I was getting a lot of questions about where I'm heading to next…
My original plan was to cycle into Iran. But I've been doing a lot of research and have been talking to lots of cyclists who have been there recently, and are there currently, and what I've come to is, it is just not safe at the moment! There is too much civil unrest.
After talking to people who are there, and getting news that's coming straight from the people, rather than news that's being censored by the government, I've heard of many disturbing things.
Cycle tourists inside and outside of cities disappearing, and being arrested. Passports and phones are being taken from them. Locals whom cyclists have stayed with have gotten into deep trouble. Cyclists are being detained by police and being questioned. You can't write a single bad word about the government on social media, or even through texting friends as your phone is being watched. Cyclists and locals are living in fear of the government, and are always looking behind their backs to see if someone is watching! You can't trust anyone you speak to as most police are undercover. This regime is truly scary, and what I've heard mostly, is that cyclists who are there now, are trying to get out asap, and those who have managed to leave have felt a huge sense of relief!
This is NOT how want to live my life. In fear.