Doubt was with me at the door when I was about to take out my bike. V was on her way to her hometown and I had the whole weekend for myself so I decided to go on a gran fondo through a route to Pangalengan and back.
But as I prepared all the essential stuff I needed to take with me on the journey, I felt a bit anxious, lots of things racing through my mind, giving birth to doubt that felt like an iron ball chained to my leg.
What if it rains? What if I get tired along the way? What if etc etc?
I was so close to cancel the trip altogether, almost convinced by the negative voices in my head. But as I paddled away, the doubt subsided like a storm, giving way to a sense of possibility lying ahead, and suddenly I was so enthused about the trip and actually made it.
According to Strava, I rode for about 7 hours and 10 minutes, but the actual duration of the whole ordeal was 10 hours 27 minutes, at least from the minute I turned on Strava at the start of the trip and turned it off at the end, both happened here at Amahome.
I had a place to rest in the middle of the trip, mind you. Ayah and Ibu were at their country home, as usual surprised seeing me arrive on my bike. I stayed for about an hour, had lunch, chatted and stuff, played with a very docile pigeon that came out of nowhere into the house.
Then I continued my long journey back to Bandung (50 km aheas). This time I took a little detour to Kertamanah tea plantation, my favorite spot in Pangalengan. There's no better place to find quiet and respite.
The whole thing attracts the local youth. They rode their motorbikes and parked somewhere to be intimate in their young love. As for me, the green of plantation resonates with me as deeply as the blue of the ocean. As if eyes can drink, it's the pool from which your sight quenches its thirst after depravation caused mainly by concrete, asphalt, and steel.
At a certain clearing, you can actually see Cileunca Lake as pictured below. It's the thin little white rugged strip beyond the trees, right under the cloud that cast a shadow that looks like a spotlight rather than a shade.
I was so grateful right there and then that I still have a good sight, good legs, healthy young body and I put it to a good use like this, at least for me.
The trip makes me realize that I don't want to be trapped in the series of indoors: dwelling, office, and cars. I want to be home in the world without the four walls. Explore and discover. Get lost and flirt with the unknown. Transform.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Route: Dago - Kopo - Banjaran - Pangalengan - Banjaran - Moh. Toha - Dago