Today's Temp : 23 - 32c
Average Speed : 7.7 kph max: 43.5
Time On Bike : 3 hr 20 min
Average Climb : 7% max: 18%
Total Altitude : max: 1413 m
Today's Spending : NTD 30
Total Distance Todate : 150.6 km
Total Spending Todate : NTD 406
What a short ride today! but it was really a very very tough ride. The uphill climb continued from yesterday,on the straight was manageble but the corners were sharp and steep,this is where I was beaten and force to get down and push.My speedometer recorded 2.5 kph and it is almost impossible to keep the bike in balance.The total weight (bike and luggage) excluding me, was easily between 50-55kg. Today's route was not even appeared on the map,so asking and confirming directions is a must whenever approaching a junction ,mind you some junctions don't have signboards. I was reminded by John Chiang on this several times before I left Shulin. It is always a wise move to ask and confirm the correct direction instead of acting smart and go the wrong way.The small roads signs didn't show the kilometer and the locals don't know either,what you get in reply " Oh! that's very far,bad road and very hilly ,not good for your bicycle etc..etc" I can understand their good advice but for the adventure tour cyclists, we want to avoid busy roads and prefer countrysite small and quite roads . Not only these less-traveled places have natural beauty in sceneries, great chances to meet the local tribes and easy to spot good campsite. Today's campsite near a bridge with a stream flowing. I spotted this at 3pm. Just wanted to have a good bath when the water is not too cold. There I met a few workers pumping the water from the stream to water the plants in the hill slope. There are on a monthly maintenance routine by government contract. I boiled some hot coffee for them.After dinner and the journal write up .I went to bed early at 9pm.The weather had been kind so far,and tonight the sky is brightened by half moon and many many stars. My heart too , cos' tomorrow will be a downhill day and joining to the Bei Bu Kong Lu ( route 7).
