has an invitation as well.
Not coming
Fırat Soylu Firat is approaching an early mid-life crises as fast as he can. I hope it happens soon so he can buy a bike and join the team. Then again, I have too many hopes.
Jan 13: He did two big mistakes. 1. Talking to his wife before acting. 2. Buying a red sportscar.
Cem Yılmaz:I never talked to Cem and I don't know him personally. But I know about his obsession on bikes. And I also heard that he wants to do a big trip. This is an open invitation. Cem, I hope you will take this offer "seriously" and we can get to ride together.
Dec 21 2007: Cem has not replied to the invitation but I don't think he's coming.
Engin Külahoğlu: Engin is the maestro of mountains. I have to say that he was the one to give me the travel sickness. I learned a lot from him and respect him dearly. He has done many climbs around the world including South America. He moved from Montreal to Turkey recently. He set up an industrial mountain climbing company. They climb industrial structures to make money. I know that it was also his dream to go on a motorcycle expedition and hope it will be this one. That would be a great contribution.
As of Nov 12 2007 Engin announced that he will not be joining this ride.
Özgün Zümrüt: Haven't talked to this guy in almost 10 years. We did a few bicycle tours in the past. Özgün is a true road companion. Anyway, I found him in facebook the other day and guess what, he is into enduro motorcycling and planning to move to the states. Weird how life folds out. I hope he'll make it and join us.
Dec 21 2007: He recently moved to Dubai. I guess that will be enough of a travel for him this year. Maybe some other time...
No Reply
Kutlu Gürelli: He is a special case. He is the person to be on the road with. I would go anywhere with this guy. How much do you weigh Kutlu? I'm willing to go two-up if you can make it to LA.
Dec 21 2007: He has not shown any interest in this organization. He did't even log-in to see what it is about. I don't know why. Maybe I should ask.
Levent Özbek: Levent has been biking for a long time. I don't know him much other than the stories I heard. And some of those stories should not be disclosed here. We talked briefly last week. He seemed very excited. Levent, "Barabar duj?"
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