Geographic Center of Taiwan - the starting point of today's ride
My first ride up to Wuling on Hehuan Mountain today went rather well. Went with the Bigfoot boys. After driving in the support van from Taichung to Puli, we unloaded, made sure our bikes were prepared and we had enough water and fuel to make it up. It was a beautiful morning and I was ready to get going. We set off at about 6:40.
A shot from early in the ride along Taiwan Route 14To be honest, I was expecting the first 40 kilometers of the ride to be more difficult than it was. To be sure, it was a climb and there were some moderately steep areas of it, but it was a lot like the ride from Dongshi to Guguan - though a bit longer. With endurance, it was actually not all that difficult.
I took up the rear from the beginning, but by the half-way point, I passed a couple of the guys who started up pretty early on. I was feeling pretty good and really was not feeling fatigued.
Beautiful scenery from along Taiwan Route 14-A (甲)
It started getting more difficult about 40 kilometers into the ride. I am not sure if it was that it was getting steeper or that fatigue was starting to set in (probably a little bit of both), but the work was getting harder. I was still going pretty well. I was passing a lot of riders from other groups (there were a lot of riders out today), including two more of our guys. Still, the quads were starting to feel a little strained, but as I saw my cycle computer clicking off the kilometers, I knew I was getting closer to the destination.
At about 50 kilometers, it really got hard. I saw some switchbacks that led to the entrance to the Taroko Gorge National Park (which I thought was the end point). I pushed up, along with a guy from Taipei I met along the later part of the ride. However, once I got there, though there were lots of people hanging out, taking pictures, and otherwise enjoying the beautiful day, I found out that there were still two kilometers of tough climbing to do.
After a quick refuel and conversation with Andrew (the guy from Taipei), we set back off. Just took it one pedal stroke at a time as the top of the ridge grew ever nearer.
Got to the top and was surprised to break four hours (if just barely) on my first attempt to make the ascent up Wuling.
Me with Andrew at the top
Looking down the Hualian side of the ridge
Group shot with the guys who made it to the top (and our support van driver)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Miaoli Mountain Mania
You know, and I have said this many times, Taiwan has so many beautiful places to go, visit, and see - if you get outside of the cities. Taiwanese cities are pretty blah, but get into the mountains and it is almost paradise on earth.
Yesterday, I rode on my bicycle with a couple of guys from Taichung to Miaoli County and back. We rode around the Mingde Resevoir before returning to Taichung. This was an unusual ride for me as it wasn't really a training ride, and what I mean by that is that I wasn't riding with guys who were working to make this fast or for me a solo ride where I was riding a time trial pace. It was a leisurely ride with a couple of other guys and we just wanted to enjoy the ride, the scenery around us and one another's company.
We picked up Taiwan route three in Dongshi District and headed up into Miaoli County. Route three is generally much more picturesque than other major roadways in central Taiwan. We were surrounded by mountains, resulting in some climbing throughout the morning. It also resulted in some beautiful scenery, seeing the mountains in the background with clouds remaining from a typhoon that had just passed by the day before left for some stunning visual images. We also met and chatted with a few people at a local Family Mart where we stopped for supplies. After a morning of riding up route 3, it was time for the real climbing work of the day.
Route three brought us to one of the many routes that cross from the major north-south highways. We crossed on route 126, a picturesque, mountainous route north of the Mingde Resevoir from Shitan down into Touwu, north of Miaoli City. It was also the same road that we used for a duathlon last year in Miaoli, though we came in the opposite direction. Of course, this ride was very different in that it was far more leisurely, allowing me to enjoy the natural surroundings and the fresh air. We saw many butterflies and birds throughout the road. I even saw a squirrel playing in the trees near the top of the ride. It was a thoroughly enjoyable ride which was in start contrast to the last time I rode on that road.
Once we reached Miaoli City, we found a small noodle shop where we had wonderful fried noodles. I got myself a plate of mutton fried noodles. I was surprised both by the size of the plate and the amount of meat included. And then, I was very pleased with the taste of the noodles. They were very well prepared with a relatively low amount of oil. They also put some pepper on it to add just right right amount of flavor. Great place. I hope I can remember where it was so I can return some day.
We then made our way back to Taichung. By the time I got back, I had totalled more than 150 kilometers. While it was slower than I would normally cover that distance, I had the chance to enjoy some of Taiwan's natural beauty and have the companionship of a couple of nice guys who in many ways are similar to me in that both have children with local mothers. Despite our other differences in beliefs and lifestyle, that one fact, along with the bikes, gives us something that can always create a bond.
I have a message for my Taiwanese friends. Get out of the cities. Enjoy the beautiful scenery that nature has blessed this beautiful island country with. There is so much to see.
All photos curtesy of Michael Turton