|
STAGE 3 (From CIREBON to
PURWOKERTO)
At the start of stage three, the Danish
lady apologized for her emotional outbursts of the previous day. I
didn't care much, but I wasn't so sure about Zul. I looked at our
car, and saw to my surprise not Zul but Pak Rachman
filling up the car.
Pak Rachman used to be the driver of our material car, a mini bus
that goes ahead of the group with our bags etc. Zul and Rachman
had changed seats. In the distance, but not too far away, I saw a dazed
looking Zul hanging over the steering wheel of the mini bus. I waved in his
direction. Zul didn't wave back and also he didn't nod, but
gripped the steering wheel stronger in both his hands, obvious not
planning to go back in the car with the Danish woman.
The race started well and we did some effective feeding, resulting
in an almost cheerful mood in the car. Pak Rachman was a very good
driver, so I could finally enjoy the tour a bit more relaxed. So I
thought.... Big Max had pain, a lot of pain. The mountain was
steep and he couldn't keep up. He called for the doctors' car and,
while hanging on that car, asked for medicines for his stomach.
But the doctor didn't understand him, so Max kept on pedaling in
desperate pain. This guy, like the other four of the BuGils Group, were immense tough.
They loved the pain. I could not think of
another reason. For Max the cycling now had become a hobby; a
reason to once in a while escape his normal job as a demolition
expert. All five of team were strong characters, people you
could win a war with. Uwe the German was the more quiet one
of bunch, but also the strongest. He was close to being selected
for a Tour de France, the ultimate dream for these guys, after
ending 63th in the Giro d'Italy the year before. But he wasn't.
Now he was bitter and fighting for every meter to get himself in
the picture again.
After a category 4 mountain,
the riders went down in a devilish speed. Jacob Nielsen was the
most daring of all. He passed at least 25 other competitors while
speeding down in 80 kilometers per hour. And we tried to follow.
This was the real thing. After every corner could be a goat, a
motor from a little side track, a hole in the road or just a kid
from a kampung. But Jacob didn't care. He was on his way to
support Uwe Hardter, who was way ahead together with a Japanese
guy. He tactically slowed down a little group of 5 that were
chasing the two people at the front. There were more people on the
side of the streets as there are in the final stage of the Tour de
France. Tens of thousands, and all cheering. Unfortunately, Uwe
couldn't beat the Japanese in the final sprint and ended second.
Not bad at all and Andre Schultze was still in the green Jersey as
well. Best of all, the bright orange shirt of the BuGils Group was again on TV and in the
newspapers.
In the evening I took the time to make a visit to the parents of
Roos, who live in a nearby kampung. Away from the noise,
the people and the stress, I felt the intense quietness of the
desa. I experienced it almost as a healing effect, although I was
not sick at all. It was a good break from the dusty roads
that I had seen so far. I deeply inhaled all the natural
impressions. The old father was clearly enjoying my visit. Some
aunties and uncles had quickly dressed themselves up in a clean
shirt. Kids were smiling around the corner of the little kitchen.
On the wall a man on a picture with Megawati. I waited for permission to drink the tea. The chit-chat was back
and forth, asking and answering things that we both already knew,
and then repeating them again for the old man. If a silence took a
bit too long, we just smiled. 'My father is a farmer as well', I
told the old man. I expected some questions, but he probably
thought I was joking. We both laughed and I didn't elaborate.
I finished my tea. It was just the break I needed and thanked Roos
her family for their hospitality. Driving away in the dark, I
looked back one more time. Silhouettes under a 25 Watt lamp waved
me goodbye. Java at its best...
Bartele
The Criterium:
http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/Aug27nl2006.htm
Bandung-Cirebon:
http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/Aug28nl2006.htm
|
