{"id":6037,"date":"2016-05-07T18:12:11","date_gmt":"2016-05-07T22:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/?p=6037"},"modified":"2020-01-08T08:50:27","modified_gmt":"2020-01-08T13:50:27","slug":"7-myths-about-cycling-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2016\/05\/7-myths-about-cycling-iran\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Myths about Cycling Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"
Iran is one of the most misunderstood countries on the planet. \u00a0Almost everyone who has the opportunity to visit Iran, \u00a0falls in love with its warm and generous people. \u00a0The country certainly has its challenges, but there are many misconceptions about life inside the Islamic Republic.<\/p>\n
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Myth #1: It\u2019s almost impossible to escape Iran\u2019s busy highways.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be pedaling cross country with an endless parade of thundering trucks and speeding cars piloted by kamikaze drivers.<\/h2>\n
With today\u2019s technology it is <\/i>possible to break away from the big highways.\u00a0 Using open source street maps and the excellent Maps.me offlinemaps app, we were able to chart routes avoiding some of Iran\u2019s busiest and most treacherous roads.\u00a0 Iran has a comprehensive network of secondary roads, most of which are paved.\u00a0 If you ask locals for route advice, they will undoubtedly steer you towards the main highway.\u00a0 They\u2019ll likely tell you that the less travelled road is \u2018dangerous\u2019 or doesn\u2019t offer any services.\u00a0 Ignore this nonsense.\u00a0 Even the tiniest village will have a shop selling basic supplies at reasonable prices.\u00a0 Off the main routes you won\u2019t find hotels but don\u2019t let that deter you.\u00a0 In Iran, \u00a0some kind soul will inevitably invite you home for the night.<\/p>\nBeautiful ribbon of road through Iran’s Zagros Mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Myth #2:\u00a0 Iranians are scary, fanatical people who don\u2019t like Westerners–particularly Brits and Americans.<\/h2>\n
Nothing could be further from the truth.\u00a0 Iranians are incredibly welcoming, unfailingly hospitable and insanely curious about the West.\u00a0\u00a0 As a foreign visitor you will be showered with endless (and undeserved) kindness.\u00a0 Locals will pull over to offer you gifts of fruit and sweets.\u00a0 Shopkeepers and restaurant owners will refuse payment (but always attempt to pay at least three times, before accepting the gift).\u00a0 Iranian families will invite you home to spend the night, prepare a special feast in your honor and send you off with goodies to keep you fueled during your next leg of cycling.\u00a0 We\u2019ve cycled in 102 countries.\u00a0 Iran ranks #1 for hospitality.<\/p>\n
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Myth #3 Most of Iran is featureless desert.\u00a0 The landscape is dull and uninspiring.<\/h2>\n
Apart from the low-lying coastal regions, much of Iran sits on a high plateau surrounded by craggy peaks.\u00a0 The Zagros Mountains run the length of the country and boast several summits over 3,000 meters.\u00a0 Most of our time cycling Iran was spent above 1,200 meters, surrounded by rugged hills and beautifully barren landscapes.<\/p>\n
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Myth #4 Iran\u2019s climate is hot and dry most of the year.<\/h2>\n
Iran is a big country\u2014three times the size of France and four times the size of California.\u00a0 \u00a0Naturally there are considerable differences in climate from one region to the next.\u00a0 We toured Iran from mid-February to mid-March.\u00a0 Arriving via the ferry from Dubai to Bander Abbas on Iran\u2019s southern coast, the weather was mild and pleasant.\u00a0 A few weeks later, as be pedaled north of Shiraz, a chill set in and by the time we arrive at the border with Turkey on 19 March, we were caught in a snowstorm.<\/p>\n
The best times to cycle Iran are spring and autumn when you can avoid extremes in temperature.\u00a0 Women in particular, will find summer cycling challenging as they are forced to cover up and comply with Iran\u2019s version of the Islamic dress code.<\/p>\nCycling rural Iran–not exactly a desert!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Myth #5 Iran is a dangerous country.<\/h2>\n
Criminality is no more common in Iran than it is in most Western countries.\u00a0 Crime targeting tourists is extremely rare in Iran and the Islamic Republic does not currently suffer the instability plaguing many of its neighbors. \u00a0Police may stop you but that\u2019s usually just to wish you a warm welcome to their country.<\/p>\n
Myth #6 Iran is an expensive country to visit.<\/h2>\n
Of course how much you spend depends on how you like to travel.\u00a0 For us, Iran was one of the least expensive countries we\u2019ve ever visited.\u00a0 During our 30 day stay we spent just $200.<\/p>\n
Fruits and vegetables are very cheap (and tasty) in Iran.\u00a0 We mostly self-catered and could easily get by on $3-$4 per day. A kilo of tomatoes costs around 40 cents, enough bread to fill the stomachs of two hungry about 50 cents, 400 grams of feta cheese $1, delicious cream puffs and cakes from around 30 cents.\u00a0 A simple meal in a basic restaurant will cost around $2.<\/p>\n
Avoiding hotels is extremely easy in Iran.\u00a0 Many Iranians are members of Couchsurfing\u00a0 and Warm Showers so you can always find someone to host you in larger cities.\u00a0 If you just wander around any city or town late in the evening, someone is bound to invite you to their home.<\/p>\n
This spontaneous hospitality is always appreciated, but can become draining unless you delight in being the center of attention.<\/p>\n
In sparsely inhabited areas, pitching your tent shouldn\u2019t be a problem.\u00a0 You can also camp in city parks where there is usually a watchman on duty.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the best option for shelter is the Red Crescent Rescue Stations found scattered along the main highways. You\u2019re guaranteed a warm welcome, a hot shower and a quiet, comfortable place to rest for the night.\u00a0 Red Crescent staff are used to receiving touring cyclists and some stations even have guest books.\u00a0 The guys generally enjoy practicing their English and learning more about cyclists\u2019 travels.<\/p>\nAmazing fresh fruit and veg at shockingly low prices. Iran can be a great bargain for bicycle touring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/h2>\nCamping in city parks and petrol stations are easy options in Iran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Myth #7 Travel to Iran is highly restricted.\u00a0 It\u2019s almost impossible to get a visa.<\/h2>\n
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