I don’t mind adventure, as long as the safety latch is firmly in place. I’m game for any new experience minus any high risk. So when I learnt about the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) ride or Quad ride, as it is more popularly known, through the rice fields of Bali, it sounded perfect.
Set in the idyllic rice fields near Ubud, about an hour away from the beach, I’d seen photographs of riders in mud-splattered outfits. As I made my way to try my hand at the ATVs, I decided carrying an extra set of clothes would be a smart idea.
As we left the shores and approached the heart of Bali, the topography underwent a vivid transformation. The wide roads gave way to narrow streets. As we travelled past terracotta roofs with carved corner flounces and little flower-and-fruit offerings in woven palm baskets inserted into nooks and crannies, flashes of vibrant green offered us a glimpse of the rice fields. Once we got there, these vast fields took our breath away. The green, that is unique to young rice crops, stretches as far as the eye can see, and is interspersed with coconut palms, native flowering bushes and water canals.
We rented our quad bikes from ATV Kutri, which was not too far from the shopping highway of Ubud. A quick trial run later, I opted for the 40-minute trip through the rice fields. The trial run is important, since you need to learn to manoeuvre the vehicle; no power steering here. You also need helmets and a guide. The actual ride begins when we go off the main roads and into the rice fields. The terrain looks smooth and hard, but once the tyres hit the field, you realise how deceiving looks can really be. I had to stifle a scream, as one big tyre sank precariously into a muddy crater before it rolled out. A little more leg action on the throttle sends it lurching forward and makes the ride more thrilling. When water canals on either side narrow the path down, you have to be extra careful so you don’t dive head first into one.
At another point, we had to climb a slope sideways at a gravity-defying gradient. That’s when you realise just what these sturdy vehicles are capable of. These ATVs can manage speeds of up to 60 km per hour, which is quite fast when you take all the bumps and dips into consideration.
With a mix of potholes, turns, climbs and slopes, peppered with gasps, laughs and pristine vistas, this was one ride that I thoroughly enjoyed.
On the few occasions when we rode on fully paved roads, we were able to take in the scenery around — the crops dancing in the wind and people hard at work in the fields. With children in tow, they look up, wave, nod and smile as we whizz past.
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Quick facts
To book a quad ride: call ATV Kutri at 083114974497 or email kutriadventure@gmail.com
Take a taxi. It’s cheaper than having them pick you up from the hotel.
Bargain to get a good price for your ride.
Take a waist belt or a cross-sling bag to carry your documents.
