Navigating China with Two Wheels

By Gatot Widakto ,Executive summary by Darmansjah

Small stature, but big guts. Women with full name Aristi Prajwalita this Madjid explore China with stroke bike. The road passes along the 3,000 kilometers by herself. Various obstacles coloring adventures. Ranging from health problems, the threat of fraudulent man, to face the storm Megi tail that could hit southern route in China.

Being tired and weary still radiated from her face when met in the Bung Karno Stadium, Senayan Jakarta, earlier this month. However, he also looks the spirit and cheerful when asked to share her experiences. Two days earlier, Aristi just arrived from China after completing a long journey that started on 7 October and ending 6 November last.

"It is difficult to find the right words to say how I feel today. To be sure, glad I could return safely. To me, this is an unforgettable experience, 'said Aristi.

For Aristi, a bike is a loyal friend. It was a childhood’s Aristi hobby of bicycling. Hobbies were attached to adult. Wherever go, she was more frequent cycling, such as lectures, play, or to shopping.
"Cycling is healthy, cheap, and friendly environment. Cycling is very pleasant if we have become accustomed, "she said.

After completing medical school lecture at a university in Malaysia (2007), Aristi joining a health agency that provides free health services in some remote areas of Cambodia and Vietnam. Aristi chose a bicycle as a practical mode of transportation to reach remote areas.

Almost two years ARisti became health minister in the area. Bicycles became friends loyal and out of remote areas to help the community. "Bike it's my loyal friend. Want to go anywhere, I am still cycling, "she said.

Electrical shock weapons

China was chosen because this country judged aRisti very exotic. "The country is exotic, challenging for me to explore by bicycle," she said.

To realize her ambition, Aristi make proper preparation. In addition to physical preparation and stamina, she also learn about the culture and some Mandarin vocabulary. She learned to disassemble the bike in the bike workshop pairs of acquaintances, Mr Asari, on Jagakarsa, South Jakarta. Aristi also draw knowledge from the figure bikepacker Bambang 'Paimo' Hertadi globe-trotter who was also with the bike.

In addition to physical preparation in the gym, she also increased the exercise bike, especially to maintain the resistance (endurance). "Nearly every morning I was riding up and down a fly-over in Pancoran and Kalibata," said Aristi.

Referring to the several sources of literature, Aristi choose the September-November because of weather conditions suitable for visiting China.Aristi started its journey on 7 October.

Due to limited time limits visa valid only one month, some city Aristi set objectives. Travel to China starting from Hanoi, Vietnam. From Hanoi, she entered through the border to the city of Nanning. From that city, she went on to Changsha and Wuhan. Later she moved to Xi'an before heading Zhengzhou, Shijizuang, and end the journey at an average Beijing.Aristi spur her bike with a speed of 25 kilometers per hour. Within a day, a target she is riding an average of 100 kilometers.

Aristi complete bike with three bag (panier). In addition to medicines and clothing, bags also contain a small stove and stocked with food, such as bananas and boiled eggs. Right bag filled with plastic tents, blankets, and rubber carpet.

On a bicycle handlebar which she tied a small bag containing maps, cell phone, camera, and electric shock weapons. Photography is a hobby High Risk besides cycling. In certain places, she often stopped to take pictures.

Electric shock weapons, which size is slightly larger than a cell phone, said Aristi, twice used to defend himself throughout the journey. "The first in a train station and another one in one block in the city Shijiazuang," he recalls. At the train station, the men who fled after her shock at the sight of the appliance. While in Shijiazuang, extortionists who feel the sting of the weapon used reflexively.

Aristi also experienced health problems which made he was forced to delay the trip. Decreased stamina due to illness. "Luckily I bringing their own medicines so that the problem could be my past," she said.

Extreme weather in Changsha is also a constraint. "The wind storm Megi made me unable to continue the journey and had to stay at the inn for two nights,"she said.

Bicycle path

On the other hand, travel tends to go smoothly. Availability of bike lanes, especially in big cities that he went through, ease of travel. Conditions like these are not found in big cities in Indonesia, Jakarta even though. Cycling in Jakarta is like its own adventure with a very high risk of accidents. 'bike path to make us comfortable and safe cycling,' she said.

Even if there is another trial, Aristi mention the problem that it faces almost identical to what happened to the backpacker. "In China there are government policies that foreigners should stay at least at the three star hotel. Finally, rather than pay costly, sometimes I sleep in the station or in the overhang of the store, "she said.

Not all of them passed with ease. Aristi never despair when lost due to misread the map. Luckily there are people who help. "At that time I had pedaled over 120 miles. Until the days are the dark, I was still in the area was populated. At that time I was desperate and cried until someone passes to help me show the inn that was only lived two miles. I immediately thought, in sorrow there is always a way out. Event is what ultimately makes me keep the spirit, "she said.

Once complete the journey by bicycle on China, Aristi had planned to continue the adventure tour of India. She is also ambitious around Australia, that everything will be done alone.