FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ROADS AND TRAFFIC

What are the roads like?
Generally good. One exception will be approximately 20 km of the village road around Lake Poso between Pendolo and Siuri. But this is off-set by fabulous scenery.

What’s the traffic like?
Generally light the one exception being the 20 km getting out of Palu city.

What are Sulawesi drivers like?
Far more tolerant than Sydney drivers.

BIKE STUFF

Do we need to bring our own bikes?
Yes.

Is hiring a bike an option?
We have a small number for hire. Details TBA.

Is buying and re-selling a bike an option?
No.

Which style of bike would you recommend?
Hybrid. I would NOT bring a road bike. If you bring a mountain bike, use 1.3”-1.7” slick tires rather than nobby ones. Bike Fridays are fine.

What do we do about spare parts?
Bring parts that you could need. Our suggested list of parts and tools is: multi tool, lights, pump patch kit, quick link in case of broken chain, chain lube. The bike shops in Sulawesi have very limited ranges of stock, so, if in doubt bring it.

Tires and tubes?
We will have a pump that handles presta and schraeder (car) valves.

Can we put our bags in the support vehicle?
Yes.

What sort of cycle shoes do you recommend?
Cycle sandals are the go though cycle shoes are also fine.

How many spare tubes etc should we bring?
Bring one spare tube.

Should we bring bike lights?
Yes because on one morning we’ll be leaving before dawn.

Is there facility for re-charging bike lights, batteries?
Yes.

Do we need to bring bike locks?
No.

What are the bike shops like?
There won’t be any outside of Palu.

What technical skills will the support personnel have?

1. Changing and patching tubes
2. Adjusting brakes and gears
3. Adjusting and greasing bearings
4. Wheel true-ing
5. Replacing brake pads
6. Bleeding hydraulic brakes
7. Adjusting handlebars, stem and seat
8. Bike cleaning
9. Chain repair and replacing
10. Headset adjustment

NON BIKE GEAR

What non-bike stuff should we bring?
We’ll provide a WTBL (what to bring list) in early January 2011.

CLOTHING

What cycling clothes should we bring?
Regular summer cycle gear.
Cycle shorts, long sleeved top, long sleeve shirt, cycle sox, cycle sandals, Osama head scarf, helmet, sunnies, cycle gloves.

What clothing should we bring for after riding?
Long baggy shorts, t-shirt, regular sandals, cap. Ladies are advised to wear long rather than short sleeves.

What are the “dress codes” that women, in particular, need to observe?
Indonesians are more concerned with dress codes than Westerners. However tourists are not expected to abide by all their dress code. The most formal gear that you’ll need will be slacks / modest dress and a shirt with a collar and long sleeves or a ‘good’ t-shirt with a collar.
When swimming ladies may wear a 2 piece costume but if there are lots of people around a t-shirt in addition is advised.

Should we bring rain gear?
No. If it rains when we’re riding we’ll get wet whatever rain gear we’ll have.

Should we bring a swimsuit?
Yes. But you can always swim in your cycle gear.

Should we bring a towel?
No. But if you insist then bring a chamois (shammy) towel.

CLIMATE

What is the weather like in March?
I was there last April and as expected it was warmish on the lowlands and coolish in the highlands. It did not rain.

Will there be mosquitoes?
Yes. Bring mosquito repellant, mosquito nets and rooms will be sprayed.

Will there be cooler weather anywhere (that we need to pack for)?
It will be coolish around Lake Poso because we’ll be approximately 1000 feet above sea level.

FOOD

What food will we be eating?
Modified Indonesian food meaning no MSG and chillies served separately.
In Palu and Togian the breakfasts will be international. In other places breakfasts will be Indonesian nasi goreng (fried rice) or sweet breads with tea and coffee.
Lunches will be at warungs (small roadside cafes) along the way. They will be rice or noodle based. In one or two places we’ll buy vegetables in local markets and get them cooked along the way.
Dinners will generally be fish or chicken based with a soup and a variety of vegetables.
It needs to be appreciated that the standard household fare in Sulawesi is rice and fish.
Chicken tends to be a restaurant meal.
Beef and lamb are eaten on ritual days only. Hence are generally unavailable.

What do we do for snacks?
The support crew will be scouring the countryside for local fruits and local village snacks (kue kampung).

Western food?
There will be very little or no western food. Fresh dairy produce will be available only in Palu but tinned milk is usually available. It will always be possible to get clean water.

What extras should we bring?
I never take any ‘extras’. The local snacks and fruit are more than adequate.
BUT if you expect you’ll have cravings for this or that then bring them.

What’s the drinking water like?
You can get bottled water just about everywhere. It’ll be available on the support vehicles. Drinking water is always supplied in hotel rooms. As a rule Indonesians boil water before drinking it.

What nutritional supplements should we bring?
Possibly vitamins. Electrolytic drinking powders are available in Indonesia (Pocari sweat).

Will there be places to buy nuts or high protein snacking food?
No. We’ll be making an effort to provide the group with kue kampung or village cakes. These are usually made from cassava, or sticky rice, palm sugar and coconut flesh. Easy to pig out on. Lots of carbs, pretty low on protein.

Should we bring our own protein bars?
If you think you’ll miss them or need them…bring them ‘cause you most probably won’t be able to get them on the way.

How do vegetarians get on?
As long as I know well before departure needs of vegetarians can be more or less catered for.

HEALTH

What inoculations do you recommend?
My only recommendation is that you consult your GP (as soon as you can because some of the vaccinations need to be taken months before departure) who in turn should consult the most recent Health Department recommendations. Be aware that these change from time to time.

Has anyone gotten sick on any of your trips?
Yes. The two most common complaints are diarohea and the common cold. Everyone should be prepared to have a short bout of diarohea as our foreign digestive systems need to get used to the Indonesian environment.

What medicines do you suggest we bring?
My recommendation is to not forget to bring medications for diarohea, cold and flu. If you forget to bring them there are plenty of these medications available in Indonesia.

FITNESS

How should we prepare ourselves physically for the trip?
First, make sure you get necessary vaccinations several months before departure.
Second, have a dental check up.
Third, start your build up sooner rather than later. Build your strength and endurance slowly over the months before the trip.
Whatever you do you should include good doses of hilly terrain in your preparation. As a target I’d suggest that sometime early in February select a one week period when you do a sequence of 30 km, 40 km and 50 km day rides on successive days. If you can do these 3 day rides without rest days in between you should manage well in Sulawesi. If you need rest days in between the actual ride will be just that much more of a challenge. In your preparation don’t forget to do lots of stretching and swimming, to relax the muscles.

TRAVEL

What is the best way to get to Palu?
You will need to go to Jakarta or Denpasar. Then fly to Makassar and then to Palu.
The return flight will be from Gorontalo and then to Makassar and Jakarta or Denpasar.

Can we do any better than the 20 kg limit on our baggage?
Currently Garuda has the best deal. GA allows 15 kg free of charge for bikes on INTERNATIONAL sectors.
Qantas will probably not allow passengers more than 23 kg because flights will be full.
7 kg carry on luggage is allowed by both airlines.

INDONESIAN CULTURE

How useful is Bahasa Indonesia in Sulawesi?
Very useful indeed.

How can we learn about the culture of Indonesia?
The Lonely Planet guidebook on Indonesia is good and I’ve received reliable recommendations for their phrasebook as well.

How can we learn some basic phrases?
The Lonely Planet Indonesian Phrasebook.

INSURANCE

Do we need to take out our own insurance?
Yes.

What sort of insurance should we have?
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance.

SECURITY

Is there any civil strife anywhere near our route?
No.

How safe is it to leave our things in our rooms?
I’ve never had anything stolen from any hotel room in Sulawesi. However, make sure your room is locked.

Is it necessary to lock our bikes when we stop for a drink etc?
No.

What are we going to do with our bikes once we’ve finished cycling?
Bikes will be taken back to Makassar and we’ll pick them up there on our way back from Gorontalo.

MONEY ISSUES

What currency should we bring in cash?
You should get Indonesian rupiah as soon as you can at the last international airport. Outside of Palu vendors will only accept rupiah.

How much cash do you recommend?
I would not change more than USD 200. I’d get anything more from the ATM.

Would you bring travelers’ cheques?
No.

Do they have ATMs?
Yes.

How do I pack my bike for shipping?
Get a bike box from your from local bike shop. You will need to take the pedals and front wheels off, as well as deflating both tyres.

COMMUNICATION

Is the internet available on our tour?
In Palu and Parigi, yes. In other places, most probably no, but internet services are expanding as I write.

Can I buy an Indonesian cell phone sim card?
Yes.

Will there be landlines where we’re going?
Public phones are being phazed out.

ITINERARY

Will accommodation for the first night of the tour be booked?
Yes.

Is accommodation booked for the final day of the tour?
Yes.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Do we need visas?
Yes. You will pick up 30 day visas on arrival at the airport. If you are planning to stay more than 30 days you should arrange a two month visa before beginning the trip.

ACCOMMODATION

What’s the accommodation like?
In all places it’ll be the ‘best available’. In Palu and Gorontalo that’ll be international standard. In other places, a variety, ranging from resorts in Togian and Tando Bone and family guest houses in Padapu, Tentena and Parigi. In Pendolo and Siuri we’ll be staying in lakeside cottages.

What are the toilets like?
In our accommodation the toilets are of the sit down variety. Along the way they will be of the squat variety. Some of the toilets will have automatic flushing facilities. In most places along the way the toilets will need to be manually flushed. In Palu toilet paper will be supplied. In most of the other places water will be the cleansing agent.

What are Indonesian toileting procedures?
Water is used instead of paper, the logic being that one can get oneself ‘cleaner’ with water than with paper. That’s why our mothers always told us to ‘wash our hands after we’d been to the toilet’. Riders will be taught appropriate techniques and you can bring paper …. just in case.