| Cidaun to Ciwidey | |||||
| Date: | 12-09-2014 | Time: | 05:38 h | Σ Time: | 130:22 h |
| Distance: | 72 km | Σ km: | 2639 km | Temp: | 21/36 °C |
| Up: | 2437 m | Σ Up: | 28768 m | Calories: | 2558 kcal |
| Down: | 1375 m | Σ Down: | 27592 m | Σ kcal: | 59922 kcal |
| Conditions: | This was the supposed to be toughest climbing day of all my tours so far; with an average grade of 6% for the whole day. The section from 32 km to 44 km averaged at about 10%, with maximum grade of 20%. It was warmer than assumed, and no wind at all for the most parts. Lunch at 46 km was in the clouds. Very scenic – mind and body blowing. | ||||
We had only 300 m flat after the campsite, thereafter a 46 km climb into the central Java mountains started. It was a nice change of the landscape after being at the coast for the last couple of days. First going through rice fields and ending in the tea plantations at about 1800m. The views were stunning, rice terraces, rivers, steep valleys, nice settlements and potentially beautiful waterfalls (during rainy seasons) showed up around every corner. However, with TdA you have to ‘pay a penalty’ for these changes. This time it came with a brutal climb. The first 500 vertical meters were quite smooth. Thereafter the steep climbs with grades up to 20% started. The average grade from km 32 to 44 was at about 10%. It took me about 4 hours to climb to the first summit and lunch. In the beginning I had the energy to stop once in a while to get my DLR and shoot a photo, whereas later it was always a silent negotiation with myself, if it is worth to stop and use extra energy for a photo. After lunch there were 3 ‘rollers’ thru the tea fields, thereafter a long descend to our hotel. The city is quite busy, loud and polluted. The dinner was exceptional. Nice ambience, table cloth, and a 3 course menu with a selection of good food to regain strength for another day of huge climbs before we complete this week’s 6 stages and have a well deserved rest day.
