Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Day 17 Thu 29/10 - Tataka Alishan Range Dowhhill to Dapu

Total Distance : 89.3 km
Today's Temp : 24 - 30c
Average Speed : 19.4 kmh  max: 57.5
Time On Bike : 4 hr  36 mins
Average Climb : 4%  max: 14%
Total Altitude : 599 m   max: 2486 m
Today's Spending : NTD 275
Total Distance Todate : 589 km
Total Spending Todate :  NTD 2451

Woke up to a beautiful morning at 7.00am.And what a good sleep last night.Guess I was really tired and slept so soundly , that the couple did not wake me up for some hot coffee,that was the agreement made during dinner time. I felt sorry but conveyed my thanks anyway. The morning scenery at the summit of Tataka has brighten up with blue sky and white clouds as compared to misty yesterday evening. The Alishan mountain range was so real emerging from a sea of floating white clouds.I had never seen such a beautiful scene before,just fantastic!! and this really make the climb yesterday worthy. Whereas Mt Yu-shan, the highest in Taiwan at 3952m .Situated on the eastern end did not look so good from far, those interested to scale Yu-shan , can start the climb from here.Enough of a short look around and taking pictures, It was time for a good roll down. I mounted my camera on the helmet and recorded a 7 mins video but could not post it up as the files is too big. Have lunch at Siding where the owner showed me a shorter way to Dapu instead of following the normal route 21, a big loop . Now a more direct route to join route 3 and mind you this shortcut was not shown on the map. Riding along side the huge Zenwun dam but with very low water level at this current dry spell. A Dapu bridge crossing then found a campsite at the back of a farmer's house,permission granted but was told not to use too much water.Nevertheless, still afford to have a short bath and a good shave.


                                           Alishan mountain range in the morning hour


                                                      With glimpses of morning sun


                                                                And some pine leafs





                                         Mt Yushan 3952m highest in Taiwan viewed from far


                           Alishan is a name for a mountain range and not individually stand alone


                                                             Ready for the downhill


                                                         One last photo....


                                           Look like some accomodation afterall down the road


                                                        View point at Alishan square


                                                                    Alishan square


                                                      Buddha statue at Alishan square


                                 Lunch at Siding - Pork steak with fried egg noodle and milk tea


                                               Back to the lowland from 2610m to 250m


                                                 Taking more rest stops to cool down the heated rims


                                                                The bents are really sharp


                                                                    Another rest


                                                                     Zenwun Dam





                                                               And the dam exit





                                                                  Dapu , my destination