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Friday, November 26, 2010

Dadu Shan Night Loop and Addendum


With my health and fitness climbing back up, I have started doing my night rides again. A lot of people think it is insane to ride on Taiwanese streets during the day, let alone at night.

Personally, I enjoy the night rides because there is less traffic and I can see where the vehicles are by their lights.

This particular night I was a little slow off the start as I was traveling West though a meaty North/South crosswind.

I always go up the Industrial Park 22 Road to IP 5 road and through the back door of the Tunghai Market to Shinshing Rd. The dodging and weaving through pedestrian traffic in the market is a thrill. I then cross Taichung Harbor road to "International Street", which is a faux cobblestone lane on a hill and the most idiotic series of uncontrolled, speed bumped intersections.

After snaking through the back roads I return to Taichung City on Xitun rd. This is where I have recorded my fastest time ever, topping out at 72.4kph. This time I was quite a bit slower through the wind.

I then hit the heavy traffic of the city. It becomes a real slugfest down there as I jockey around cars and scooters to keep my speed up while staying safe. On this night there were a few lost drivers who wouldn't give me room to get around them.

I then turn back on Wenxin Rd. to sprint between lights on my way home. This is where I didn't have it in the legs like I usually do.

That's why there's always a "next time". Full Stats

And:

On my rides I like to bring the ole ipod out. I picked up the new nano touch and like it more than the buttonless shuffle. So what was going through my ears on this ride. Here are the 15 songs that I listened to on this ride:

  • The KKK Took My Baby Away--The Ramones
  • Rooster--Alice In Chains
  • TheWalls Came Down--The Call
  • Sweet Child Of Mine--Guns & Roses
  • Hells Bells--AC/DC
  • Pump It Up--Elvis Costello
  • Torreador Song--Bizet
  • Planet Queen--T-Rex
  • Puttin On The Ritz--Taco
  • As Everything--The Fastbacks
  • Middle Man Of Time--Young Fresh Fellows
  • Are You Experienced--Jimi Hendrix
  • Small Town Boy--Bronski Beat
  • Change--The Lightning Seeds
  • She Sells Sanctuary--The Cult

3 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed your blog. It has very interesting information. Graciously

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  2. "Personally, I enjoy the night rides because there is less traffic and I can see where the vehicles are by their lights."

    Assuming, of course, the vehicles have their traffic lights on the first place. I once narrowly avoided a night-time collision with a scooter that was speeding down a dark road with its lights off.

    Great playlist, BTW!

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