New Year's Resolution

[Digger]

Time for me to get of the couch.

Hi Bozo,
There are two ‘f’s in ‘off’ as in ‘off the couch’.

[Bozo]

Digger

Today the boot is on the other foot. My being careless on the couch is inexcusable.

I must subconsciously want to remain on the couch with Mongrel Dog videos, Facebook, Digger blogs, Big Bash, One Day Cricket and the Dakar Rally as vicarious accessible entertainment. Just trying to convince myself that dodgy food, warm Camelbak water, cramps, sweaty boots, lack of sleep, extreme weather and daily challenges justify getting off the couch.

Bozo

[Digger]

Digger

... that dodgy food, warm Camelbak water, cramps, sweaty boots, lack of sleep, extreme weather and daily challenges justify getting off the couch.

Bozo

...not to mention a sore arse; you forgot the sore arse.

[Digger]

G’day Slackers, Friday update.

I am going to have to fine tune my accomodation requirements from today and not leave things to chance. I am staying on the third floor in a $30 AUD room and I think the second floor is used as a brothel.
Today was flat with a tail wind all day so I made good time but not much in the way of scenery. The west coast is heavily industrialised and it was like riding thru the Kwinana Strip for hours. The weather is cool and it tried to rain all day but didn’t.



Morning peak hour but no aggression or road rage. Civilised chaos.



The locals have embraced Western culture with both arms.



Navigation was made easy today thru Hsinchu City (pop 500,000) by following the signs painted on the ground.

[Digger]

Strong tail wind all day. That will change when I head north along their east coast.



A local monument on the high ground referring to the Japan/Russian conflict in early 20th century. Powerhouse in the right of picture and wind turbines for as far as the eye can see.



The second floor of my hotel. What’s behind the Green door?

Stats for today.
Distance - 62.3km
Time - 3.06 hours
Avg - 20.1 kph (tailwind)
Max speed 50.9kph.
Total so far - 190km

SPOT Link is here;
https://share.findmespot.com/shared/fac ... UCtYLNPufa

[Digger]

G’day Slackers...remember me?

Saturday’s update.

Today went as expected...no real surprises. The West coast is heavily industrialised with heavy traffic volumes but thankfully I have a lane dedicated to cyclists for the most part so I am separated from heavy vehicles. Tomorrow (Sunday) promises to be challenging with a 60km ride to a height of 800 metres above sea level to Sun Moon Lake where I’ll stay for two nights and smell some roses.
Link is here:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Moon_Lake



I knew Giant Bikes were manufactured in Taiwan. By coincidence, I passed their factory today while heading south.



There is some serious infrastructure in this country. This is an overpass as part of their high speed railway (HSR) which reaches speeds of 300 kph.


Stats for today.
Distance - 67.4km
Ride time - 3.24 hours
Avg - 19.8 kph
Max - 40.3 kph
Total so far - 230km.

[Cookie]

As always, great photos and interesting reading, keep up the good work..

[Digger]

G’day Slackers, todays (Sunday) update.

I got busted today by the Highway Patrol while riding on a Freeway and I kinda expected that was gunna happen. Because I had to ride to 800 metres above sea level (ASL) I decided to take the path of least resistance (as you do). Within about 5 km I got pulled over by 4 cops in two cars (BMW Series 5 F10’s) and they organised a Main Roads truck to deliver me and bike/trailer to a local town and was told not to do it again. They were ok about it and I just smiled a lot, nodded my head and apologised lots. The roads I had to take weren’t bad but not ideal. The last 10 km was a ball breaker. I’m here for two nights and will cycle around the Lake tomorrow (36km) before continuing and head back toward the coast.


That is the Freeway I was on before getting busted. I knew it would be straighter, faster, and would be more direct. My journey was extended by 9km by using the alternative roads.



Thankfully, there are many tunnels going thru hills which means no switchbacks going down into valleys and having to climb out.



Sun Moon Lake. It is as controversial as Uluru with the local Aboriginal people. I am here for two nights to rest and fatten up.

Stats for today.
Distance - 59.4km
Time - 4.10 hours
Avg - 14.2 kph
Max - 48.4 kph
Total so far - 290km

[pspencer]

Thanks for the photos and ride report. Good to see you are mixing it with the local BMWerrs. How is your Chinese going?

[Digger]

How is your Chinese going?

Hahaha...I’ve learnt a new skill. ‘Siri, translate “where is the nearest laundromat” in Chinese.

Works every time.

[Bozo]

Digger
Thanks for the detailed reports.
Be careful of following any white deer.
Bozo

[Swampy]

Digger
Thanks for the detailed reports.
Be careful of following any white deer.
Bozo

Or is that white dears??

Swampy

[Digger]

G’day Slackers, todays (Tuesday) update,

Biggest day so far (98km) on this trip but was aided by a steep descent initially and then gentle slope down to near sea level. The sun was out all day and the temperatures are still mild (25-27 degrees C) so good riding conditions. The only difficulty was all the traffic lights used to regulate heavy traffic and lots of red lights preventing me from gaining any rhythm.
Just have to try and avoid the Coronavirus...



Exhilarating descent initially but quickly petered out and then it was a constant grind.



The Country is starting to gear up for the Chinese New Year on 25 January...the Year of the Rat.



He might...every body else reckons I’m a prick!



Cute now....wait till he becomes a Teenager!


Stats for today (Tuesday)
Distance -98.0km
Time - 4.35 hours
Avg - 21.3 kph
Total so far - 418km.

SPOT Link is here;
https://share.findmespot.com/shared/fac ... UCtYLNPufa

[pspencer]

Great photos again, please keep them coming. Good to see at least the adults riders are wearing helmets. A prick I don’t think so!

[Digger]

G’day Slackers, Happy (Chinese) New Year.

Taiwan update - Friday 24th Jan.

I’m not feeling the love on this trip. There is so much heavy industry and so much congestion on the west side of Taiwan that each day seems like Groundhog Day. Thankfully I have taken the opportunity to visit a small coral island just off the coast and I will stay here for two nights to give me some respite. It is still busy with a population of 12,000 plus holiday makers but it is less intense then the mainland. Once back on the mainland I will look at the option of catching a train to cross from west to east to save me having to climb over a steep mountain range. Chinese NYE tonight but it’s a sombre mood due to Coronavirus.


My new look since they’ve had reported cases of the Coronavirus in Taiwan.



So much heavy industry. It’s like riding thru the Kwinana Strip day after day after day.



Short Ferry ride to Lambai Island.