May 3rd, 2011
Days Left to Journey: 20-19 Days
Training Kilometers Cycled: 702 km
Cruisin' to Jakarta.
I wasn't feeling all that up to returning Lontong, a.k.a. the borrowed bike, today. I am still recovering from what seems to be the flu. With the help of my school doctor I loaded up on meds and headed out. I was cautious of course. I waited a full hour to see what the effects were - a cough suppressant I received is currently being tested as a substitute for codeine, maybe that's why the ride felt so smooth and easy.
The airport I skirted alongside on the way to Jakarta.
The streets nearing Jakarta proper (photo below). There's an exhilarating feeling whenever I get a chance to hop onto the curb and fly by all the stopped traffic. On a bicycle, I can get to the same location in the same or less time than on public transport. Of course, the disadvantage is motorbikes cutting me off and stopping half a second later to turn.
Bike2Work Gets It Done.
I reached the B2W office to find some of my friends and got to work on removing the pannier rack and changing the tires. I was proud at how my knowledge of cycle repair had grown. Before leaving, Lucy suggested that I attempt a proposal to Polygon Cycle for a sponsorship. With their assistance we just might have 2 bright and shiny Indonesian-brand bikes. A perfect match for our ride across Java. Wish us luck!
Tentative Route.
Our route is tentatively set! I am not sure how much to disclose given the US Embassy's warnings of post-Osama bin Laden's death blowback. Most of me is not concerned, but a part knows that it's not essential that I post the details in an open setting. I will say that we will generally follow a southern route through Java. More mountains, less cars, more pain, greater gain, yeah? Excited, but stressed about all of this.
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I will leave you with an unnecessary photo of my counterpart, myself, and the Japanese-language teacher at my school (left to right).
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