Set out to do

Jun 30, 2012

Indonesians are, on the whole, an incredibly accommodating and accepting race of peoples. It took us only hours, far less than days, before we felt at home. We had our shack, our base of operations and we’d sit around out the front as life paraded by, delving into the darkness within to grab a change of clothes or to sleep. The stress and pressures from past weeks at home, and away, parted like well-coffered hair. You could say that we had walked to the edge of village life, liked what we saw and plunged head first in.

Morning had brought with it an incredible light show across the bay. The water went from inky black to an unbroken golden slab. Boats glide in and out with purpose drawn from daily repetition. The gold didn’t last finally giving way to the days blues and greens. We turned away and went off to break the fast while chatting about the next frontier on our adventure. There were waves across the water and others across land. Either way there was a trip in it. Already having had an afternoons ride in the country the day before, today's early morning dalliance favoured a water approach.

We loaded ourselves, along with ample stashes of water and nibbles, into a Jukung, an Indonesian version of the outrigger. Cast off and soon found ourselves gliding across this plate glass plain. Half way out cracks began to appear in the surface as the winds crept in. Early but welcome all the same. Dispelling any and all pockets of heat and teasing us, playing with our hair and whispering in our ears.

We found sanctity in the water and sanity with the friends and likeminded we shared it with. Sets rolled through and time was along for the ride. Masked by the waves, we rode through the morning past noontide stopping only to quench our thirst or relax and take stock on the bow of our little floating oasis.

Bonzers and trackers were today’s fare. Grace under fire. Turns need to be planned in advance and executed in half time. One tends to see everything in slo-mo riding such craft. Often referred to as the ‘transition’ boards. A rethink has many of us out there reevaluating their design and we are definitely enjoying the time. Roll from rail to rail but rider beware, pop that big fin and you’re destined to swim.

We had to wait until everyone was totally buggered before pulling anchor and heading back to shore and our shack. Midday food and perhaps a sneaky hour for a lay down, after all we were here to rest. We did get a bit of a sleep though wasn’t long before the noise of afternoon life invaded the darkness and moved us one by one from the cot to the verandah out front.

We’d taken the city boys out of the city but with a bit of the city still within it’s hard not to grow a little restless. Strangers in a somewhat strange land, itching to explore. The charts were once again spread out and a course of action plotted.

Bikes and boards saddled up. Dirt road gear donned. All contingencies catered for. We rode out of town through an interesting mixture of children and chickens. Some were chasing after us while others, running from us. You decided which was which.

Our oneness on the road returned. Camaraderie that was again left unspoken, or perhaps just unheard in the noise from our exhausts. A trail of dust and fun temporary reminders that we’d been through. The scene scrubbed clean mere minutes after it was done. We became more and more adventurous taking on smaller tracks that seem to head in the right direction and lifting front wheels in lighthearted jousts across uneven surfaces. Without consciously thinking about it we’d once again slipped into a time warp and destination was accidentally discarded. The ride became the adventure. Turning over new stones. The adventure was now. Right this second. A simple life can teach us a thing or two about living that a world with many distractions can’t.

We’d begun to do what we had set out to do.

Words by Ano. Photographs by Grasshopper & Monty

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!