Here are some crazy facts for your morning read. Approximately 71 percent of the Earth's surface is completely covered by water, and staggeringly, our oceans account for up to 96.5 percent of all the world's water combined. "Waterworld" might have been a misguided nineties folly concocted from the visionary mind of director/star and half-merman Kevin Costner, but the reality is, it's not pure fiction. We all live on a planet with a serious volume of water. The world's oceans and land are intricately linked in the climate system. Changes in one can significantly impact the other. To the people from Lombok, Indonesia, this is all too familiar.

Globally, over 50% of coral reefs are lost. Overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and global warming all sadly play their part. Consequently, 5.1 million hectares of coral reef are now at risk in places like Lombok according to Indonesia’s Institute of Sciences. Indo is indicative of the global issue at large, as it's the second biggest producer of seafood worldwide, and 54% of all Indonesians depend on fish for their protein intake. Take that away, and it's no surprise communities suffer economically and culturally in profound ways. All too soon, precious coastal towns that millions of cyclists like you and I visit each year start to die away. Another fact for reflection is that global reef tourism is estimated to be worth US$35.8 billion annually. Not for much longer if we continue in the direction we're heading. The importance of protecting ecosystems in under threat places like Lombok is paramount.

This all amounts to a sobering outlook. But with your help, the tide can turn. The Indonesia Biru Foundation is one of the organizations making a difference through community outreach and programmes that directly benefit regional marine ecosystems. Year-round, volunteers carry out dive projects and restoration initiatives, tending to the seabed to encourage coral regrowth. You can even adopt a fragment of coral for a small cost, securing funding to bring biodiversity back to Lombok's reefs. Think of it like adopting a puppy, but bonus, you don't need to worry about the mountains of puppy-poop. Bonus #2, you’re playing your part in securing a future for marine life.

To illustrate just how rewarding this place is to visit, local crew Citra, Yudi and Haetam hit a recon for our latest Help Wanted ride. The island of Lombok is famed for its gravel scene, so the routes are utterly immense. For those who have been, it's a rider's paradise of untouched panoramas, from the idyllic waterfalls and natural pools of Tetebatu to the stunning beaches that lace the south isle. As Haetam, who calls this exquisite corner of the planet his home, explains, "Riding in Lombok will tickle your sense of adventure as most of the great roads aren't available on search engines. You have to explore and discover the roads yourself. The combination of the volcano and stretch of beach creates varied landscapes in such close proximity. The diversity of terrains are amazing. For example, many of the areas in West and East Lombok are green and breezy, while most of the South and North are dry, presenting a desert-like atmosphere as you roll through them. You can navigate the whole island and see so many different things in one tour."

On this trip, Haetam, Yudi and Citra rode to the playground that is Mandalika, home to countless surfing coves, crystal-clear sands, and dusty gravel utopia. One such trail celebrated by the locals is Gerupuk. To Haetam's knowledge, only a few people have ever visited this spot due to its slippery and ultra-soupy tracks, even though the battle to get to the edge of Gerupuk is always worth it. Back to the beach to cool off in the water; it's the ultimate reward after a long day in the heat, and as the sun sets on the rolling sands, savoring the abundant choice of seafood on offer is heaven. And if it's one thing this ride shows, Lombok, and its coastline, is a heaven worth saving.