Wehehehe…,
My journal this time is Tour de
Belitung on December 8-9, 2013, on-road 300 km.
Followed by 208 participants from
Jakarta: PCC (Puri Cycling Club), SCT (Serpong Cycling Team), TSCC (Taman
Surya), MP3 (Muara Karang, PIK, Pluit), MCT (Monas Cycling Team), PGN
(Perusahaan Gas Negara/National Gas Company), KGB (Kelapa Gading), ID Selap,
WIII, Axioo, Skippy, and Petrobikers (Octo (Inti Brunel), Herki (Murphy),
Ade SPC)); from Bandung is Galao (Gowes Anti Loading, Putra and Iwan (we bike
at Bali Bike Kompas/BBK), Solo Cycling Club (SCC), Medan Gowes Group (MGG) with
Ahin as the older bikers (72 years old) who ride over size mountain bike, but
he is very tough!!; 2 bikers from Hongkong (Dale and Luke), and Mark Winkle
from Jakarta (I met him at BBK), Axel and Tenne (host of Lombok Audax
25-27 Januari 2013), Bangka Bike Community, Belitung Bike Community.
December 7, 2012 (Friday)
Sriwijaya Air delayed for about 1 hour, most of the passengers are TdB
bikers, who joined WSA (West Sumatra Audax), Bali Bike Kompas (BBK), Bali
Audax, and other audax, feel like reunion.
The good thing is bicycle already sent by Sriwijaya cargo since
December 4 (the cargo start from 4 to 6 December, fee is IDR 75,000). The
committee very well prepared, because only 6 flight per day to Belitung
(Sriwijaya Air (4x)
and Batavia Air (2x)), with only 30
bikes/flight. The committee also very keen to inform about registration after
arrive at the hotel, how to take our bicycle, etc; through black berry
messenger.
After arrived at H. As. Hanandjoeddin airport; we take the bus and
drop by to the famous Mie Belitung Atep (noodle with sweet broth, with
condiment cucumber, shrimp, and crackers), then continue to the
hotel.
Directly register to the committee after arrived at Bahamas Hotel (got
1 jersey, sticker bag and bike, ID bangle, salt stick, and traditional herbal
cold syrup from the sponsor)
Mechanic already stand by, just inform our bike box, and the bicycle
will be ready in a couple hours. Fee is up to us, I paid IDR 100,000 for mantle
and dismantle my bike including pack in the box.
Technical meeting held at 6pm for about 45 mins, then by 3 buses
(there are only 4 buses in Belitung, 3 rented for TdB) and some minibuses, we
went to Bupati’s house (Bupati is the head of the region), there was also live
music and karaoke.
December 8, 2012 (Saturday)
Today the distance will be 180km including 5km extra cycle to Bupati’s
office for real start.
The route is Buding Village (45km), Manggar (incl. lunch at Fega
Restaurant (45km), Elementary School No. 8 at Air Ruak Village (45km),
and finish at Tanjung Pendam Beach(40km).
There are some off-roader with mountain bike like me (I change my
mountain bike to road bike hybrid by change the tire), but still it’s waste
lots of energy. Every time I reached the break point, all of bikers has been
gone even there were still lots of water and fruits. My bike also quite heavy
(it’s about 15kg), I tried Pinarello (one of the on-road bike) which is less
than 6kg, huhuhu…..no wonder all road bikes were very fast (but maybe their
frame is titanium, while mine still chromoly, hehehe…!!) A couple times I was
the last one, this time the marshal is policeman on motorbike, who encourage me
through loudspeaker “come on madame, you can do it…!!” made everybody along the
street stared at me, how embarrassing, hehehe…!!
After lunch at Manggar, it was very hot, more less 38 Celsius , but
after about 1 hour later, it was cloudy and big rain!! At the end I think
it’s enough for today ride, no rain coat, slippery asphalt, got enough shower
from my front tire. It’s a pity because the trek is quite flat but there is no
place to hide from the rain, palm tree along the road. Luckily there was still
last space in the police sweeper car.
At Elementary School No. 8 at Air Ruak Village, the students
welcome the bikers in the rain. At this time the committee was not only
provided water, fruit, and snack, but also towel, what a nice touch!!
The first day finish celebration has been donewhen I arrived at
Tanjung Pendam beach (last point), with some last bikers I bike slowly to the
hotel which is only 10 minutes from Tanjung Pendam.
December 9, 2012 (Sunday)
Ride distance today is about 110km, the route is Bahamas Hotel – Mempiu
Village, Kampong Cerucuk (35km), Tanjung Tinggi beach (the beach of “Rainbow
Warrior”/”Laskar Pelangi” film for photo session (45km); Bukit Berahu
Restaurant for lunch (13km), and finish at Bahamas Hotel (17km). The lunch
quite yummy (fish and meatball, bean sprout stir fry, fried shrimp, chicken
soya ketchup, fried snapper fillet, fruits and durian).
After lunch we went to Lengkuas Island by boat for short picnic. There
are a lighthouse which we can climb to the top (it’s about 225 stairs)
It was a big rain when we left the island, however after arrive back
to Bukit Berahu Restaurant we should bike again for the last 17km to the hotel.
After arrived at Bahamas Hotel around 5pm, all bikers queued for medal
and photo session. On the evening we went to Hotel Hatika by bus for gala
dinner. There were some presentation about next event during dinner, i.e.
presentation from Tenne for Lombok Audax on January 25-27, 2013 (Tenne &
Axel picture, below), presentation from Medan Gowes Group for Tour de Danau
Toba on March 8-12, 2013; and door prize time (mobile phone, tablet,
notebook, home theater).
December 10, 2012 (Monday)
With first flight of Sriwijaya Air (around 7.30am) about 20 bikers who
wear office clothes fly back to Jakarta. Even bike boxes has been delivered to
the airport since Sunday night, but Sriwijaya Air only allows to check the
baggage in on Monday morning. Thanks to Pak Amos the committee who was very
helpful to arrange baggage and passenger check-in. This time the bike baggage
is free of charge .
For safety reason bike box should change with ID bangle, so no
memorabilia, huhuhu…!!
My Note
The committee is very professional and helpful. Lots of mineral water,
Pocari sweat, fruits, and snack during the break. There was light meal at the
hotel every afternoon and snack box at the lobby that we can take to the room.
I got enlightenment from Pak Amos about on-road ride, i.e. when ride
up-hill should take big gear not small gear like what off-roader bike
does, due to long ride it’s much better to have exercise at least 3 days a week
with minimum 100km/exercise (which is very hard for me as an employee who work
7 to 4), when biking it’s better with a group and to safe the energy, just ride
behind them for hide from wind in-front. If we missed 2 weeks exercise, our
ride endurance will drop 40%, if no exercise in one month, there is no more
ride endurance left.
However, the off-roader got appreciation from the on-roader who
understand how tough to follow on-road rhythm.
There is no stamp card at this event, because the event is not a race,
but for picnic (to introduce Belitung tourism) and gathering among bikers.
The Fee (excl air-ticket) is IDR 3,000,000 (twin share) or IDR
5,000,000 (single room) or IDR 5,000,000 (single + spouse who does not bike,
but the committee arrange ecotourism and shop trip)
Pak Amos informed that the total cost for this event is about IDR
700million, the committee also succeed to lobbying local government and head of
local police who also join the ride.
More info is at http://www.tourdbelitung.com
Next event
Cheers,
Ade
