The only place we find to rent bikes in Bukittinggi: Cafe Bedudal, run by an easy-going rasta team
Probably no other crazy tourists wanting to be the main attraction for the local travelers, using bikes instead of motorized vehicles
2 mountain-bikes in fairly good condition and suggestions for the trip from the owner
Starting late morning because of a heavy rain in Bkt
Slight ascent for about 10 km while leaving Bkt on a busy, noisy road
Gunung Singalang (2877m) to the right and Gunung Merapi (2891m) on the left-hand side
Koto Baru: 1st village we go through after leaving G Singalang behind us
Lunch in an outside canteen of some main institution of Padang Panjang
Changing to a smaller one with much less traffic
Stop at a wooden mosque, around 200 years old
Merapi is in clouds on our left and valleys, plantations and short lookouts to Lake Singkarak on our right
The road starts to become a killer-kind with steep ups and downs, the weather is hot and humid and we are sweating like never before
Sometimes pushing the bikes uphill
Visiting Pariangan, the oldest village of the area: beautiful venue at the side of Gunung Merapi; invitation for a tea at one of the traditional wooden houses; public spa for bathing separately for men and women, taking the waters from the local hot spring
Well-deserved downhill ride after Pariangan to Batu Sangkar
Spending the night in Batu Sangkar and starting the next day with a short walk around the guesthouse
After having lontong for breakfast, our host says goodbye: "see you next time if we are still alive"
Getting on our bikes again for a detour to Pagaruyung, King's Palace: about 5 km of ups and downs from the guesthouse and then back to BS
The serious uphill ride starts soon after BS and lasts for about 30 - 35 km
Several short but really needed stops: having coffee and 'potatoes' at a tiny local waring where the owner knows about Budapest, buying and eating a tasty papaya by the road, picking up avocados along the road
Gunung Sago (2263m) appears to the right
Still pedaling or walking with our mouths open amazed by the magnificent landscape
Already got used to locals laughing and yelling, honking cars and 'moto's
Becoming too exhausted to answer the loud “Hello"s and waving
Tabek Patah: a helpful local shows us the coffee and banana chips factory
Tasting freshly made fried banana
Free sample of mulberry tea and kawa daun with a view of a pretty valley during a half-hour downpour
The air and our spirits are fresh and cool again after the rain
Ups and downs are not as steep as before but still with stunning views
Busy road again from Baso
Last stop in a small village next to the main road
Sitting on the lawn at a small warung, drinking tea and tasting sweets with a view of Gunung Merapi and Singalang again, the top of them covered by clouds
10km more to Bukkitinggi in noise and smog but "who cares?" after such a trip
Arriving back to Bkt at sunset
Probably no other crazy tourists wanting to be the main attraction for the local travelers, using bikes instead of motorized vehicles
2 mountain-bikes in fairly good condition and suggestions for the trip from the owner
Starting late morning because of a heavy rain in Bkt
Slight ascent for about 10 km while leaving Bkt on a busy, noisy road
Gunung Singalang (2877m) to the right and Gunung Merapi (2891m) on the left-hand side
Koto Baru: 1st village we go through after leaving G Singalang behind us
Lunch in an outside canteen of some main institution of Padang Panjang
Changing to a smaller one with much less traffic
Stop at a wooden mosque, around 200 years old
Merapi is in clouds on our left and valleys, plantations and short lookouts to Lake Singkarak on our right
The road starts to become a killer-kind with steep ups and downs, the weather is hot and humid and we are sweating like never before
Sometimes pushing the bikes uphill
Visiting Pariangan, the oldest village of the area: beautiful venue at the side of Gunung Merapi; invitation for a tea at one of the traditional wooden houses; public spa for bathing separately for men and women, taking the waters from the local hot spring
Well-deserved downhill ride after Pariangan to Batu Sangkar
Spending the night in Batu Sangkar and starting the next day with a short walk around the guesthouse
After having lontong for breakfast, our host says goodbye: "see you next time if we are still alive"
Getting on our bikes again for a detour to Pagaruyung, King's Palace: about 5 km of ups and downs from the guesthouse and then back to BS
Wandering around the palace and buying a never-before-seen fruit, looks like potato, called saus (looking it up in the dictionary) - 'Here's the "potato" fruit; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manilkara_zapota, we call it "SAWO" ;)' - thanks Yantri :)
The serious uphill ride starts soon after BS and lasts for about 30 - 35 km
Several short but really needed stops: having coffee and 'potatoes' at a tiny local waring where the owner knows about Budapest, buying and eating a tasty papaya by the road, picking up avocados along the road
Gunung Sago (2263m) appears to the right
Still pedaling or walking with our mouths open amazed by the magnificent landscape
Already got used to locals laughing and yelling, honking cars and 'moto's
Becoming too exhausted to answer the loud “Hello"s and waving
Tabek Patah: a helpful local shows us the coffee and banana chips factory
Tasting freshly made fried banana
Free sample of mulberry tea and kawa daun with a view of a pretty valley during a half-hour downpour
The air and our spirits are fresh and cool again after the rain
Ups and downs are not as steep as before but still with stunning views
Busy road again from Baso
Last stop in a small village next to the main road
Sitting on the lawn at a small warung, drinking tea and tasting sweets with a view of Gunung Merapi and Singalang again, the top of them covered by clouds
10km more to Bukkitinggi in noise and smog but "who cares?" after such a trip
Arriving back to Bkt at sunset
ügyes!
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