Cyclists Explore Konya’s Historic and Natural Beauties

Konya Metropolitan Municipality has started organizing bicycle tours to the districts for cycling enthusiasts in order to better promote the city's historical and natural beauties.

In the first event held in Beyşehir, participants gathered at the Eflatunpınar Hittite Water Monument, which dates back to the last quarter of the 13th century BC.

From here, the cyclists set off with guides, pedaling 40 kilometers along the designated route through the Akburun, Gölkaşı, and Çiftlikköy neighborhoods, all the way back to Beyşehir.

The bicycle tour, organized to promote the historical and natural beauties more closely, lasted about 6 hours and concluded at the Eşrefoğlu Mosque in the district center, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mahmut Özcan, a 55-year-old cycling enthusiast who participated in the tour, invited all cyclists who want to experience a ride in nature to join the event, saying, "It’s a wonderful project. Our municipality has provided a great opportunity, and I’m grateful. We had the chance to see the natural beauties of Beyşehir, and we were very pleased. I hope these efforts will be expanded and organized even more frequently."

Another participant, Kemal Özcan, mentioned that it was his first long-distance cycling experience, saying, "We had an enjoyable ride in beautiful weather. I’ve been living in Konya for 12 years. I'm not originally from Konya, but the services provided by Konya Metropolitan Municipality make me feel that living in Konya is a privilege. I hope our youth can leave cafés behind and spend quality time by engaging in sports and connecting with nature. The municipality offers great opportunities and events for this."