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Cycling along the Tonghou River

police checkpoint on the road past Wulai

A while back I wrote about cycling to Wulai and noted that the road continued on past the police checkpoint and up into the mountains. I took advantage of the perfect weather today to ride further up the road along the Tonghou River (桶后溪). 

camping by the Tonghou River near Wulai

This area is popular with cyclists, hikers and people that just like to camp out or swim in the river. Being a weekend there were a few people around, but there was never a feeling that it was crowded. People must like coming up here because it provides a great experience of nature and quietness only a short distance from Taipei. The scenery really is superb, the river is crystal clear and there is no karaoke!

Swimming spot in the Tonghou River near Wulai

There are a number of great swimming holes along the way. 

Crossing the river on a mountain bike

The river provides a chance for keen mountain bikers to test out their technical skills.

Two bikes crossing the river

I was surprised this guy crossed the river and kept going on a road bike. The road is actually sealed and passable by car up to about a kilometre before this point though. Beyond here though I am not so sure… Victor at Cycle Taiwan has written an account of the trail beyond this point all the way to Yilan. It involves some difficult riding and it is necessary to carry your bike some of the way. 

Tonghou group photo

I posed for a group photo with this friendly family. They were busy catching and photographing butterflies and other insects. I headed back down to Wulai from here. Maybe next time I'll head all the way to Yilan. 

File next to:
Banqiao to Xindian by bike
Cycling in Taiwan video
Photo in Sky Couch magazine
Car Free Taipei
New cycling website

Mandarin Chinese iPod phrasebook

Comments

Comment from Todd
Time June 22, 2008 at 9:00 pm

Looks like a fun route!

Comment from cfimages
Time June 23, 2008 at 6:34 am

It must have been hot riding up those hills. I cycled about 50km along the coast on Saturday with no hills and was drenched in sweat by the end.

Comment from David Reid
Time June 23, 2008 at 8:33 am

Craig, I made an early start to avoid the heat and also the road is shaded much of the way. Coming back later in the morning it was getting pretty hot, but it was mostly down hill so the heat wasn’t such a problem.

Comment from QuaChee
Time June 23, 2008 at 12:43 pm

wow looks scenic - like the 3rd pic. never been to a waterfall like that - not high, yet wide :) and the ppl so friendly :)

Comment from David Reid
Time June 23, 2008 at 2:12 pm

QuaChee, the waterfall in that pic is actually a man-made weir. Amazing what you can do with a little concrete, isn’t it.

Comment from Mark
Time June 24, 2008 at 3:43 am

Impressive!

Comment from taipeimarc
Time June 25, 2008 at 3:50 pm

Hi David - hey would love to do this ride with you sometime in the future.

BTW, I found this good bike repair video link that you may find useful: http://bicycletutor.com/

Comment from David Reid
Time June 25, 2008 at 7:02 pm

Marc, I think I’ll choose a day when it’s not so hot next time. Thanks for the link. It is very useful.

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