Colin Freestone
Meet Colin Freestone. The Australian rider of the adventure and founder of Indonesia Round.
First things first, where are you from and where do you call home?
I grew up in Sydney, Maroubra, which has a beach renowned for wild, rough surf. My wife, dog and I have a house in St Ives, Sydney and we also have an apartment in Cikini, Jakarta. I also feel at home in both places.
You share your time living in Indonesia and Australia, which is the biggest difference between Indonesia and Sydney?
Rules. Australians are bound by quite explicit (written) rules and laws, and Australians are quick to remind you what they are. Indonesian society is regulated by customs that are usually implicit, not in writing, which makes them more difficult to learn and understand that the Australian rules. There is much more tolerance extended to foreigners in Indonesia who do not understand these customs codes or Australia. Driving is a good example. Australian drivers should follow the traffic laws and there is precious little tolerance for drivers who do not. In Indonesia, on the other hand, in a given situation, drivers tend to negotiate and are guided by trying to find the best solution rather than follow a set of rules or work that is "good" or "bad." The different attitudes manifested in Australia in the form of "road rage" with cyclists carrying the weight of a large part of this unjustified verbal abuse. However, I have cycled thousands of kilometers in all regions of Indonesia and have not once I experienced road rage.
You run a tour of duty cycling here in Indonesia, when did you launch Cycle Indonesia?
I do the first trip in January 2009. It was a journey of 27 days covering 1200 km. Indonesia cycle is more of a cultural immersion service. I chose a part of Indonesia which, for the most part remained untouched by tourism. This allows riders during my travels to the experience in Indonesia "because it is really" not something that was created to satisfy the tastes of Western tourists.
What made you decide to open a bike tour service here in Indonesia?
The simply evolved. In 1995, I worked in South Sulawesi and was struck by the lack of modern commercialism on the island and it seemed like it could be fun to cycle "somewhere" on the island. So my son and I bought folding bikes Brompton and 2000 off we cycled 365 km Toraja Land (neither well organized nor well equipped), but we had a ball sleeping in police stations, schools and people's homes. In 2006, we organized another trip, this time we had maps and a much better idea of a hike-able route. We took three weeks to the circuit. Again we had a ball, learned a lot, and decided that we were going to organize a trip for others. After our first successful journey in 2009, we decided that the shorter trips, in terms of time and distance, seemed more the go. As favorite riders mountains to flat plains. So since then we have developed a range of shorter routes covering geographically mountainous areas.
Can you tell us about your service and what a typical turn implies
We run almost everything - the road (that we tried several times less); accommodation (best available); food (modified Sulawesi Indonesian style); support vehicles and bike mechanic; Police approvals.
What type of customer you usually meet?
Over nine trips we had 80 riders. 40% were women, 65% were 50 years old. Thirteen are from the United States, most of the rest of Australia, New Zealand and Jakarta (expatriates). The vast majority, they are looking for 'something different'. The camaraderie that develops with groups, for me, is one of the most enjoyable trip characteristics. Networking begins during trips continues after. We now Sulawesi Alumni Cycle rides in Sydney. Many riders sign for second trips and a rider signed for three.
What was the biggest culture shock one of your runners have experienced while on tour?
I would say the hospitality and kindness of infectious people (especially children), pilot reflection, and the welcoming nature of official institutions along the way. On most rides, we are invited into peoples' homes, schools, mosques, churches, community health centers and police stations.
As a cyclist, what are your thoughts on the craze fixie (fixed gear bike) that sweeps Jakarta?
aI have not mounted the bikes since the age of 8 years. You would not catch me on one now! They have no place in cycling.
Contact Colin, email him at cycle_indonesia@bigpond.com or visit their website at www.cycleindonesia.com.au