TheNHBushman.com

Photos by MJ Klein

Today I’m doing a new article called “Today’s Ride” followed by the date [YYMMDD].  I’ll use this format for any future articles about cycle riding.  Rather than start a new series, I’ve added this article to the series “Riding” where I add anything cycling related.

I took a ride on the Yong An bicycle trail again, only this time I didn’t do my little 5KM circuit.  I went to both ends (practical ends) of the trail and I took some photos to show you what it’s like.  This time, the photos are taken from the trike, and not necessarily of the trike.

The only trike photo of the day, this shot shows the new Topeak bag/rack on the back.  The end of the bag closest to the camera is the compartment where I keep the camera.  It’s very convenient to have the camera with me when I’m out riding.  One never knows what you might see, and today was no exception.

This is the unexplored South end of the trail (unexplored by me, that is).  Looking towards the North in this photo.

Same location, now looking South.  The ocean is on the right side in this orientation, about 100 meters away.  There is a cool sea breeze and with the overhanging trees providing some shade, this section of the trail is wonderful to ride.

I went to the practical end of the trail, turned around and took some photos.  But before I went to the very end of the trail, I had to shoot this temple that lies near the end.  When I say the “practical end” I mean where the developed portion of the trail ends.  The trail does continue on for some distance and eventually becomes just roadway.

Beside the temple is yet another place where you can rent one of those quad cycles.  The couple shown to the left had just finished talking with me about the trike.  Lots of people want to know where I bought it, how much it costs, etc.  Riding a trike is somewhat of an attention-getter.

One of the 5 karaoke places at this end of the trail.

Passing that karaoke place on the right.  I hung the camera around my heck and shot from the trike.  You’ll see my feet in many photos.

The next karaoke place on the right.

The next karaoke place on the left.

On the left side is a portable karaoke place, with a tarp and truck.  Each karaoke place had a maximum of 2 people, and each place had at least one person singing.  So, if you’re a mic hog, this is the area to go!  You’re likely to find a place with little/no people and you can hog the mic to your heart’s content.

Up ahead is the overpass for the new Highway 61.  Under the overpass, someone has set up a gaming complex.  On the left, they’re selling watches.

Wherever there are people, these places reliably spring up.  This is one of the things we love about Taiwan.

More food places, but no karaoke (yet).

I took a right and headed back on the trail, going North.

There are a couple of exits that go directly on and off of Highway 61, so you do have to be careful for the occasional car.  This taxi rather suddenly and unexpectedly popped out of nowhere.

Along the trail are small paths leading to the beach, which isn’t far away.

There are lots of people who are completely oblivious to the fact that there are other people on the trail, even though they are surrounded by them.  They are just tooling along right in the middle of the bike path.  My new air horn got plenty of exercise today.

One rocket scientist decided that without warning to those behind, and without looking, (of course!) he would suddenly jerk his bicycle to the left.  I had to lock up my brakes, and my rear wheel actually came off the ground.  Of course a second later it slammed back into the ground.  I yelled “watch the road, ok?” in Chinese.  Wisely, the rocket scientist chose to remain silent instead of offering the traditional Taiwanese wisecrack in return.  I know this is a general comment, but I also know that 99/100 foreigners agree:  Asian people do not look to the side or behind them when making maneuvers. It’s a cultural thing.  My trike has mirrors and I am constantly using them.

I met some very nice people on the trail though, so that made up for the few who acted stupidly.

On weekends this trail is highly used.  I need to visit this trail during the week sometime.

The trail takes a gentle curve and then you’re back near to the water.  At this end there is an embankment that eventually dimishes down to nothing but beach.  This shot is looking North.

Eventually we reach the area where I rode the last time.  This is the 6th karaoke place in the entire area.  Along the path are advertisments for even more karaoke places that are off the path.

From end to end, this trail is almost exactly 10 KM.  I started in the middle and went to one end, then the other end.  I rode a total of 27 KM in just under 3 hours.

I’ll leave you with this peaceful parting shot.

I’ve geotagged this article with the very Northern-most point on the trail, where it meets the main road.  If you find this point and get on the trail you can ride it’s entire length from there.

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