Tag: tainan

2014 New Year Dongshan Ride

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-JVaSQ1_1jfY/Uu8AGKCo0VI/AAAAAAAARiU/_C1cmPxrVKU/s144-c-o/IMAG2331.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5975995336318570834″ caption=”Carrots” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2331.jpg” ]

Same ol’ story. Kids went to their aunty and uncle’s house so I went out for a ride. As I was dealing with an ample amount of time I decided against a flatland cruise and opted for the pristine beauty of the hills of Dongshan.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-yE-2pvrrPvE/Uu8B__ySzgI/AAAAAAAARik/BqEilS9xnFY/s144-c-o/IMAG2332.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5975997429509705218″ caption=”Farm Road” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2332.jpg” ]

I set off at about 10:30 after a short chat with the neighbors kids who are here for the holidays. They were telling me that the other kid was there because her mother had stayed up all night playing majhong so was too tired to take of her and had just left her there while she went to sleep. Hmm, kids are so damn honest, not a soul would mention the illegal gambling there, despite how blatantly obvious it is.

Gambling aside, I headed off in the wonderfully warm weather that has been dished out this lunar new year.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-JUAnqBsoU5c/Uu8F5tHMruI/AAAAAAAARi0/xnxXWqLhssw/s144-c-o/IMAG2333.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976001719464406754″ caption=”Baked Sweet Potato” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2333.jpg” ]

After a long stretch I passed the familiar sweet potato guy. I really don’t know how much business he gets there, but he’s there almost everytime I pass by.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-vzt8rdDU3HQ/Uu8Kih4iMTI/AAAAAAAARjE/D7inxkKwfsU/s144-c-o/IMAG2334.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976006818871259442″ caption=”Betelnut Stand” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2334.jpg” ]

In Liujia I took a slightly different route which bypassed some of the more crowded parts of the town.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-Cx4QtlFC1ZU/Uu8K69FqjpI/AAAAAAAARjQ/DRE0a8NNtO0/s144-c-o/IMAG2335.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976007238490951314″ caption=”Liujia Sports Center” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2335.jpg” ]

The sports center was quite empty as the sun was out. Oh, the wonders of have the opposite thinking about sunny skies.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-s4ZGcEopXUY/Uu8PBEtBgoI/AAAAAAAARjg/hIMp2P3Far8/s144-c-o/IMAG2336.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976011741660807810″ caption=”Into the Hills” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2336.jpg” ]

Shortly after I hit the foothills. The picture above was for no reason other than “here are hills”.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-qtmMNwr5w2s/Uu8QyHz03QI/AAAAAAAARjw/z08O9Hn2h6k/s144-c-o/IMAG2337.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976013683819863298″ caption=”More into the Hills” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2337.jpg” ]

I took a short break to remove my shirt as I was getting quite warm and wanted to bathe in the sunshine.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-bKiPaurDMrE/Uu8Ro-xXIqI/AAAAAAAARj8/7mNzT2yTNlM/s144-c-o/IMAG2338.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976014626286412450″ caption=”174 Signpost” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2338.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-ecSxErZbFnw/Uu8S7KcWOTI/AAAAAAAARkM/c8DjM1IDIdw/s144-c-o/IMAG2339.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976016038168770866″ caption=”Cliff” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2339.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-QP0EBsbuMmA/Uu8YOqUIddI/AAAAAAAARkg/hl-lmezTDn0/s144-c-o/IMAG2340.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976021870699902418″ caption=”Rest Stop” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2340.jpg” ]

I was hot enough at the rest stop to need to fill up with Super Supau. The motorbikes in the view decided that trying to slip in before the convoy of cars would be a good idea, then changed their minds and just sat in the middle of one lane waiting to get hit. Never mind that behind the convoy was completely clear, they still wanted to squeeze in. Quality of driving… sigh.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-VC-nWmsk76U/Uu8ZAGwk9AI/AAAAAAAARks/0aa-_RpKVoM/s144-c-o/IMAG2341.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976022720148993026″ caption=”River” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2341.jpg” ]

The rolling hills came and went. As I ride this area more and become familiar with the hills, so the easier they become. Perhaps it is for this same reason that I ride the flats so much. They are so familiar, there are no surprises, I know how long it will take to get home, I know when the next tough climb is and when I can get some water. I also know exactly what is good about the ride, similar to watching a favorite movie again and again.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-BS-poHqU2zQ/Uu8cCrpFXyI/AAAAAAAARk8/tY8CsWHMwRw/s144-c-o/IMAG2342.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976026062944296738″ caption=”Sunny, Hot and Quiet” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2342.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-DshcCOg3IP0/Uu8dD2nu4_I/AAAAAAAARlI/ddkaajEvbfI/s144-c-o/IMAG2343.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976027182582916082″ caption=”Turnoff to main climb” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2343.jpg” ]

The turnoff to the temple signals the start of the main climbing portion of the ride. It heads up fairly steeply, but the road has been paved recently and is quite easy to zip up. The main portion to the temple took me around 20 minutes, but could be done in much less.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-7hwafOeJryo/Uu8e3p__7CI/AAAAAAAARlY/_ogAalSh_CU/s144-c-o/IMAG2344.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976029172059860002″ caption=”Enjoying the sun” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2344.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-AgGWk7V2oso/Uu8gK_-DwXI/AAAAAAAARlo/_5GtwiRDjtk/s144-c-o/IMAG2345.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976030603886444914″ caption=”Stairs for walkers” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2345.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-beIcXMPfr7M/Uu8jMnhyKII/AAAAAAAARl4/lvH-tT2ckd0/s144-c-o/IMAG2346.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976033930220021890″ caption=”Almost to the temple” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2346.jpg” ]

The temple is when the real fun begins because there are almost no cars or people up there. Although the road to the trailhead is rough, it’s still driveable. It’s a bit of cranking in very low gears on the bike. The short burst to the flatter top section is brief.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-hiV6bvssUTg/Uu8nBKxlPGI/AAAAAAAARmI/iZiLXXhA3hg/s144-c-o/IMAG2347.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976038131569605730″ caption=”Hiking Trail Map (I took the small loop just north of the You Are Here)” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2347.jpg” ]

There is trail system around here which I have never explored so today would be a good time to start. An MTB with slicks is not the most sensible choice, but is quite doable. Only the rockiest of trails are too tough to ride and those tend to be short sections.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-eVoRQ37T5NU/Uu8pBLhWq8I/AAAAAAAARmY/mZvwBL9G1Nw/s144-c-o/IMAG2348.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976040330793233346″ caption=”Tiny Paved Road” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2348.jpg” ]

The path up looked quite steep but started off with quite a promising cemented section. Usually this means that someone at some time has needed to get a car up there. That also means that it will be rideable, even with only slicks. Actually a road bike should be fine too, except for the lack of low gearing (ie. you just need stronger legs).

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-64ZNwNrgqfA/Uu8rV3NKCLI/AAAAAAAARmo/psDGI6qXOKo/s144-c-o/IMAG2349.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976042885140318386″ caption=”Hiking Trail” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2349.jpg” ]

After passing a small house the cemented sections disappeared. But the trails that were left were wonderful. Having little gusto left in my legs I did have dismount for some rockier sections and take breaks after hard pushes. Sometimes the going is so steep that walking makes more sense and probably uses less energy overall.

An aside:

This has started me thinking how rideable these trails are for a regular (front suspension, knobbly tires) mountain bike. There are further trails to explore and it turns out that I’d picked the short “tourist hike” which has a stairway straight up from the temple below. Something for another day.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-jzwwLRgaT2A/Uu8tgRmLFLI/AAAAAAAARm4/eWGRTJ19Fgw/s144-c-o/IMAG2352.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976045263046513842″ caption=”Trail Map” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2352.jpg” ]

The scale is so large that the orange loop on the map above is, by my calculations, barely a square kilometer.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-7gWC13N8ERY/Uu8uStgsXiI/AAAAAAAARnE/-KJF4_rS28I/s144-c-o/IMAG2353.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976046129533181474″ caption=”Panorama from the peak” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2353.jpg” ]

From the top it’s a bird’s eye view of the hills. The clouds had come over and blocked the view somewhat, but it was good. I had a long chat with some folks at the top, and the most talkative guy suggested I should start an English school in his town and he’d invest financially. Who knows?

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-CU8F8jsKoNg/Uu86FGBe3WI/AAAAAAAARnY/oLHHaWRl-F8/s144-c-o/IMAG2356.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976059089734524258″ caption=”Big temple” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2356.jpg” ]

I made the dash home as I was feeling tired, the main temple came and went.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-NXKoA2Y4BdM/Uu89_A8ouQI/AAAAAAAARno/O6UtXbf9kn8/s144-c-o/IMAG2357.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976063383339317506″ caption=”Not so big temple” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2357.jpg” ]

I stopped in briefly at the other, smaller temple (is there a theme developing).

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-iXSTbb4sjbE/Uu9NxK0ASJI/AAAAAAAARn8/1u0stKcQ8y4/s144-c-o/IMAG2358.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976080737655343250″ caption=”Resting on the road” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2358.jpg” ]

I just took in the miles, taking a rest by the road as I headed past Liujia.

I stopped at the sweet potato guy and ate two of those while on the road home, which provided some relief for my hungry tummy, although it didn’t relieve my headache. The headache was most likely from all the sun on my pale skin. Now that spring has sprung it’s time to get some rays.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-l-S4VPCHuHQ/Uu9YHMSx1sI/AAAAAAAARoQ/ETaVprO0zj4/s144-c-o/IMAG2359.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanPeakRide02#5976092111126255298″ caption=”Farmlands near home” type=”image” alt=”IMAG2359.jpg” ]

And, as all my rides conclude I went through the farmlands. More and more I’m avoiding the towns and  cities, I was shattered by this point, but still chose the tiny, unkept roads.

Next time around I’ll aim for the much longer trail to the south of the trailhead. It appears to be about 4km and lands up by the smaller temple above, even it becomes unrideable I can still push my bike. Preparing some appropriate footwear for walking, or just going barefoot, would be in order if I were to try that.

Dongshan Exploring Again

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-csUwE37KvNo/UYip1ooUmEI/AAAAAAAALF4/G4fQ5pyURro/s144-c-o/IMAG1634.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875132452809513026″ caption=”Small and Quiet” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1634.jpg” ]

Sunday saw the rest of my family head off to the dream mall in Kaohsiung.

I headed off into the hills to do some more exploring of those foothills that beckon me when time permits.

The start was as usual, with a quick flat spin up towards the hills.

Over the past few months I’ve mastered the avoidance of busy roads in the neighborhood. What that means, in essence, is that I’m doing a fair amount of cruising through farm roads. These are not nearly as well maintained as the main road, but allow me to avoid the evil, metal beasts that threaten to disturb the sanctity of my ride at every turn.

There was one final stretch left to conquer that would plop me down right at the end of the stretch I want to avoid. With a fair amount of double-checking the route on my phone I managed to get to just where I had wanted. The detour adds roughly ten minutes to my journey, but is more than worth it.

Pressing on, I munched up the rest of the flats like the pancake they are.

And then the hills.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-JU19gUXZyIY/UYip4rii9pI/AAAAAAAALGA/zqNwd0QerrE/s144-c-o/IMAG1635.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875132505130202770″ caption=”View From the Small Road” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1635.jpg” ]

My new alternate route to get to the main road at the foot of the big hills is a nice, winding road, almost two cars wide in places, but only a lane and a half in others. It’s a fairly quick, although fairly steep, climb that’s over before you know it and gives you the first taste of the thick, humid air in the hills.

The single, thin cycling top I was wearing was drenched from sweat once the paths headed upward.

The last ride into the hills I had made the mistake of doing so after a long period without food and was also short on water.

This time I finished off two Zefal Magnum bottles of water before I stopped off at the 7-11. Two sandwiches and two liters of water and it was time to head on to the good stuff.

The main route of choice that heads straight to near the entrance to “the big temple” is steep, brutally so. Despite a brave effort to push it in the middle chainring, I was in granny ring and by the time I was halfway up was searching for gears beyond the teeny weeny ones my bike is sporting.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-Mbu3YUTJFiM/UYip7i2_H-I/AAAAAAAALGI/TKj7U4xJzyw/s144-c-o/IMAG1636.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875132554339622882″ caption=”On the Coffee Road” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1636.jpg” ]

Finally, I hit the no.175 coffee road and headed toward what Google Maps promised to be a good little, hopefully long, climb from about 300m to 800m.

It needs to be stated that Google Maps is great for most roads. However, the tiny roads mapped on this route are completely wrong. That just adds to the adventure.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-ESdpE8SCd2U/UYip-lo_UwI/AAAAAAAALGQ/axkDvFB4dFU/s144-c-o/IMAG1639.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875132606625829634″ caption=”Fancy Sign on Coffee Road” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1639.jpg” ]

Straight into the baby chainring and up towards the clouds.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-7Xkc_Vq1MX8/UYiqCg4_OyI/AAAAAAAALGY/k8XPNlsyCRc/s144-c-o/IMAG1640.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875132674070231842″ caption=”The Rock Sign at the Start of the Big Climb” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1640.jpg” ]

The thick clouds sitting on the top of the hills were threatening to pour bucketloads of water on my head, but had been kind in providing me a moisture-free ride so far. The atmosphere that the looming mists added were well worth the humidity that they were pressing directly onto me.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-FzjkzhnwWzk/UYiqIsFo4hI/AAAAAAAALGg/3dG3GkKxsFw/s144-c-o/IMAG1641.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875132780155298322″ caption=”Trail Marker” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1641.jpg” ]

After passing what appeared to be an abandoned Buddhist center, I hit the first trail marker. I was in two minds as to whether to follow it’s advice on where to go or to blaze my own trail with my phone as my navigator. I chose the latter and headed off in the other direction to the trail that was most likely to take me close to the peak and into the clouds.

The roads were getting more and more patchy, but were still quite rideable. I pushed on and up, still able to keep the pedals turning around despite the pitch of the climb and having to fight to keep my bike from pulling an easy wheelie.

Riding the steepest hills provides a great challenge to both your skill and endurance. Once you’ve exhausted your gears, at speeds around 4-6km/h it becomes increasingly hard to keep your bike on track. The front wheel becomes light and in order to not go so slowly that you just topple over you need to keep pushing to keep the speed up a bit. This becomes even more difficult when the paving falls away and you’re wrestling for traction. In addition, at these speeds the cadence drops, there’s no choice but to “mash” the pedals. At the top sections I had to stop at every second switchback to catch my breath. The humidity plus the huge effort was just completely draining and I was heaving like I’d just finished an all-out training interval.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-YEdoXBYw-_U/UYiqLHj0-8I/AAAAAAAALGo/gMVtA4RZLJw/s144-c-o/IMAG1642.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875132821889416130″ caption=”Up to the Clouds” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1642.jpg” ]

And then another sign. The virtual world and the physical world were showing no convergence whatsoever. The signpost pointed me to an unpaved road that looked like it would head me in the wrong direction so headed the other way.

Upwards, then dirt.

I was not prepared for this.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-K6m59NpkNDE/UYiqOeXKQoI/AAAAAAAALGw/qP-rF-UD438/s144-c-o/IMAG1643.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875132879549907586″ caption=”Bamboo” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1643.jpg” ]

When the trail started to fade it was a sign that I read as needing to turn back. Perhaps the sign was right.

So I headed back down to the signpost and with a minimum of confidence in the direction it was heading and then pushed on.

The dirt on the signposted section quickly changed to old cement road, which gave me a slight confidence in the road ahead. Unsurprisingly that changed as all paving gave way to dirt roads.

The roads were getting steeper and there were no plantations of betelnut trees, or anything to suggest that any human had been by recently. There were beehives, however, artificial ones that were just erected at the side of the road. At least it was something.

Then came the rain.

It started as a light drizzle, nothing that wouldn’t make me wetter than I already was. And then it started to rain harder. There was no point in heading back, just push on upward.

Up, up, up until finally I arrived at the end of the trail.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-TAR_KkXVzK4/UYiqTGIPzCI/AAAAAAAALG8/cYXhFRYvmNk/s144-c-o/IMAG1645.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875132958944250914″ caption=”Shelter for Bees” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1645.jpg” ]

It started pouring down and I took a slight refuge in the shelter of a tree. The covered area was home to two big beehives and preferred to just leave them alone.

It was a tad cooler and the air was fresh. The pitter patter of raindrops in the peace and quiet of the hills. Nothing better.

My shelter was not providing much protection from the rain, so I headed back down.

Mountain biking is one thing, but I’ve learned from experience that slicks don’t provide much grip. The chainring scar on my left thigh is testament to this.

So feathering the brakes I headed down the steep, and now wet, path. I was starting to remember why I always loved mountain biking so much and why I’ve been reluctant to switch to a full-on road bike for all my riding.

With butt over the back of my saddle and my eyes peeled for the best route around or over obstacles, avoiding slippery patches of concrete with their slimey coating of moss waiting to drop me on my ass.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-sVibdRrzOe8/UYiqVvanNkI/AAAAAAAALHE/jcQxOd83DJU/s144-c-o/IMAG1646.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875133004386874946″ caption=”Mountain Biking” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1646.jpg” ]

All went well and before long I was back to navigable roads. My perceived exertion on the way up had me thinking I was much further away than I really was.

And I set on my cruise back home. Cracked 60km/h freewheeling down the big hill I had come up on, then stopped at the 7-11 again to sit down and get some nourishment.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-QgexT-4z69Y/UYiqZ-MAPdI/AAAAAAAALHU/0i3XvKD7K0M/s144-c-o/IMAG1648.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875133077071609298″ caption=”Rest Stop” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1648.jpg” ]

The hills coming back were as expected, it’s amazing how familiarity makes hills seem a little less daunting.

On passing through Liujia a group of roadies passed me by. They were going a tad faster than me so I seized the opportunity to suck some wind and make some quick progress through this final segment.

As it turns out, they were from the same town as me, so I got to suck wind all the way back.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-DZ-ngUn7knc/UYiqcGeHD8I/AAAAAAAALHc/yytU0ALI8Qw/s144-c-o/IMAG1649.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/DongshanExploring#5875133113654775746″ caption=”Roadies Hauling Me Home” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1649.jpg” ]

On the final, long stretch into town I tried to see who would take the bait and pick up the pace for the last section. Head down, I picked up the lead pace to 40km/h with the front guy holding his spot behind me.

At least that’s what I thought. When I got to the traffic lights they were all some way back.

My favorite part about road races, when I used to do them, was the group sprint to the line. At least in those local races, I found almost everyone did a lot of training, but that was limited to long miles in the saddle. My rides were long, with intermittent sprints all the way through, it was the greatest feeling to look at the person who I was riding with, see the slight nod, and then both head into a frenzied sprint to some arbritrary location on the road ahead. When in Taipei, “The Fly” gave a me a good run for my money, we need to have a challenge again.

The sprint was not without pain however. My legs were starting to cramp, and although I maintained all the way to the line, my hamstrings and quads were both giving me warning messages to ease up on the pace. Since moving my saddle forward about 4cm my hamstrings are getting a little more work done. Bliss.

Another trip into the hills is in order, and hopefully I’ll find a way to the summit at around 1000m.

But that’s for another day.

Zengwen Dam and Dongshan Exploring

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-AlpOe7Y5hsE/UUZeZ_1WnOI/AAAAAAAAKhY/hLmsDIJFLaY/s144-c-o/IMAG1423.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472166166863074″ caption=”Zengwen Dam” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1423.jpg” ]

On Sunday the family were out, so I jumped at the chance to explore some of the big hills that I’ve come to enjoy recently.

The hills have provided a great balance to the coastal cruising that is typical of my usual weekday rides. Dongshan hills are around 25km from my house, which makes them a little far for most weekday rides.

Anywho, it was time to time to get out so I jumped on my bike at around 11:30 to start the cruising. The sun was out, it was hot and an absolutely glorious day for a ride.

At 5km in, I got a puncture.

The power of focus is great. It’s something I lack in any task which I do not enjoy or feel motivated, and when I’m on my bike, I feel both. With the hills in my mind, I whipped off the wheel as a matter of process, inspected the tube, found the leakage was under and old patch, and decided that using my other tube with a puncture would be better.

Out came the old tube. I fixed it’s puncture and put the wheel back in.

I guess around 10 minutes including glue drying time.

And off again.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-WZIGwAHgoYo/UUZfD8ocO_I/AAAAAAAAKjg/5iVXGhgz74Y/s144-c-o/IMAG1441.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472886861904882″ caption=”View from a hill” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1441.jpg” ]

The intense heat while changing my tube should have alerted me to the oppressive humidity of the day as I was sweating profusely when I got back on the bike. Nevertheless, I was off again, back on the aerobars and cruising towards the hills.

Just after passing through the most populated section of the route I stopped to remove my cycling shirt so that I could bask in the big sun while riding. Then back on the aerobars and more cruising.

Sporting a naked top half I decided to do a slightly longer route around Liujia so as not to cause any accidents while scooter riders plough into each other while they’re fixated on my shiny, white exterior.

Then onto the hills.

On considering this route for the weekend, one of my biggest concerns is the hordes of heavy motorbike riders that like these hills.

I could go on and on about the complete lack of basic road skills here in Taiwan. I could also ramble about how scooter riders are the most inept fools on the road, second only to bicycle commuters, except that they sport speeds at least 3x that of the daily cyclist here. Now take that complete ineptitude, add some body armor, a bike with an engine 5x that of a scooter and the price of a sedan, and you have death on wheels. These guys think they are so bloody cool, but in reality, they’re idiots just like they are on their scooters the rest of the week. Their stupidity is simply multiplied. Random lane changing, constant swerving across lanes, specifically passing on blind corners, most notably in the places where I saw tons of “Dangerous Section of Road” signs.

Admittedly these guys are not all assholes, and apologies to those who take road safety seriously, but there are a huge number who are morons. So much for the beauty, peace and quiet of the countryside. Sigh.

Time to find alternate roads.

Anywho, I followed the 174 all the way out, passed on by the 175 coffee road and on to the turnoff to the dam.

From here, traffic would be light.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-Ms8Ng9BrWus/UUZebkUZQaI/AAAAAAAAKhg/eX8oTh_JyDs/s144-c-o/IMAG1424.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472193140605346″ caption=”Slipway” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1424.jpg” ]

To my surprise there was an entrance charge for heading into the dam area. I decided it was worth it, and put the fee down to my lack of experience in this part of the world. No wonder there was no Google Street View footage of this area. I was heading towards other roads that would head straight over the hills and my exploring would allow me a cost free route next time around.

The runup to the dam is nice enough. It’s a really wide road, that looks like it was made specifically for lots of tourists and busses. Thankfully there were no busses on the day. There’s a fancy looking visitor center which I whizzed straight past. I would rather just stay on my bike.

Even when out exploring I tend to pass by most fixtures that attract lots of people. This does mean that I miss out on some things. Somehow I believe it’s the better choice, but in reality it’s just a choice. Duh.

The beauty of the ride is in the exploration. Finding new places, doing new things, going where no man (well, at least I) has gone before. Visitor centers are created for tourists, not explorers. I would rather spend a whole hour just sitting up on the hill looking out on the glorious beauty of the natural world than in a visitor center. I’d rather be sweating out in the sun, than sitting on my ass watching a TV presentation. In my own reckoning, the true beauty lies not in what some other person can create for me to see, but in what is already there.

I digress.

The road leads all the way up to the dam wall, but along the climb I noticed a big, red sign welcoming people to a temple in the hills. The leadup was a very steep, concrete paved road. I took mental note, passed on by and headed to the top of the dam wall.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-PHIAzoq1Hlo/UUZektRvN7I/AAAAAAAAKiI/kNiQZd_qERo/s144-c-o/IMAG1429.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472350164203442″ caption=”You will not pass!” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1429.jpg” ]

The obligatory picture taking got done quickly, but I was a little disappointed to find no entry signs on the way to the route I was hoping to take up the hill. I’ll happily pass by the no entry signs when no-one is around, but I’m not such a rebel when others are looking on. Just me, but there you go.

I enquired with the security guys as to how I could get over the hill and they told me that the road by the red sign I had seen was the way to go.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-1jEPHW1zHXI/UUZeeJSlfTI/AAAAAAAAKho/3vcUpMEHays/s144-c-o/IMAG1425.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472237424868658″ caption=”Behind the wall” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1425.jpg” ]

Instead of heading straight there I continued on over the wall and followed the route that overlooks the dam and leads to the no. 3. This section of road was pleasant enough, climbing a bit until I did hit the no. 3, then checked my maps and headed back to the dam wall. And the climb from hell.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-3hWwNl-OQ7Y/UUZetsujqeI/AAAAAAAAKig/wg7f9qmFhew/s144-c-o/IMAG1432.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472504635468258″ caption=”The alternate route” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1432.jpg” ]

I was hoping for a hard climb, and boy, did this one ever impress. I’m always surprised at just how steep Taiwanese can build their roads.

As I started on the upward journey, I went straight into granny gear. That’s a 22×25 in case you’re wondering. I wouldn’t change down until very much further up the hill.

[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-9uNw5rR1u0w/UUZe0TZ2MuI/AAAAAAAAKiw/-cTEIhOnIeA/s144-c-o/IMAG1435.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472618096800482″ caption=”Mini Dam” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1435.jpg” ]

The first steep bit landed me next to a small dam, which on any other day would likely have served as a picnic spot. Being my silly self, I hadn’t packed any food so I just stopped for pics and then hit the wheelie inducing climb again. There were constant sounds of animals running away as I headed up the road. Monkeys in the trees, while squirrel-looking things scurried away as the new visitor approached.

But it was here that I started to suffer.

[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-TBxPKq2kj_c/UUZe24ymD3I/AAAAAAAAKi4/_dmhH0Lvjf8/s144-c-o/IMAG1436.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472662492450674″ caption=”Steep! Taiwan style.” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1436.jpg” ]

My last meal was the previous evening at around 18:00, and I hadn’t (as usual) had breakfast in the morning. This is nothing special, except that this ride was straining me more than I had expected and the humidity was intense. Although the humidity is pretty high a lot of the time, it is amplified when is the hills between thick clusters of trees and bushes.

My shirt was drenched, despite being completely open at the front (I had put it on after getting plenty of sunshine).

I was taking the hill in segments, I’d push myself to ride to the next switchback, then stop for a moment and continue. The sweat was pouring down my head and I was running out of water.

Energy reserves: zero.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-3h6tEXUgQc4/UUZe9Xwbj0I/AAAAAAAAKjI/5w_xLiOHqBI/s144-c-o/IMAG1438.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472773884088130″ caption=”My bike taking a rest” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1438.jpg” ]

At one point I sat down at the side to completely cool down and enjoy the slight breeze that was blowing through the hills. It didn’t help get my energy back, but did relieve me from the heat. The views are breathtaking. The hills of Taiwan are lush and green and a sight to see for sure. Always are.

After getting myself back in shape I headed on up through the final sections.

One scooter passed by and listening as it weaved it’s way up the hill and the varying screeching from it’s diminutive engine gave me hope that I was nearing the peak. And it was so. The road flattened out, I got into the middle chainring and pressed on.

Finally I spotted the trailheads at the top and recognized where I was.

I had to eat. NOW.

I checked my maps and plotted my course for the nearest 7-11. I love 7-11 not because of the gourmet food, but the cookie-cutter consistency of their stores. No matter which one you pick, it’s always the same goop, good goop, yucky goop, but always the same.

After plummeting down a few hundred vertical meters I was greeted by what will likely become my new alternative road in these hills.

[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-8kJp5S7qWPc/UUZfKPn2XfI/AAAAAAAAKjw/J6ntM4CygUM/s144-c-o/IMAG1443.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472995038911986″ caption=”Houses on the hill” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1443.jpg” ]

Nicely paved, few cars or scooters and a consistent grade. But that’s for next time.

I pressed on, hoping for the absolute minimum of hills as I was feeling pretty faint. Just keeping the intensity down to what was necessary. It was a flattish cruise and after a brief “Where the hell is the 7-11?” moment I saw it around the corner, with it’s familiar green glow beckoning me to go and stuff myself.

My guess is that I got 3000 Calories of food in that single session. A great excuse to pig out. Three chocolates, a curry and rice, dried mangoes, baked potatoes, Fruitips, a slice of pizza, a small milk and some other bits and bobs. Yum!

The final leg of my trip had to be made quickly. I had used up a lot of time with rest stops and contemplating routing details and the previous big hill that had slowed progress drastically.

Final hill was soaked up fairly quickly, it’s short and quick.

Then the 30km flat stretch.

5km of tucked in cruising done and I was starting to experience a new sensation that I have not really experienced before.

Cramping.

Not like I haven’t felt my legs start to tense up, but never anything so serious that a mild stretch wouldn’t sort out. I stopped to stretch, hoping that would solve it. Usually a short stretch is all I need and it gets the yuckiness out of my legs.

But nope.

A kilometer later and they were back with a vengeance. I tried to flick my leg back to stretch my quads while on the bike, but then my hamstrings started, I tried the other side and the same thing happened. I stopped and both legs almost seized up while swinging my legs over the bike in the most awkward way I could to avoid the muscles tensing up. This was a much more thorough stretching session and helped me to get another half hour before needing to stretch out again.

I then managed to get all the way home without further incident, just watching how much I exerted to avoid the obvious consequences.

And at around 19:00 I was home. Ready for a good shower and ready to continue stuffing my face, which I did like a trooper. I won’t give you the nitty-gritty, but I will tell you that it involved ice-cream and cones.

Another good day. Done.

[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-x-inFVV6FFs/UUZegNI0ydI/AAAAAAAAKh4/cohEn1Sry2c/s144-c-o/IMAG1427.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/ZengwenDamRide#5856472272817408466″ caption=”A good ride” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1427.jpg” ]