Bromo Day 2 Ride.

Day 2 Mount Kemiri / Tea Plantation Ride.

Towards Mount Kemiri.

   It's gonna be messy today.
   We will be visiting Mount Kemiri first for the proper group photo. Or getting documented correctly for the Home Minister, depending who you speak to. Plan was to run Mount Kemiri, then do another run in Wonosari Tea Plantation in Mount Arjuna. We are hoping to complete the ride without any of the drunkards falling off into a ravine or ending up in the middle of some tea plantation thinking they are behind Unker's house.
   As usual, herd gathered at the lobby. Into the vans and away we went, transported towards the trail head. This time passing by lotsa quaint Javanese villages along the way. Watched plenty of kids and mummy fussing around as we drove past like a bunch of tourist pretending to be Pro Riders from somewhere. At least that's what Manta told the check in lady pre-flight. The lady was shocked to see so many old people lugging in boxes and boxes of oversized luggage. Manta somewhat managed to convince the lady that we were representing Malaysia at the annual Bromo Bike Fest, in the "Retiree" Category. For that, all of us got 3 free "Fragile" stickers on our bike box. Badge of honour pre-flight. I felt like Contador.
   Arrived at the trail head. This time around, we are starting off midway up a hill with a 2 km climb before descending into their version of Mini Kiara. Then past 2 villages before going into the high speed descent. When Antony said high speed, what he meant was our brakes made redundant. It was to be white knuckled high speed single tracks all the way towards the clearing for our group photo. Having ridden this 2 years ago, i knew what to expect. I was only hoping there would not be any chickens crossing the trail midway today. It would be ugly having to swallow live chicken feathers midway.
   So, off we went.
   White knuckle it was. Even Captain America screamed. And scream he did. Our Guide, Bayu stopped and asked me what happened back there. I had to calm Bayu down. Bayu thought one of our girls flew off the cliff. He heard a scream akin to a woman being kicked in the groin. In trying to keep up with Bayu, I took a corner too fast at a rocky outcrop. Planted the front wheel on a rock the size of a coconut. Rock decided to jump ship. Rock took my front wheel along. The rest of the bike decided to tag along. Bike fell off the ridge. Ridge was a 20 foot drop to the right side of the ledge. A little tree stepped in to help stop the runaway bike. Captain America behind me screamed for the love of the bike. He was really worried. He really didn't want to see the bike get scratched. We both somehow managed to retrieve the bike. Thanked the little tree and caught up with Bayu. Smiling as we arrive of course. Captain America was drenched in sweat and wet at the pants.
   The entire herd trooped in to the clearing where we will be taking our group photo. We needed photographic proof of us actually riding. Krankster Yong decided to walk instead of cycle. Krankster also decided to cycle single leg for the rest of the day.

Obedient sheeps.

   22 camera phones came out snapping.
   We spent an hour taking photos of the scenery. The grass. The goats. Each other. Then the scenery again because the lighting was better now. Then the bikes. Exchanged phones and took photos of each other using someone else's phone. It was an hour well spent.
   Antony and Gery tried to figure out how Krankster managed to break his crank AND shifter. They gave up after an hour. Krankster decided to go Lefty for the rest of the day.

Krankster #1

Krankster #2

   It was confusing times. We somehow managed to limp Krankster out towards the lorry. It was 30 minutes of going downhill. Arrived at the lorry and Frank generously decided to give up his bike to Krankster in exchange for 3 cans of beer back at the hotel. We gave Frank 5 cans instead. Both went off patting each other on the back for a compromise done.

Indra the Guide.

   Onto the lorry we hopped.
   Wonosari Tea Plantation next.
   Another 25 minutes of squatting in the lorry before we arrived at the tea plantation.Then another 30 minutes of driving around the tea plantation before we finally managed to locate the rest of the herd. Claimed our bikes. Obediently split into the designated group and off we went. Letting Team A lead the way. Team A took off.
   Team A stopped after 30 meters. Their leader was so fast he kicked the pedal right off his crank. The leader was unhappy Krankster had all the attention earlier. Leader wanted his share of the attention. Leader somehow managed to break the bearings on his Egggbeater pedal. Leader got his share of attention. Team B overtook Team A. We smiled as we rode past Leader. Somebody politely farted as we rode past.

Pee Plantation Visit.

   Tea Plantation was almost like being back home in Rimbayu. Pleasant and cool.
   It was 20 minutes of single tracks and shaded dusty trails before we emerged at another local village. Lorry was parked at the community field. Frank had his share of beer.
   Had our beer. Took more photos. Back towards the hotel within minutes. VC and Captain America had a beer schedule to keep up with. It was to be another 2 hour break before dinner. We are going Italian tonight... Don't ask me why we fly to Indonesia for pasta and cheese. I did say these were confusing times.

Never soak your bun in water overnight. This is the end result.

  Dinner was at Signora Pasta. It was a joke. We did not get anything to eat again for an hour and a half. Typical of all Italian restaurant, the chef / owner decided that singing was more fun than cooking. Owner also prefers to chit chat to the diners while the diners waits and goes hypoglycemic. We waited. And we waited. Food came at a snail's pace. Pasta came before coffee. Hainanese Chicken Chop got served. Nobody order Chicken Chop, whatmore Hainanese Chicken Chop. Chef decided to leave the kitchen midway to sing another English song in Italian. All in, most of us managed to get something to eat. Regardless what you actually order. You just eat whatever is served. This is an Italian restaurant after all. It's the ambiance that matters. Food is secondary.

   After eating 3 slices of pizza, Tycoon thumped his chest and announced that he has consumed enough cheese to speak passable Italian. Tycoon decided to go chat with the owner in the kitchen. Tycoon stormed into the kitchen and said something to the owner. With lotsa hand and finger movements of course. Italian is best spoken with your hands. Owner smiled, nodded and gave Tycoon assurance that Tycoon will get his "special pizza" with "special cheese" tonight. And the "special pizza" will be complimentary....

   I'll be completely honest.
   I don't know nuts about Italians or Italian chefs.
   Where i come from. When you walk into the kitchen to tell the Chef how to do his job. And the chef smiles at you. Then offers you his signature "special dish". That usually means someone is gonna be spitting in your "special dish". Or you are getting your chicken dipped in the toilet bowl before it gets fried to crispy perfection.
   Unker Danny was a wise man that night. Despite all of Tycoon's coaxing, Unker stood firm. He refuses to eat his share of the "special pizza". Tycoon and Captain America thought the pizza had just the right amount of saltiness to it. "Perfecto" if you speak Italian. The Chef was smiling and waved us good bye. Oh how polite this Italian is...One thing i learn, alway be wary of small short friendly polite smiling chefs. Regardless if they are Italians or Hokkiens.

   Drinking helps numbs your senses.
   Thank god we had Single Malt and beer back at the hotel....
   It helped to ease the pain of knowing the real truth.

   Un'beliveable.