May 18th: Part 1: From Shalu to Hualien, entering Wuling from the West
Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/778819974
From
where I live, Hualien city is a different world. I am located in
Central Taiwan, in Taichung. There is basically three ways to go to
Hualien, which is, by plane, by train/car going all the way around the
Island, or crossing it over Mount Wuling, which will be 3275m of
elevation gain... Just like I did in March, I chose option three:
central crossing the entire island of Taiwan from Shalu to Hualien,
passing through Taichung, Wufeng, Caotun, Guoxing, Puli, Wushe,
Qingjing, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Luoshao, Tianxiang, Xincheng, all the way
to Hualien city.
I
started my day really early, waking up at 2:57 am. I got dressed, had a
quick breakfast and hit the road. The first section was Taiwan
Boulevard to Dali, a section I often pass on my way to work. But this
time it was all in the dark and only a few cars around to keep me
company. In Taichung i went for Wufeng and by the time I got there, it
was already getting lighter and lighter. I remember from my march trip
that is was only getting light somewhere around Puli.
After
I passed Wufeng I made it to Caotun, which is the location where I can
take Highway 14. This is the long straight, sometimes hilly road that
will take me to the foot of Mount Wuling. Shalu to Puli will be about
80km, so I decided to have a little break there. I stopped at the 7-11
where I always stop, even got a chance to chat with my buddy haha, that
was niec! After that I went for Puli's Central Taiwan geographical steele, aka the start of the race "Attacking Wuling from the
West". Here I met two guys from Tainan who came over especially for this
trip. They took me a picture, which was nice.
Taiwan's central geography steele at Puli
Hwy 14, going to Wushe
A perfect day for this ride
After
that picture, it was time for action: no bullshit, just climbing from
elevation 200 to 3300. And I only got 50km to spend on that, so things
will be steep later on! But practice makes a master and as this was
already my, what? Tenth time! up there, I did not really have issues
with this mountain. A very ncie statistique: I cycled Wuling ten times,
each time departing from Shalu or Hualien. Which is both more than a
100km from the foot of the mountain, which makes the climb even more
spectacular. From Puli to Wushe the only steep section is at Renzhiguan,
around Tai14';s 78km mark. That will be about five or six km of
climbing at a grade of 7-8&. It does have a 12-13% in there as well.
But once again, I have done that section more than ten times and i was
not going to be hammered by it today.
The first tunnels
What a view, what a day, what a ride!
Daguan bridge
Conditions were a whole lot better than March
Renzhiguan
When
I made it to Wushe, I decided to hook up on some reinforcements for
down the road, take some pictures and start my very long ascent along
"the road to heaven". That road was fantastic this time, with an
unprecedented lovely weather. The views along the road were still the
same and my memories of it haven't change: Tou89 after 4km, Qingjing
farm after 7km, the highest 711 in Taiwan on 11km, the police station of
Cuifeng at 18km, the last rest stop at 24km, Kunyang at 29km and at
last, Wuling at 31km. It really went relaxingly well this time. Never
felt pain, just really enjoyed the lovely ride! Of course, up there
pictures had to be taken!
The cross-section, left to Wuling, straight ahead to Lushan
The start of the road to Heaven
A view back, Caotun feels far away from here
Indescribable
The highest 7-11 of Taiwan at more than 2000 meters
The Qingjing Farm area
I love this helmet, it was my birthday present to myself
Almost halfway on the way to heaven, approaching Cuifeng
Cuifeng at elevation 2309m. From here, Wuling is not that far anymore
Some narrow stretches
Beautiful and eye-caressing
The skyline over Hehuan mountain
Steep as hell but what a sight
Living an unforgettable day
Gaining altitude...
Yuanfeng, only 8km until Wuling
Elevation 2750m
Slowly making it to the summit
The higher I got, the more chilly it was, so I put on my wind stopper
Kunyang at 3060 meters. Only two km until the summit
A tourist took my picture
I was wearing my MTB shoes for this ride
A very steep ascent
There is it: Wuling! Far ahead
I made it to Wuling, once again
Always some folks around here to take my picture
After
that brief moment of glory, it was time for the journey to continue.
Going down to Hualien is still a very hazardous job, as it does
implicate a descent of 3300meters over more than a hundred km. A good
chance to polish up on my descending skills that is :-) Down the road
there are two more little nasty climbs in there: one before making it to
Highway 8, and the other one at Highway 8 around 123km mark. Apart from
that it was a roller coaster ride with the occasional tunnels. I did
stop for some pictures and to enjoy the view. Man, I really chose the
best day every for this epic ride! So happy with the weather!
From where I just came
Getting ready for a descent
Pretty crowded here... Nothing strange about it, this was an extraordinarily fabulous day
The beauty of Hehuan mountain
Epic pictures of an epic ride
Conditions were the best they could have been. Descending with my rim brakes here was very OK.
Even though at some places the gradient was very steep (+20%)
I made it down the most dangerous part. From here things would not be so steep any more.
Going to the right, for Taroko gorge. One day I will ride the left section to Lishan.
Dayuling, where the magic of Hwy 8 commences
The descent was like a dream, nothing but beautiful sceneries everywhere I looked
There was a 4km ascent here
I love these adorable red bridges, so nostalgic
That vehicle ain't going nowhere.
The end of the climb at that tunnel
Hehuan mountain
Sliding down in the vortex of time and memory
The afternoon was beautiful as well, no fog, nothing
The end of the cross-central island highway 8. I had now officially gotten revenge for my ride in March. That felt fantastic!
After
this incredibly long roller coaster ride down, I made it to the
legendary 189km mark of highway 8. Now that feeling of standing here,
having departed from Shalu, is just joy, pride, and rejoicement
combined. Never felt so good on my bike! Really hammered it this time!
Last time I came here it was not the same as I had to hitchhike because
of the poor weather conditons. This time, every inch from my front door
to this mythical location has been my own achievement! It makes me love
cycling even more! Let me share that wonderful moment with you guys!
The
only thing that separated me from successfully completing this day, was
the 27km to Nita Lin's hostel in Hualien city. I had prepared the GPS
location so I just had to follow the road proposed by my Garmin. And
even though he sent me through some remote places, I still made it to
Hualien before dark. MAN WHAT A DAY!
End of day 1
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