40km uphill takes some effort. 40km with fully loaded panniers … well, that’s definitely not a stroll in the park. But, like all the other tours I’ve been, I usually take my time. I stop when I feel like it and I never hesitate to engage the locals in conversation – most of all kids. They’re the same anywhere you encounter them.

These kids came out of the school grounds where they were playing just to say hi and cheer me on, until their non-cycling teacher (has to be one for sure) came out and shooed them in.

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Lush verdant greenery from base to peak

Your guess is as good as mine

Riding up Mt Bromo is pretty much like riding any mountain except in this case I’m weighed down with two full panniers making the going rather strained at times. The steepness didn’t help either. At one point, I was dawdling along at 4-5kph.

GPS doesn't lie...41 km in almost 7.5hrs. Pathetic.

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A celebratory shot upon reaching the top.

I can’t wait for tomorrow when I will be able to gaze into the belly of a sulfur-stinking volcano. Woohoo!