Arriving in Bali, I initially found the island to be crowded, hot, and overwhelmingly touristy. The over-development and somewhat bland cuisine was initially disheartening, but the warm and friendly nature of the Balinese people made up for it.

Embarking on a 5-day guided bike ride, I discovered the true beauty of Bali, away from the bustling tourist areas. Our small, close-knit group consisted of just me and another cyclist, Peter, who hailed from the Netherlands and, coincidentally, worked as a Product Manager. Our journey took us through breathtaking landscapes of rice fields, volcanoes, and the ocean, all framed by the island's lush greenery. These views, along with the serenity of being off the beaten path, were the true highlights of my experience.

Our guide, Kadek, a former cycling champion in Bali, was instrumental in making the trip enjoyable. His sense of humor and ability to push us beyond our limits made the experience even more rewarding.

The challenges of the ride included the sweltering heat of 90 degrees Fahrenheit with 90% humidity, as well as tackling steep hills with 10% grades. While physically demanding, overcoming these obstacles made the journey all the more satisfying.

The local cuisine in Bali, unfortunately, didn't live up to the culinary delights of other Southeast Asian countries. Despite enjoying Nasi Goreng, I found the food to be lacking in variety and seemingly catered to tourists. It paled in comparison to the offerings in Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Laos. Despite some initial setbacks, my 5-day cycling adventure through Bali revealed the island's hidden beauty, forever etching the vivid landscapes and warmth of the Balinese people in my memory.