3/4 of the way there...

What an adventure yesterday's ride turned out to be. The first 30km or so to Samas beach proved to be no sweat as I pedaled out of the city in the early hours of the morning (at 0530 to be exact!).

How is Samas? Well.. It was one hell of a sad place compared to Parangtritis. And certainly enough to deter me from bothering to stray off the main roads to look at the other beaches on the southern coastline.

The conditions of the road were pretty nice, long straight stretches through the miles of rice fields, except for the portion where I seemed to be on an unmarked (yet tarred) road immediately after leaving Samas (you can see this portion on the map). I was in for a rude shock after cresting a small incline... the road suddenly ended and gave way to a steep downslope trail strewn with rocks of all sizes. Now, when one is on skinny road tyres that is so not the surface to be cycling on. Thankfully I did not shred the tyre or get a pinch flat as I rocketed down the slope while trying to stop and not lock up the brakes or break the bike or crash or any of the above combination.

At the huge bridge at Srandakan, I was faced with a dilemma on whether to push on or turn back, as by now the weather was becoming rather hot and I was woefully aware of a stomach that was crying out for proper food (and not fruitbars!)... If I turned back at this point and followed the same route back, I would just touch 100km. Unfortunately, I had a misplaced desire to try an achieve my first century (100miles or 160km) today.

Still not properly dialed into the bike at this point of time... the knee voiced its concerns as I passed the bridge at Glagah. Thus ending the push for the day and making a slow cycle back home. If only there is a professional here to help me fit the bike. The slow method of making an adjustment, riding, making an adjustment again, riding is surely going to end up taking a long time.

Got to be more progressive as I pile on the distance I think... century it is not, but at least I made 3/4 of it :P

Outbound Route

Homeward Route

Where has all the rain gone?

While categorically I hate rain for a variety of reasons, it is sometimes a welcomed relief. I've seen heavy dark looming clouds, rain forecasts even, but have yet to see one single drop of rain since 10 Aug. The heavens must be devoid of tears...

Freedom is as boundless as the sky and the ocean

And while we crave the freedom we all want, we sometimes choose to bind ourselves.

beyond:海阔天空
　词　曲: 黄家驹
　今天我寒夜里看雪飘过
　怀著冷却了的心窝飘远方
　风雨里追赶
　雾里分不清影踪
　天空海阔你与我
　可会变(谁没在变)
　多少次迎著冷眼与嘲笑
　从没有放弃过心中的理想
　一刹那恍惚
　若有所失的感觉
　不知不觉已变淡
　心里爱(谁明白我)
　原谅我这一生不羁放纵爱自由
　也会怕有一天会跌倒
　被弃了理想谁人都可以
　那会怕有一天只你共我
　今天我寒夜里看雪飘过
　怀著冷却了的心窝飘远方
　风雨里追赶
　雾里分不清影踪
　天空海阔你与我
　可会变(谁没在变)
　原谅我这一生不羁放纵爱自由
　也会怕有一天会跌倒
　被弃了理想谁人都可以
　那会怕有一天只你共我
　music
　仍然自由自我
　永远高唱我歌
　走遍千里
　原谅我这一生不羁放纵爱自由
　也会怕有一天会跌倒
　被弃了理想谁人都可以
　那会怕有一天只你共我
　被弃了理想谁人都可以
　那会怕有一天只你共我
　原谅我这一生不羁放纵爱自由
　也会怕有一天会跌倒
　被弃了理想谁人都可以
　那会怕有一天只你共我
　music

There but not quite

Ride distance: 61km
Ride time: 3h 8min

The weather was perfect for a day's ride, heavy overcast, but unfortunately rotten for photographic opportunities. Anyway, today I attempted to explore an alternative route down to Parangtritis, with the intention of passing through Imogiri - Panggang.

Woe to me, I had severely underestimated the steep climbs up Gunung Sewu, the long string of mountains that make up most of the Gunung Kidul regency. Not to mention getting lost while trying to get myself onto Jalan Imogiri to begin with. (Note to self: Turn right upon seeing Polsek Umbulharjo)

Needless to say, I didn't make it to the coast, after having wasted an immense amount of effort climbing up what turned out to be the wrong road leading up a spurline to the royal cemetery of Imogiri, I was totally sapped of energy. And it was only a mere 200+m climb in terms of height! I *shall* return again. If nothing else it makes for good training.

Anyway since this was the first ride on the new bike, I spent some time getting used to the different riding positions, shifting and braking. After 50km or so, every small error in posturing/position makes sure you know in the form of pain. (Note to self: Saddle moved forward 1cm. Height dropped to 5.5)

Next Ride: Trisik, Glagah and Congot beaches?

On the 2nd leg

And so I have concluded a quarter century of existence and begun on the journey towards the "magical" half-century. Would I even see it? Now that is something worth pondering considering the fact that humans in general seem to be preoccupied with (not) dying or some other doomsday prophecy.

Despite having been here in Jogja for 2 years, this is the first time I am setting foot into Ceasar's Palace, one of the supposedly happening clubs here, though the club proper isn't exactly open yet, it functions as a restaurant and pool hall.

If nothing else, the food here is pretty decent in both quality and price. The internet connection is also surprisingly fast. But my only gripe is the alcohol selection... the menu has a long list of imported wines... from which I picked a Riesling, only to be told that they only had house-pour available. Sigh.

A big thanks to everyone who sent me their well-wishes ;) It's nice to receive them even though I'm just about a billion miles from home. And the news that my bicycle arrived today provided the icing for an otherwise mundane day. This means I am free to go riding this entire weekend and exploring other routes in this home away from home. :D

Changes

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same. - Keane "Everybody's Changing"

Though gone for but a short six weeks from here, I was surprised by the amount of changes that had happened in that space of time. It was either some extremely fast and efficient work or I had just simply lost touch with reality in the months prior and not noticed the on-going changes, only to realise and rediscover them when I'm back.

Perhaps one of the most positive ones are the fact that there are new street lamps city-wide, those orange tungsten lamps similar to the ones we have on our roads back home in sg. And also, almost all the roads have been resurfaced. It's almost as though the city here was preparing for an F1 race too! Anyway, with the road improvements, it solved my dilemma on the type of bicycle to get. Awaiting anxiously for it to arrive from Solo's Rodalink since it was the closest branch that held stock. Not the best frame nor groupset in the market... but it'll do for an amateur like me. Can't wait to start riding again. 2 weeks break from the saddle seems too long.

Anyway, back to the topic of changes. Had some time again to self-reflect on some of the on-goings in my life... I realised I had changed (or perhaps had not changed, and everyone else is), but whatever it is, some readjustment and recalibration seems to be in order. Would I have the courage to say the same words that had come so easily to me years ago? Some people obviously had no problem with that. So what is this barrier that I am facing now. I hope in time I would find an answer.

Back again. Same old place.

And so, here I am again. Back in this tiny room which I have begun to call "home" more than any other place at the moment. Have not had the time nor energy to blog in the preceding weeks as I had packed in almost every day with some activity to occupy me as the days left in Singapore rapidly fell away.

Needless to say there were copious amounts of drinking and merry-making with friends, without whom this trip back would not have been filled with the joy, laughter and tears. Just want to take this time out to say a big THANK YOU! to all of you. All of you have reminded me of what true friends are like. ;)

Finished reading P.S. I Love You last night... Not having watched the show, I do not know if it is any good, but the book is simply fab (think heart-moving and tear-jerking). Just to share with you all a short portion I found particularly poignant:

Finding someone you love and who loves you back is a wonderful, wonderful feeling. But finding a true soul mate is an even better feeling. A soul mate is someone who understands you like no other, loves you like no other, will be there for you for ever, no matter what.

I wish I could say for certain I have indeed found my true soul mate, but like love, sometimes these are one-way streets. But then again.. like all true feelings, they require no reciprocation from the other party yes? Just something to think about as the seconds in our lives tick away.