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Iran Is A Great Place To Go Cycling

Why is Iran a good place to go cycling?
With extraordinary historical sites, fascinating culture, and exquisite landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and hot deserts, Iran is one of the world’s most treasured travel destinations. Iran is a destination for all seasons, and is blessed with extraordinary historical sites, fascinating culture, and exquisite landscapes.

Throughout the nation, there are various historic monuments that bear witness to the country’s rich Persian past, which dates back 3,000 years.

It provides a great deal of diversity in terms of culture and food for travelers. From the classic nomads of Qashgaei, Bakhtiari, and Shahsevan to the proud Turkmen, hospitable Gilaki, kind Azeri, and vibrant Kurds, to the contemporary Tehrani, Iran has something for everyone.

Iran’s weather

It is feasible to cycle in Iran at any time of year; you just need to plan your trip according to the season and the routes you want to go. The breadth of the nation, as well as the fact that it is well-extended in both east-west and north-south coordinates, means that Iran has the unique possibility of having a diverse climate, which offers travelers with the option to travel throughout the year, during both high and low seasons. There is a significant variance in climate from one location of the world to another. The climate in central Iran is arid and desert-like. In the northwest, there are mountains, in the north, there are subtropical woods, and in the south, there are semiarid and tropical climates.

Spring and fall provide the most consistent weather throughout the nation, allowing you to avoid extremes in temperature. During the months of November to April, the finest season to bike in central and southern Iran. The months of January and February are the best months to go to the islands of the Persian Gulf. Summer riding in the cold mountain areas of the northwest will be especially enjoyable in the heat of the summer sun.

The hospitality of the Persians

A long-held Iranian tradition of legendary hospitality has its origins in the ancient idea that “a visitor is God’s friend.” Thus, tourists’ stories about the unrivaled Persian characteristics of the Iranian people are justified; tourists who consider the Iranian people to be the true highlight of their Iran vacations are justified; and tourists who think the Iranian people’s understanding of hospitality is elevated to new heights are justified;

Iranians see visitors as honored guests, and they want them to feel welcome, therefore they show them a lot of affection and hospitality. They will approach you at all times to check if you need anything. When you take out a map, someone will be present to assist you. If you ask for directions, they will very certainly accompany you to your destination.

The majority of Iranians are kind and feel a sense of responsibility for being at your side. During your journey, locals will pull over to offer you food and beverages, or they may ask you into their house to share a meal and possibly stay overnight. They may send you out with some treats to keep you fueled up for your next leg of riding in the wilderness.

Iranian peasants and nomads are quite kind, and they may wish you goodbye with a pot of tea or bread made from their own crops or by their own hands. Even cab drivers, retailers, and restaurant proprietors will refuse to accept money for their services.

Iranian friendliness has earned Iran the title of “the most rewarding place on Earth” according to Lonely Planet. It is so well-known that it has earned Iran a spot in the top-ten travel destinations list for 2017.

Iran has a number of popular bicycle routes

With four distinct seasons, Iran is a large nation with many different climates. This implies that you have a broad variety of options for when and where you want to go cycling. On each route you travel, you may mix motorcycling with historical research and absorption in the local culture. For example:

Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd are all stops on the traditional route. The old Silk Road, which can be traced back to the Persian Empires, is likewise entirely congruent with this theory. From November to April, the weather is the most ideal for this journey.

Explore the woods, sea, and Alborz Mountains, as well as tiny rural communities and local customs in the varied provinces of north and northwest Iran. You’ll come across a mix of both nature and culture as you travel across the country’s diverse regions.

The Jangle-e Abr, also known as the Cloud Forest, is normally surrounded by an ocean of clouds, and the Gisoom Jungle is one of Iran’s most beautiful and calm woods, and it is home to some of the world’s most endangered species. For bikers traveling to or from Turkey, Tabriz serves as the gateway to Iran. Summers in the Pacific Northwest are pleasant, especially when temperatures elsewhere in the nation are scorching.

Along the Persian Gulf shore, or on the islands of Qeshm, Kish, and Hormoz, there are a number of places to stay.

Kish has the most extensive and distinctive network of bike trails in the area. Rentals are available upon request. Qeshm is the biggest island in the Persian Gulf and is located in the Persian Gulf. On your bicycle journey, you will pass various magnificent sights such as mangrove forests, the Valley of the Stars, the Salt Cave, and the Hara Forest, in addition to many picturesque beaches.

In Hormuz, take a trip to the Rainbow Mountains and the Portuguese Castle. The greatest time to explore this tropical wonderland is during the winter months.

A mountain riding paradise, Alborz Mountain offers a variety of terrain for all levels of mountain bike enthusiasts. It is particularly popular with professional riders. Terrain consists of a mix of asphalt, dirt, downhill, and single track courses, with some routes being more difficult to navigate than others.

Lar National Park, situated a few of hours northeast of Tehran in a region known for Mount Damavand, is a popular tourist destination.

The Zagros Mountains, which stretch from the west to the southwest, are known for their breathtaking landscape. In the area, you will travel through some of the most beautiful oak woodland vistas. It is a popular location for elite cyclists due to the high hills and rugged terrain of this section. Begin in Uraman Takht, a town cut into the side of a cliff, and make your way south toward the Khuzestan province.

Maranjab is a city located not far from Tehran

The Salt Lake and Wandering Island have helped to establish the desert as one of the most popular adventure locations in the world. Experience the majesty of desert sand dunes and spend the night at the Maranjab caravanserai, which dates back to the 17th century. When it comes to deserts, the period from mid-autumn to mid-spring is ideal.

Cyclists who are female

In public, women are compelled to cover their hair with the Islamic hijab. This includes a headscarf, a tunic that falls mid-thigh, and trousers that are ankle-length. Make sure you have your hair, arms, and legs covered.

Accommodation

Iran has a diverse selection of lodging alternatives for visitors, including five-star hotels, boutique hotels, hostels, homestays, and caravansaries, among others. Iran does not have many traditional campgrounds with hot showers and cooking facilities, which is a problem for cycling visitors who like to camp. Instead, you will depend on wild camping to get you from one city to the next. This is never an issue since there are several distant spots where you may set up your tent.

It is simple to camp near the police stations, gas stations, and Red Crescent Rescue Stations that can be found distributed around Iran’s main motorways and other major intersections.

The majority of the time, they are delighted to have you camp nearby and will provide you with access to their facilities, including restrooms and water. Additionally, camping in municipal parks is possible, with a guard on duty and accommodations in a small cottage inside the park grounds available.

The use of a travel agency to arrange your accommodations will provide you with piece of mind and ensure that you are getting a decent, safe location at a reasonable price.

Stores that sell bicycles and bicycle accessories

Every city has stores that offer both name-brand and lower-cost Chinese bicycle components, making it simple to locate high-quality bicycle parts in Iran. Camping goods, such as tents and sleeping bags, as well as minor things such as camping gas cartridges and head lamps, are widely available for purchase.

Iran’s Roads and Highways

The majority of roadways in the United States are sealed with asphalt or bitumen. There is decent surface on the smaller roads and rideable shoulders on the larger ones. Iran has a comprehensive network of subsidiary roads, the most of which are paved, allowing you to locate smaller alternatives to the main motorways if you want to escape the traffic and noise of the main highways. Tunnels are common in hilly places, and you may stumble upon a few while exploring. In general, the shorter ones are well-lit, whereas the longer ones are not always so. There are signage in both English and Farsi.

Taking bicycles on buses and trains: If you’re planning to go over a large area, the distance will force you to take your bicycle on some type of public transportation. It is feasible, but you will have to pay an additional fee, which will be determined by the duration of the travel and the class of the bus. Taking a cargo bike on the train requires you to be at the railway station early in order to get your bike checked in as cargo before the train leaves.

Visa

A visa normally takes 7–10 working days to get, and for nations such as Americans, British citizens, and Canadian citizens, it might take up to 1-2 months to complete the process. You may extend your visa at least twice for the original term, therefore a 30-day visa can be extended to up to 90 days, allowing you to spend up to 90 days in Iran. The big cities of Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd and Tabriz are all excellent places to accomplish this.

Connect with a travel firm that can offer you with the Iran Invitation Letter in order to save time (Authorization Number). You may either pick up your visa in Iran, at the airport, or at any of the embassies that are located across the globe to assist you.

Cycling through many countries and crossing international borders

In addition to Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, Iran also has borders with Armenia and Turkey as well as Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. You may travel overland between these adjacent nations and vice versa. Obtaining an onward visa in Tehran is a possibility.

Borders’ business hours are as follows: (which may be subject to change)

Iran-Turkey: Bazargan is open 24 hours a day, Sero is open 24 hours a day, Razi is open 8–17.

There is always someone to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Astara and Bilasuvar are both accessible around the clock.

The following services are provided in Iran-Nakhchivan: Jolfa is accessible 24 hours per day, seven days per week, while Poldasht is available from 8:30 a.m. to 01:30 p.m.

Iran-Armenia: Nordooz is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Sarakhs: 7:30_16:30, Bajgiran: 7.30–17, Lotfabad: 7_17:30, and Incheboron: 7:30_17, all in the morning.

These are the only borders that are safe to cross. Other less-commonly seen boundaries include:

Iran-Iraq: Khosravi is available 24/7, Chazabeh is available 7_17, and Soomar is available 7 17.

Bashmakh is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Iran-Pakistan: Mirjaveh (8:18:30), Rimdan (8:18:30), Mirjaveh (8:15).

7 17 Iran-Afghanistan, Milak 7 19 Iran-Afghanistan.

Although it is possible to travel throughout the nation by yourself, in a group or on your own, having the assistance of a local travel agency is suggested for your convenience, whether you are traveling with or without a tour guide.

However, since you are deemed to be invited by the agency, their assistance is important, particularly in obtaining your visa within a much shorter period of time and securing accommodations that are within your financial means. Also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they can provide you with whatever information you want anywhere in the nation.

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