A group calling itself The Women Cyclist Club (WCC) arrived in Denpasar, Bali, on Saturday, 14 November 2020, after an arduous two-week, one-thousand-kilometer journey two-wheels from Jakarta to Bali.
Before the group arrived in Denpasar, the WCC stopped in Badung, Cirebon, Pekalongan, Semarang, Tuban, Probolinggo, and Gilimanuk.
The chairperson of WCC-Bali, Trilara Prasetya Lina, told the press that “The main challenge during the journey was the heat. This was followed by mental and physical challenges – all of which we trained for.”
Quoted in Bali Post, Trilara said that in preparing for the journey, many members of WCC had to balance the requirements of physical challenges with the responsibility of being housewives. Before undertaking the epic bike journey, the WCC members would cycle together three times each week, covering a distance of 65-75 kilometers per session.
Trilara said the trip’s purpose was to declare that Bali is still a beautiful destination for the world to visit. Bali continues to rigorously apply health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and the Island is making every effort to make the Island safe for visitors.” This is what we have promoted and in our campaign to support tourism in Bali. Many regional members of WCC were waiting to hear from us on the situation in Bali,” Trilara explained.
The WCC-Bali chairperson emphasized that cycling cross-country during the COVID-19 Pandemic demanded that health protocols be carefully followed, including avoiding gatherings or crowds, wearing masks, and washing hands after each cycling session. “We prepared hand sanitizers for use at all times and, whenever possible, avoided places where we were uncertain of the health situation,” said Trilara.
The chairman of the Indonesia Sport Cyclist Association (PB ISSI), Sapta Oktohau, expressed his full appreciation and support for Jakarta’s cross-country journey to Bali by WCC. He saluted the group’s campaign proclaiming “Bali’s Recovered” (Bali Pulih) and for helping to popularize cycling among the general public.
Sapta said: “After COVID-19, many people will be seeking green, wide, open spaces. The easiest way to do this is on a bicycle.”