Dress for dust first
Whatever else the day brings, dust is part of it. Forest tracks and dry open ground throw it up from every buggy in the convoy, and it settles on clothes, skin and hair. When conditions allow there is mud as well, and the shallow river sections can add a splash, although neither is something anyone can promise.
So the simplest rule is to wear something you would be happy to put straight in the wash, or never wear again. Old T-shirts, worn shorts or light trousers and a top you are not attached to all work well.
White is best avoided. Fine dust shows on light colours within minutes, and a mud mark on a white shirt may never wash out completely. The course you are dressing for lies in the Aspendos countryside beside the Köprüçay river.
Shoes: closed, and ones you can spare
Closed shoes are the one clothing rule that really counts. We advise against flip-flops, slippers and loose sandals, because they slide off the pedals, offer no protection when you step out onto loose ground, and fill up with grit.
Trainers you no longer wear for anything smart are ideal. If they come home a different colour, the safari has done its job.
Socks that come up above the ankle help keep grit out of your shoes, and a spare pair in your bag is worth the space.
What is supplied, and what is not
Every rider is given a helmet, and that is the full list of kit supplied with the ride. Nothing else protective comes with it, so plan your own cover for eyes and face:
A bandana pulled up over the nose and mouth is the easy way to keep dust out of your throat on the drier stretches. Sunglasses help too, though they sit less snugly than goggles.
- Helmet: provided for every driver and passenger
- Goggles: not included; you can buy a pair at the base
- Dust mask: not supplied; pack one yourself if you like
- Bandana: not supplied either; bring one from home if you want it
- Sunglasses: bring your own if you prefer them to goggles
What to put in your bag
Food and drinks are not part of the package, and the programme lasts about 4–4.5 hours from hotel to hotel, so a small bag with the basics makes the day easier:
Keep valuables to a minimum. Dust and water are hard on phones and cameras, so zip yours into a pocket or seal it in a pouch. Photos and videos are not included in the price.
Bring euros for the fare as well, since you settle the price on the tour day itself. If you think you may buy goggles at the base, allow a little extra for them.
- Water
- Sunscreen
- A complete change of clothes, socks included, for the ride back
- A plastic bag for dusty or muddy clothes
- A small towel or wet wipes
- Your ID if you are driving, as it shows your age
Small details that make a difference
Long hair is easier tied back so it fits under the helmet. Jewellery, and anything else that could slip off or get lost, is better left at the hotel.
Passengers need the same clothes and shoes as drivers, because the dust reaches both seats equally. The same goes for children, although we do not recommend the safari for anyone under 4.
Get dressed for the ride before you leave your room. Your pickup time is confirmed the day before and you wait at the hotel's main entrance, so being ready in the right clothes means you can simply step into the transfer.
Put sunscreen on before the pickup too, on your face, neck and arms, because the helmet leaves much of them uncovered.
After the ride
At the end of the route you are driven back to your hotel, and that is when the change of clothes earns its place. A clean T-shirt and dry socks make the ride back far more pleasant than sitting in dusty, damp clothes.
Shake out your shoes and clothes before they go in the bag, and wash them separately from the rest of your holiday wardrobe, as fine dust spreads easily. If you choose the long route of 28 km rather than the short one of 18 km, expect a little more of it on everything you wear.