Comments on: Cycling the Northern Cross Island Highway http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/ commentary on all things Taiwanese — Taiwan Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:43:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: martin woodhouse http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/comment-page-1/#comment-84671 martin woodhouse Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:22:24 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=1617#comment-84671 great post its a ride I must do one day I've only been as far as baling. Another good day trip is from sanxia to daban gen then take the road on the right (北113)to fuxing (which is crossed out) this road goes up and up until you reach a T junction turn left head towards dongyan shan after 4 or 5 hairpin bends the road ends and the fun begins 5km or so of single track the trail comes out 2km from the entrance to dongyan shan visitor center at the top of the mountain. great post its a ride I must do one day I’ve only been as far as baling. Another good day trip is from sanxia to daban gen then take the road on the right (北113)to fuxing (which is crossed out) this road goes up and up until you reach a T junction turn left head towards dongyan shan after 4 or 5 hairpin bends the road ends and the fun begins 5km or so of single track the trail comes out 2km from the entrance to dongyan shan visitor center at the top of the mountain.

]]> By: The ancient trees of Lala Shan - David on Formosa http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/comment-page-1/#comment-84412 The ancient trees of Lala Shan - David on Formosa Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:48:30 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=1617#comment-84412 [...] my bike ride across the Northern Cross Island Highway I passed by the turn off to Lala Shan (拉拉山), just after Baling (巴陵). On Saturday I [...] [...] my bike ride across the Northern Cross Island Highway I passed by the turn off to Lala Shan (拉拉山), just after Baling (巴陵). On Saturday I [...]

]]> By: ingnang http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/comment-page-1/#comment-84380 ingnang Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:36:03 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=1617#comment-84380 Thanks for the post, David. This brings back my memory of more than 20 years ago when a bunch of us friends hiking through this road from the other end. I especially like the picture of the valley of the Lanyang River. Just like what I have remembered. I guess you don't really see too much of paper money on the road anymore. It used to have those paper money strewn along the roadside as a token for safe passage of this 9 turns 18 bends. Thanks for the post, David. This brings back my memory of more than 20 years ago when a bunch of us friends hiking through this road from the other end. I especially like the picture of the valley of the Lanyang River. Just like what I have remembered. I guess you don’t really see too much of paper money on the road anymore. It used to have those paper money strewn along the roadside as a token for safe passage of this 9 turns 18 bends.

]]> By: aaron http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/comment-page-1/#comment-84363 aaron Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:26:32 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=1617#comment-84363 Great pictures as usual, makes me want to get a bike and go exploring. Great pictures as usual, makes me want to get a bike and go exploring.

]]> By: David Reid http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/comment-page-1/#comment-84362 David Reid Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:47:47 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=1617#comment-84362 cfimages, riding long distances is not so hard if you have regular rest stops and eat and drink plenty throughout the day. Computers are very useful when touring for estimating the time until you reach the next town. I have one on my bike in Australia. I have never bothered in Taiwan though. I actually have the pedals with clips on one side, but I have never bought the shoes to go with them. I really should as I know it does make quite a difference. cfimages, riding long distances is not so hard if you have regular rest stops and eat and drink plenty throughout the day.

Computers are very useful when touring for estimating the time until you reach the next town. I have one on my bike in Australia. I have never bothered in Taiwan though. I actually have the pedals with clips on one side, but I have never bought the shoes to go with them. I really should as I know it does make quite a difference.

]]> By: cfimages http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/comment-page-1/#comment-84361 cfimages Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:25:29 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=1617#comment-84361 Thanks David. 120km per day is a good distance - I often do 50-60km and that's pretty tiring, although it might be because I usually only have coffee and granola bars beforehand and don't stop to eat on the way. Cycling computers make a big difference - I think I've got a basic one lying around somewhere that I no longer use. Providing I haven't lost any of the wires, you're welcome to have it - let me know and I'll bring it along next time I see you. Clipless pedals are also great to have. I use some basic ones that are normal flat pedals on one side, and have the connection for cleats on the other. I think the pedals were about NT$700, and shoes about NT$1500. I use the cleat side with cycling shoes when I'm out riding, and the flat side with regular sneakers or sandals if I'm just cruising about town running errands. Highly recommended. Thanks David. 120km per day is a good distance – I often do 50-60km and that’s pretty tiring, although it might be because I usually only have coffee and granola bars beforehand and don’t stop to eat on the way.

Cycling computers make a big difference – I think I’ve got a basic one lying around somewhere that I no longer use. Providing I haven’t lost any of the wires, you’re welcome to have it – let me know and I’ll bring it along next time I see you.

Clipless pedals are also great to have. I use some basic ones that are normal flat pedals on one side, and have the connection for cleats on the other. I think the pedals were about NT$700, and shoes about NT$1500. I use the cleat side with cycling shoes when I’m out riding, and the flat side with regular sneakers or sandals if I’m just cruising about town running errands. Highly recommended.

]]> By: David Reid http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/comment-page-1/#comment-84359 David Reid Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:36:22 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=1617#comment-84359 Thanks Todd. I'm sure there are plenty of interesting cycling routes around Nantou. Thanks Todd. I’m sure there are plenty of interesting cycling routes around Nantou.

]]> By: Todd http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/comment-page-1/#comment-84358 Todd Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:06:28 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=1617#comment-84358 Absolutely wonderful David! This looks like an outstanding route! I think I need to bike a few half-day/full-day routes before I try any overnight ones. Your pictures and report gave me just the motivation I needed. Thanks David! Absolutely wonderful David! This looks like an outstanding route! I think I need to bike a few half-day/full-day routes before I try any overnight ones. Your pictures and report gave me just the motivation I needed. Thanks David!

]]> By: David Reid http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/comment-page-1/#comment-84356 David Reid Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:39:15 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=1617#comment-84356 Prince Roy and MJ, thanks for your comments. cfimages, I don't have a computer on my bike so don't know the exact distances or speeds. I guess I rode around 120kms per day. Although there is a lot of climbing the gradients are quite moderate. I was using the middle chain ring the whole way. A slightly easier way of doing it would be to stop at Baling the first night and then bus or train back from Yilan on the second day or taking three days to return to Taipei. Prince Roy and MJ, thanks for your comments.

cfimages, I don’t have a computer on my bike so don’t know the exact distances or speeds. I guess I rode around 120kms per day. Although there is a lot of climbing the gradients are quite moderate. I was using the middle chain ring the whole way.

A slightly easier way of doing it would be to stop at Baling the first night and then bus or train back from Yilan on the second day or taking three days to return to Taipei.

]]> By: Prince Roy http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/09/cycling-the-northern-cross-island-highway/comment-page-1/#comment-84354 Prince Roy Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:37:35 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/?p=1617#comment-84354 I'm scathingly envious. I would've loved to have made an offering at the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. I’m scathingly envious. I would’ve loved to have made an offering at the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

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