20th January Being Outdoor, Fulong Beach – Hotel
G7, Taipei 76kms
Big day! Left Being Outdoor after coffee, waffles and a big
chat with the owner. Got away into the
lovely foothills – gently rolling – and very pleasant progress through lovely
green low hills. Ended abruptly after about 15kms when the climb began in
earnest to Pinglin – very steep and strenuous. We stopped near the top and
afterwards biked around the corner and were delighted to find a tunnel! Still
uphill but descended straight afterwards which raised morale considerably. Over
Pinglin we saw a few paper lanterns flying but it had begun raining steadily
and quite cold so we pressed on.Another rise and then again – a great surprise
to find another tunnel – great! And yes – a descent afterwards. Superb. Big
descent and very steep in deteriorating weather to the town of Keelung where
the rain caught up with us again. Sheltered thankfully and hungrily in the 7-11
where the hotdogs were very welcome after the energy we’d spent. Met some young
guys outside who we chatted with.
Carried on the Cycleway No. 1 but lost it somewhere near Xizhi
and ended up on Highway 5 up a hill in rain and descended again and later
sheltered in a bakery when we found the bikeway. Got on the bikeway again and
it had lots of barriers and road crossings. Crossed the Keelung River again and
got on the other bikeway only to have it end abruptly and have to backtrack
andget back across the road. Abandonned that and got back on the road again.
Made quick but trafficky progress and at one intersection a car didn’t give way
and it nearly hit us. Very big shot of adrenaline and felt a bit shaky after
that. Found the actual Keelung River cycleway proper after that and that was
great. Amazing views of city.
Detoured to Decathlon as we passed it – not very far – but
it was crazy so got in and out fast. Had trouble rejoining the cycleway again
and all a bit frazzled by the traffic and routefinding and weather so took a
bit to get back on track. All very time-consuming. Made great progressand
navigation around the Keelung River cycleway and on twilight at 5pm when exited
the cycleway and crossed the Chongyang Bridge – crazy traffic but very relieved
to find a cycle lane up onto it. Great to cycle into Luzhou down Jixian Rd
right to the hotel, arriving about 5.30pm exhausted!
Relaxed, had beer, chips and lemonade and watched tv before
going out for fried dumplings. All very tired and relieved to be here.
