Day 127 - a tricky ride to Dumai - Unfinished Business

September 4, 2023

Day 127 - a tricky ride to Dumai

There seems to be nothing easy in Indonesia. I'm trying to find out something very simple: what time does the ferry leave Dumai, traveling towards Batam? Daisy found the times published in a newspaper! I walked to the port and confirmed the details. I think that whether or not a country has timetables is a pretty good measure of the place.

Cycling from my abode last night to Dumai was also not easy, but that was partly my fault. It was a rather strange place I was staying because I had no idea how to contact an employee. I assumed that there was no breakfast, and so I hooked into biscuits and bananas - all I had.

That's me early morning September 4, 2023.

I don't know why, but I couldn't make a photo for nuts today. The light was horrible, but it usually is in the tropics.

I was away by 7.30, but not before taking a photo from my room.

They had the volume turned up at the swiftlet house.

The going was easy and most often boring; I was among plantations. The sea was so close that I could smell it but I never did see it! The limiting factor in getting anywhere was the road surface. Sometimes it was very good and sometimes rather poor, with every state in between. But one thing is guaranteed in Indonesia: you will never get a smooth entry to, or exit from, a bridge.

I knocked out a fast 40 km before a quick stop. It was roughly the point where I had just 100 km to Dumai. It occurred to me that I hadn't passed a substantial town or seen an ATM. But, they're everywhere in Indonesia so I had nothing to worry about.

I cycled as normal, stopping occasionally to take a photo that records my journey.

There were many rivers, all now lined with plantations. Imagine what it was once like.

The first nodding Jenny I have seen on this ride.

An interesting Chinese Cemetery. Keep in mind that the Strait of Malacca is a couple of km to the east. For centuries, it was a melting pot of seafarers.

It was pleasant enough cycling, especially when the road was smooth. But all I could see was human foolishness.

Of course, there was roadkill. I saw a substantial turtle but was not in a good place to stop. But next to each other were an Asian water monitor and some homework for Bill.

I was at my anticipated halfway point when I saw a BRI Mini ATM sign. BRI failed me last night but otherwise have seemed reliable. But, they failed me again here and when I asked where I might find an ATM, consensus was Dumai. And here's my mistake: I should have left a little stash of rp for this situation. I have foreign currencies but they're largely useless here. I realised that I had 72 km to do without food and with 1.5 L of water.

The way I was going to do it was with easy spinning and minimal stops. I planned to get to 100 in one go. I did it easily and took the odd photo.

It seemed like a tiny waterway but there's a collective of tugs.

Cooling chooks with a hose; transporting them at night is a better idea.

My next aim was 125 km which, again, I did reasonably easily. I stopped and drank my last water. I thought there must be an ATM and a fellow pointed to the security entry to the industrial area. They let me in and I got money. Two nasi gorengs, a few mugs of very sweet tea and a litre of water, were the perfect fuel to power me into town. Alas, I had cycled the first 125 km on a few bananas, a few ancient biscuits and 3 L of water.

Dumai offered the usual lanes and things; even a development.

I'm always on the lookout for a good door smeer. I think they've used it in all the hotels I've stayed at.

I easily found a hotel - one fitting the end of my ride and took the appropriate photos.

I continued my walk from the port, taking a few photos on my way.

And then I took still more getting back to the hotel. I must have walked 6 km.

Tomorrow I'll spend eight hours on ferries getting to Batam Island. I'll spend the night there before a short ferry ride to Singapore. I'm almost there!

Today's ride: 145 km (90 miles)
Total: 9,570 km (5,943 miles)

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Graham SmithWell done Ian.
Great day’s ride to complete the epic Indonesian sector of the journey.
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1 year ago

Vitus SitarAll honor to you, Ian!! Great performance in this difficult country. Entertaining blog and what will I read from now on at my work ?? Did you think about that ?
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1 year ago

Robin BrownHow many more kilometres on the wheels? Should you ride around Singapore a few times to make it 10,000? You are a champion and indigo foundation and its partner communities we work with are so, so grateful for the more than $20,000 you have raised.
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1 year ago

Ian WallisTo Robin BrownThanks Robin, much appreciated. I won't be doing much cycling in Singapore. I tried to organize an event but failed to muster any interest. I think that I'll grab a bike box, put it on my loaded bike (as in Darwin) and cycle to the airport. I'll then pack it and put it into a special bicycle locker so it's all ready for our flight on Sunday night. After a few days in Sydney, I'm going to cycle slowly to Canberra (3 days) to ease back in to normal life. I'll be a few rp short of 10,000 km.
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1 year ago

Ian WallisTo Vitus SitarThanks Vitus, much appreciated from someone who knows about this stuff. I'll keep the blog going until I am home in Canberra. I'll do a post outlining my intentions. Hopefully, I can disrupt your work for a few more days. Ian
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1 year ago

Ian WallisTo Graham SmithThanks Graham for all of your comments, help and generous donations to indigo. Looking forward to catching up. Ian
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1 year ago

Jackie LaycockHuge thanks Ian, for a mammoth effort and for beguiling my work hours with your stories and photos. We will celebrate officially when you arrive in Singapore and will continue to share your stories on our facebook until you are safely home in Canberra.
When will you be in Sydney?
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1 year ago

Ian DouglasIs it like the Tour de France where if you crash out within a prescribed distance you are deemed to have finished?
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1 year ago

Ian WallisJackie, thanks for all of your support. I'll be in Sydney early Monday morning and will stay for 2 or 3 days.
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1 year ago