BOB Downhill 2024: A Bicycle Race Event at Borobudur Highland with Stunning Natural Views

Source: blog.pigijo.com

Are you a travel enthusiast? What do you think about combining traveling with sports? It would definitely be much more exciting and fun, right?

This year, the trend of traveling while engaging in sports, known as sport tourism, has become increasingly popular among both domestic and international tourists. This trend has helped boost tourism and the economy in Indonesia.

For those of you who want to enjoy a holiday while watching a downhill bike race, you must attend the annual BOB Downhill 2024 event. Want to know some interesting facts about it? Let’s dive into the details!

1. Enjoy the Stunning Background of Borobudur Temple

Source: kompas.com

Unlike typical bicycle races that take place on smooth, paved roads, the downhill bike race is the opposite. In this sport, athletes use MTB (Mountain Bike) to tackle steep and extreme tracks in the hills. The paths are often narrow, winding, and full of obstacles like tree roots and sharp rocks.

Initiated by the Borobudur Authority Board (BOB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenparekraf) and Radio Geronimo, the annual sport tourism event BOB Downhill 2024 will be held on May 18-19, 2024. The race location is truly a feast for the eyes!

Located at the De’Loano Glamping in the Borobudur Highland area, Central Java, the event will offer stunning natural views. From the top of De’Loano Glamping, on a clear day, you can see the grandeur of Borobudur Temple. WOW! How amazing is that?

Reaching Borobudur Highland is easy, too. If you're coming from Yogyakarta’s Adisutjipto International Airport, it's just about 47 km, or around 1 hour and 30 minutes by car.

The area is currently being developed into five zones, which include an exclusive resort zone, adventure tourism zone, exotic tourism zone, cultural tourism zone, and an entrance gate zone.

2. A Target of 300 Participants Set for the Event

In the previous year, the BOB Downhill race saw 204 participants, and this year, the organizers are hoping for a significant increase in participation, with a target of 300 participants. The participants will be divided into several categories, including Men Elite, Men Junior, Women Elite, Women Open, Men Youth, Men Pre-Youth, Men Sport A & B, and Men Master A - B - C - D - E.

The race will cover a track distance of 1.5 km and will take place around the DeLoano Glamping area, which is located at the border of Magelang, Purworejo, and Kulonprogo.

To further boost the excitement and motivate the participants, the organizers have provided a total prize pool of IDR 76 million, adding to the thrill of this extreme sport event.

3. Participant Safety and Comfort Remain a Top Priority

Illustration Source: uci.org

For those of you who are fans of extreme sports like downhill cycling, it's natural to feel some anxiety before the race. Don't worry; that's perfectly okay. However, it's important to know that the organizers of BOB Downhill 2024 prioritize the safety of all participants. The safety standards are top-notch, with experts from UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) involved in the process, and support from the Indonesia Cycling Federation (ICF).

By the way, for those who are unfamiliar, UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) was established in 1900 in Paris by national cycling organizations from Belgium, the United States, France, Italy, and Switzerland. UCI's role is to issue race licenses for cyclists, enforce anti-doping regulations, manage race classifications, and establish ranking systems in various cycling disciplines, including mountain biking and BMX.

After Thrilling Your Adrenaline on the BOB Downhill 2024 Track, Why Not Continue Your Holiday to Explore Exciting Destinations in Purworejo?

1. Exploring the Remnants of Hindu Kingdom History at Goa Seplawan

Source: kompas.com

Located in Desa Donorejo, Kaligesing District, Purworejo Regency, bordering Kulon Progo in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Goa Seplawan offers breathtaking natural beauty and a deep historical significance.

According to local stories, Goa Seplawan is a historical witness to the existence of a Hindu kingdom in the area. This is supported by the discovery of a 22-karat gold statue, 9 cm tall and weighing 2.5 kg, found in the cave on August 15, 1979.

To protect the historical site, the original gold statue is now preserved in the National Museum, while the statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati found in the cave are replicas.

Upon entering the cave, you will encounter a narrow passage where the ceiling is only 80 cm high, just wide enough for one person to pass at a time. Despite the tight space, you can still admire the beauty of the active stalactites and stalagmites that adorn the cave.

It is recommended to bring a headlamp or flashlight as you explore the cave to light your way. Be careful as the paths can be slippery, and it’s important to stay alert while navigating through the cave's challenging terrain.

2. Enjoying the Sunrise and Sunset at Gunung Kunir

Source: harapanrakyat.com

Located in Desa Benowo, Bener District, Purworejo Regency, Central Java, which is part of the Menoreh Mountains, Gunung Kunir is the perfect spot to enjoy both the sunrise and sunset.

At an elevation of 950-975 meters above sea level, on a clear day without much fog, the summit of Gunung Kunir offers a breathtaking view of five mountains simultaneously: Mount Merapi, Mount Merbabu, Mount Sumbing, Mount Sindoro, and the Dieng Plateau. This panoramic view makes it an ideal place for nature lovers and photographers.

To hike up Gunung Kunir Benowo, visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of Rp10,000 per person. If you're driving, parking fees range from Rp2,000 to Rp5,000, depending on the type of vehicle.

3. Seeing the Historical Evidence of the Japanese Occupation at Kalimaro Fort

Source: kompasiana.com

Kalimaro Pendem Fortress is a Japanese-era defensive fortress built in 1942. This fortress was constructed on the Menoreh Mountains with reinforced concrete over an area of about 500 hectares. There are a total of 11 bunker buildings scattered across three villages: Bapangsari, Dadirejo, and Tlogo Kotes.

It is named Kalimaro Pendem Fortress because it appears to be buried in the ground. In addition to hiding from enemy attacks, the earth covering was believed to be able to withstand explosions from ship cannons or enemy bombs.

As its function suggests, the fortress was built as a defense center, a trench warfare training site for the Japanese soldiers, and a place to hide Japanese cannons from enemy sight. While in this area, you will see 1-meter-wide trenches connecting one fortress to another. You can also spot two casemates with protective structures.

To stay updated on information about tourist destinations, events, and various interesting facts, check the website event.indonesia.travel or follow Instagram @winner.wonderfulevents. Let’s go on vacation #DiIndonesiaAja to better understand the diverse cultures and support economic growth in Indonesia!