Clips, Links, Videos... and cyclocross disc brakes

Team Neko took a little tour out to the Huisun Leisure Forest Park, a route I detailed a bit a few weeks ago.

I also had the pleasure of joining T-Mosaic Bikes for their Moon Festival BBQ. It had all the makings of a great party... including the guy who obviously missed the course in college on the effects of Scotch whiskey on the human mouth and body.

In other goings on...

--------------------------------------

Taiwan Links:

With the anniversary of ECFA coming in the midst of an election year, it is not surprising to see the big industrialists out trumpeting the benefits of such a trade deal with China.

TAIPEI, Taiwan – The start of the Free Trade Agreement between Taiwan and China which will become fully operational after Chinese New Year will grant Taiwan’s bicycle industry free access to the Chinese market. The big 3 Taiwanese bicycle manufacturers, Giant, Merida, and Ideal Bikes, are actively investing in the mainland market.

“Our future lies in China and one of our goals is to develop this rapidly expanding market”, said Tony Lo, CEO of Giant Global Group at the press conference hosted by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) at last week’s Eurobike show. “The best platform to build up this emerging market is the Taipei Cycle Show which is taking place from March 7 – 10, 2012,” said Lo.

Sadly, the economic boon promised to Taiwanese has been anything but, while the social and political price appears to be staggeringly high. Much of the problem is that ECFA is not entirely driven my economics, but by Chinese racialists and their nationalist ideologues. Many of the "ripe" numbers have been provided by the Chinese side.

Taiwan's big three manufacturers are rushing into China hot and heavy... while other manufacturers are quietly retreating from rising costs and strong-arm government moves to commandeer private enterprises.

Also:

• NTU President calls for improved bicycle parking.

______________________________

Information:

Jean from this great blog... and this one... would like to remind TIC readers to become a part of the greater global conversation on cycling by contributing and participating in discussions in the lead up to the Velo-city Global Conference for 2012.

Why should cyclists in Taiwan be concerned about other cycling communities or contribute information and experience to a conference that will be held in North America?

The answer is simple. Taiwan is a part of a larger global community of cycling and there is very little known about Taiwanese cycling outside the manufacturing sector. Furthermore, Taiwan's government seems keen on building bicycle infrastructure and has routinely sent staff and representatives on research junkets to find out how other countries are building and fostering their different cycling cultures. Often Taiwan's representatives haven't a clue what we want or need. It would be great if they could hear it from some other "authority" who may know a little more about our resources and our challenges.

_______________________________

In Other News:

• At last... the disc brake cyclocross bike is back in a big way. I was way ahead of my time.

• Poor bike path design kills? In Taiwan I am aware of cases of riders being seriously injured by bad designs. Tort Law good... Tort Law bad.

• Cycling's Wonder Woman withdraws from Worlds after EPO allegations. Just when I was thinking I could still get sponsored for the pro ranks at 37... sheesh! Another rock star dream dies. Oh... and she's French.

• Cyclists don't do it on the first date. Help change a negative stereotype.

• New York's Bike Visionary.

• What do you get when you cross a large predatory cat with the name brand of shut-in geekdom? Answer

• Timor cycling for peace.

• Teenage female cyclists embark on a scandalous multi-day bike tour... in 1940.

• Using your Garmin as a forensics tool to fill missing time.

• The Economist waxes on safety.

Huisun Leisure Forest Adventure (惠蓀林場): A Trip To Taiwan's Ideal Oasis for Forest Recreation

My Hi Life Fan Club

On Saturday I determined I still needed to put some more altitude into my legs and set my sights for the Huisun Leisure Forest in Nantou's Ren Ai Township.

Tandem

After two consecutive weekends of unstable weather, Taichung's cyclists were out in force and champing at the bit for some saddle time. Riders of all shapes and sizes were on the roadways and making it count.

Team Neko

I tagged along behind Team Neko for a while and it was nice to see so many of their riders assembled in one place.

Rare Cyclist Getting Bent

Along with the different riders on the streets, there were also several different types of bikes.

Rikulau

Although I don't think cycling is all about the gear, it is great to see people's individual expression in their choice of bikes.

Rest Stop

I made casual work of the Route 129 to Hsin She and stopped for a brief coffee at the 7-11, which was already brimming with riders by the time I arrived. The social aspect of Taiwan's cycling scene is something to behold. What I don't get is all the smoking during a water break. I really hadn't been feeling well all morning and feared I may have eaten a "bad peach", which on a long ride, really could have meant being up shit creek without a spare cycling cap.

Clouds Over Hoping

I didn't rest for more than a few minutes to refill before charging out to the Highway 21, where I again saw Glenn from Primavera Cycles out training. I have blogged on this portion ad nauseam, so I won't go into too much detail, but I would like to call out that jerkoff gangster with the Honda Civic in front of me who threw a half-can of Heineken out the window onto the road in front of me. I have a few problems with this guy: a) Don't be drinking and driving at 8:00am on a mountain road b) Don't throw crap onto the road... especially potentially harmful things like containers of liquid... and c) Don't waste good beer.

Follow Highway 21

At Guoxing I hooked along on the Highway 21 through a valley that is just a treat for the eyes. Right where the Highway 21 cuts a tight switchback to Puli, the Chunghua Rd. or Nantou Route 80. shoots off on a one-way trip up into the mountains.

No Catching Fish, No Cooking Fish, No Electrocuting Fish, No Poisoning Fish

The road is marked an official "Bicycle Route" and makes for a nice ride through some pretty towns and various agricultural projects.

Long Haul

Many of the locals are Seediq speakers, but there are several monasteries nearby, so I passed a few monks in grey robes strolling the streets. I realized I had ridden past Qing Chuan Village, which is the location the original inhabitants of Wu She Village were moved to following their violent rebellion against the Japanese administration in 1930.

Aid Station

The Red Cross and Red Crescent sign above is interesting as Taiwan is not allowed to participate in the organization... yet they have so dutifully adhered to the signage.

Geo-Wonders

I paid NT100 to enter the Huisun Leisure Forest and it makes a wonderful first impression. The landscape has been etched by wild rivers and painted by tectonic brushstrokes.

I was soon fighting up the mountain and hugging the cliff walls to avoid debris that might tumble from above. The grades in some parts were over 15% and it made for a good struggle.

Road Going Up

The scenery was that type of wild, high mountain stuff that fills the heart with adventure.

Magnificent!

I mashed my way around one particularly rough bend beneath the shade of tall cedars, when the forest transformed before my eyes into a tame picnic spot for tourists. I was left completely dumbfounded.

Leisure Forest

Here, deep in the forest, there were couples strolling along wide boulevards. There were retirees lounging in one of the dozens of hammocks strung between tree trunks. There were insect sculptures made of logs. There were cabins and teenagers in loud hats mugging for photos. One babbling creek was packed with day trippers cooling their tootsies beneath the rippling waters. It was a "Stepford forest"... almost too idyllic to be real.

My New Friend

There was still a steep set of switchbacks to go, and I made really good time up to the top... and then the road ended at a scenic viewing platform seeded with flowers to attract insects for the bug watchers.

Posing For Pics

I had been expecting more climbing and felt a sense of helplessness when it ended. I thought to myself, "Where do I go from here?" So I turned it into a date with my bike. She and I would enjoy the sights like everyone else.

Frolicking Near The Creek

That lasted all of 10 minutes, when I had had enough and launched back toward home.

Great Road

I stopped for a refill at the Hi Life before heading back home over Route 136 to cap off my day of climbing.

Score:

Distance: 150km (93mi.)

Elevation Gain: 2226m (7306ft.)

Calories Burned: 5000cal.

A Taiwanese National Pastime ?