Friday, December 21, 2012

Bali Bike Kompas (BBK) September 14-16, 2012

Guys,
Finally I managed to finished BBK review after almost 3 months (have to force myself because too many work and pleasure trips)

At the end I could join BBK after begged the committee (registration supposed to be close because fully booked, but the committee add the quote become 116 pax from the original quote 100 pax).
Anyway, one day before BBK lots of things happened, looked for car rental which could take my bike box. Car rental from Mas Masyur/Sudirman Park (my flat) to the airport is IDR 350,000, very expensive!!,  finally I got Nissan Serena for IDR 150,000 only. The driver rent it to me without knowing by his boss which will use the car at 8am (I rent the car at 5am), but Pak Supeno the driver is very nice, he promise next time he can take me take or pick me up from somewhere.

September 13, 2012 (Thursday)
Arrived at Terminal 1 (Lion Air) at 5.30am, when queued for check in I asked the security is the flight to Denpasar should check in here? Whops….,  special for Denpasar flight, it should through Terminal 3. Luckily I could called Pak Supeno the driver and he’s back to took me to Terminal 3.
I could check in but not for my luggage and my bike. Next flight already fully booked and my things could not take that flight without me. Send my things by cargo will take 2 days. The only Lion flight available is at 3pm and I have to pay another IDR 1.3million because normal price (not promo price anymore), huhuhu…!! At the end I have to buy Air Asia ticket at 11am flight as IDR 850,000(+baggage for bike IDR 150,000 + and luggage IDR 40,000).
The good point is I could join BBK’s shuttle bus which only 3x times (at 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm). Save taxi cost from the airport to the hotel at Nusa Dua.

When arrived at Santika Hotel Nusa Dua, I directly register (got 3 jerseys), room check in (my roommate is a very tough girl who works for Unicef in Papua), then mantle my bike.

Technical meeting at 6pm, very sophisticated dinner included “potong tumpeng” celebration.


September 14, 2012 (Friday) 
Due to madame Minister Mari Elka Pangestu wants to join the bike trip, after her speech etc, the biking start around 8-830am. On-road trek, all junctions guard by policemen.


Today the distance is about 102km, with route Nusa Dua - bypass Benoa – bypass Sanur – Batubulan – Campuhan – Goa Gajah Ubud – Gianyar – Semarapura – Museum Kertagosa – Padangbai – Candidasa.

Lunch break was a bit longer, due to Friday prayer at pendopo restaurant. The committee invited Mr. Haj (Pak Ustad) to gave Friday speech (fyi every lunch break all of the participants could pray together; so for participants who are not pray were happy for extra break time).


We had early dinner at Bali Aga kampong. There were dance performance, the traditional food is very yummy and spicy !! We also saw a film about their traditional art. The MC (master of ceremony) talked about Bali Aga’s life; i.e. when they died should burry naked (like a baby) and face the south (sea).

At Candidasa my hotel is back to nature spa resort without TV, the bathroom is open space on the backyard of the villa.



September 15, 2012 (Sabtu)
68km only, but 70% uphill, with route Candidasa – Amlapura – Bebanden – Muncan – Rendang  - Menanga – Abang Batudinding – Kintamani.

We had lunch at Mahagiri Restaurant with Gunung Agung dan Telaga Waja river view. There is swimming pool at the restaurant, so some bikers could swim in that hot day.


At Kintamani we had dinner at a restaurant beside Batur lake. As usual the menu is seafood and other Balinese food which very refreshing and spicy. The restaurant is very romantic, with some villas. Some bikers spent the night here.

September 16, 2012 (Minggu)
Jippy…., finally downhill to Denpasar, about 122km with route Kintamani - Bukit Penulisan – Catur – Jembatan Tukad Bangkung – Bedugul – Baturiti –Taman Ayun – Mengwi Denpasar  - Ketewel.

After finish, early dinner, speech again, medals time, (all bikers got medal, to appreciate the endurance after 3 days biking), then photo session, etc. Bikers dismantle the bike (there some mechanics to assist)  then the committees took all of the participants to Ngurah Rai Airport or to Central Car Park at Kuta area (it took about 2 hours from Mengwi).
Before end of the ceremony, the committee announce that all BBK participants could join bike to Komodo Island and will get free polygon bicycle, free accommodation and air-ticket to Jakarta. This offer is only for 5 BBK participants, but it’s only 4 participants joined because most of us could not extend another 10 days off. Other Komodo trip participants are from bike community because Kompas did  not open registration for solo biker.
To avoid hassle, I sent my bike to Jakarta by Elteha freight, it was only IDR 120,000 and it took 4 days before I received the package.


My Note
As a host Kompas is very well prepared, 2 thumbs up!!. This is the best event I ever join (I joined Bali Audax 2011, Garuda Indonesia tor de Maninjau (Padang- Bukit Tinggi vv, Jan 2012),  and West Sumatera Audax (Padang – Bukit Tinggi pp, October 2012)).
Every 2 hours we had break stop for about 30 minutes at a quite big area, with lots of mineral water, pocari sweat, hot tea, traditional snack, and fruits. We could do photo session too. The committee will check all of the participants, no biker left behind; then we have to start again together.

For 3 days, lots of policemen guarded the junctions along the street, street users should wait until bikers pass the junction. Sometimes it made me stress because they had to wait me (and only me) pass the junction, , wehehehe…thanks Mr. Policemen.

There were 7 official marshals (6 from Jakarta and 1 from Semarang), all marshals ride  bicycle, the leader is Marta (former national athlete), he ride a bike with aluminum cover the velg of the bike, he said it’s for aerodynamic (because hold the wind), but it should ride at minimum 35km/hour, well… he only ride at 10-15km/hour because he had to back and forth to check all of bikers, must be very hard for him!!
This is my pic with Marta and 2 of the official marshal.


The marshals always bring mineral water and snack for the bikers. There are also some committee who ride motorbikes to take our picture, guard the junctions, and always offer mineral water/snack/fruit/okky jelly/paper tissue/mask/”inside power” (just in case you need them to push you while you ride), my God…. too tired to say “no thanks” to them.  The marshals also very passion to accompany some last bikers.

I was curious to try “inside power”, it is difficult because we have to stop pedaling to avoid un-synchronization. I also tried to hold committee’s car but it is very danger even the car move very slowly.

With registration fee as IDR 3,000,000 (twin share) or IDR 3,800,000 (single room) excl air-ticket, this trip is very worth it. I am very exciting to join next event which host by Kompas.
Fyi, this is the first time  that Kompas open the event for solo biker, usually only for bike community. For more info you can check www.bali-bike.komps.com


Cheers,
Ade







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