East Bali Bike Tour

Back in July while I was in Bali with my mum, we decided to participate in a bike tour. Mum, having participated in a few during past trips, was adamant about not doing one that begins at the tourist trap that is Mount Kintimani. So we were on the lookout for something a bit different, which is how we came across the East Bali Bike Tour. East Bali was a place that we were fascinated by but knew nothing about. We felt that this was a great way to get a bit of a feel for the area as well as have a bit of an adventure.

I booked the tour in the week leading up to our trip and on the day, we were picked up at 7:00 on the dot. The bike tour started up near Amed which meant we had a nearly 2 hours drive ahead of us, but with plenty of scenery and the company owner, Komang, to chat with, time passed quickly. Upon arrival we were given our bikes and helmets before setting off. At this point, I would have appreciated a quick run down of what the track was like as the first 10 minutes was a steep down hill rides on a very rocky track that had my hands aching from using the breaks so much. Mum and I were both thinking that maybe we had made the wrong choice with the company, but soon enough the track flattened out and we turned onto a dirt track that ran alongside ricefields with an incredible view.

There was about 15 people in the group but they were clearly after more of a workout than a leisurely ride enjoying the scenery because before long, they had sped ahead and Mum and I were left with a single guide; Gilang. This turned out to be fantastic. He was funny, had great English and was more than happy to ride at our pace, stop when we needed water or wanted to take a photo and he was lovely to chat to, pointing things out along the way like the peanut and chilli fields we rode past. Mum and I were both thankful for and really enjoyed his presence.

Half way through the ride, we stopped and met up Komang again who would be leading us on a rice field trek. When you say trek, it sounds scary, but it was a pretty easy walk through ride fields that were owned by the locals. This meant that the land could not be developed or built on. It had an amazing "Old Bali" feel and views to match; the only thing you could see for a long way was just green. This part of the tour is optional but I'd definitely recommend doing it. It was a great way to break up the ride, stretch our legs and give our bums a rest from the bike seats.

After returning to our bikes, which had been thrown on the back of the truck to meet us a bit further along the way, it was just a short ride to the end of the tour. We finished our ride at the picturesque White Sand Beach. What a place to finish. It made quite a backdrop to enjoy during our included lunch with its gorgeous white (ish) sand, blue blue water and a cloudless sky, it was perfect. After our long ride, we were ready for a swim but unfortunately the rough waves prevented us from going in. We instead enjoyed a walk along the beach, enjoying the perfect waters temperature. I loved ending the day at White Sand Beach. It was a place I had wanted to go to for a while but didn't know anything about. This was the perfect introduction.

My mum and I both really enjoyed our tour with East Bali Bikes and I'd definitely love to do it again. It was great value for money with its included bikes and helmets, water throughout the ride, a support van in case of injury, lunch at White Sand Beach and of course hotel pick up and drop off. It's a tour I'd highly recommend, whether you're very fit or not and are looking for a bike tour with a bit of a difference. My two pieces of advice if you decide to participate: where a sports bra and be prepared to push through the steep rocky track at the start; it's worth it in the end.

Komang and his staff are great at what they do and have a passion for showing people a different area of Bali and for conserving its beautiful landscape.

If you think it might be something you'd be interested in, click here to go to their website and make a booking.

 

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