Saguling Loop: 2020 February Century Ride

Saguling Loop: 2020 February Century Ride

Is Saguling Loop a great cycling route?

I’ve been wondering about it myself—the route has been sitting on my ride plan list for the past few years. Unlike my usual preference, it doesn’t involve a mountain pass. With total elevation gain of almost 1400 m, however, it was comparable to my previous mountain pass century rides, thanks to its pronounced hilly terrain alone. Somehow, it has always fallen out of my personal favor—that is, until fellow cyclists @storyonsaddle and @foldinggram actually rode it, and inspired me to take it for my birthday solo ride.

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Pangalengan Exploring: 2020 Chinese New Year Ride

Pangalengan Exploring: 2020 Chinese New Year Ride

“Is going on a long ride, on Chinese New Year, a good idea?” my wife asked.

I had to admit she had a point. In Indonesia, Chinese New Year is identical with rain. Weather forecast predicted 80% chance of rain as early as 10 am, and 100% afterward. Despite the certainty of rain, however, I was firm with the plan of exploring new cycling route in Pangalengan—especially after my last rain ride to Palintang.

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Bandung - Pangandaran Endurance Cycling Trip

Bandung – Pangandaran Endurance Cycling Trip

“How hard could it be?” I wondered, as I contemplated my cycling plan to Pangandaran. Crashing waves on gentle-sloped shore, with plenty inns, hotels, and attractions around—Pangandaran bay is definitely the most famous beach in West Java, frequently visited by tourists all-year round. Just a hair over 200 km mark from Bandung, the capital city of the province, it has also become a popular cycling destination for those interested in testing their endurance for randonneuring and long-distance cyclotouring. “How hard could it be?” I wondered, as I remembered the century rides I’ve finished in the past; considering the terrain and road surface, I thought it would only be marginally harder.

It turned out, however, Bandung – Pangandaran double century cycling trip is a different kind of beast altogether…

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