In Reply to: biking-careful! posted by jon on Friday, 16. April 1999 at 13:49 Bali Time:
I like to do this everytime I go to Bali.
Rent some mountain bikes with good brakes and arrange a drive with
a Kicang or similar which can carry a few pushbikes.
Get him to drive up to the rim of Gunung Batur near Kintamani.
Then her drives home and you ride all the way down the slopes back to Ubud (or Sanur/Kuta).
The quietest road down starts on the rim at the entrance into Penelokan from Kintamani (where cars pay a toll). Take the road south here which goes through Jasan, Pujung and Tegalalang.
The road south of Tegalalang gets a bit busy so its' morei nteresting to then head west and you come into Ubud through some breathtaking scenery along tracks and lanes which are car free.
This all takes a very leisurely 4 - 5 hours. In the middle you can have a great lunch at the Blue Buddha Cafe at Pujung Klod.
I also take backroads regularly and end up at the sea (Sanur, Kuta or whatever) - 2 to 3 hours from Ubud. I then do the Kicang thing again back to Ubud.
If you know your geography and are reasonably fit (and dont mind to sweat a little) you can have a glorious time on a pushbike.
The only hassles are the occasional tourist bus (they are BIG) and noy having a bike in good nick.
Contact me for any details route info.
Neil
Sydney