In June 2018, I decided to climb the second highest volcano in Indonesia, Mount Rinjani, with my bike. As far as I was able to determine it’s only been done twice previously (in 2014 by Jerome Clementz and Tito Tomasi) and I wanted to be the third person with a bike at the top of this active volcano……and ride then down it, of course.

If the downhill looked promising, the way up was not going to be a piece of cake. With a 14% gradient and highly unfriendly, slippery terrain, my bike would spent most of its time on my back on the journey up. I almost gave up multiple times, but with the help of my guide I made it. It was the hardest ride I have have ever done, but the sunset views and the joy of getting to the top and back down this almost untouched volcano-dirt bike trail was worth all the effort in the world.