Bruised by my difficult cycling trip in Jatiluwih (we should have got the electric bikes!) I was a little worried about this trip which goes for 4 hours on normal hard work cycles.
The author and her family on the ride through Tegallalang.
It was long, but its 95% downhill and it was absolutely gorgeous. The company picked us up in Ubud and we drove up to Kintamani for an early coffee overlooking the Caldera *about an hour and 15 minutes). Then we were taken 10 back down to a little village to pick up our bikes.
With a guide in the front and a spotter at the back of our little group, we felt completely safe and in fact crossed main roads just twice. Most of the trip was on paved back paths and some slightly rougher tracks. After 18 kilometres my public bone was feeling a little battered, but I am not as fit I used to be when I played football. My little niece joined me and she is ten - she was fine and it would be easy for any child from about age eight, assuming they are the sort of kid that cycles everywhere back home. This is not the tour for you if you are an uncertain cyclist, or very unfit, but you don't need to be a pro, or Dutch.
The trip itself is outstanding for its natural beauty. I've lived in Ubud for years and have never seen some of these areas; stunning rice terraces, charming temples, gentle jungle paths, sweet little farms and glorious vistas across the valleys north of ubud. You have the option of stopping at a farm to buy local produce, and also the coffee plantation (they have caged Luwak so we said no to this one).
Water was provided, as well as a banana halfway through. At the end, we were treated to a delicious Balinese lunch then bussed back to my place in Ubud.
We used Love Bali Bike Tours and I can't recommend them highly enough. Prices vary at different times of the year but we paid around 450,000 per person include pick-up and drop off and lunch (private tour).
Love Bali Bike Tours Whatsapp: +62 815 2933 4528