ant
AngryAnt
Big Sumatran Ride day 7
The usual bike repair this morning - body plastics falling off due to my mistreatment on rough roads, duly fixed with copper wire for you guessed it, $2
Nearly traded my bike for this - fewer parts to break?
Blangkerjeren to Sidikalang - about 300km
Because the mountain riding is slower and more taxing than I thought, I'm about two days behind schedule (if I had a schedule). I can really only do 300km a day, maybe 350 with minimal stops and assuming no repairs. Mountain roads vary from excellent to terrible, and ascents are very steep and turns are many and tight. It's awesome!
Anyway, wanted to try to push it and get to Lake Toba, leaving Aceh province and heading into North Sumatra again. This part of North Sumatra is predominantly Christian so the Mosques were replaced by churches as soon as I crossed the border. It was strange at first seeing women with their hair exposed.
My best pic yet. Maybe ever.
I nearly made it to Toba, but had to stop in Sidikaling at 6pm before it got dark. I don't want to ride at night here with a shitty headlight and unknown roads after riding all day. Sidikaling sits just off the Toba volcanic caldera so it's an easy ride tomorrow to the the vast lake and Samosir Island where I'll rest for a couple of days.
Note the corn drying on the road
This is highlands country and seems drier and less tropical, almost Australian like in parts.
Lunch... fried chicken and vegie curry.
My first view of Mount Sidikalang, an active volcano.
"Is there somewhere safe to park my bike tonight?"
"sure, right here in the lobby"
The usual bike repair this morning - body plastics falling off due to my mistreatment on rough roads, duly fixed with copper wire for you guessed it, $2
Nearly traded my bike for this - fewer parts to break?
Blangkerjeren to Sidikalang - about 300km
Because the mountain riding is slower and more taxing than I thought, I'm about two days behind schedule (if I had a schedule). I can really only do 300km a day, maybe 350 with minimal stops and assuming no repairs. Mountain roads vary from excellent to terrible, and ascents are very steep and turns are many and tight. It's awesome!
Anyway, wanted to try to push it and get to Lake Toba, leaving Aceh province and heading into North Sumatra again. This part of North Sumatra is predominantly Christian so the Mosques were replaced by churches as soon as I crossed the border. It was strange at first seeing women with their hair exposed.
My best pic yet. Maybe ever.
I nearly made it to Toba, but had to stop in Sidikaling at 6pm before it got dark. I don't want to ride at night here with a shitty headlight and unknown roads after riding all day. Sidikaling sits just off the Toba volcanic caldera so it's an easy ride tomorrow to the the vast lake and Samosir Island where I'll rest for a couple of days.
Note the corn drying on the road
This is highlands country and seems drier and less tropical, almost Australian like in parts.
Lunch... fried chicken and vegie curry.
My first view of Mount Sidikalang, an active volcano.
"Is there somewhere safe to park my bike tonight?"
"sure, right here in the lobby"
Last edited:
