Resilience, discovery, and the spirit of the toughest bikepacking race in Southeast Asia
The Indonesian island of Java is a line drawn between volcanoes, rice fields, and tropical coasts, stretching 1,500 kilometers from Carita in the west to Banyuwangi in the east. Every year, a group of cyclists faces this journey during Bentang Jawa, the most important ultradistance bikepacking race in Southeast Asia. Self-sufficient, unpredictable, and brutally beautiful, it is a test of both patience and strength.
For The Usuals, a small collective of cyclists from the Philippines, it was not just another endurance event, but an adventure to discover a different rhythm of pedaling.
The race
The format is simple but relentless: cover 1,500 kilometers with more than 16,000 meters of elevation gain, carrying everything you need. Sleep when you can, fix what breaks, and keep pedaling until you reach the finish line. Cyclists pass through dense cities, quiet villages, and the smoking slopes of Mount Bromo, an active volcano that marks one of the most unforgettable points of the race.
“It was everything I expected: breathtaking landscapes, hot and humid weather, steep climbs, and that kind of gravel that shakes you to the bone,” recalls one of the participants. “But there were also unexpected things: three days of rain, impassable roads, and the most dedicated community of dotwatchers I have ever seen.”
Credits: Betang Jawa & we.inframe
Racing as a pair: competition and connection.
For Gabby and Mark, who competed in the pairs category, Bentang Jawa blurred the lines between competition and connection.
“It was a mix between the competitiveness of gravel racing and the bikepacking trips we usually do,” they share. “Exciting, difficult in every way, but just as rewarding and a great way to explore Indonesia, even if it was against the clock.”
The pair found joy in the small details: the endless Alphamarts (convenience stores) on the roadside, the unexpected company of other cyclists, or seeing 26-inch mountain bikes and folding bikes among the participants. “Meeting people, seeing all the different setups, and sharing moments of suffering was what made it special.”
But the Gumitir Gravel stretch was their ultimate test. “With more than 1,300 km in our legs, fatigue hit us hard and put our trust on the trail to the test.” “Changing our perspective and thinking about our friends waiting for us at the finish helped us keep going and enjoy what was left to ride.”
Credits: Betang Jawa & we.inframe
Racing solo
For another teammate, Rea, Bentang Jawa was a solo journey into the unknown.
“It was my first ultradistance race,” she admits. “Seeing the finish line was very emotional, seeing the hotel in Banyuwangi I was overwhelmed with emotions.” Pain and setbacks were their constant companions. “On the second day, around km 480, my right knee started to hurt… on the fourth day, I realized it was iliotibial band syndrome. All that was left was to endure until the end.”
The equipment played in their favor
In the rain, heat, and exhaustion, The Usuals found reliability not only in their mindset but also in their equipment. Comfort, breathability, and durability became essential as the kilometers added up. “We used our custom Gobik kit for The Usuals, as well as a rain jacket and reflective vest,” Gabby and Mark shared.
For Rea, who was racing solo, the key was simplicity: “I used just one jersey and one bib shorts throughout the whole race. The Carrera 2.0 Cydonia as the jersey and the Grit bib as the shorts.” She carried only the essentials, trusting her setup and focusing on the road.
Credits: Betang Jawa & we.inframe
The humid days and unpredictable weather put every layer to the test. From start to finish, the Gobik gear stood up to the challenge: even in the harshest conditions, comfort can be a silent source of strength.
The meaning
For The Usuals, Bentang Jawa was much more than a race. It was a reflection of patience, perseverance, and purpose, say Gabby and Mark. “What started as curiosity about ultracycling opened our eyes to what is possible and to the communities that form around it.”
For the solo rider, the experience left a personal lesson: “An opportunity to prove to myself that if I focus and dedicate myself to something, I can achieve things beyond what people imagine.”
