Three months after acquiring the Tambora A5, who would have thought — a casual cyclist like me would dare take on the @rute.syahdu challenge: 500 km of riding with 500 m of elevation gain. The motivation came from my ultra cycling experience back in 2020, when I boldly rode a steel-frame bike from Jogja to the capital during the pandemic alongside a tall cycling friend. Five years on, I wanted to do it again.

With my @polygonbikesid Tambora A5 — acquired last October from @rodalinkindonesia — equipped with an @igpsport.id IGS800 navigation unit and a set of bags from @urbncase, I mapped out a route from Jogja to Rembang and back, riding together with 5 friends. Titled the ‘Harmoni Jawadwipa Expedition’, this ride aimed to retrace the history of religious and cultural acculturation in Java: Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Christian, Catholic, and Chinese. All six faiths continue to coexist harmoniously, supporting and celebrating one another, coloring the atmosphere of Central Javanese society. We tackled all kinds of terrain: concrete asphalt to rough macadam gravel, flat roads and steep climbs and descents, gentle bends to sharp corners, freshly laid roads to moss-covered lanes, blazing heat to being completely soaked by floods. A truly complete experience.

Despite hitting a snag at km 573.0, I was fortunate to have already met the minimum target of 500 km. Although I fell short of the planned 600 km, it still surpassed my 2020 ride of 525 km.

Thank you to all the friends who supported me, and to @rute.syahdu, @igpsport.id, @polygonbikesid, @rodalinkindonesia and @storesaira for organising this virtual ultra cycling event.

Finish. 573 km. 3,616 m EG.
5500 Summit — Inspire. Create. Connect.

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