Deus Bicycle Swap

May 18, 2017

In a corner of our city where everything is fast and chaotic the time has slow down for an afternoon. Deus Cycleworks brought something new in our block: the Deus Bicycle Swap. "Bring, swap, sell", a bikes and components swap meeting in our Temple of Entusiasm. For the occasion action has move out of our yard, employing the square just outside our beautiful garden. The previous weeks made of troubles to get permits, spaces and licenses have been rewarded by an afternoon of slow moving. Who has participated as a seller, who, as a buyer, has looked for the missing component for his built, who stood curious and who has seen his grandfather's bike in nearly mint conditions. Who has been squatted on the ground checked the smoothness of a 60-year-old freewheel or who has admired enviously the aesthetic beauty of the precious Campagnolo Delta brakeset. The search for components requires attention and slowness, as well as conversation, exchange of opinions, skills ... We have seen also the creative aspect of those who redefines and masterfully reinvents with cutting and welding old Grazielle and Saltafos bringing them a new life. Someone swapped, someone sold, someone came to look for the deal. We strongly wanted this swap meeting and the day was a full time party. Soul Fingers dj crew have spinned their records and Fargo have rocked the crowd, all scented by the Deus Cafè's burgers. And, when at the end of the day we are asked if we can organize the Bicycle Swap every week, we understand that the first edition has been a success. We'll see you at the next swap! Photo: Marco Renieri, Francesco Ferrari ------------------------------------- In un angolo di città che è sempre molto caotico e tutto è "fast" si è d'un tratto rallentato il tempo, Deus Cycleworks ha portato qualcosa che non si era ancora visto: il Deus Bicycle Swap. Porta, scambia, vendi bici e componenti, nel nostro Tempio dell'Entusiasmo che per l'occasione è uscito dal suo cortile per occupare anche la piazza di fronte. Ed è così che le concitate settimane precedenti fatte di corse ed inseguimenti burocratici per ottenere permessi, spazi e licenze sono state sbaragliate dall’inno allo slow moving. Di chi partecipava come venditore, di chi come acquirente in cerca del "componente mancante", di chi si fermava curioso e, guardando con attenzione, rivedeva la bici da corsa del nonno, tenuta con cura, come fosse nuova, come anche il nonno avrebbe fatto. Tra coloro che accovacciati a terra testavano con attenzione la scorrevolezza di un roccheto cambio anni 60 o chi ammirava con invidia la bellezza estetica del pregiato gruppo freno Campagnolo Delta. La ricerca dei componenti necessita attenzione e lentezza, così come il conversare, lo scambio di pareri, di competenze... Non è mancato l'aspetto creativo di chi rielabora e reinventa con maestria il taglio e la saldatura per riportare in vita sotto nuove vesti Grazielle o Saltafos recuperate tra polvere e ruggine. Qualcuno ha swappato, qualcuno ha venduto, qualcuno è arrivato "cerchi in spalla" per cercare la sua occasione. Abbiamo desiderato tanto questo Swap e la giornata è stata una festa accompagnata dalla musica del dj Set Soul Finger e dalla rock band Fargo che ha suonato live, coinvolgendo tutto il pubblico e facendoli ballare, distratti solo dai profumi dello street food del Deus Cafè. E quando a fine giornata ci è stato chiesto se possiamo organizzare tutte le settimane il Bicycle Swap, abbiamo capito che la prima edizione è andata come speravamo. Vi aspettiamo al prossimo Bicycle Swap! Foto: Marco Renieri e Francesco Ferrari

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!