After years of travelling from race to race, Froome joined Škoda We Love Cycling to discover a city he had never properly experienced.
“Throughout my career, I’ve travelled to so many different countries all over the world for racing. But one thing that’s really bothered me about being a professional cyclist is you get to travel to so many places, but you don’t actually get to experience them.”
In Istanbul, that meant swapping race preparations for local food, exploring the streets and joining a social ride with the city’s cycling community.
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Discovering Istanbul, one ride at a time
With local rider Ahmet Aksöz as his guide, Froome discovered how Istanbul’s cyclists make the most of their city, often hitting the roads before sunrise to beat the traffic. The route towards the Bosphorus offered a different perspective on a city better known for its busy streets than its cycling culture.
Of course, riding is only half the story. Coffee stops are a universal part of cycling culture, but Istanbul has its own take. Here, baklava and börek are just as much a part of the experience as the kilometres covered.
The trip culminated at L’Étape Türkiye, where Froome rode between Europe and Asia in a single event, taking on roads normally closed to cyclists. Not a bad addition to the riding résumé of a four-time Tour de France winner.
“This trip to Istanbul has been so different to how I would typically have travelled during my career,” Froome reflected.
And perhaps that’s the point. Even after a career spent racing around the globe, there are still new roads to ride, people to meet and places to discover.
Watch Chris Froome explore Istanbul, meet its cycling community and discover where the bike can take him next!