Tag: cycling

2013 Tropic of Cancer Randonneurs 400k

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-3hK7s4P3fos/UsT85xpLM9I/AAAAAAAARQ4/MePQpNJl5-8/s144-c-o/IMAG2150.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169876054160338″ caption=”Water Tower” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2150.jpg” ]

October 5th and 6th, 2013 were the 2013 Tropic of Cancer Randonneurs 400k. This ride was one of the most devastating I’ve ever done, it was fun, tiring and had an unexpected ending.

The day started with the typical commute to the start line. I headed off at around 4 in the morning to get the start line with plenty of time to take a quick rest, sign in and consume some food.

The water tower pictured above just caught my eye. I don’t see too many of these, so there you go. You’re welcome.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-RPROjUn0-L8/UsT8534xdmI/AAAAAAAARQ4/JHGHXU4eSYM/s144-c-o/IMAG2151.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169877730195042″ caption=”Sunrise” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2151.jpg” ]

The sunrise was typically wonderful, rising over the hills to the east. I look forward to this every time I head to the start of these rides. The sun over the hills, the lush green fields, and I’ll conveniently forget the stench emitting from some of the nearby factories. Glorious for the eyes, though.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-8nv8_pAZH8Y/UsT85xJbsoI/AAAAAAAARQ0/5emBjFwIb54/s144-c-o/IMAG2154.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169875921023618″ caption=”Morning nap” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2154.jpg” ]

I got to the start with plenty of time. So I lay down and went to sleep for a while, remembering to turn on my alarm so that I wouldn’t just miss the start.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-fCve6S4ztq0/UsT852j6o2I/AAAAAAAARQ4/NSAnMJEKIkk/s144-c-o/IMAG2156.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169877374280546″ caption=”Registration table” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2156.jpg” ]

The organizers were all ready and I went to grab my numbers and other little bits before the start. Much the same as the 200k and 300k I did, but with slightly fewer entrants. Not too surprising really.

One fellow I had hoped to get a chat with was Jake Pollock who people were talking about as the foreigner with the fixie coming in before the final checkpoint had even opened. Well, we got to chat for a little bit, but as soon as the road went upward he left me in the dust. Really, hats off for doing it on a fixie, albeit a very nice fixie, and for going it at a pretty fast clip.

Worth mentioning is that Mark Roche wasn’t at this one, so I knew I’d have to find someone else to latch onto for some motivation later in the ride.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-3wEFND68cVs/UsT855B_6gI/AAAAAAAARQ0/CpFFsF-kxFk/s144-c-o/IMAG2158.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169878037326338″ caption=”First checkpoint” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2158.jpg” ]

I made quick work of the first checkin. I did the checkin and then pushed on. I had taken a bunch of stuff to eat with me, so gobbled down some on the road after leaving the checkpoint.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-6jPNvrEqfjk/UsT85-sDdGI/AAAAAAAARQ4/hMnKTnPjr7k/s144-c-o/IMAG2159.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169879555896418″ caption=”Bridge” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2159.jpg” ]

Cruising along, this bridge is one I usually avoid. There is a small, tree-lined road that provides a much nicer view and is slightly flatter and shorter. However, as I found when riding to Hehuan Mountain, there are no lights at night, so I’ll be relegated to this big road for night rides in the future.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-IuW3Pkt7H_s/UsT85z2gWFI/AAAAAAAARQ4/d5xhwL3Wl40/s144-c-o/IMAG2161.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169876646942802″ caption=”Train track” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2161.jpg” ]

The main road goes over the train track, the alternative goes under it.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-Ewgq0Vgz7zo/UsT853slEhI/AAAAAAAARQ4/WVd-iWU56mg/s144-c-o/IMAG2163.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169877679051282″ caption=”Which way?” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2163.jpg” ]

I had managed to stick with some fellow riders and was hoping that they would lead me in the right direction. However, they were as clueless as I was. We waited for some time for other riders to come. Some did come, told us to go straight, and that turned out to be the wrong way and we took and alternative sideroad to join back to the main road a little while later.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-qhpjCWNjZzg/UsT85zo1ZeI/AAAAAAAARQ0/q3GGMHoJYjU/s144-c-o/IMAG2164.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169876589602274″ caption=”Some guys” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2164.jpg” ]

These guys got to pull me along for a while. We didn’t get to much chatting, but they did help me to keep up the pace for a bit.

Aside: I really dislike the pace of most of the riders I follow. Perhaps there is something to be said for the culture of cycling that I grew up with. For me, consistent pace is of utmost important. I find so often that the folks I ride with accelerate really quickly, but inevitably get caught at the next traffic light. I see this as completely inefficient. Gathering speed is really taxing and takes far more energy than maintaining speed. I’d much rather gather speed slowly, then keep up a good rhythm. Racing to a red light just seems silly to me. Slow down, cruise to the light and try to catch it as it turns green for the minimum of effort.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-xBGwVniQUVQ/UsT85_4gMmI/AAAAAAAARQ4/_aID9oy0LX8/s144-c-o/IMAG2165.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169879876547170″ caption=”Old house” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2165.jpg” ]

This house looks awesome. Abandoned, but must have been great while in use.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-Sq1exsvt8gU/UsT85wYvmHI/AAAAAAAARQ4/0R78BjkGRrY/s144-c-o/IMAG2166.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169875716806770″ caption=”Yay! Downhill” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2166.jpg” ]

The reprieve after the first big climb. Not too many pictures after this.

After the downhill I started to realize just how much I was struggling. I didn’t feel at all right and was wondering what it was.

I can pinpoint two things.

First was not riding my bike. Duh! Between the last big ride and this one I had hardly done any riding. I’m not the most regular at the best of times, but I had slipped out of shape without realizing it. It should have been obvious, but only when I thought back did I realize how little I’d done.

Secondly was single-leg pistol squats. An exercise I had added back into my training routine on the Thursday. Bad move. My hamstrings were sore, I thought they might loosen up over the ride, they did, but not enough. It was a lingering tiredness that raised its ugly head every time I put unnecessary pressure on the pedals, just spinning was fine at first, but even that got tiring later on.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-ty8xXorKL8M/UsT85wh_8_I/AAAAAAAARQ4/7IHNLSzydWQ/s144-c-o/IMAG2168.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169875755627506″ caption=”Panorama from bridge” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2168.jpg” ]

A little way before the turning point was this beautiful view of a valley. I always love these, even if the river is all destroyed. Cliffs pouring down into the valley are awesome.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-RZ0IgeUwifk/UsT85zBj0JI/AAAAAAAARQ4/Z3Qk7YNaJHc/s144-c-o/IMAG2169.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169876424872082″ caption=”Steep cliffs” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2169.jpg” ]

From the other side the cliff looked like this.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-3b61ZA81flc/UsT854InqEI/AAAAAAAARQ4/rCkMTx8hogI/s144-c-o/IMAG2170.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169877796661314″ caption=”Turn around point” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2170.jpg” ]

The turnaround point was not too much later and it turned out to be a much longer stop than I had hoped. I was very tired and had consumed a lot more food than I thought I’d need. That meant I was struggling, both because I could eat too much and because I was going slow enough to easily eat more.

I chatted with Noles, the organizer, for a bit and finally headed on.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-qr8vDbohUwY/UsT85zlnQpI/AAAAAAAARQ4/W7ovLR55qjk/s144-c-o/IMAG2171.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169876576092818″ caption=”The hills by the turnaround point” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2171.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-5zuiTotv-ZQ/UsT858aF4NI/AAAAAAAARQ4/XgwvWXO1vP4/s144-c-o/IMAG2172.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169878943686866″ caption=”Sluice” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2172.jpg” ]

The next time I felt like taking a picture was at the sluice. I was hurting and not liking my chances of completion.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-sZRg0RcQEBc/UsT85yD_6SI/AAAAAAAARQ4/tbdz2fiXGOA/s144-c-o/IMAG2174.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169876166666530″ caption=”New friend” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2174.jpg” ]

At some point after I met this dude. He had a pace I could follow and we chatted for some time. We also helped to find the way as we were heading into the evening.

I was fading fast and becoming quite unmotivated.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-q9VyIVu9gYQ/UsT85wECBvI/AAAAAAAARQ4/Rs_s71hh-Ek/s144-c-o/IMAG2175.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169875629934322″ caption=”Stuff by the road” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2175.jpg” ]

I even managed to start taking random photos of nothing.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-n2KgPQlQJXk/UsT85xQT3xI/AAAAAAAARQ4/nwiGjKkgoNY/s144-c-o/IMAG2177.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/2013TropicOfCancerRandonneurs400k#5964169875949870866″ caption=”My handlebars” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2177.jpg” ]

I kept going over in my mind if I could make it to the finish. I hardly ever give up on a ride, but this time we passed within 25km of the house. I had very little left in me and decided to leave this battle for another day.

A quick call to the organizer to tell him I’d dropped out and then a slow ride back to my house.

If I’m going to continue to do these rides and continue to do the longer ones I’m going to have to ride more. I’ve put much less time into training these days, and it shows. Although I don’t have time for long training rides I think I’m going to have to at least incorporate some interval training into my exercise schedule. At least that way I’ll keep my cycling muscles in some sort of shape, rather than turning into jelly.

Finally, it needs to be said that this ride was great. I’ll need to give it a bash another time though.

2013 Tropic of Cancer Randonneurs 300k

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-7LY0gMP7Rvw/Ug8G5Azu0mI/AAAAAAAALwE/_u3NQhFJ-OY/s144-c-o/IMAG1882.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912952412300038754″ caption=”Banner at the starting area” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1882.jpg” ]

The Tropic of Cancer Randonneurs 300k was held on July 27, 2013 (stretching a tad into the 28th). The start was at the Tropic of Cancer park near Chiayi and took a large loop up to Sun Moon Lake, then back past Chiayi down as far as Guantian, heading west for a bit, then back north to Chiayi.

The weather was as expected, being plenty hot, although not quite as bad as the scorching 200k a month earlier. I had been off the bike for almost the whole month between the two events, but still had some crazy idea that I was fit enough to finish this thing.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-SeL4cFxE7Is/Ug8FH-sC3_I/AAAAAAAALvM/W2kbWVdLNk4/s144-c-o/IMAG1870.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912950470405709810″ caption=”Early morning commute” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1870.jpg” ]

As per usual, I headed to the start of the event in the early morning, adding 50km of commuting to the start of a long event. I may have said it before, but this behavior is not the best, and took a heavy toll in the next race I’d do.

But, the morning ride is always pleasant, with no people, cars or anything for that matter, the perfect time for a ride. Also, although still repressive, the heat is tolerable because the sun is not out.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-Z86Q9BCe_3o/Ug8FN7HQx4I/AAAAAAAALvs/0rriD-veyiU/s144-c-o/IMAG1879.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912950572525340546″ caption=”Tropic of Cancer Marker” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1879.jpg” ]

I arrived at the starting place, then put my head down for some time to get a bit or rest before the start. I was quite early and slowly but surely the people started to roll in after around 6 o’clock.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-5x4U6bPtKCU/Ug8HBnT29YI/AAAAAAAALwk/XElsRDbt7DI/s144-c-o/IMAG1886.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912952560074290562″ caption=”Mark keeping up his very consistent pace” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1886.jpg” ]

I can’t remember if we had checked beforehand, but I knew Mark Roche would be here for this ride. He had pretty much dragged me through the entire ride at the 200k and I was ever so grateful that he had come this time and I was ready to let his rock-solid pacing guide me through to the end.

I’m quite erratic with pacing and tend to get in consistent bursts of many minutes, followed by some rest minutes. When pacing in a group with Mark he shows me what I’ve missed about riding with serious, seasoned cyclists.

When competing in races in South Africa (I haven’t done any here), as long as you stuck in the first few groups you were guaranteed to have a fast, fairly easy go to the finish. My first races in high school were marked by me being on my lonesome, which is SO much harder than in a group. Although I have to fight to stay on the back of some groups, the respite comes when you hit the flats again and the rest of the group eases off.

Mark is really solid and although he doesn’t show it, I bet he’s thinking, “I’m doing all the pulling here.” Sorry, mate.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/–5DuQOUt5Tw/Ug8G7NDeVcI/AAAAAAAALwM/iKgaXXCNdh8/s144-c-o/IMAG1883.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912952449947030978″ caption=”Mark’s friend” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1883.jpg” ]

Also along for the ride this time was a friend of Marks from Kaohsiung (name slipped my mind). He looked strong on his 20″ wheeled folding bike. Hats off to him.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-4oZnNZl0e50/Ug8HF1QAsEI/AAAAAAAALw0/zCVlohPfotE/s144-c-o/IMAG1888.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912952632535724098″ caption=”Big climb, lots of cars” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1888.jpg” ]

I had planned to do fewer and shorter stops this time around as during the last ride the long stops had contributed to finishing very close to the cut off time. I went into the first stop, got my card stamped and then proceeded to have a bit while riding, saving a few minutes and passing Mark and co in the process.

The stop was followed shortly by a big climb. It’s quite steep and there are many cars. I just follow the route and most of the time I just watch where the person in front goes. The road heads up quite sharply, but once we hit the summit, it turns off onto a much quieter road. I believe this is where I got my first puncture, I patched it up then pushed on.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-vhB-LLddnJk/Ug8HNKNUgwI/AAAAAAAALxM/WGMcZrzVQbw/s144-c-o/IMAG1891.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912952758420669186″ caption=”Respite from the traffic” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1891.jpg” ]

The road then plummets back down into the valley, but sticks to the small roads.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-8fYg2uKnNpM/Ug8HPBXkV4I/AAAAAAAALxU/_kiiqJAsTHo/s144-c-o/IMAG1892.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912952790407468930″ caption=”Fancy bridge in the middle of nowhere” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1892.jpg” ]

This bridge seems quite out of place because there is really nothing around there as far as I can tell. Taking a picture while careering downhill is not recommended. I stayed on the bike, however.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-ZgfHBX7I9Ac/Ug8HUGdhROI/AAAAAAAALxk/c0ohFKdcEK0/s144-c-o/IMAG1894.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912952877673956578″ caption=”Quaint country road” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1894.jpg” ]

Once the descent is over you’re rewarded with bamboo trees hanging over the small road. The light shines through the bamboo which gives the contrast of light and dark, with the warmth of the sun and the coolness of shade all mixed together. This stretch goes on for a few kilometers taking us to the start of the climb to Sun Moon Lake.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-2egCZuvysn4/Ug8Haf4xAcI/AAAAAAAALx0/EZ9UEv-5aD0/s144-c-o/IMAG1896.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912952987578335682″ caption=”Slugging up to Sun Moon Lake” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1896.jpg” ]

The big climb is then upon us. Out in the open and completely exposed to the sun I trudged my way up the 21. It’s a long climb, but with a very even grade, so I just slip into a nice gear and spin it all the way up.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-DL9jp3mEjyc/Ug8Hd7xfktI/AAAAAAAALyE/Dp-6jfepI5k/s144-c-o/IMAG1898.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912953046603633362″ caption=”The view downwards” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1898.jpg” ]

As I climb upwards the view becomes better and better.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-YP5B1cYJfds/Ug8HgV78ugI/AAAAAAAALyM/vwg2EEkZK_g/s144-c-o/IMAG1899.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912953087986547202″ caption=”Rest stop” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1899.jpg” ]

There was a rest stop with food and drinks towards the top of the climb. What a reprieve. I glugged down what they had and then set off quickly. I still wanted to keep my rests short and stay on the bike. It was hard to avoid not stopping at this point. Although an optional stop, it was great thinking on their part to provide drinks at a point where lots of people would have been quite thirsty.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-HHLKmmOXu1A/Ug8HjyvxS0I/AAAAAAAALyc/ToPCOkelLfI/s144-c-o/IMAG1902.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912953147259702082″ caption=”Sun Moon Lake bicycle path” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1902.jpg” ]

The rest of the ride to the top was easier after taking a short break and it was time to start cruising. I managed to snap a few pics while still riding, the one above was a section of the bicycle path which goes around part of the lake.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-UWTIjIsA3t4/Ug8HrUh_noI/AAAAAAAALy8/HZzEMj7nkN0/s144-c-o/IMAG1907.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912953276587810434″ caption=”Heading down from Sun Moon Lake” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1907.jpg” ]

The ride down the other side was quick and easy.

Once back on the plains, it was just a case of keeping up the pace. I managed to keep myself going, but I was on my own, which meant a few delays at some points where I wasn’t sure of where to go next.

Fortunately as I do more of these events I’m getting used to the routes they take. The routes don’t take the smallest, most beautiful roads, but stick to the larger roads. These offer more convenience stores where folks can get things to eat and drink and also give a certain amount of safety by being in populated areas where there’s more chance there will be someone to assist.

Something cultural (or so it seems) is how locals don’t seem to mind heavy traffic when cycling. Often people choose the more crowded roads to small, off the beaten track roads. I purposefully avoid the main roads most of the time, whereas when I do go on more trafficked routes there are so many cyclists. Perhaps it’s just me, but even on a serious training ride, I’m riding to get away from it all, not to compete with cars and buses.

So I continued to push on. And then it happened…

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-5sU3QeLLtiw/Ug8HtNr8sCI/AAAAAAAALzE/vkn0U9kDBCk/s144-c-o/IMAG1908.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912953309110251554″ caption=”Downpour” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1908.jpg” ]

My nemesis.

Put me under 40 degree heat and I’ll suffer and smile. The heat beating down on my back drains me but makes me feel alive. Winds suck my energy but fill my mind with hope as I hit the turnaround point and know that the headwind will now be a tailwind.

But the rain. Hmm.

Wet shorts, dry chain, wet shoes, dirty water in my nose and other places.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-IE4GgRij88k/Ug8HvXS_13I/AAAAAAAALzM/qfJqk2HOZAA/s144-c-o/IMAG1909.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ChiayiRandonneurs300k#5912953346049693554″ caption=”My bike (like me) doesn’t like getting wet” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1909.jpg” ]

I simply stopped. I took refuge outside the nearest 7-11 and waited. I figured it would stop soon enough.

It didn’t.

Eventually David Pinter came along and he managed to get me going again. It was still pouring, but sharing the pain made it easier. We took a wrong turn at some point, after which it stopped raining. David realized we were going the wrong way and we turned around. He dragged me to the next rest point where I got…

A second puncture!

Sat outside the 7-11, fixed it up, and Mark came along. I knew I needed to stick with them, so when they were done, we left together.

From here on out there are no pictures because I was dead. I held onto their wheels as much as I could and took breaks with them and chatted and had fun. About 30km from the finish I got…

A third puncture!

But I knew where I was and partly pumped up my tire, headed to the next 7-11 a few km away and pumped up my wheel there.

Unfortunately my mates had gone on without me (sob, sob), so I slogged through the last section along the quiet roads to the finish. I employed a 300 pedal stokes on, 50 pedals strokes break technique until the very end.

I made it on time, got my card stamped, said hi to the guys, who then set off on the 100km journey back to Kaohsiung. Hardman points to them both.

I sat down then went to at the table. A while later, maybe 30 minutes, I woke up and headed home. The 2 and a half hour journey home took me 4 hours and when I got home I showered and went straight to bed.

The ride had, of course, been a blast but I was wondering how I could handle a 400k if this ride had been so hard.

Ride Report – Zilong Elementary School Graduation Trip

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Zilong Elementary School have had their graduation ride on the cards for a few months.

Their original plan was to ride all the way from their school to Kenting in the south. That would be a total of 185km. Quite a feat, even or the most enthusiastic of casual riders.

I think their was an immense amount of tension between the teacher who was so extremely keen to do the ride, and the other parties involved.

Parents in Taiwan are extremely worried about their kids safety. Understandable, but the school bends to the will of the slightest worry, which ends up with everyone doing the absolute safest things they can. No wonder that people are astounded by athletes here.

Anyways, after all that deliberation they finally settled on just riding the stretch of road from Fangliao to Kenting. In my honest opinion I think it was a very good choice. The last section has much wider roads, beautiful scenery and is beyond Kaohsiung and it’s ridiculous traffic.

So they rode their bikes from their school to Shanhua train station, then headed to Kaohsiung. They stayed in Kaohsiung for the night, then took the train to Fangliao the next morning.

That’s where I joined them.

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At 3:30 in the morning I set out along my usual route down south. Out to the coastal road, then hugged the coast all the way down. The alternative offered by Google Maps was to take the no. 1 through Tainan City and skirt Kaohsiung city on the east. But that would have been a new route and I chose the predictable route over Google Maps’s recommended walking route which is about 10km shorter.

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Going through Kaohsiung was quiet enough as I got there sometime before 6:00 I think. For the first time ever, I’ve had a working GPS plus map to guide me through the city, which meant much less losing my way.

I got to see the big stadium that was used for the Olympics (something like that) and the old gate in the traffic circle you see above.

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But by the time I got to the airport I was in the thick of morning traffic. Damn, I hate scooters.

Living in the countryside has made me realize how much I disliked riding in traffic. Although as a part of my day-to-day commuting I became accustomed to it, I now realize that it was not enjoyment, but just knowing that’s just how it is. Now with no traffic jams and short commutes I am spoiled. But it’s better this way.

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Fortunately there is a very long stretch of dedicated bike lane which gave me at least some reprieve for a while. The roads started to quiet up and I continued at a settled pace. I got to Fangliao at 9:15 where the support team were already waiting for our young heroes to arrive.

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True to their reputation, the train arrived on time, and within a few minutes the kids were bailing out of the cargo gate at the rear of the station.

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Everyone took another 15 minutes to get all their things together. Getting water, putting on arm warmers, applying sunscreen. I was a little shocked to see how many kids were wearing long pants. It was a HOT day. I was wearing sleeveless with the front zipper half open. With face masks, sunglasses, arm-warmers to protect from the sun, some of them were actually feeling faint from the heat.

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At 10:00 we headed off on our ride. The kids were very excited and super eager to make progress. They all had their race faces on, as well as their immense amount of protective gear to protect them from the sun. I was in short sleeved everything, while they had long pants, arm protectors, bandit masks and sunglasses.

From Fangliao station there is a short stretch of one-lane road, but quickly opens onto a double-lane with a large shoulder for motorbikes and bicycles.

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One of the parents in a follow vehicle commented on how she felt moved when she saw the kids riding in a long, single-file line. The feeling I got was that this is how kids should experience the world, with guidance, but doing it all in their own power. The look on their faces and their excitement when they saw things at sea gave a glimpse on just how much this meant for them.

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We made solid time and didn’t let the breaks sretch too long. In the afternoon, we made an unscheduled break in Checheng and ate some kind of local green bean soup. We continued shortly after and made a great stop at Nanwan.

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That second to last stop to put our feet in the sea really signalled that they had made it. Although their final destination was in Kenting, a short stretch away, it was the culmination of the day. Showers, followed by dinner together were to be the end of our day together. The kids went off to enjoy the Kenting night life and I left shortly afterward, at around 7 o’clock for my ride home.

From here on I simply pitted myself against the road.

By this stage I was totally exhausted (as is the case at the halfway mark in every long ride). I had managed a half hour nap at the hostel (I passed out within 30 seconds of putting my head down), but was still very tired. I trudged all the way home. The whole way was quiet. Getting to Kaohsiung I was almost falling asleep on the bike, a fairly unpleasant experience, which I usually circumvent by napping at the side of the road. However, as I really needed my full sleep when I got home, I attempted to push my sleep so that I could get a more full sleep at the end.

It started to rain just as I passed the airport and I took shelter under the entrance to one of the underground stations. I was only there for half an hour, but as I usually do (typical patterns) I weighed up the situation and wondered if sleeping in the park and taking an early train would do better. However, after half an hour the rain abated, and didn’t return.

I headed off on the usual track.

But I took a shortcut. Instead of taking the coastal road through Tainan, I went straight through the city on the No.1. There were no red lights at 4:00 in the morning, which made the flow easy, but with my eyes vigilant for the ever-present numbskulls in their cars giving a little “beep, beep” as they rush through intersections.

It was about five o’clock when I rolled in the door. The neighbors were already up, I stuffed my face with a whole lot of food, showered, then went to sleep until one, in time to eat and go to class.

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I was amazed at how great this trip was for the kids. Seeing non-cyclists pushing as hard as they can is really inspirational. Seasoned cyclist tackling ever-greater feats is great, but this lot were just pushing themselves in something completely new.

Well done to the whole lot. You all made a fantastic effort.