Sendiri
A solo bicycle and surfing adventure through Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Lombok, and Sumbawa.
"Sendiri" is the Indonesian word for “alone” or “by yourself.”
This solo expedition sees Dylan cycling further east from Bali, exploring the islands of Nusa Lembongan, Lombok, and West Sumbawa. Acting as a one-man camera crew, he films the entire trip using two cameras while chasing some of Indonesia’s most iconic surf breaks, including Lacerations, Desert Point, Padang Padang, Bingin, and Scar Reef.
In 2009, Dylan and his best mate Rian completed an epic bicycle journey across Indonesia chasing waves for their TV series Eat.Sleep.Surf. Years later, Dylan decided to continue that journey on his own.
Sendiri was entirely self-funded, so every download truly helps andallows me to keep making more. Thank you!
Cycling & surfing to desert point in one day
Watch this short raw video (no music) from the epic day I cycled to Desert Point.
Blistering heat, choking dust, and relentless hills — it was a proper sufferfest that ended in pure magic. Rolling into one of the world’s most renowned barreling waves after 83km of sweat and determination made it one of those truly special days you never forget.
Solo Bike trip
Strapping a bodyboard to my bike and pedalling across Bali, Lombok, and Sumbawa in search of waves is pure adventure.
You ride through rice terraces and volcanic landscapes, then unstrap the board and paddle into empty, perfect waves.
It’s slow, self-powered freedom, legs burning, lots of sweat, and the next swell always calling.
Simple, raw, and deeply rewarding. If you dream of chasing waves under your own power, this is the ultimate way to experience the islands.
You'll never know unless you go.
Dylan's Bike
My faithful Surly Long Haul Trucker in blue was the perfect companion for solo trip across Indonesia. Built tough with chromoly steel, this legendary touring bike handled loaded panniers, rough roads, ferries, and tropical heat without complaint.
The highlight? A bodyboard strapped securely to the rear rack. After long days pedalling through rice fields and volcanic landscapes, I’d unstrap the board and paddle straight into the waves. The Surly’s stable geometry and bombproof build made carrying the awkward extra load feel easy.
From Bali’s back roads to island-hopping ferries, the Long Haul Trucker turned the journey into the perfect mix of cycling and surfing. Reliable, comfortable, and endlessly capable, it wasn’t just transport, it was part of the adventure.
Desert point
I rolled into a simple losmen at Desert Point just after 1:30pm, bike parked right out the front with the bodyboard still strapped to the rack. Barefoot (my sandals had mysteriously vanished along the way), I downed litres of cold water and collapsed on the basic wooden porch. The view straight out to the famous barreling waves made every aching kilometre worth it. No fancy rooms, just a fan, a thin mattress, and that magical feeling of having ridden 83km through heat, hills, and jagged rocks to sleep steps from one of Indonesia’s dream waves.
Desert Point
- Best wave of the trip -
Desert Point (Bangko Bangko) is one of the world’s most legendary left-hand waves — a long, hollow, barreling beast that peels perfectly over shallow, razor-sharp coral reef.
When it’s on, powerful southwest swells create fast, spinning tubes that can last 20–30 seconds (sometimes much longer), offering multiple barrel sections and rides up to 200–300 metres. The wave is famously fickle and tide-sensitive: at the right low-to-mid tide with clean southeast winds, it turns into a hypnotic, dream-like tube ride — heavy, hollow, and unforgiving.
I was there for 3 days and timed it well for one of the swells of the season.
CONTACT US
Got questions about the bike tour, the film, or just want to say g’day?
Whether you’re dreaming of doing a similar trip, curious about gear and logistics, or simply want to share your own surf adventure stories, we’d love to hear from you.
Feel free to reach out anytime — we always reply!
