Monday, November 30, 2015

April 20, 2015: A test ride with my new Edge 500 in Ren'ai county's Nantou-80: Huisun Forest area.

Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/751951771
184km, 7h42, elevation 2650m

I got word from the US that I would be getting the exact same color and size S-Works Roubaix frame, but it would take another two weeks before it would land in Taiwan, In other words, today's ride would still have to be done on my flatbar. I wanted to do some road I had not done yet. Checking the map of Central Taiwan, I decided that would be Nantou-80. On several rides, I would go from Puli to Dongshi via Hwy 21. Just before entering Guoxing city, there is a small road that leads to the Huisun Linchang Forest Area 惠蓀林場. I had never done it before, so perfect for today's ride.

For today's road I used my recently purchased Garmin 500. I did not need navigation for this ride as everything was on the map and I knew the roads. I did the usual, going from Shalu to Fengyuan, on to Dongshi, Hwy 8 to the Heping bridge. That's where I started my climb up Hwy 21 to Baimaoshan.



At the Heping bridge, Hwy 21's 13km mark. 



With that spectacular view over Heping, on to Guguan

I climbed to Baimaoshan, descended to Guoxing and had a first break at that Family Mart. I wanted to charge up my GPS there, but unfortunately because it that, it ended my recording. So I had to start with a new trip. Good thing I still use an ordinary bike computer, so I could reconstruct the data.



Enjoying my descent from Baimaoshan to Guoxing.



This Hwy 21 could be considered my territory

After my break I continued my ride along Hwy 21. There was an initial climb and then another downhill. I had to follow this road for another eight km and I would be at the entrance of Nantou-80. However, I saw a small lane here, Nantou-84 and I decided to check it out.



Just another tiny and tranquil cozy road


Getting lost in beautiful Nantou, the joys of my youth



It was only 4.5km so worst case scenario would be 9km. There were a few hills here. As you can see from the above sign, it connected Beigang village with Guoxing city, with the traditional communities along the road. What a tranquil place for living, truly genious!



I stopped by a small temple for some sightseeing. Nothing remarkable though.



I wonder what would be up there. More like an MTB chore though

That little road led to a cross section which indicated Guoxing road. I was not sure what to do so I headed back to Hwy 21.




The Beizun bike lane, something I would have to check out later. I saw online that it was a 15km cycle path constructed by the Guoxing township.

At the 28km mark, I found the entrance to Nantou-80, which would lead to Renai county. Some tunnels and aboriginal tribes along this road. This was clearly a very tranquil area.



Huisun Linchang, this way. There were a few descents and ascents here, and the road ran through some aboriginal villages



Welcome to Ren'ai county. When I saw this sign, I felt far away from home. Usually Ren'ai county only occurs on Wuling rides.


The distance within Nantou-80 was not super long, and eventually I made it to the entrance of the Huisun Linchang forest area.


Welcome to the Huisun Forest Area, also the end of Nantou-80


I had a quick word with the lady behind the glass. She informed me about the park and told me that there were buses from Taichung to here twice a day. Interesting for later perhaps. From there I went back to Guoxing and I had a second break at the same Family Mart.


The Family Mart where I have had dozens of breaks. When I was having my break there, I decided that I did not want to repeat the entire Hwy 21 again. Therefore I decided to do something more challenging: Nantou-97 to Xinshe Zhonghe. Now that is a cool road. Ten km pure uphill with some very steep gradients, one section even has 22% in there. No that's not 2,2


Making progress along ever steep Nantou-97


The last time I came here, the weather was terrible. Compared to that day, this was a walk in the park.


God I love tranquility and exploring


Must be someone's private property


Another side road to be explored...


Ten km of climbing accomplished, current altitude level 1060m, now it goes downhill until Xinshe. Enjoy the ride!


I cannot describe the mystery that surrounds this road. I have never experienced anything like it.


Late in the afternoon I made it back to Xinshe. I stopped for a small break at Zhongxingling's 7-11 and then I went to Fengyuan for tea. I went via Wanli Changcheng, Taichung-88. It was a nice ride full of exploring and sight seeing.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

July 26, 2015: A quick Baimaoshan ride with A-yong and Chen Jun-wei the day after my KOM race

Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/845847198
108km, 4h18, elevation 1054m

Yesterday was  the legendary KOM race, in which I came in fourth. I had only just made it back to Shalu when some of the Fengyuan friends were saying they wanted to go cycling the next day. They asked me if I wanted to join them. I went for it, as I could take a small ride for relaxing.

The meeting place was the usual 7-11 in Fengyuan. When I got there I heard that Shu-wei had gotten ill and would not be coming. Others had also cancelled and in the end there were only three riders: A=Yong, Chen Jun-wei and myself. We had a little chat at the 7-11, mostly about my Wuling ride. They were impressed. Then we departed to Dongshi together We would be riding Baimaoshan.


As we always do on team rides, we stopped at the Heping bridge for some pictures. This we would be crossing that bridge and start climbing along Hwy 21.


Chen Jun-wei is up for a nice climb


My KOM baby! 


Chen Jun-wei's recently bought Venge. A nice bike! He even uses it for cycling to work! Super cool


Three riders with a common goal: climbing to the summit of Baimaoshan


Baimaoshan is divided in two sections. The first one is the tougher part of the climb, going from 0 to 3km. Then there is a platform of 1km and then the last 3 km uphill which are somewhat less steep than the first section.


During this first section, I had gained some distance over the other two and I made good use of that by hiding on the slope of Touguishan. From there I had a good view over the road and I could make some nice pictures of the guys.


A-Yong is also strong in climbing. I saw him approaching...


He had no idea I was taking his picture haha


Chen Jun-wei approaching



There he is! At this moment I let him know I was up here haha.


Then I had to chose them back during the second part of the climb, which I eventually did


Chen Jun-wei rounding up his climb uphill


There was a lot of people on the summit and I mean a LOT. Chen Jun-wei knew some of the guys and had our picture taken together.


We sat there for a while and chatted. Later we went back. In Fengtyuan we each went our own way. I went to Fengyuan to visit my friends for tea time. When I came home I still did a fair 100km.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

July 2, 2015: My tenth climb all the way up to Daxue mountain in less than one year

Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/821871500
173km, 7h52, elevation 2830m

Mr. and Mrs. Cai wanted to do a Daxueshan ride and they had invited Yuan Xing-yi and Su Huang-yu. They asked if I wanted to join them and I was always up for a Daxueshan ride. The four of them left early in the morning driving their car to Dongshi and starting the climb from there. I did not want to wake up too early because I had 35km to do from Shalu to Dongshi.

When I arrived in Dongshi, I saw their cars by the side of the road. The chase could commence!


Early in the morning, at the Daxueshan route entrance I aaw two familiar vehicles: the white car of Yuan Xin-yi and the van of Mr. Cai.


The first few miles of this route are relatively flat, a nice warm up for those who start cycling from here.

Feeling good early in the morning.


Not even two km down the road and I already caught up on Mrs. Cai


She bought a new LIV giant cycling outfit, which looks nice on her


A took some pictures of her, I know how Taiwanese appreciate this 



Su Huang-yu was riding with her, also a a snapshot of her


Two ladies enjoying a cycling trip



They yelled at me that I should not wait for them.  It would be stressful to them haha



Then I saw Mr. Cai and Yuan Xing-yi, Never imagined that I would catch up on everybody so fast


I decided to join them for the big climb


We chatted a lot during or way uphill and of course I showed off a little with fast accelerations


I accelerated in the twisty part around 7km so that they lost sight of me. Then I escaped using a small slope which gave me a nice view of the road below. From there I took some nice pictures


Like a hunter waiting for his prey. Obviously he has to be silent and wait to strike...


Incoming...


There they are! This section has a 7% gradient


One more! Right before this picture I screamed so they knew where I was. They were like what are you doing there man! Haha, so much fun!


Then I had to catch up on them again. Mr Cai told me I should go check on Mrs Cai and Su Huang-yu, they were far behind. I descended two full km before I found them


Yuan Xing-yi met a friend of her here. Obviously, with her 1000 cycling friends on FB chances are big she would come across someone familiar


Mr. Cai riding his fabulous SW Tarmac


Su Huang-yi plowing her way up


And of course, my Taiwanese mama



Then I continued a section at my own speed. I would wait for them later.


Twelve and a half km inside of the climb


 A view over Dongshi and Heping


Another wonderful day to be outside


Fifteen km, the first checkpoint. I waited for everybody at the police station a little further down the road


Temperatures were just right


I once went inside of this little dead end alley. Now access was not allowed anymore


A lot of info, but we would have to take Xueshan road all the way up.


The others arrived so it was time for pictures


Mr Cai enjoying his free water


This girl likes to have pictures taken


Su Huang-yi made it as well


We waited a while for Mrs. Cai and then Mr. Cai asked me tom go check, which  I did. She was at the 14km mark, almost there, but slowly making progress.



More pictures



One of me with the two younger ladies



Mrs. Cai finally arrived!


We had a break and then we continued our climb. Well not everybody, Mrs. Cai and Su Huang-yi had had enough,. They decided to go back to Dongshi and wait for the others there.


I waited at the 20km mark for some pictures of the gang


Yuan Xing-yi arriving


and escaping... but I did tell her to wait for Mr. Cai


Mr. Cai arriving

,
Mr. Cai close up

At the 26.5km tunnel I waited, very long even but nobody showed up. Yuan Xin-yi had akso gone back. Then I saw Mr. Cai arriving who told me this was all he could handle for today. So he too decided to head back. I told him that I wanted to finish the climb. From there it was a solo ride once again!


My tenth ride up to Daxueshan but never got sick of it


Elevation around 1500


On a day like this its beauty and charm cannot be described in words


High up in the skies


On the map this position is far away from villages and tribes


It is located in the central mountain range, a little north of Hwy 8, where Guguan and Deji lie



A crevice in the mountain, just big enough for me and my bike


July on Daxueshan is really something else. I read about it in a cycling magazine, but it is really something else!




The Great Snow Mountain...


My personal favorite: the 32km blue bridge


Around elevation 2000m, that is 2km up in the skies.



My precious ride


Second checkpoint, a 100 NT entrance. Totally worth the bucks





Not even pedestrians were allowed to enter this section. Sounds a tad too risky to me.

On my descent, I felt so sleepy that I stopped for a nap, which I had right here. I slept for a good 45 minutes and then I continued my descent. Most epic siesta ever!


I do crazy stuff, but I renounce to potentially dangerous stuff


From my perspective, the way to Daxueshan.


The 41km waterfall


The 43km tourist center. Elevation 2273m, temperature around 23 degrees, still pretty warm for this elevation level


A snapshot from the 48km viewers deck


The weather patterns were gradually changing


50km, once agani! Fabulous


After that I descended and went back to Fengyuan where I had tea with my friends who went home earlier. A beautiful summer setting ride along one of the most remarkable climbs of Taiwan., To put some numbers on this: the distance of Daxueshan road is 50km, so up and down is 100. This, I did ten times, which is 1000km spent solely at Daxueshan. Lovely!