New Year's Resolution

[Digger]

G’day Slackers, Taiwan update - Sunday 2 Feb

I think I’ve seen the last of the quiet roads for this trip with me having left the East Rift Valley and rejoined the coastline. I’ve been spending two nights in a town that is the jumping off point for Taroko National Park. THE most visited National Park in the country.


On some high ground overlooking a valley and the Haulien River.



A recent landslide...a small one. The East Coast experiences some very severe weather patterns including Typhoons and earthquakes.



A larger landslide which still seemed like a ‘freshy’. All the infrastructure (Road/drainage/culverts) around it seemed newly replaced.



They have some serious storm surges and use artificial breakwaters to protect the coastline.

[Digger]

The entrance to the National Park. The road continues thru the Park and crosses the country and goes to a height of over 3,500 metres above sea level.



The Eternal Spring Shrine in the background. Dedicated to the 229 workers who were killed in the construction of the original road in the 1950’s. The shrine has been rebuilt a couple of times due to damage caused by avalanches.



The Liwu River was dammed by the Japanese when they occupied Taiwan to provide hydro electricity.


Tomorrow (Monday), I catch a train for 100 km. The next section of highway is considered dangerous for cyclists due to cliffs, heavy vehicles, narrow roads and many switchbacks. I’m only a few days from Taipei.



My train tickets...one for me; one for the bike. Travel on public transport is relatively cheap here. $1AUD is the equivalent of $20NTD (New Taiwan Dollar).

Total so far - 973km.

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

Back to work Slackers.

[Bozo]

Digger
A fascinating journey and great photos.
I will have to talk to Nev as I thought the Japanese introduced sugar cane planting and sugar production into Taiwan and that Australia is still holding steady on its production.
Bozo

[Digger]

G’day Slackers,
Taiwan update - Tues 4 Feb - Fulong.


Very much enjoyed the train trip on Monday; quick, efficient, comfortable and didn’t raise a sweat. 100km in one hour and that includes 6 stops. It doesn’t compare to some other trains I’ve caught on other trips overseas which included a derailment in Myanmar a few years ago. Aaah, the memories. I’ve bunkered down in a town near the train station and didn’t have far to go.



We (the bike and I) had the whole carriage to ourselves. I often caught glimpses of the road I would’ve had to take and it would have been perilous.



My gears have been mashing lately. I found a local bike shop. I had the bike maintained before I left Australia but I had to have the chain and rear cluster (gears) replaced. I guess it’s fair wear and tear considering I’ve nearly covered 1,000km.



Me...in ten years time, except I’ll have knobby tyres fitted.

[Digger]

I will never look at a ‘parson’s nose’ the same way again.



Another complimentary Condom...this one designed to bring out the animal in you!


Varied mix of riding conditions today (Tues) but I had to search for tracks to get me clear of the main highway...there are not too many options. I’m nearing the northern point of Taiwan and will hit Taipei in a couple of days. I will continue following the coastline where I can.



Cycling alongside the Dongshan River.



Noice!

[Digger]

These bunkers were peppered all along the coastline. Obviously a throwback to times of conflict.




I haven’t seen much native wildlife...just a few local cranky dogs.




I had to use all my inner strength today just to stay alive.

[Digger]

I had to search for alternatives to get away from the Highway. This bike path was just a thin red line on my map but I figured it was worth a try. Glad I did.



I wasn’t expecting this...I knew I had to go thru a tunnel but I thought I was going to have to share it with heavy vehicles and traffic. The Caoling Train Tunnel. Completed in 1924 and abandoned in 1986 after the rail was realigned. Converted to part of their national cycling route in 2008. Over 2 km long going thru the base of a mountain range.




Inside the tunnel...a pleasant way to finish today’s ride.


Stats for today (Tues).
Distance - 68.4 km.
Time - 3.55hours.
Avg - 17.4 kph.
Max - 60.5kph.

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

[Bozo]

Digger
As usual, a very interesting blog. Looking forward to a picture of your bike at the top of Taipei 101.
Bozo

[Digger]

G’day Slackers,
Taiwan update

Sometimes you should listen to the voices in your head. I woke to constant rain this morning (Wednesday)...it had rained most of the night. While having breakfast I could see the highway I had to use and the amount of heavy vehicles that were using it. It continued to rain. I decided to take the sensible option and caught a train to my destination, Keelung (think ‘Wollongong or Newcastle’).

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Train travel is simple here...not every train will allow bikes but I only had to wait one hour before commencing my journey.


[url=https://stevebly.smugmug.com/Taiwan2020/i-8Lxhpx5/A]
Does this resemble a koala bear or am I just homesick???



Piece of mind in my $50 hotel room.



Night market - Keelung


I’ve decided to pull the pin and have arranged a return flight departing on Friday. There is nothing to be gained by following the coastline for the next few days...things (weather) were unlikely to improve. I have a 70km day to get me to my final destination.

[Digger]

Final run back to the start point today (Thursday)...I’ve gone full circle. It was raining this morning which reaffirmed to be that it was the right decision to finish the trip a few days earlier then planned. It did fine up later in the day which allowed me to dry out before arriving at the B n B which kept my bike box for me. I had to ride thru the centre of Taipei today to get to my accn...it was easier then I anticipated. Just gotta pull things to bits and pack up ready for 4pm departure on Friday.



I had to transit thru the city to get to to my accn. The airport is 30km west of their Capital.



This is as close as I got to Taipei 101...a very significant landmark. It was the worlds tallest building when completed in 2004 stretching half a km skywards.




Transiting the city centre was easier then expected thanks to a dedicated bike lane on the sidewalk.

Stats for today.
Distance - 72.6km
Avg - 17.1kph.
Total for journey - 1,127km.

Shows over...get back to work!

See you on the other side.

SPOT Link IS NOT here;

[Bozo]

Digger

It has been a joy to share your journey each day through the lens of your very observant eyes.

Great you are safely through Taipei and thanks for the picture of Taipei 101.

Another island for the next trip?

Bozo

[Digger]

Digger

Another island for the next trip?

Bozo

I’m thinkin’ Madagascar.

[Bozo]

Digger
That would be an excellent choice and make for some unique images. A lap is around 4,000 kms, being the fourth largest island in the world so logistics will be interesting.
Bozo

[pspencer]

Digger thanks again from the Slackers for sharing your adventures with us. It appeared that the Taiwan coastline was heavily populated with not very much scenic vistas as is the norm on your trips. I get the impression it does not rank up with your favourite bike adventures, but you never know if you never go.
Looking forward to seeing you back in Perth. Safe journey back.

[Digger]

I get the impression it does not rank up with your favourite bike adventures,

Probably my own undoing...I am further north of the equator then I thought and Taiwan has more traditional seasons as opposed to the tropics that I was expecting. Therefore more rain, certainly colder then I anticipated and it was not the best time of year to visit according to my research. It is a very populated country for its size. I needed to fill in a few weeks and I’ve done that. I’ll be a little more critical in my research next time.