Island hopping, I suppose, would be the name of the game if you did a bicycle trip around Indonesia. After all, there are thousands of islands in this country.

With all those islands, there’s plenty to see. If group touring is your thing, this tour of eight days on Bali might fit the bill. It takes you past rice paddies; volcanoes; and temples. Explore caves; get a glimpse of how Indonesia’s ordinary folk live; and visit some hot springs. 

There’s some pretty stiff climbing involved; on at least one day you’ll be riding around the crater of a volcano. I suppose that includes riding up there! Also, be prepared for the humidity, especially if you choose to visit Bali between October and April. I’m used to a humid climate; but for all  know Bali’s climate is even more humid.

If you want to explore Indonesia by bicycle, on your own, it’s only fair to make note of the difficulties you might encounter. Depending on where in Indonesia you are, mountain grades might be 20+%! I wonder, are such climbs harder as an individual cyclist; or as part of a tandem team? Are the mountains that steep everywhere in Indonesia?

How about Lombok? From the heights of Mt. Rinjani (yet another volcano!) to beautiful beaches, Lombok has a lot to explore. Pedal uphill and down; visit a black-sand beach; roll past rice paddies.

Those islands are only a tiny part of Indonesia. If you’re interested in island hopping, though, those three are a start.