Riding in the Heart of Java

The cities of Solo and Jogjakarta or "Jogja" are located on the central Java region of Indonesia, accompanied by several impressive volcanoes. The active Mt. Merapi dominates here, the name plainly meaning “fire mountain” and has a roughly four-year eruption cycle.

This mountainous area is a center for mountain biking, although remote from the more often visited destinations at the eastern and western ends of Java. DH and Enduro national and Asian events have been hosted here.

Central Java is more rustic than Bali, with lower key global tourist traffic coming through. The atmosphere has an air of the mystical with both Solo and Jogja retaining their traditional kings as well as rituals and ceremonies including the deeply meditative gamelan orchestras. The Most Ethnic Central Java theme was set for our trip.

Barely two weeks ago three Yeti riders in Indonesia scouted the trails around the Borobudur temple complex. The ancient Borobudur Buddhist temple is one of the oldest and most complete archaeological ruins in South East Asia.

Our group arrived on Thursday in the city and early the next morning made the trip to the upland trails. Here, you have the Klangon trail, now supplemented with a newer top section with modern carved berms. The drop off area is a parking field with several snack shacks. There is a further 20 minute hike a bike up to the starting point of the trail. The farming villagers welcome the opportunity for extra income and provide scooter rides up and bike portering services.

Here we go.

Young forest replanted since the 2010 eruption.

Ben washing off the city dust.

Part of the attraction of visiting this area is the traditional cuisine. This is fertile volcanic farmland.

A lunch break at a traditional wood post and beam cottage.

Track Turgo

After lunch, we are shuttled to the DH-lite track at Turgo on pick ups with the bikes. The roads here are too challenging for the van. This is a trail on land rented from the local farmers and built and maintained by the riding community. We do two runs here on a short but sweet track.

From Bandung.

Day two began with a slightly longer shuttle to the Sapu Angin (Wind Swept) trail. At over 1200 meters, this was higher elevation than yesterday. We met with a group of fellow Yeti Tribe members from Malaysia.