February 21, 2015: A quick Miaoil ride with Liao Shi-jie and Zhang Shu-wei

Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/702410379

117km, 5h29, elevation 1600m

Not many riders to join us on this team ride today, just me, Liao Shi-jie and Zhang Shu-wei. In the early morning I departed from Shalu, taking the 17% climb up to Metropolitan Garden down to Zhongqing road again. Then I rode through Shengang on to Fengyuan. That's where I met Liao Shi-jie. 

We cycled in the direction of Houli (Hwy 13), where we would meet Shi-wei. When we found him, there was another cyclist joining him. And what a small world it is. Apparently he is the guy I met during the "Triple Mt Challenge Race" on Jan. 18 of this year. He remembered me and he wanted to join us on this ride. Surely that was no problem. The four of us went north along Hwy 13.

Shu-wei was taking the lead and at some point he took a right, diverging from Hwy 13 into a smaller road. This road crossed a cute little bridge and we landed in a tranquil zone. After some twists and turns we arrived on Miaoli-52 in the direction of Liyutan reservoir. Here there was a short put pinchy climb of 12%. I raced uphill and waited for the others to arrive. It was a small one so I really jammed it.

From there it went downhill for some time and we arrived at the Longteng broken bridge remains. It is a bridge where there used to be a railroad track. There used to be a system of train rails in eastern Taichung but they are all gone now. Only this broken bridge remains. We stopped here for some pictures.

The Longteng broken bridge

Casual riding with some friends, no stress, just good times outside

A list of things to do in Southern Miaoli: Shengxing train station and Longteng broken bridge

Then we started climbing to 130. Unfortunately Shu-wei told us his heart beat was way too high and that he wanted to go home. The other guy that joined us also had to go back. All of the sudden it was just two riders left. Me and Liao Shi-jie. We cycled the 130 to Ginger Garden together.

This is where the group fell apart.

But first some pictures before our ways parted

Then we did the climb to the Ginger Garden, nice as always.

From there we returned to Hwy 3, but instead of taking Hwy 3 back to Zhuolan, I leaded the way for more climbs in Miaoli-54 and 55 routes (check the Garmin file). Unfortunately at this section I smashed my cycling buddy. He had the hardest time coming through these hills. In the end he made it and he was fine. Then we returned to Fengyuan.