Monthly Archives: August 2014

Photos, Sections, Sumatra Sutra

Morning Drill

It is fun to watch the kids going to school. The little ones with their huge school bags almost as big as themselves. Before school starts there is always a kind of exercise session or drill on the school compound. Needless to say that I had to stop and watch this ceremony when I passed by the school on Saturday morning.

The kids had a hard time to focus on their performance and stay synchronous while keeping an eye on my doings. Some were really into it with great enthusiasm, some seemed to be very bored with the exercises, one scholar was  lazing in the sparsely equipped classroom as pictured below …

So cute these youngsters in their school uniforms

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Photos, Rest Day, Sections, Sumatra Sutra, Trans-Oceania

2014-08-25 Photos

Photos of  the Rest Day in

Bukittinggi – Sumatra

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Photos, Sections, Sumatra Sutra

Sumatra Welcomes the Rider from Germany

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Throughout the country villages are decorated with alleys of German banners.

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  • Is this another ‘Cristiano/TdA Special’ for one of his/their alumnae? Thumbs up
  • Was the town expecting my passage and giving me a warm welcome?
  • Is this still post-Soccer World Cup decoration? The Indonesians seem to be very aware of the German victory in this year’s WC final. I am often asked, from where I am, and immediately given half a dozen German soccer player names, when I tell them I am German.

Which ever is the case, I enjoy the ‘special’ treat.

Terima Kasih (thank you).

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Photos, Sections, Sumatra Sutra

Pole Climbing

Shortly after the Equator passage I passed a 20140824_115041little village with a big assembly on a public ground. Although the ride was already consuming a lot of energy, and the final climb to Bukit Tinggi was still to come, I couldn’t resist to drop my bicycle and step into the crowd to watch the spectacle. ‘Rachma’ with her little one ‘Colby’, explained to me that they are celebrating a Christian holiday and at the end of festival they do the pole climbing. Aim of the participating teams is to reach to the top first and pick the attached gifts for their team.

It was great fun to watch them building / failing to build  the pyramids – it didn’t look very organized or efficient – but everyone 20140824_120222seemed to enjoy it. After a while the focus deviated from the climbers onto me and I eventually became the main attraction again – as so many times in the past, when I stopped to take photos or interact with the locals. Obviously this area is rarely visited by tourists.

climbing poles / Sumatra

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Sections, Stage Details, Sumatra Sutra

Stage 06: Sumatra

Kota Nopan to  Bukit Tinggi
Date: 24-08-2014 Time: 08:48h Temp: 17/37 °C
Distance: 178 km Σ km: 547 km To Go: nnnnn km
Up: 2408 m Σ Up: 9196 m Calories: 3792 kcal
Down: 1703 m Σ Down: 8039 m Σ kcal: 18346 kcal
Conditions: A long and demanding ride. The distance was actually a bid shorter than given the night before, however not with a ‘penalty’: 530 extra meters to climb.

The moderate early morning temperature constantly increased to their max. at 37°C, until the heavy afternoon rain set in. This time there was no buffer to seek shelter without risking to ride into darkness. At kilometer 123 we crossed the Equator into the southern hemisphere. Now things will change:

  • headwind becomes tailwind
  • climbs become descents
  • dirt becomes tar
  • water supply becomes beer
  • Muslim prayers become lullabies
  • …

and therefore we all can sleep 2 hours longer than usual Smile

stage-06

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Almost at the Ecuator

96km into the day. About to cross the equator soon. 3rd crossing after Africa and South America.

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Brury and me

Photos, Sections, Sumatra Sutra, Trans-Oceania

2014-08-24 Photos

Photos of  Stage 6

Kota Nopan to Bukittinggi – Sumatra

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Sections, Sumatra Sutra

A long day ahead

Last minute briefings before we get back on the road. 183km ahead, 1880m of climbs. Hope the sun is not faster than me and I make it to camp before the 3rd call for prayers of the day …

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Stirling, Annegret and Andreas

Photos, Sections, Sumatra Sutra

This room sleeps 4!

Very basic but spacious room for 2 humans and their bicycles.

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My Mrs. Wriggley II and her temporary new partner in safe haven.

Sections, Sumatra Sutra

A fabulous ride

A BIG THANKS to the TdA scouts, who found this route!

Todays short distance ride was perfect to enjoy the sceneries, people and sunny weather. No rush, no hectic. Simple cruise thru the day and  inhale the beauty of the country and people. Although I am one of the strongest in the field, I was immediately caught by Chelsea, todays sweep, meaning I was the slowest on the track. However not because I was suffering from exhaustion, but because the landscape and citizens were so beautiful, and let me stop at every remarkable place. It was ‘picture time’, and a day to really start using the GoPro camera (videos will be prepared at my rest day on Monday). 

It was early morning and the kids were on their way to school. The scholars went crazy whenever I stopped and the teachers had a hard time to keep them under control.

DSC_1070These kids didn’t want to turn back to go to their school and posed for me, until their teacher told them to get back to class.

DSC_1108These kids jumped the wall around the school complex to get as close as they could get to me. High 5 is the name of the game. Girls and boys, although Muslims, equally in joy – unimaginable in other parts of the world.

In the afternoon we left the main road and followed a forest road thru gorgeous settlements. Children all ages, too many to count, were already expecting us around every corner and cheered us thru the day. 

G0804740Some have never seen a ‘white’ person in their life, at least not on a bicycle. Nellie and Chelsea are enjoying it as much as the kids.

DSC_1150Unfortunately  time is always too short to stay for longer.

DSC_1103This is an absolutely stunning valley, that we will cycle the next two days.
DSC_1158People working in the rice fields, with just basic tools or none.

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This is it for today. Sorry for being brief with my write up today. Tomorrow is the longest riding day of the tour. Everybody is scheduled for an early and long refreshing sleep. So am I Who me?