A sad sad day...another mark on my record showing what I didn't do in this trip. First was the rescue car then bus to Kending (墾丁) and train to Taidong (台東), now we are planning to take train to Hualian (花蓮) after visiting a tourist spot nearby Taidong. I can't recall why this decision to take train was made but later many told me we missed a lot on that stretch.
The plan for today was to visit "Water Running Up" (水往上流) a wonder that shows the water defy gravity which is about 22 kilometers from Taidong. Then will ride back to Taidong taking train to Hualian. The journey from motel to "Water Running Up" was quite easy and we reach the place quite early. Not much of attraction but the water that flow against gravity was really wonder.
On the way back we took a slightly different route to the motel. Passing by an air force base (志航基地) where I see few fighter jet exercise in the morning. I wonder how those camp in the campsite (小野柳露營區) nearby bear the noise from the jet. Once back to motel, quickly our stuff then heading to train station which is less than 300 meters away to look for ticket of next train.
We have an hour to pack our bike before boarding. While start packing up met a local cyclist (林育德) who planned to go a round the island. He is halfway of his journey and need to change his schedule due to some other matter require him to attend. Although we are going to Taidong but not on the same train. Due to his bike was a full size mountain bike thus he need to board another train that has more spaces for bike. We can fold our bike thus boarding any type of train is not a problem. That's the advantage of a folding bike.
Bid farewell to 林育德 then board the train and I try my best to sleep so won't feel sad while look of the windows. Fortunately this time I found a small space enough for me securely park my BlackBeauty. Then I can just rest peacefully on the seat without worry it might obstruct and injure other passengers.
While on the train I did a survey on food in Hualian because we shall reach there about noon. Have several shops in mind but can't decide which to have first. Most of the shop I listed out are quite near to where we will stay thus easier to go around. Once arrived in Hualian Train Station we quickly setup our bike and heading to the shop for lunch and we got ourselves 2 times lunch for today.
Accommodation for today is the worst among those we stayed during whole trip. Went to this academy and ask for 2 person room with built in bathroom but it was all rented out except one. Unfortunately when they call the guy who booked it (yet he is late to check in) insist to hold on the room. We have no choice but to take 8 persons dorm with sharing bathroom (sharing include any public within the academy) that looks like those in army training camp. The only good thing we gain from this room was knowing another 3 new friends. Two of them are student from China transfer to Taiwan University and they are on tour with backpack. Another one was a cyclist doing his short tour on the east coast of Taiwan. This cyclist was working in National Meteorology Department and he told us that we are going on the wrong direction because now the wind direction is not good to round the island anti-clockwise. Anyway, we are now at the point of no return then just go on. Moreover he share his experience of going up a mountain, at about 3:00 to 4:00 pm local time fog started to gather on the mountain which makes visibility to the lowest. He said we did a good decision not to go up Wuling (武嶺) at the time of 1:00 pm, we may not be able to cycle down when fog is too thick.
We end our day with seafood dinner at nearby night market which is in walking distance.
We are late because it was the day without cycling :(
Most of the time we do not really spend time look around the place we are staying when we arrived. This is due to the time we arrived is already dark and we have so much do when arrived eg. dinner plan, today review, tomorrow plan, laundry...etc
This motel provide simple breakfast, sandwiches and hot milk tea. Having our breakfast while enjoying the garden view inside the motel.
With this machine to spin dry we are much more comfortable with the clothing we are wearing. From this photo you can notice we are not the only cyclist here.
Roll out at 7:00...
The weather looks good for cycling.
Toilet break, as usual will stop at convenient store.
At the entrance of a park nearby to the campsite I mentioned.
"I Love Taidong" shown on the wall, could be graffiti art work by children from nearby school.
Here we are at the intersection where the entrance of "Water Running Up".
Most of you may laugh at me for bringing such a long and heavy lock with cable but I find it so useful. I prefer to fold and lock my bike which allow me to chain most of my quick release parts with my long cable. And this long cable is enough to hold two folding bikes which will create more hassle to anyone who will take away our bikes.
My camera is on lower side while the water is rushing away from it going upward. Shall have a video to show water is defying gravity.
Bicycle art by the local native town people.
And I found my BlackBeauty in the art too...
Taking alternative route back to motel, this is second bridge that will bring us cross another river which you don't see much of water flowing.
Quite common to see such dry condition in the river since we started the ride in Taiwan.
Again, we depart from this motel but this time was to the train station.
A photo with new found friend at Taidong Train Station, 林育德.
Sharing of experience about the ride.
Packed, parked and ready to board train.
At almost 11:00 am we can still have the temperature of 23 degree Celsius, this is the best temperature to cycle.
Proof of not doing what I should :(
One of the few scene I took while in the train.
Nice route crossing farm land.
Look at the green....(can't help not to put it into grayscale)
Found a space big enough to lay out our stuff to setup bike. Nobody really care what we did with our bike because it was too common for them to see cyclist board a train.
Lunch @ 四八高地
Look tired still not awake from the sleep in the train.
四八高地 do not have many to offer in their menu but the food was awesome.
Ordered braised pork belly rice and squid soup.
I have the staff for chili and they offer me this special chili, claimed to be hottest. Hmm...too mild for Malaysian.
Our second round lunch, a highly recommended food only from this shop called "公正包子店" and my Malaysian friends will call this "Kedai Pao Keadilan" LMFAO!!!
Since this is second round we ordered a basket of 10 pieces meaty bun (小籠包)
and drinks
Visit a Giant store in Hualian to get something fix.
While waiting, I had a tour around the shop. This is foldable full size 700cc bike with rear suspension.
A road bike with full suspension or just a touring bike with suspension?
My ride partner having problem with his rear deraileur (RD) thus getting help from the technician in Hualian Giant store. And he need to have his side stand replace because exiting stand broken during the tour.
Got some free time thus rolling around the city and I decided to stop at this place before heading back to hostel.
This is my first Iced Vanilla Latte since I started the tour, I missed those store in Chingjing (清境), Sun Moon Lake (日夜潭) and Kending (墾丁).
While waiting for my dinner, updating my location for tagging in Social Hiking - Share Your Adventure.
A night in the hostel of this academy is a challenge.
Part 2 actual ride route on day 08 with elevation profile and speed graph against distance.
Part 3 actual ride route on day 08 with elevation profile and speed graph against distance.
Part 1 ride detail from my Garmin Edge 800.
Part 2 ride detail from my Garmin Edge 800.
Part 3 ride detail from my Garmin Edge 800.
The plan for today was to visit "Water Running Up" (水往上流) a wonder that shows the water defy gravity which is about 22 kilometers from Taidong. Then will ride back to Taidong taking train to Hualian. The journey from motel to "Water Running Up" was quite easy and we reach the place quite early. Not much of attraction but the water that flow against gravity was really wonder.
On the way back we took a slightly different route to the motel. Passing by an air force base (志航基地) where I see few fighter jet exercise in the morning. I wonder how those camp in the campsite (小野柳露營區) nearby bear the noise from the jet. Once back to motel, quickly our stuff then heading to train station which is less than 300 meters away to look for ticket of next train.
We have an hour to pack our bike before boarding. While start packing up met a local cyclist (林育德) who planned to go a round the island. He is halfway of his journey and need to change his schedule due to some other matter require him to attend. Although we are going to Taidong but not on the same train. Due to his bike was a full size mountain bike thus he need to board another train that has more spaces for bike. We can fold our bike thus boarding any type of train is not a problem. That's the advantage of a folding bike.
Bid farewell to 林育德 then board the train and I try my best to sleep so won't feel sad while look of the windows. Fortunately this time I found a small space enough for me securely park my BlackBeauty. Then I can just rest peacefully on the seat without worry it might obstruct and injure other passengers.
While on the train I did a survey on food in Hualian because we shall reach there about noon. Have several shops in mind but can't decide which to have first. Most of the shop I listed out are quite near to where we will stay thus easier to go around. Once arrived in Hualian Train Station we quickly setup our bike and heading to the shop for lunch and we got ourselves 2 times lunch for today.
Accommodation for today is the worst among those we stayed during whole trip. Went to this academy and ask for 2 person room with built in bathroom but it was all rented out except one. Unfortunately when they call the guy who booked it (yet he is late to check in) insist to hold on the room. We have no choice but to take 8 persons dorm with sharing bathroom (sharing include any public within the academy) that looks like those in army training camp. The only good thing we gain from this room was knowing another 3 new friends. Two of them are student from China transfer to Taiwan University and they are on tour with backpack. Another one was a cyclist doing his short tour on the east coast of Taiwan. This cyclist was working in National Meteorology Department and he told us that we are going on the wrong direction because now the wind direction is not good to round the island anti-clockwise. Anyway, we are now at the point of no return then just go on. Moreover he share his experience of going up a mountain, at about 3:00 to 4:00 pm local time fog started to gather on the mountain which makes visibility to the lowest. He said we did a good decision not to go up Wuling (武嶺) at the time of 1:00 pm, we may not be able to cycle down when fog is too thick.
We end our day with seafood dinner at nearby night market which is in walking distance.
and drinks
This time I have a seafood soup noodles with local version of octopus sashimi.
Part 1 actual ride route on day 08 with elevation profile and speed graph against distance.
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