Tour de Bali 2017
01-16-17, 02:09 AM
#1
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Tour de Bali 2017
A five-day circuit of the island...
The rig...
The ramshackle bridge at the bottom of an impossibly steep ravine...
The grilled fish lunch with the glorious rice terrace view...
Tomorrow I cross the volcanic spine, and drop down to the northern coast...
The rig...
The ramshackle bridge at the bottom of an impossibly steep ravine...
The grilled fish lunch with the glorious rice terrace view...
Tomorrow I cross the volcanic spine, and drop down to the northern coast...
01-16-17, 05:04 PM
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01-16-17, 05:06 PM
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01-16-17, 09:16 PM
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So you go up to the Kintamani portion and then down to the North?
I have only been on a car when in Bali, what do you think about the traffic conditions for cycling for the route you are doing.
In the city, I feel that its rather bad, but seems ok going North once away from Kuta. (but thats from a car)
I have only been on a car when in Bali, what do you think about the traffic conditions for cycling for the route you are doing.
In the city, I feel that its rather bad, but seems ok going North once away from Kuta. (but thats from a car)
01-17-17, 01:19 AM
#8
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Below is the first day's route. I started at home in Ubud in Gianyar Regency, travelled westwards into Tabanan Regency, and then up northwards to a village called Belimbing ('Star fruit' in Indonesian) where i overnighted. The route from Ubud to the turn northwards is a mix of densely populated village roads and the main east/west vehicular artery with heavy traffic. The main vehicular artery is not scenic or charming, but the road is wide and the surface is good. Once you turn northwards you are in sawah (rice fields) and villages.
Day 1
1 hour, 24 minutes is by car. Ignore that. Plug in 'Belimbing Tabanan Bali' and 'Ubud' in Google Maps and you will get the route.
I rode northwards up, over and across the east/west volcanic spine today, and dropped down to the north coast. Will post the route later...
Yes, I would not tour anywhere south of Ubud.
Day 1
1 hour, 24 minutes is by car. Ignore that. Plug in 'Belimbing Tabanan Bali' and 'Ubud' in Google Maps and you will get the route.
I rode northwards up, over and across the east/west volcanic spine today, and dropped down to the north coast. Will post the route later...
Yes, I would not tour anywhere south of Ubud.
So you go up to the Kintamani portion and then down to the North?
I have only been on a car when in Bali, what do you think about the traffic conditions for cycling for the route you are doing.
In the city, I feel that its rather bad, but seems ok going North once away from Kuta. (but thats from a car)
I have only been on a car when in Bali, what do you think about the traffic conditions for cycling for the route you are doing.
In the city, I feel that its rather bad, but seems ok going North once away from Kuta. (but thats from a car)
Last edited by Abu Mahendra; 01-17-17 at 01:26 AM.
01-17-17, 01:37 AM
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Day 2
Once you get up a bit in altitude, the river beds are strewn with these huge rocks. Java's southern volcanic flank is similar. Great, humbling chasms carved by nature.
...and everywhete you, however remote, you will come across the 'subak', the Balinese irritigation builts over centuries. UNESCO declared it an cultural artifact of humanity or something. Without the subak, there would be no water for rice, no rice surplus, no rich culture resulting from surplus crops.
The Dash on the bridge spanning this chasm, with rice terraces in the background.
...and everywhete you, however remote, you will come across the 'subak', the Balinese irritigation builts over centuries. UNESCO declared it an cultural artifact of humanity or something. Without the subak, there would be no water for rice, no rice surplus, no rich culture resulting from surplus crops.
The Dash on the bridge spanning this chasm, with rice terraces in the background.
Last edited by Abu Mahendra; 01-17-17 at 01:40 AM.
01-17-17, 01:50 AM
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Day 2
Stopped by a hotel for a cuppa'. View from the restaurant. Not a guest or tourist in sight.
Obligatory pic at the top of the volcanic spine. Thereafter it would all be downhill (more or less).
like the climbs, the descents are long and steep. this is the view as i stopped to cool down the rims.
More terracing...
Finally at the day's destination
Obligatory pic at the top of the volcanic spine. Thereafter it would all be downhill (more or less).
like the climbs, the descents are long and steep. this is the view as i stopped to cool down the rims.
More terracing...
Finally at the day's destination
01-17-17, 04:15 AM
#11
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Day II's run
From Belimbing in Tabanan Regency to Lovina in Buleleng Regency.
fyi, there are three passes across the spine. via Kintamani, via Bedugul, and via Pupuan. Kintamani is the steepest, and Bedugul has the most traffic.
fyi, there are three passes across the spine. via Kintamani, via Bedugul, and via Pupuan. Kintamani is the steepest, and Bedugul has the most traffic.
So you go up to the Kintamani portion and then down to the North?
I have only been on a car when in Bali, what do you think about the traffic conditions for cycling for the route you are doing.
In the city, I feel that its rather bad, but seems ok going North once away from Kuta. (but thats from a car)
I have only been on a car when in Bali, what do you think about the traffic conditions for cycling for the route you are doing.
In the city, I feel that its rather bad, but seems ok going North once away from Kuta. (but thats from a car)
Last edited by Abu Mahendra; 01-17-17 at 04:18 AM.
01-17-17, 07:43 AM
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great photos and awesome trip, also that's a nice waterproof front bag cause of the humidity and rain you might encounter it is a perfect setup for cruising around the island. but i've went to Kintamani years ago via renting a bus for the family and when we got off the road for a view we got swarmed by street vendors. I think it was a popular viewing spot haha, we just walked away from the crowd to get some nice pics, I don't remember if that volcano was active or not, but I have a feeling it is.
01-17-17, 04:58 PM
#13
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Yes, for the same volume dry bags are lighter than panniers, plus the weight overhead of the Tern Luggage Trus is lower thab a pannier rack.
you just have to know where to go, my friend. Before I dropped down to Lovina on the north coast, i hadn't seen any touts or foreigners for two days...
you just have to know where to go, my friend. Before I dropped down to Lovina on the north coast, i hadn't seen any touts or foreigners for two days...
great photos and awesome trip, also that's a nice waterproof front bag cause of the humidity and rain you might encounter it is a perfect setup for cruising around the island. but i've went to Kintamani years ago via renting a bus for the family and when we got off the road for a view we got swarmed by street vendors. I think it was a popular viewing spot haha, we just walked away from the crowd to get some nice pics, I don't remember if that volcano was active or not, but I have a feeling it is.
Last edited by Abu Mahendra; 01-17-17 at 05:48 PM.
01-18-17, 12:18 AM
#14
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Day III's run
Going in to a fancy resort for a cuppa' joe...
So you go up to the Kintamani portion and then down to the North?
I have only been on a car when in Bali, what do you think about the traffic conditions for cycling for the route you are doing.
In the city, I feel that its rather bad, but seems ok going North once away from Kuta. (but thats from a car)
I have only been on a car when in Bali, what do you think about the traffic conditions for cycling for the route you are doing.
In the city, I feel that its rather bad, but seems ok going North once away from Kuta. (but thats from a car)
Last edited by Abu Mahendra; 01-18-17 at 01:17 AM.
01-18-17, 08:36 PM
#15
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Keep the pictures and stories coming.
Reminds me of my bike trip in Bali 3 decades ago. Roads don't look any different, but your bike is much better than the one I bought in Denpasar. I cheated and put me and the bike on a bemo (public transport) to get to the top of the top of the island.
Reminds me of my bike trip in Bali 3 decades ago. Roads don't look any different, but your bike is much better than the one I bought in Denpasar. I cheated and put me and the bike on a bemo (public transport) to get to the top of the top of the island.
01-19-17, 05:05 AM
#16
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Day IV
Hair-pin bend at the early stage of today's climbs
Country road climb. Later I would dismount a few times and push as the grades were just too steep and long
Top of the climb!
Views on the way down
My reward at the end of today's run
Country road climb. Later I would dismount a few times and push as the grades were just too steep and long
Top of the climb!
Views on the way down
My reward at the end of today's run
01-19-17, 04:23 PM
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It would be fantastic if you could post the whole route plus your stopovers at the end; I would love to do this too. Bali is sort of next door to Aus.
Any idea of the grades? I have to keep SWMBO in mind.
Any idea of the grades? I have to keep SWMBO in mind.
01-19-17, 05:45 PM
#18
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Day 1: Ubud, Gianyar to Belimbing, Tabanan
(plug in these end points in Google Maps to see the route)
I overnighted in Belimbing at Cempaka Belimbing Villas. The hotel is ok, nothing objectionable, but perhaps not the best value at $51/nite. I recommend stopping in Belimbing for a rest and lunch here:
...and then if your legs can hack it, pressing on northwards and upwards another 11km to Sanda Butik Villas. Nicer, newer place.
View from the restaurant.
Oh yeah, 45 minutes away from Ubud, along the bike route you can stop to visit Taman Ayun, an old royal palace.
https://www.wonderfulbali.com/taman-ayun-temple/
It opens at 8am, i think, si if you leave ubud at 7.15, you can stop there when it opens and it's still empty.
(plug in these end points in Google Maps to see the route)
I overnighted in Belimbing at Cempaka Belimbing Villas. The hotel is ok, nothing objectionable, but perhaps not the best value at $51/nite. I recommend stopping in Belimbing for a rest and lunch here:
...and then if your legs can hack it, pressing on northwards and upwards another 11km to Sanda Butik Villas. Nicer, newer place.
View from the restaurant.
Oh yeah, 45 minutes away from Ubud, along the bike route you can stop to visit Taman Ayun, an old royal palace.
https://www.wonderfulbali.com/taman-ayun-temple/
It opens at 8am, i think, si if you leave ubud at 7.15, you can stop there when it opens and it's still empty.
Last edited by Abu Mahendra; 01-19-17 at 05:48 PM.
01-19-17, 07:49 PM
#19
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Is it safe to cycle alone in Bali? I mean muggers or wild animals (boars, snakes) ... or perhaps you are not camping/sleeping in a tent by the roadside. Anyways, beautiful photos. Very serene/calming.
01-19-17, 08:13 PM
#20
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Very safe. I don't know that there are any wild boar left in Bali. Perhaps some left in the Bali Barat National Park, but certainly none where you are likely to go on a bicycle. Bali is densely populated, and lots of its land is under cultivation or populated. I do recall stories of the Balinese going to Sumbawa, two islands over to the east, to hunt for wild boar.
The only minor threat/annoyance are the village mutts, but you can suss them out from a distance. The Mexican painter Miguel Covarrubias travelled to and wrote the seminal book about Bali, The Island of Bali, in the 1930s. In it he said that the only thing that separated Bali from perfection were the dogs.
Almost no campgrounds as such in Bali. There will always be a hostel, hotel or resort where you can soak and rest your weary bones each night. If you want to camp out, strap on the backpack and climb the Agung volcano (3,000+ masl)
The only minor threat/annoyance are the village mutts, but you can suss them out from a distance. The Mexican painter Miguel Covarrubias travelled to and wrote the seminal book about Bali, The Island of Bali, in the 1930s. In it he said that the only thing that separated Bali from perfection were the dogs.
Almost no campgrounds as such in Bali. There will always be a hostel, hotel or resort where you can soak and rest your weary bones each night. If you want to camp out, strap on the backpack and climb the Agung volcano (3,000+ masl)
Last edited by Abu Mahendra; 01-19-17 at 08:48 PM.
01-20-17, 05:17 AM
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Day V
Breakfast in Bali (before the skies opened up and started to rain)
Rice field view from room
Klungkung city
Rice field view from room
Klungkung city
01-22-17, 11:52 AM
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Abu, that's a wonderful recounting of touring your lovely country. Thank you.
01-22-17, 04:53 PM
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Day II
Day II
Belimbing, Tabanan to Kalibukbuk, Buleleng
(Plug in these end points to Google Maps for the route)
This day starts uphill to the top of the volcanic spine, and then it is mostly downhill to the northern coast. Some of the prettiest rice terracing in Bali is on show along the route. The descent to the north will be steeper than the ascent from the south since the distance is shorter. You can reach some scary speeds on the way down, so brake wisely. Also, your brakes may heat up, mine did, so you may want to stop a few minutes to let them cool down. I did just that as prevention.
In Kalibukbuk, the Lovina area, I stayed at Hotel Melamum which is probably the best budget hotel in the area. Cool A/C, good shower and room facilities, pool, attentive staff and in-house restaurant and bar. It had all I needed. Most of the north coast has scruffy black sand beaches. Lovina is no exception. I've been staying there for years as a budget choice. In Lovina town, you will want to eat at the well-regarded My Greek Taverna.
To the east of Lovina is Singaraja, Bali's second city and former colonial capital. The city commercial center by the water still retains some old time charm with its shops, Chinese temple and markets. Makes a good excusion for a photographer early in the morning. A century ago the few adventurous visitors to Bali arrived in Singaraja by ship. The first chapter of Covarrubias's book describes his arrival to Bali at Singaraja.
Belimbing, Tabanan to Kalibukbuk, Buleleng
(Plug in these end points to Google Maps for the route)
This day starts uphill to the top of the volcanic spine, and then it is mostly downhill to the northern coast. Some of the prettiest rice terracing in Bali is on show along the route. The descent to the north will be steeper than the ascent from the south since the distance is shorter. You can reach some scary speeds on the way down, so brake wisely. Also, your brakes may heat up, mine did, so you may want to stop a few minutes to let them cool down. I did just that as prevention.
In Kalibukbuk, the Lovina area, I stayed at Hotel Melamum which is probably the best budget hotel in the area. Cool A/C, good shower and room facilities, pool, attentive staff and in-house restaurant and bar. It had all I needed. Most of the north coast has scruffy black sand beaches. Lovina is no exception. I've been staying there for years as a budget choice. In Lovina town, you will want to eat at the well-regarded My Greek Taverna.
To the east of Lovina is Singaraja, Bali's second city and former colonial capital. The city commercial center by the water still retains some old time charm with its shops, Chinese temple and markets. Makes a good excusion for a photographer early in the morning. A century ago the few adventurous visitors to Bali arrived in Singaraja by ship. The first chapter of Covarrubias's book describes his arrival to Bali at Singaraja.
Last edited by Abu Mahendra; 01-22-17 at 04:59 PM.
02-21-18, 03:58 AM
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