Garmin Activity: no Garmin activity
Lately I have been meticulously studying the map of Taichung and I am steadily exploring more and more. I have done Route 136 to Guoxing several times, but looking closely on the map, I noticed there are some smaller routes connecting between 136 and Xinshe. These roads are indicated with numbers: Taichung-99 and Taichung-100. Today I did a short ride before work to check out Taichung-99. I took a few pictures of this map with my phone and then hit the road.
I departed from Shalu and I repeated the section through Taichung city to Taiping. It is about 27km and it passes through Xiangshang road and continues to the intersection of 129 and 136 where that Hi-Life is. I bought a drink and then I started cycling 136. According to my map, I would see a small lane on my left after some 3km. I did found it, the sign was pretty clear: Taichung-99 left. That's where I saw the upper picture
There was another split section here, but this sign indicated Xinshe. I knew where to go.
This Taichung-99 was a cozy little road indeed. It started out just fine, but later I faced some steep sections of 17%. None of them were very long climbs though
This Taichung-99 is referred to in Chinese as 北田產業道路. The signs above took away my doubts.
They was a pack of black stray dogs barking at me before I came here. Good thing there was a descent right here so I had some considerable speed and the dogs renounced the pursuit.
An early morning short ride before going to work
Not the best quality of pictures with my phone, but the views were quite beautiful. So tranquil!
A steeper section here. The first time I rode here, I was worried about going to far away from the main roads. I proceeded with care.
A dry river bed, like you'll see in most places of central Taiwan nowadays
Enchanting
Another downhill section. I had already done a nice six km inside of Taichung-99
There was also a split section at this bridge, but the sign clearly indicated Taichung-99 over the bridge. I think the other option was just a small alley, maybe even a dead-end.
Over the bridge...
So far, so good
The first time I actually saw a road indicator: Beitian 7km
I was going left here, but I noticed there was another small path going right, and it was going up steep
Seeing this plus adding the 5km mark until the next village, sounds like a rough ride. I should come and do it one day.
The signs indicated that road as: Maopo chanye daolu 茅埔產業道路
After that bridge there was another section going uphill. Then all of the sudden I saw a big sign saying: Thank you for visiting Xinshe. It means I had left the Taiping area and entered Xinshe. It was a connection I had never made before, a nice way to go to Fengyuan from Taichung city.
Right after that sign, there was a long climb of about 4-5km. This section was a good challenge because it was also steep enough.
Some landscapes along this uphill section
I recently bought this carbon Sirrus. I think it is a nice bike!
On top of Taichung-99
The last 500m of that climbing section were extremely steep, around 18%. Then there was a descent that led me to a place I recognized right away: Taichung -93 in Xinshe. It felt great arriving in Xinshe like this. I learnt a valuable road connection that I will be using in future rides!
Going straight ahead to Zhongxingling, from there it is a short one to Shigang and Fengyuan. I visited my friends in Fengyuan and then I cycled to the school for my classes
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