Category Archives: Stage Details

Sections, Stage Details, Trans-Oceania, Volcanoes & Temples

Stage 32: Java

Batu to  Bromo
Date: 25-09-2014 Time:

06:11 h

 Σ Time: 169:48 h
Distance: 77 km Σ km: 3303 km Temp: 13/39 °C
Up: 2279 m Σ Up: 40242 m Calories: 3200 kcal
Down: 1025 m Σ Down: 37387 m Σ kcal: 79693 kcal
Conditions: Easy before lunch, thereafter steep and sandy, but worth every inch. Quick 40 km out of Batu. Good roads, mostly down. Some traffic in town, but thereafter quiet. 2400m of climbs, 1700 from km 43 to 67.

A must! Indonesia without cycling up to Bromo and through the caldera would be like Africa without animals. After the past 4 hard days this was the Kings stage, that lead us to our rest day in the crater. I had a companion, who travelled all day with me until his fatal end in the crater. The morning ride was easy going. Fast enough to advance to the start of the climb, but all about saving energy for the challenging final. A few stops to have the locals enjoy my companion ‘Bob’ and have cold drinks, as it was getting real hot. Lunch was reached at noon, after 58 km.  It was setup  at the entrance to the National Park. With 1200m already climbed to here, it was still only half way up, but with only 8 km leftG2778798 to the summit. This means: 15% consistent grade (25% at peek) for the next 90 minutes, if not more. The road was partially bad but I made it all the way up without walking the bike. Andreas waited for me 200 vertical meters from the summit. He drove up by van to inform everyone who already left from lunch, but now wasn’t sure to make it through the day, to return here and get on the van, as the cars were not able to make through the final 10 km of sand and volcanic ashes. At the summit Andreas and I climbed a tower to get a better view of the crater. Thereafter a steep descend started on sand, gravel and concrete.  G2768781We quickly reached the bottom and made it through the first 100m meters of deep sand, before it was mostly impossible to continue to cycle, even after releasing air from the tires. 6 km of walking in ankle deep sand, filling up the shoes, made progress very slow. The sun was already disappearing between clouds and the volcanoes, quickly turning the air cold. We could see the destination from the distance, but it seems to not close up. G2808827And it was another 200m steep climb from the bottom of the crater to the hotel. Cristiano was all of a sudden in the middle of the ‘desert’ waiting for us to give us final instructions, about which non-existing ‘path’ to follow to not get lost. Finally back on pavement I first had to release 1 kg of fine grained black ash and sand from my shoes. Overall it took me about 4 hours from lunch to the hotel to cover for the remaining 20 km. Luckily there was hot water to warm up the beaten body and muscles. FoodG2908890 is great in the hotel, so I could reload lots of calories. An arrangement was made with some fellow riders to get up early in the morning (3am) for the sunrise in the crater. 2 Jeeps were paid and at 8pm the lights went of in my room.

The report about the sunrise tour will follow separately, in addition to the live ‘Sunrise @ Bromo’ post.

 

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Sections, Stage Details, Trans-Oceania, Volcanoes & Temples

Stage 31: Java

Tulungagung to  Batu
Date: 24-09-2014 Time:

05:39 h

 Σ Time: 163:36 h
Distance: 117 km Σ km: 3226 km Temp: 20/40 °C
Up: 1358 m Σ Up: 37963 m Calories: 2234 kcal
Down: 517 m Σ Down: 36362 m Σ kcal: 76493 kcal
Conditions: Perfect Cycling! Thx to the scouts for such a fabulous track. Fast 70 km out of town to lunch with nice supportive wind and almost flat terrain. The climb thereafter with a perfect grade. Easy to cycle and extremely beautiful along a river in a narrow valley.

Today was a cycling day you didn’t want to end. The ascend (I don’t call it a climb) was just perfect, both from scenery and from grade. Easy 3-5% constant, something one could ride all day long and in a beautiful, narrow valley along a sometimes white river, fed by roaring waterfalls. However before you get into this picture we had to cycle 70 km out of town. First thru dense morning commute, thereafter in a flat and monotone rural area.  Average speed was at 25 km/h getting to lunch – opposite of a school (you know what that means) – in les than 3 hours.There was the promised tuna. However it cost some persuasion and charm to get the promised mangoes. I couldn’t resist again to go over to the school and entertain the waiting students. At the end I had them perform a ‘La Ola’ and did not leave without some extra ordinary posing photos. Now it was time to approach the 40 km and 1100m ascend. Stock up with Coke and water in an AlfaMaret and get into gears. Soon the road meandered along a river through a narrow valley, with bamboo and other trees. The higher I got the greener and more scenic it got. Picture time! One of the best riding days, so far. No fear to not get to camp, even with infinite stops. At the ‘Purple Gate’ suspension bridge I made a right turn, over the bridge into the rice fields towards a waterfall, I saw from the other side of the valley. What a refreshment to end in the spray of the fast falling waters, nicely located at a Hindu ‘temple’. On return to the main road I met a local family, pretty woman with lovely girls. Before I could ask if I could take a photo, she had already pulled her phone, gave it to the older daughter and asked me, if I allow her to take a photo with me. Minutes later, photos were taken, and facebook friends made. Andreas, the sweep rider, had long passed me. However I texted him, about my whereabouts and not to worry – Joe is in his element, taking his time on such a day. Too much to see, no need to rush through. Andreas was in the meantime waiting for me at the fruit market 2 km further up. We met there again, I bought some apples, he a bonsai tree, that he ‘mounted’ to his bike. 5 more km up and today’s summit was reached. Thereafter a fast 7 km downhill to another exquisite hotel. It was the first time in 6 week in Indonesia, that I felt good and healthy enough to jump into the pool and enjoy a refreshing bath.

Btw. I spent so much time on the bike today, that I got sunburnt on my thumbs, that are mostly unprotected and all day exposed to the sun.

One more cycling day left in this week’s series. Who thought, that we had already done enough climbing is wrong. Tomorrow will be ‘only’ another 2400m up to reach the rest day camp in the Bromo volcanic national park … Stay tuned for photos and other stories I’ll prepare during the rest day.

 

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Sections, Stage Details, Trans-Oceania, Volcanoes & Temples

Stage 30: Java

Sarangan to  Tulungagung
Date: 23-09-2014 Time:

06:33 h

 Σ Time: 157:57 h
Distance: 126 km Σ km: 3109 km Temp: 16/34 °C
Up: 1670 m Σ Up: 36605 m Calories: 3385  kcal
Down: 2794 m Σ Down: 35845 m Σ kcal: 74259 kcal
Conditions: Another ‘climber’ with 2 rewarding downhills. Roads partially bad, especially in the 2nd part up and down. Very scenic and a totally different Java than before.

125 km and 1700 m climbs sounded doable. Even after an ‘energy-eater’ like yesterday. However it turned out to be another of these stages for which the scout injected extra spices.

I had a late start, and was the last rider out from the hotel, taking early morning sunlight photos of the surrounding mountains. So I was riding with Chelsea and Henry and had many more stop on the fast 1000m downhill. The air was so clean and clear and the sunlight perfect for photos. Java in this area is so different, different topology, vegetation and less dense populated. It reminded me of some parts in Africa, like Zambia, where you could ride for hours without seeing a human.  I did not recognize how much time passed, dreaming into the day. It was not until km 50 before I caught up with Dara. A quick Coke stop and off I was on my own. Climbing started at 60 km. Although very smooth (max 3%) it was a tough 12 km to lunch. Strong head and cross wind and higher temperatures slowed down progress. And the steep climbs were to come after lunch. Hurrah, again potatoes and eggs for lunch. I stocked up with Coke at the first fridge in town. The first of 3 major hills was around the corner, each 200m to ascend on just 2km, means an average of 10% for 6km. Well, in the meantime we know, that 10% average means 25% at peek. The Javanese did obviously cut these roads into the mountains prior of the birth of the smart guy who invented the switchback roads! They look more like skiing tracks than cycling roads. Nevertheless, there was no option than to get over them. Andreas was waiting for me on the 2nd climb. He was the afternoon ‘sweep’ and was in the van until it passed me, because after me no one else continued cycling. So I had company for the rest of the day, which turned out to be a good one, especially during the final 800m downhill, as Andreas has exactly the same fun I racing on rough roads and around sharp corners. On the steepest part of the 2nd climb I had to get off the bike and walk. It was just too steep and my speed too slow to maintain a controlled ascent. The ride on the ridge was a treat. The villages built into the mountain, the lush vegetation and a bit of a drizzle from the upcoming clouds. Between the 2nd and the 3rd climb were approximately 4km of flat or downhill. Good, bad and none existing pavement made riding an all time concentration game. Trucks or motorcycles could ‘ambush’ you in every corner, means usually cutting corner, leaving not much space to pass. At 100 km we reached the top of the last ascend and were ready to ‘free fall’ into the valley. We could have used parachutes to fly down, but decided to ride it to our fun. My Garmin later told me it was my quickest 40 km ever; the last 25 km was 800 m downhill and a high speed chase. Reception in the Crown Victoria Hotel was exceptional. Too bad, that it is only for a night and I couldn’t use the Gym with the stationary bicycles. However I found the first scales in the country and took my weight before I had a real good dinner.

After dinner I had to change a tire, which was more-or-less destroyed on the sharp gravel today.

Tonight’s rider briefing disclosed another tough climbing day tomorrow. Who would have thought different?!

 

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Sections, Stage Details, Trans-Oceania, Volcanoes & Temples

Stage 29: Java

1 Comment
Solo to  Sarangan
Date: 22-09-2014 Time:

04:47 h

 Σ Time: 151:24 h
Distance: 62 km Σ km: 2983 km Temp: 18/37 °C
Up: 1872 m Σ Up: 34935 m Calories: 2681 kcal
Down: 715 m Σ Down: 33051 m Σ kcal: 70874 kcal
Conditions: This was the announced ‘all day climb’, except for the last 8km down to the hotel at the lake. Cooler morning temps, busy roads in Solo.

The announced ‘short’ but with an ‘all day climb’ to 1870 m over the shoulder of Mt. Lawu (3265m) should prove, if I slowly can get back to my former fitness level. I was taking the first 30 km through busy Solo and thereafter less busy and more scenic roads through rice fields and little villages very easy. At 9 am the first part was done, 50% of the distance, but only 10% of the elevation gain. Now the tough part should start. From the issued profile it could be seen, that the next 10 km will gain only about 400m, leaving the major part of the climb – the remaining 1200m to the following 12 km. This translates into a 4% average grade for 10 km and a 10% average grade for the final 12 km to the summit – ouch! The road continued in an almost straight line into the slope of Mt. Lawu; no switchbacks that were built-in to reduce the grade. The smallest gear was used for most of the time. Legs were fine, heart rate at low average, all fine. I had to wear my mask for most of the day, as there was the usual noisy and stinky traffic. Some Coke and photo stops added to my elapsed time, but I felt strong enough to make it to the end. Henry and Gerald soon closed up to me and we were cycling long time close together and into lunch at 41 km. Great catering again! Boiled potatoes for more carbs, fresh fruits and nuts. It doesn’t take much to make us cyclists happy (at least some of us). However we were only about 50% through the climb.DSC_2919 Still 800m vertical elevation gain on the final 8 km before the summit and the fast downhill thereafter. Continuing the climb with an average speed of 7 km/h the end was not too far away. However the little ‘smiley’ that Garmin draws on the profile page, seemed to not move at all. More photos of the scenery, with fields of various kinds built into the steep slopes, and luxury houses in the holiday resorts. Unfortunately no time (energy) to detour to the 2 Hindu Temples with the erotic pictures and sculptures. Finally the summit was reached, no turning back into the hazy view from where we came. Downhill was quick, short stop at a strawberry field and the merchant shops. More photos from the view into the target valley and the village at the lake. My breaks were on fire by the time I finished the 700 m drop and turned into the hotel grounds.

I was so looking forward to get a hot shower – the air is much cooler up here in 1280m – but to no avail. Long pants and long sleeved sweater will keep me warm, as I lost most of my natural body insulation, thus hi-tech fabrics come into play. At least my body seem to quickly recover and get back to power to tackle the following tough days until we reach Bromo, again high on a volcano.

 

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Sections, Stage Details, Trans-Oceania, Volcanoes & Temples

Stage 28: Java

Yogyakarta to  Solo
Date: 21-09-2014 Time:

05:54 h

 Σ Time: 146:36 h
Distance: 112 km Σ km: 2921 km Temp: 25/39 °C
Up: 1279 m Σ Up: 33063 m Calories: 3286 kcal
Down: 1240 m Σ Down: 32336 m Σ kcal: 64907 kcal
Conditions: Roads exceptionally good. A view road works with loos gravel or potholes. A steep climb n the morning (up to 20%) and several smaller thereafter. However the afternoon after lunch easy on the plain with favorable wind.

The reincarnation of a cyclist, after a 6 days knock-out.

I knew, it wouldn’t be easy for me after my energy taking sickness. Riding most of the day with my mask, made breathing not a pleasure, especially when temperatures raise into the upper 30th °C. However I badly wanted to be back on my bike and ride. The van is no option; and my fellow cyclists and staff wanted to see me back cycling, too. So I started with Eric as the last out from Yogya. A quick 12 km through town, then we separated and I sent Eric ahead on his faster mission. At 13 km the steep ascent to 400m started. I was remarkably strong and already passed the first riders walking their bikes, and had left much earlier. There were many local cyclist on the road, too. This must be a popular cycling track. I could feel, that I was strong, but far from the strength I had before. I therefore took it slow, stopped a few times for photos. I even added an extra activity stop (more in the ‘Over the Edge’ post) which delayed me for another 30 minutes or more, but was worth it. The emptiness in my stomach increased and power level decreased in the starting midday heat. Lunch was a few kilometers before the last short & steep climb of the day. I let it last very long, until today’s ‘sweeper’ arrived, but ate with more appetite and rested before I left for the 2nd part. The final climb was consuming my last power level, but the immediate downhill helped me recharge a bit. The final flat 40 km were simply a matter of not giving up. Should I save energy for the next day or shall I go and ride the whole day? Favorable wind and my will to complete the day, carried me into the Iris Hotel in Solo, where I had a hot shower and a nice intermediate meal to bridge the time to dinner and compensate for not eating (much) for the last 5 days. Hope I get the carbs loaded quick!

 

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Java Jive, Sections, Stage Details, Trans-Oceania

Stage 24: Java

3 Comments
Cipanas to  Kota Banjar
Date: 15-09-2014 Time:

04:26 h
DNF

 Σ Time: 140:42 h
Distance: 77 km
(125 km)		 Σ km: 2809 km Temp: 20/36 °C
Up: 1064 m Σ Up: 31784 m Calories: 2451 kcal
Down: 1401 m Σ Down: 31096 m Σ kcal: 64907 kcal
Conditions: Cool in the morning, afternoon hot. A ‘dirty’ climb out of town in the awful morning traffic. After 20 km a fast and very scenic 40 km downhill to conserve energy for the afternoon section which is totally on bad roads with short but steep climbs.

By no means do the shorter weeks become easier. To avoid the flat but busy and polluted roads the tour stays in the mountainous regions of central Java. I had a lazy start after the rest day and took it easy as the stage seemed to be easy and fast from the data we got the night before. The little climb after km 7 was just right to warm-up in the cool morning air. The 40 km downhill on perfect pavement a real treat and good for many photo stops. The deviation from the main road changed things. Not only cycling got tougher but only my physical condition all of a sudden degraded in the hotter temps and rougher roads. I got air in my stomach and soon felt that I had to throw up sometimes soon. My lower body seemed to play wrong with me … I managed the final steep 200m climb on a divided plastered forest track to the lunch spot, where I had to throw up the first time. Even after 2 hours of rest it did not improve and I finally had to give up the second part of the day and use the van. My body was on strike (See ‘All Plugs Pulled’).

 

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After Lunch Profile

Although it seemed an easy, mostly downhill ride that could be done even exhausted the ride in the van proved different. 2:15h for 50 km in the van on bumpy, almost not existing roads would have made cycling for me under my condition very risky. So it was the right decision to quit here, as the following ‘recovery’ days will show.

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Java Jive, Sections, Stage Details, Trans-Oceania

Stage 22: Java

Cidaun to  Ciwidey
Date: 12-09-2014 Time: 05:38 h Σ Time: 130:22 h
Distance: 72 km Σ km: 2639 km Temp: 21/36 °C
Up: 2437 m Σ Up: 28768 m Calories: 2558 kcal
Down: 1375 m Σ Down: 27592 m Σ kcal: 59922 kcal
Conditions: This was the supposed to be toughest climbing day of all my tours so far; with an average grade of 6% for the whole day. The section from 32 km to 44 km averaged at about 10%, with maximum grade of 20%. It was warmer than assumed, and no wind at all for the most parts. Lunch at 46 km was in the clouds. Very scenic – mind and body blowing.

We had only 300 m flat after the campsite, thereafter a 46 km climb into the central Java mountains started. It was a nice change of the landscape after being at the coast for the last couple of days. First going through rice fields and ending in the tea plantations at about 1800m. The views were stunning, rice terraces, rivers, steep valleys, nice settlements and potentially beautiful waterfalls (during rainy seasons) showed up around every corner.  However, with TdA you have to ‘pay a penalty’ for these changes. This time it came with a brutal climb. The first 500 vertical meters were quite smooth. Thereafter the steep climbs with grades up to 20% started. The average grade from km 32 to 44 was at about 10%. It took me about 4 hours to climb to the first summit and lunch. In the beginning I had the energy to stop once in a while to get my DLR and shoot a photo, whereas later it was always a silent negotiation with myself, if it is worth to stop and use extra energy for a photo. After lunch there were 3 ‘rollers’ thru the tea fields, thereafter a long descend to our hotel. The city is quite busy, loud and polluted. The dinner was exceptional. Nice ambience, table cloth, and a 3 course menu with a selection of good food to regain strength for another day of huge climbs before we complete this week’s 6 stages and have a well deserved rest day.

 

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Java Jive, Sections, Stage Details, Trans-Oceania

Stage 21: Java

Ujung Gesting to  Cidaun
Date: 11-09-2014 Time: 07:23 h Σ Time: 124:44 h
Distance: 141 km Σ km: 2567 km Temp: 21/36 °C
Up: 1265 m Σ Up: 26331 m Calories: 3225 kcal
Down: 1250 m Σ Down: 26217 m Σ kcal: 57364 kcal
Conditions: A tough one. It was said that the road conditions weren’t good, which turned out to be the case for a major part of the day. But what made it more difficult was the strong blowing headwind, all day long.

The all day blowing headwind from east and the mostly bad road conditions made it a long riding day. However very quiet and scenic once we left the main road and turned into the coconut and gum tree fields. The temperatures felt really comfortable. From km 40 to 105 the road was really bad; loose gravel and rocks required full concentration at every second. However I could play out my ‘joker card’, the full suspension mode of my MTB made me ride the rocks like a Cadillac. I really enjoyed the roughness and difficulty of the ride. Cristiano wasn’t wrong when he announced the bad road conditions during the briefing, the night before.  What he did not mention was, that we are riding eastwards and the wind is constantly blowing into our faces. This slowed down progress dramatically and made riding an all day and exhausting fight. Only a few of us made it to the next camp.

Lunch was setup at a nice place in the woods, where a local was boiling palm zap to make sugar and serving us fresh coconuts.

Tomorrow is another ‘killer’ stage: just 71 km, but a constant climb to 1800 m from sea level. I hope that the rest day that we have on Sep 14., will give me enough time to post photos and special reports.

 

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Java Jive, Sections, Stage Details, Trans-Oceania

Stage 20: Java

Cimaja to  Ujung Gesting
Date: 10-09-2014 Time: 05:21 h Σ Time: 117:20 h
Distance: 97 km Σ km: 2426 km Temp: 21/35 °C
Up: 1279 m Σ Up: 25066 m Calories: 2220 kcal
Down: 1288 m Σ Down: 24967 m Σ kcal: 54139 kcal
Conditions: Another joy ride. Roads good. Climb long but never steep, easy to find a pace to make it to the top effortless. Temperatures moderate. Head wind in the afternoon turning back to sea.

Another enjoyable cycling day. The morning climb after 15 km on the main road from sea level to almost 800 m was a ‘piece of cake’. Easy to find the right gear and pace to finish the 20 km gradual slope in one turn. Thereafter all day long downhill. That is how it should be. The vegetation and landscape changed. Hilly with endless tea plantations, with tea pickers at work. I stopped to ‘chat’ with some of the tea pickers – great fun. Another stop at a school where girls and boys were playing soccer together in heir school uniforms. I ‘crashed’ another school lesson and turned it into a ‘the stranger entertaining the kids’ lesson. At the end the kids formed a quire and sang an Indonesian song for me. The day ended at the Turtle Beach Hotel – nice, spacey and clean. Unfortunately someone must have told them that we must all be Germans! Only Beer at the bar, no soft drinks. We were told that the turtles usually come to the beach at around 8/9pm, so we will have a chance to see them tonight.

 

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Java Jive, Sections, Stage Details

Stage 19: Java

Malingping to  Cimaja
Date: 09-09-2014 Time: 04:56 h Σ Time: 111:58 h
Distance: 87 km Σ km: 2329  km Temp: 20/40 °C
Up: 1365 m Σ Up: 23787 m Calories: 2540 kcal
Down: 1365 m Σ Down: 23679 m Σ kcal: 51919 kcal
Conditions: Road bad to very bad. A hot day, 2 steep climbs but very scenic.

I would call it a perfect mix of everything. A tough cycling stage considering the day temperatures, the road conditions and the very steep climbing sections, but awarded with scenic views and similar amount of fast downhills to relax the legs. We had to leave the coast line and climb over two ridges to get back to the sea. The hotel is excellent, both from accommodation and food. Beach is a short walk away, but not for swimming. It is a surfer paradise.

 

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