Towilfiets

Kulon Progo is one of Yogyakarta Province. It is located in kulon (west in Javanese)  of Progo river. There is a village in Sentolo, Kulon Progo, named Bantar. At first, No one knew Bantar village until many tourists come in an ordinary house. The house only made from wood, stone floors, and bamboo roofs. There is the owner who welcomes his guest hospitably. He is, Muntowil, the young man from Boyolali who makes many tourists come to that village.  At first, he was only handicraft agent who always sold many handicrafts to foreign but now he becomes owner of tour village. It happens because old bike or we call onthel.

This story was begun when he is “falling in love” with friend’s old bike. At first, Towil saw onthel with mark Raleigh. Raleigh is one of Holland’s bikes. He loves it and bought it quickly. Someday, the handicraft agent came to his house. He came from Australia. It is his first time coming to Towil’s house and he got something antique there. He saw Towil’s bike was very old and he like it. He asked to Towil “can I bring this?” and Towil said “of course”. Hence he sold it to him. Towil bought it eight hundred rupiahs and he sold it one million five hundred rupiahs.

After that, Towil bought his second bike. He bought Humber. Humber is Holland’s bike too. “Since I have bought the second one, I fell confused. I cannot concentrate with my job because there are only bikes in my mind” he said.

In 2006, there was bicycle exhibition in Bentara Budaya, Yogyakarta. His friends asked him to buy bicycle catalogues so he bought ten bicycle catalogues.

One night, in Malioboro, Towil met Amir Fattah who is onthel collector from Kediri. Towil offered him his catalog but Towil said if he did not bring it at that moment. He would take it tomorrow, freely. Unfortunately, Amir Fattah did not have much time in Yogyakarta, He would go back soon. Therefore, Towil went back to his home which took 20 kilometers for taking the catalogue.

After that, Mr. Amir invited Towil to his house in Kediri. He said that he would show all collections. He said that he have one hundred onthels. At first, Towil did not believe it but when he came to Mr. Amir’s house, his eyes could not wink. Towil did not believe that one hundred bicycles row in a line in Mr. Amir’s house. “He is a great collector” Towil said.

Mr. Amir has many onthels and many of them are very expensive. Towil felt surprise when see it. After that, He felt sad after that. This is because Mr. Amir did not use onthel as appropriate. Towil was thinking why he did not use it to cycling?

His question was roaming until he went back to Yogyakarta. He was concerned about it. Therefore, he founded a community, Pagoyoeban Onthel Djogdjakarta or Podjok, on November, 19^th, 2006 together with his friends. He hopes that with this community could inspire many cyclists to reuse their bikes to cycling again.

The trouble came when he is busy with his new community. Towil jobs as handicraft exporter agent became chaotic. His partners were complaining because Towil did not focus on his job as handicraft agent. Hence, he decided to make tour in his village, Bantar. Based on his creativity, towil offered cycling tour around village.  Although, it is not as popular as other natural attractions but Towil package it with creative. “I will show tourists to the center of crafts, weaving, making tempe and salted eggs. If guests want to see the fields, they can practice of planting rice directly. After that, guests can enjoy young coconut water in the hut fields. Guests can also see people cook at Pawon (traditional kitchen), guests can see the transactions in the market.” Said towil

The cost only Rp 300,000 @person, tourists are invited to enjoy the village atmosphere. "Livestock duck, even the traditional market on the street also attracts tourists," he said. Towil also invite them to school and make a conversation with students. "This is both cross-cultural education," said Towil. Towil makes them spontaneously, it does not use dialogue or acting. He only gives what he has. “Look! There is my village.” Add Towil.

There is the story from Muntowil who only ordinary villager. I hope He can inspire you all. Salam Sepeda