Saturday, October 31, 2015

September 20, 2014: A relaxing Miaoli ride to Sanyi and Dahu with the Fengyuan gang

Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/594517255
101km, 4h04, elevation 1256m

Another morning ride with the Fengyuan gang... These rides are never really long but they are fun and these people help me get to understand the local geography a lot better. Today we did some cycling in the Miaoli region, which could be considered as part of "northern Taiwan".

I got op really early and started cycling at 4h30, yeah that's really early! The first part from Shalu to Fengyuan was in the dark. When I made it to Fengyuan the sun had risen and I got myself a free breakfast from Mr. Cai. After breakfast, we headed out to meet the others.


We waited for the others to show up here. We took some pictures while waiting. Three beautiful Specialized bicycles paired up against the fence. Left: Liao Shi-jie's Venge, middle: my Roubaix, right: Mr. Cai's Tarmac. Nice looking bikes!
We met up in Houli and then we started cycling Hwy 13. This was a wide road going north and the section from Houli to Sanyi we were riding had a very long climb. Just after Houli there is an ascent of quite a few miles with some steep sections. In this section I ditched everybody else, even though  I was having a hard time myself. I kept plowing through until the summit and then there was a descent, which led to Sanyi city. I took some pictures while I was waiting for the others.


Miniature train in Sanyi


Waiting for the others to arrive...


The first one to join me was Liao Shi-jie. He is a good climber as well


And he was kind enough to take my picture here, while we waited for the others to arrive.


Eventually the group reunited and we continued for the second part of the ride, which was Route 130 from Sanyi to Dahu. This is the section that runs past the Ginger Garden. Again, this section has a 6km ascent with some steeper sections. Another golden chance to race against my new buddies :-)


Right before the climb of 130 there is a split section, more like a scenic area. Anyway, we just took 130.
 

Us having some pictures taken. It was a fun morning ride


Mr. Cai and Steven approaching... really cool how they cycle all the time. It is def. something to look up to.


We were going left here (Route 130 to Dahu). Straight ahead would be Guandao mountain and Longteng broken bridge, two minor attractions in Miaoli.


From another angle: we just came from the left side (Sanyi) and we were going to Dahu.


Then we started climbing 130. If you are not a good climber, you will find this section hard. I found it hard at the time. Steadily and slowly I managed to plow through. On top of the summit, there is the Ginger Garden (Jiangyuan in Chinese). This is where I realized I had actually already been here in August, on a GPS guided tour. A strange sensation of coming back...


 There is also a huge temple here, where you can even get water for free. We stopped there for some water and checked out the scenes.


A devoted Buddhist thanking the spirits...


The temple complex, quite impressive though. Buddhism is really something in Taiwan.





Bartman and Steven


Bartman and Liao Shijie


Group picture


Crazy A-Zhu
 

Then we headed down, the downhill section was pretty steep and needed to be executed with care. I saw on my GPS that gradients were as steep as 13%, kinda scary. After the 4km descent, we connected to Hwy 3. I had cycled Hwy 3 so many times that it looked so familiar.  

We basically cycled Hwy 3 back to Fengyuan. The few ascents were a fun way of challenging each other.


Back in Fengyuan we had lunch together and chatted for a few hours. In the late afternoon I went back home a satisfied man. At least I did 100km with some climbing. Good ride!

November 2, 2014: An adventurous ride to the Siangbi Elementary school with the Fengyuan gang

Garmin Activity:  https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/625124084
142km, 5h41, elevation 1650m

Another Sunday morning meant another ride with the Fengyuan gang. This time they took me to a location I had never been before. Early in the morning I went to Fengyuan and head breakfast with them, then we commenced our journey together.

From Fengyuan to Dongshi there was a cycling path. Coming here today, I realized I had been here in August too, when I just got here. I just never found it again. There was a running competition about to commence and some people were not happy about us cycling through there. I could see the provision stands waiting for the runners to pass by. We left the cycling trail at the first possible exit.

Later we got on that same cycling track again, that led the way to Dongshi city center. There was an old, obsolete train station here. We stopped for some pictures.


Early in the morning, waiting for the gang to arrive


This is the Houfeng or Dongfeng cycling path


At the train station in Dongshi


A-Yong and Liao Shijia


A beautiful morning out with a gang of cyclists

Then we went to Dongshi city and took a left at the first big lane we saw. I was just following the guys because I was not familiar with this area; Later I learned from checking the map that this was Taichung-47. This was a nice quiet road, with some climbing in the last few miles. We stopped at the 10km sign to wait for the others to rejoin.


My friends told me to wait on the first descent I saw, so I waited here, for quite some time. When I saw nobody, I went back and there they were!


 Waiting for the guys at Taichung-47


This part was already Heping township.


Beautiful bike! Already had great rides with it


When I found the others we had some pictures together


Quite a gang today


There was a very steep slope right here, they challenged me to go up their. I put my money where my mouth is and did it. They were impressed!


Then the journey continued, going further on Taichung-47. They told me we would be going to the Xiangbi tride, which was located in these areas.


This was a mythical area, beautiful scenes and little traffic.


Goofing around a little



The road had ups and downs, sometimes even of 12%. I could feel I was climbing but none of them were long climbs.


Occasionally I was waiting for the others


We crossed a bridge and then it was about five miles more to Siangbi. We had some pictures there and a break at a local small shop. Then somebody told me that there was a way to connect from this Siangbi to Dahu. I was baffled by it and I had to research it.

After the break we went back but slightly different. We took a long flat road called 140. In about 10km that road would connect to the Zhuolan bridge of Hwy 3. I learned quite a lot about local geography on this ride.


At that 140 bridge, we took some more pictures



Then on the flat section, everybody was seriously racing. I was not even paying attention to it, but when I realized they were out of my sight, I really hammered it, going as fast as 50kmph. In the end I did manage to end first, but it required some strength.

Then we went back to Fengyuan for lunch and I headed to the school for my class. Unfortunately my GPS displayed an error and was unable to navigate me to Taichung. So I navigated based on my understanding of the roads. I still managed to get there on time. Another fun ride with the gang!

Friday, October 30, 2015

March 23-24 2015: Two days of crazy hill hopping in central Taiwan, day 1 a rainy Nantou-97 and day 2 the Triple Mt. route with Mr. Cai

Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/727888072
263km, 12h02, elevation 3483m (two days cycling trip)

March 23, 2015: Plowing through my favorite hills in Guoxing and Xinshe

A new day, a new chance for some climbing in the hills and no area suited better than these small and remote mountain passes between Xinshe and Caotun. I headed out early in the morning, going to Fengyuan first and then via Taichung-88 (Wanli Changcheng). These roads are my training grounds!


Taichung-88 in the morning, the first serious climb of the day


Then I made it to Xinshe. As usual I stocked up provisions at the Zhongxingling 7-11 and I marched out again. I took Taichung-99 to Taiping. The first section had a 10% climb until the summit, then it goes WAY DOWN!



Taichung-99 to Taiping. A lovely alternative to 136 or Baimaoshan.


It was not too warm today, I had every reason for wearing this long-sleeve jersey


After the descent the road splits in two roads, one is Taichung-100 and the other one is Taichung-99, both are fruit of my half-day rides and explorations. I took #100 because it offered a bit more climbing and it would connect me deeper into Route 136, perfect for avoiding heavy traffic. Taichung-100 is a cozy little road with not too much traffic. But this time I did see a lot of people walking around. I believe one of the locals was getting married.


Taichung-100 eventually connected to 136, the famous weekend ride for Taichung cyclists. I completed my climb to Chikanding, had my picture there and descended to Guoxing. Been there, done that :-) Just good workouts...


Not a bright shiny day...


Descending to Guoxing from 136 will lead to Hwy 14. I went inside Guoxing township, where I had a break. After my break I could take two options: 1) Baimaoshan,  highway 21, the more common and cyclist friendly road 2) Nantou-97, an industrial road that is pretty steep and remote. Keep on reading to find out what I did...


Koxinga! Hasn't moved an inch since I am a local cyclist


I noticed the sky was getting even darker... Would I be getting wet?


Yes indeed! I had not even left the streets of Guoxing city and it already started to rain. This left me with a dilemma... Could I do Nantou-97 like this? Wouldn't that be dangerous?


A cyclist at a loss about what to do...


I don't know why, but I just wanted to ride this Nantou-97, even with the weather like this. I promised myself I would be extra careful, especially downhill. But I was riding this thing, period!


Nantou-97, what a crazy ride! The locals were looking at me, asking themselves: why is he riding his bike through here if it is raining?


The first part was doable, not too steep, recently paved. But conditions deteriorated later on...


OK, officially 3km inside of this Nantou-97. No way back now, finish the climb!


Cracks in the concrete and muddy sand on the sideways. Still doable though


Dark skies above me


But my outfit was shining for me!


Leaves on the ground... What a day for Nantou-97. Admittedly, this was an alternative view of a route I cycle more often. I enjoyed it!


The steepest part of the entire 11km climb: 22%. I had to watch out and prevent slipping with my wet tires. I promised myself I would be careful so I walked the last five meters. After this steep section, the rest is easy game.


Terrible conditions, cracked and wet concrete. Good thing I always ride with beefy tires.


On a sunny day the view is fabulous.  Today the sky is filled with mist and sight is limited. This also had something to do with the increasing elevation.


Good thing this road had been repaved lately. It did make a difference for me.


Enjoying my ride! Others would probably be inside reading a book haha


This was a living dream! Not a living soul around me, just me and this beautiful selection of Mother Nature's finest sceneries.


Autumn leaves all around me


Finally I made it to the summit of this climb. Fog was increasing and sight was decreasing. I did not linger too long, I just prepared for a difficult descent.


Conditions were getting even worse


Descending calmly and staying focused. Benefit is I had already cycled this road several times.


Preserving an enthusiastic mindset also contributed to completing this right with a perfect score.


So far, so good


The descent was not that long anymore, I was very close to landing safely


GPS information and stats...


I just came from that small mountain path at the right. I had made it safe and sound downhill. However, it was still a full 16km to Xinshe and more than 30 to Fengyuan. And the weather was not improving. At least the road conditions would be better.


My current location was Taichung-95, 17km mark. In spite of this grey and depressing weather, I was having a very joyful ride


Awesome bike!


As I was loosing altitude, the fog became less thick and sight improved tremendously.


Smile! I am shining! :-)


Eventually I made it back to Xinshe. I did not want to repeat the track I had taking earlier in the morning, so I changed my course. I believe this here is Taichung-97. I was very surprised to see a Dutch hostel haha


I should get a discount here based on my ID card!


I did some more exploring before heading back to Fengyuan.


I combined some routes I previously discovered into a nice circle. I went down via Taichung-92 to Shigang (Hwy 3) and I did another climb at Gonglaoping (Taichung-90). A fantastic combination of small rides.


Gonglaoping, the holy grail for local cyclists


Gonglaoping and Fengyuan! I was almost home.


The skies over Gonglaoping... altitude 340 was better than 1060.


Then I cycled back to Fengyuan and spent the night with Tina. I did not go back to Shalu this time. I forgot to switch off my GPS so the next day's ride was also included in the same activity. More about that below

 March 24, 2015: Tackling the Triple Mount Challenge together with Mr. Cai

I woke up late, too late for a big-ass ride. So I decided to call Mr. Cai and ride the Triple Mountain Challenge with him together. He had mentioned quite a few times that he would like to cycle that one together with me. So today was the day!

We rode to Shigang and then to Dongshi. We stopped at the 7-11 of Hwy 8 because I had not yet had any breakfast. Then we continued our journey to Baimaoshan. We cycled our own pace, I descended a few times to keep him company and we steadily made progress. Just a nice chilly ride without trouble


Incoming... Mr. Cai


We stopped for some pictures at the summit of Baimaoshan.




Then we descended to Guoxing city and came back to Taiping via Route 136. From there we went back to Fengyuan through Taiping and Tanzi. After some tea time in Fengyuan,I headed back to Shalu. Mr. Cai did more than 100km on this trip and he was very proud of it. Good for him!