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Jakarta Post

Tour de Singkarak: More than just a race

Watch or to be watched?: Cyclists on the Sawahlunto-Muara Labuh route as hundreds of people gather to watch in front of a Rumah Gadang West Sumatra traditional house

The Jakarta Post
Sat, June 8, 2013

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Tour de Singkarak: More than just a race Watch or to be watched?: Cyclists on the Sawahlunto-Muara Labuh route as hundreds of people gather to watch in front of a Rumah Gadang West Sumatra traditional house. (Antara/Rosa Panggabean)" border="0" height="341" width="512">Watch or to be watched?: Cyclists on the Sawahlunto-Muara Labuh route as hundreds of people gather to watch in front of a Rumah Gadang West Sumatra traditional house. (Antara/Rosa Panggabean)

Hundreds of participants from 24 countries pedaled hard to compete in the Tour de Singkarak across West Sumatra from June 2 to 9.

Thousands of orang Minang, West Sumatra natives, welcomed the cyclists with enthusiastic waves along the more-than-1,00 kilometer route, which went through 17 out of 19 cities and districts in province.

Community leaders wearing traditional outfits watched the races from honorary stages while dancers performed a variety of traditional dances to enliven the annual event, which offers a total of Rp 1.2 billion (US$122,422) in prize money.

While sweating to reach the finish line, cyclists soaked up the scenery throughout the route and the province’s cultural, culinary and historical attractions.

It is not just a race it is a beautiful journey. It is the Tour de Singkarak.

Signature dance: Young women perform the Tari Piring (dish dance) at one of the many race’s finish points in Muara Labuh, Solok regency. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)Signature dance: Young women perform the Tari Piring (dish dance) at one of the many race’s finish points in Muara Labuh, Solok regency. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)

Photo call: Puti Rosmala Dewi Rajo Balun, a member of the Panai sultanate family poses with the winners of stage 5 in Muara Labuh on Thursday. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)Photo call: Puti Rosmala Dewi Rajo Balun, a member of the Panai sultanate family poses with the winners of stage 5 in Muara Labuh on Thursday. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)

Real power: Mothers of Bundo Kanduang culture watch the cyclists from the windows of Basa Pagaruyung Palace, Batusangkar, Tanah Datar on Tuesday. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)Real power: Mothers of Bundo Kanduang culture watch the cyclists from the windows of Basa Pagaruyung Palace, Batusangkar, Tanah Datar on Tuesday. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)

Traditional leaders: Bagindo Sutan Rajo Disambah Tuanku Rajo Ibadat (center) of Panai sultanate, Pagaruyung, which has a cultural power in the province, at the finish line in Muara Labuh. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)Traditional leaders: Bagindo Sutan Rajo Disambah Tuanku Rajo Ibadat (center) of Panai sultanate, Pagaruyung, which has a cultural power in the province, at the finish line in Muara Labuh. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)

Fine dining: Participants wearing destar hats and songket sarongs eat together at Basa Pagaruyung Palace. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)

W

span class="inline inline-none">Watch or to be watched?: Cyclists on the Sawahlunto-Muara Labuh route as hundreds of people gather to watch in front of a Rumah Gadang West Sumatra traditional house. (Antara/Rosa Panggabean)

Hundreds of participants from 24 countries pedaled hard to compete in the Tour de Singkarak across West Sumatra from June 2 to 9.

Thousands of orang Minang, West Sumatra natives, welcomed the cyclists with enthusiastic waves along the more-than-1,00 kilometer route, which went through 17 out of 19 cities and districts in province.

Community leaders wearing traditional outfits watched the races from honorary stages while dancers performed a variety of traditional dances to enliven the annual event, which offers a total of Rp 1.2 billion (US$122,422) in prize money.

While sweating to reach the finish line, cyclists soaked up the scenery throughout the route and the province'€™s cultural, culinary and historical attractions.

It is not just a race it is a beautiful journey. It is the Tour de Singkarak.

Signature dance: Young women perform the Tari Piring (dish dance) at one of the many race'€™s finish points in Muara Labuh, Solok regency. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)
Signature dance: Young women perform the Tari Piring (dish dance) at one of the many race'€™s finish points in Muara Labuh, Solok regency. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)

Photo call: Puti Rosmala Dewi Rajo Balun, a member of the Panai sultanate family poses with the winners of stage 5 in Muara Labuh on Thursday. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)
Photo call: Puti Rosmala Dewi Rajo Balun, a member of the Panai sultanate family poses with the winners of stage 5 in Muara Labuh on Thursday. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)

Real power: Mothers of Bundo Kanduang culture watch the cyclists from the windows of Basa Pagaruyung Palace, Batusangkar, Tanah Datar on Tuesday. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)
Real power: Mothers of Bundo Kanduang culture watch the cyclists from the windows of Basa Pagaruyung Palace, Batusangkar, Tanah Datar on Tuesday. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)

Traditional leaders: Bagindo Sutan Rajo Disambah Tuanku Rajo Ibadat (center) of Panai sultanate, Pagaruyung, which has a cultural power in the province, at the finish line in Muara Labuh. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)
Traditional leaders: Bagindo Sutan Rajo Disambah Tuanku Rajo Ibadat (center) of Panai sultanate, Pagaruyung, which has a cultural power in the province, at the finish line in Muara Labuh. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)

Fine dining: Participants wearing destar hats and songket sarongs eat together at Basa Pagaruyung Palace. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)
Fine dining: Participants wearing destar hats and songket sarongs eat together at Basa Pagaruyung Palace. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul JB)

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