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
