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When car enthusiast Ryco Arnaldo first encountered off-road vehicles more than a decade ago he was instantly in awe of their amazing ability to conquer almost any tough terrain, from unpaved roads and mud tracks to riverbeds and gravel hillsides.

“It’s a very challenging sport,” said Ryco, who works as an industrial equipment supplier in Jakarta.

But as impressive as the vehicles were, finding a place for off-road fans to talk about their hobby was tough in those days. So in 2005, Ryco and his friends created 4 Wheeler, a place where fans can share their passion for off-roading.

The group tries to be inclusive by offering a number of different activities and events that will appeal to a variety of people, from the merely curious to die-hards yearning for a wilderness drive.

4 Wheeler meetings take place once every two months and are usually overnight road trips out of the capital. Ryco said that during these gatherings group members visit hard-to-reach places and hold off-roading workshops.

Ryco, who started off-roading in 2001, said the skills required are different from other automotive sports, which usually focus on speed.

“Off-roading is not about racing and speeding,” he said. “What is important in off-roading is the ability to conquer difficult terrain. You have to master your car and know the characteristics of the surface.”

Besides off-road adventures, members of 4 Wheeler are also active in community service — for example, they hold blood donation drives during the year.

One requirement

Ryco said the only requirement to participate in 4 Wheeler events is an interest in the sport. You don’t even need to own a vehicle.

But he added that when it came to car ownership, all brands are welcome.

After owning several different four-wheel vehicles, Ryco now loves his vintage 1963 Land Rover, which he described as “simple, but tough.”

For those who are too busy to attend the group’s events, Ryco said the next best way to stay in touch with the latest tips and tricks in the off-road world is by joining the club’s mailing list, which has more than 700 active participants. Every day, these fans talk about their vehicles and share their adventures bouncing around the country.

“Members of our mailing list don’t just come from Jakarta, but from other cities too,” Ryco said.

And although off-roading is often considered a man’s activity, Ryco said that 4 Wheeler welcomes female fans and drivers. He added that 4 Wheeler has female drivers that are as good as the male ones.

To honor their female members, and women drivers in general, 4 Wheeler presents a regular event called the “Kartini Off-Road,” named after Indonesia’s feminist hero. The event, which has been held three times, is for women drivers only and lets them demonstrate their driving chops on wild terrain.

Expensive?

Off-roading is also regarded as expensive, something Ryco doesn’t deny. But he noted that the sport can be enjoyed on a limited budget. With about Rp 50 million ($5,450), he said, you can buy an off-roader equipped with the basics — extreme tires and a winch to pull the vehicle out of trouble if it gets stuck.

But on the other hand, he said, there is virtually no limit when it comes to upgrading an off-road vehicle for greater challenges.

“If you have Rp 100 million, or even Rp 500 million, then you can definitely get a much better off-road machine. It all depends on your financial situation,” he said.

Ryco said many members of 4 Wheeler are also involved in the national off-road championships. In the future, he hopes the sport will gain greater acceptance and that the community will expand.

The next big event is coming up later this year — the “4 Wheeler Outback Challenge” will be an off-road competition for drivers from all over the country.

To join 4 Wheeler’s mailing list: 4wheeler@yahoogroups.com