Mountain biking: Paoma and Tonghou trails

Near the end of August Gareth went on a 2-day mountain biking trip with Ken, Teri and Charles. We visited the popular Paoma and Tonghou trails, near the town Jiaoxi on Taiwan's east coast. Riding the # 9 highway from Taipei to Ilan. Since the new Snow Mountain tunnel opened up, this road is very quietWe passed by the Feitsui reservoir -- nice views hereKen, Gareth, Charles and Teri, the intrepid bikers.
Ken has also blogged about the trip, in some detail: http://blog.pixnet.net/Kaiteri/post/8354223
http://blog.pixnet.net/Kaiteri/post/8438437
(Chinese only + pictures)The top part of the Feitsui reservoir. Lots of tea farms on the hills around here...And the little tea town of Pinglin. We stopped here for some tea-flavored icecream By the time we reached the Paoma trail it was nearly dark. We stopped here to enjoy the view of the Ilan plain before descending into the town of Jiaoxi, famous for hot spring hotels and cow-tongue cakes The next morning: riding through back county roads and villages en route to the Tonghou trail
Our plan: cross the mountain range in the background of this picture

Just before the steep part of the ride uphill
After an extremely hot 2-hour climb to the top, we began the descent. We first rode along the edges of some steep grassy hills cloaked in mist. Then we had to push-carry the bikes down 3 km of hiking trail. But THEN... another several more km of excellent ridable offroad trail, all downhill. Yea! Eventually we popped out in Wulai, the aboriginal town south of Taipei. From there it was easy to make our way back to civilization and head home.

bike ride to DiHua street

On the Friday before Chinese New Year, Gareth, Vivian & Fiona hopped into the saddle and took a bike ride to the famous DiHua street, which is the place to to to get all your holiday snacks and supplies.

Fiona rides in style, in a trailer pulled by Gareth's bikeStopping at the riverside park for a rest and a little run around

I like playing in the grass!

Here we are at last. Brace for the crowds...

Vivian pushes through the throngs of shoppers

All kinds of different snacks and edibles on display. Huge bags of pistachio nuts here

A mountain of dried squid, in assorted flavors

Want to try some dry mango? Most of the shopkeepers encourage people to taste before buying. One could enjoy a meal's worth of food at DiHua street by sampling everything on offer

Cured meats and other innards... I'll take a pass on the sample thanks

Huge bags of 'shrooms

Peering up above the crowds and chaos, we catch a glimpse of Taipei's past: ancient brick façades overlook the street. This area is one of the oldest in the city

Shopkeepers usually hire college students to hawk the goods on offer. This one has climbed a stepladder in the middle of the road and is delivering his pitch via a blasting megaphone

OK, enough of these crowds already! "People mountain people sea" as we say in Mandarin. Time to get back to our bikes and ride home

A family bike ride to Costco

New Year's Day here in Taipei was a breezy +22C, with clear blue skies. Great day for a bike ride! We called Vivian's sister Jolene and asked her family to join us on the river trails Outside the front door of our apartment. Fiona's strapped into her trailer, we're ready to roll!
Wei Wei joined us for the ride... ...and where there is Wei Wei, you know Sunshine must be nearby too
Cruising the open river trailsMaking a pit-stop
The view from above. We rode up the ramps to the roof of the local water treatment plant, which happens to be the way to CostcoLunchtime! Pizza and hot dogs and caesar salad all roundBack on the rooftop park, after lunch. Looking back towards Dazhi, our neighborhood. In the foreground are some buildings in the Neihu Technology Park, and way in the back are the peaks of Yangming Mountain Daddy is tired, wants a nap. Fiona's out of her trailer and ready for some antics
Daddy wakes up for a father-daughter photo

Fiona rambles on the lawn. She tripped often, and was then fascinated by the blades of grass stuck to her fingers

Taipei bike ride to Guandu

Last Saturday we took a pleasant family bike ride -- all three of us. Taipei has come a long way in developing many of the winding trails that run along its rivers. Now you can ride for many kilometers without crossing a road. This is remarkable considering how small and crowded this city is. Since the weather was balmy today, it was too good an opportunity to miss.

How did Fiona travel? In her new bike trailer!
Vivian hadn't been on a real ride for about two years
Ye olde boat docks
Bike's eye view
Bravely keeping up
Rolling underneath an expressway, looking north to the peaks on Yangmingshan
Stopping for a breather by the rice paddies. Quiet and peaceful here
At last, our destination: The park at Guandu. We laid out the picnic blanket and relaxed for a while
Fiona tries on Mummy's hat, eats a little grass
She enjoyed chewing the grass, but didn't dare to crawl on it! Good idea -- maybe we should lay down some sod in the no-go areas of our house.
Group photo

The afternoon sun began to wane. Time to head back. Not quite enough time to ride to Danshui, only another 25 minutes further down the trail. Ah well, maybe next time
Vivian sees what it feels like towing Fiona's trailer
Fishing boat moored on a little unnamed creek... the sun was dropping fast
A nice end to a perfect day