Little Roads Make Big Rides: 東崎街,苗56, 花草坑農路, 130, 苗54-1, 苗49, 苗51-1

A couple weeks ago I completed an absolute gem of a ride without going too far from home. For the majority of my ride I was alone with no other company other than the occasional eagle hovering above my shoulder or the garbled echo of a Taiwanese radio station being pumped into the orchards over a rusty sound system. 

Considering I was never really more than a dozen of so kilometers from busy towns and more densely populated cities, this type of cycling solitude is almost unheard of. 

It was only by stringing together a few country roads that I was able to put it all together into a single gleamingly clear day of riding. 

(I would love to provide a map, but it seems my mapping tool is experiencing some trouble.)



The official beginning of this ride was in Dongshih, on the Dongqi St. (東崎街). 



Dongqi St. is a shallow climb through the orchards on the ridge above Dongshih. It eventually tops off with a short climb before descending into the Da-an River. 



I briefly linked to the riverside viaduct that leads back to Jhuolan where I caught up with the old Route 55 better known as Pinglin Rd. 



Pinglin Rd. was quiet and delightful as usual. I did have to shoo off a couple of big dogs, but other than that it was its usual charming self. 



After the first climb and descent on Pinglin Rd. near the Pinglin Elementary School, I made a left up the Hua-cao Keng Farm Rd. (花草坑農路). This is a tight climb along a forested hillside that is really a spectacle... until you get to the top of the hill where someone has used it as a garbage dump. 



From the top I couple look out over the ridge to the larger hills looming on the horizon. 



I made a link to the 54-1 that dipped into one of the more remote fingers of the Liyu Reservoir. 



So much of the route was like this. A dip into a hidden gully or an arc along a a bare orchard. 



I was eventually dumped off on the Highway 3, where I plodded up the asphalt onto the Route 130. 
Although I have climbed the 130 several times. I had never taken the 56 from the lower section of the 130. I had exited there before, but never the opposite way. Therefore, I was a bit surprised by the degree of climbing I had to commit to on the eastern end. 



I chipped away at the hill and snap a picture or two as I emerged from the forest into sunlight. Then it was back into the forest for more climbing. 

The descent was a bit rough, but some parts smooth out for a good swooping drop. 

I hit the Route 49 and let gravity pull me to the base of my final climb up the 51-1 toward Sanyi. 

It is a bit of a chug to hack up that long climb into Sanyi. The gradient isn't too bad, but the hill is broad enough to make it a fair bit of work. 



I continued along the 51-1 as afternoon sunshine filtered through the gaps in the canopy above. It was completely peaceful. What a wonderful road. 



By the time I dropped out of the hills, I had been passed by no more that a dozen cars over the course of the ride. 

This is a route that will go on record as one of my all time favourites. 

This was 140km of riding from Taichung that well have been a million miles away. 

Packin' Pistola

Cycling has become a part of the local landscape

For the past few months my good friend Michael C. (also friend of cyclists Michael T from The View From Taiwan., Michael F., and Michael K.) has been sorely disappointed with his current bike, a Giant hybrid, and has been plotting and negotiating with the missus to get a new bike that actually fits his riding style and suits his goals for his future as a cycling enthusiast. I have been doing my best to give him some help (or not) in finding something that he would really want and like to ride and that fits his size and power. I have to admit, I have been playing a bit of devil's advocate to help clear away the clouds of marketing to look at the fundamentals of the bikes... and at times I am sure I have been a bit of a jerk about it, but when you've watched your friend agonize over having the wrong bike, you hope he gets it right the next time. It is like watching a friend date a girl who is bad for him. So for some time I have been pouring over geometries, discussing materials and components, looking at after sale service and warrantees, and lots and lots of customer reviews. I have been looking for the potential problems. But when it comes down to it... you just need to get out and ride the friggin' bikes. Even if you don't want to buy them, the more you ride the more you can tell the difference between them.

The Salsa Pistola tester

Today Michael C. took the day to test out the steel Pistola from Salsa Cycles. Just because I own a Salsa does not mean I wasn't critical of it. The Pistola is kind of a neat bike in that it is a modern road bike with compact geometry, but it is made with True Temper OX Platinum alloyed steel, which is a composite of chromium, molybdenum and vanadium for a lightweight steel tubing that retains its rigidity. It is really an excellent frame material, but steel has lost out in recent years to cheap aluminum frames and carbon fiber. Still, steel makes an excellent frame that can take some real punishment. The tester was supplied by Tom at Famous Cycles in Taichung and it was speced out with SRAM Rival, another great groupset. SRAM has been a real innovator in the past few years and I gotta say, as a Shimano man, I am a bit jealous.

With a bike to put through its paces Michael C., Michael T. and I decided to hit the pavement and punish the bike in real world conditions. A lot of shops don't let customers ride before they buy. Giant shops often don't let customers take a bike out of the store unless it is paid for. A terrible way to buy a bike. We are really grateful to Tom for allowing a full road test.

Michael tests the bike on a standing climb

We took off from Feng yuan in Taichung County and followed the Highway 3 past the reservoir. The first part of the trip took us over the rolling hills between Taichung and Miao li counties.

A group of Taiwanese cyclists brave the risk of falling out of fashion

by participating in last season's fad: cycling

A few clicks past the reservoir we turned onto the Miao li County Rd. 130. The 130 is a pretty rough hill climb that scales a (770m) 2500ft. mountain and descends into San yi. It is a beautiful road that really let Michael C. put the climbing abilities of the Pistola to the test. He tested for excessive flex, comfort and climbing chops.

A peloton of Michaels

We stopped at an expensive Hakka restaurant called the Mile High. They served fat. Really! We ate a bowl of fat with some traces of meat in it. As an athlete it is really hard to deliberately eat fat. I have been conditioned against it.

The view from the 130

We continued to the top where the views are spectacular and, like most roadside scenic views in Taiwan, the hill top was canvassed in carts selling coffee and sweet sausages. I have been told by an area local that the rice sausage they sell at the top has been bleached to make it look fresh.

Michael T. and Michael C. crest the last hill

The back side of the hill is a great, high speed descent with tight turns and switchbacks. Michael flew down the hill and cut into the turns. The Pistola was extremely stable in this regard.

Stressing the frame on a steady climb

We took the left at the bottom of the hill that leads to the "Broken Bridge". As I was flying down the road at 27mph. my derailleur cable snapped and I was stuck on the 12 tooth cog. This made the entire ride to Feng Yuan feel like another hill climb.

Michael on the Pistola

We finally made it to a Giant shop and chatted with some old men, exchanging routes and biking info while they fixed my cable.

Michael finished his tester of the Pistola with a generally positive review of the frame. It was stiff enough for climbing, yet forgiving in that it could easily be used for century rides without getting beaten up. It descended with confidence and felt solid, like a steel bike should.

The fit wasn't quite right and so he felt he was reaching for the levers and the biggest problem he had was with the Salsa Short and Shallow ergo bars. Some people like them others hate them... he was a hater. He could have used a different seat. The Mavic Askium Race wheels, which we all expected to be a bigger problem, were not that bad, but a serious rider would probably want to upgrade. The SRAM gruppo was tight and responsive. The hoods were comfy and the brakes worked very well. So the review was mixed. I am not sure if he will go with this bike or not, but it would be a great bike for a person looking for a durable, distance bike or a person who likes the feel of steel. I would say if you are considering a Specialized Roubaix and want or prefer a tough steel frame, the Pistola is worth a look. With the right fit this is a real stand out. Oh! It is manufactured, I believe, but don't quote me, by Maxway in Da jia, which is known for its high quality steel welds. I have to admit to a twinge of jealousy.

Orientalism:

If you really dig this picture I have a set of replica samurai swords to sell you.

The view on the way home.