Tag: tainan cycling

[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” ]