Weekend: Riding & Racing

As the rain poured down Sunday morning, I wished I could snuggle into bed- a ride was the last thing on my mind. As I headed down the hill in the drizzle, I had no idea what to expect. Needless to say, I was surprised to find a group of cyclists waiting at the front gate and amazed as this group grew to 18 riders, including three young passengers.

We rolled away from TAS and the rain stopped. For the next two hours, not a drop fell from the sky. Cyclists took the hill at varying paces; I was surprised how quickly everyone made it up. I was particularly impressed with the Earley Clan, complete with running commentary from the boys on the hook-a-bikes...

Helen's Coffee wasn't open due to the questionable weather, but a small group continued back to the Starbucks at the Palace Museum. We all agreed that we will have to arrange another ascent in August.

A small selection of the riders after coffee.

Saturday was a great day of racing out at Fulong. The 55 km course snaked along the coast at a controlled pace before ascending 10 km to the mountain above Jyoufen. After a quick drop back to the valley, the ride meandered back to Fulong before finishing on a wicked 2.5 km clim to the finish.

The pack of 409 cyclists was dominated by Team Columbus riders. Craig Johns, fresh off his recent triathlon victories, proved why he is the dominant rider on the tri circuit by finishing a very impressive 7th place, just behind the Elite Category riders. He took out first in the M25 division. Luke took 2nd in M20, just behind Craig. Leon blasted up the hill to finish 17th and 2nd in M40. Maximus Reedus finished just behind Leon in 3rd in M40 and Peter rounded out the top 6 in M40. Henry had one of his best races, finishing 5th in M30. Eric, Yamada, and Barry also placed in their divisions. In her first race, Kate earned the 3rd spot on the podium. All in all, the Team Columbus results were strong enough to earn 2nd in the team competition- impressive!

Speedy Reedy

The Captain Ascends

Full results are available here:

Overall
Age group

If you take a look at the times from the race, you will see that you don't need to be super fast to compete. Consider coming out to a race in the fall...

I depart for my summer holidays on Thursday, so I probably won't be publishing much to the blog until then. Please remember, though, that anyone is welcome to post using email.

See you in the fall!

Bill

Helen's Ride Sunday Rain or Shine

Don't forget- the Annual Helen's Climb is this Sunday, May 28th. Meet in front of the Taipei American School at 8 am- mountain bike, road bike, touring bike, whatever! Ride will go rain or shine.

Hope to see you there!

Giro d'Italia - Live feeds and TV

For those of you out their interested in following the Giro d'Italia -
LIVE, here are a few links I think you would like.

First of all my preferred link comes courtesey of the premier Italian
sports newspaper: La Gazetta dello Sport (articles in English).
Through this link you will also have access to live video feeds!!

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2006/en/

Another favourite of mine is through the internet homepage of the
Eurosport TV channel. Close to the end of each stage their will be a
live Audio feed, with Sean Kelly as one of the commentators. The link
is found here:

www.eurosport.com

Good luck!
Jesper

Posting to the blog

Hello all.

As some of you may have noticed, we've received a few spam posts to the blog. I've changed the email address for making posts. If you'd like to post directly to the blog, the new address is yangmingshan.taipei at blogger dot com. Any cycling related posts are welcome.

Hope to see you out at the May 28th Helen's ride. 8 am, Taipei American School- all welcome!

Bill

Riding and Racing in May

My last three rides have been just beautiful. On Sunday, Leon and Reedus and I headed out through Tamshui and up the 101. While Tamshui was as crowded as ever, the 101 was beautiful, quiet and cool. We finished the ride off with a coffee on the steps of Starbucks and a caffeine rush on the ride back into Tienmu.

Yesterday afternoon, I went for a spin on my own up the Temple Switchbacks. If you haven't done this ride before, you don't know what you're missing! The loop is a 20 km, 1 hour spin from Tienmu. While the Switchbacks themselves can get a bit steep in places, you shouldn't have much trouble if you take them slowly. I didn't see a single car on the way up or down.

This morning, Reedus and I spun our way up to the Saddle. As we climbed, the air cooled, and by the top, we were enshrouded entirely in mist- a beautiful way to start the day.



If you'd like to check out these rides (and others), download the Google Earth file using the link at right. Right click (or CTRL-click for Mac users) and save the file to your desktop. If you have Google Earth installed (free download at earth.google.com), you can just double click the file to open it and view the landmarks and ride paths on the satellite maps of northern Taiwan. Don't be intimidated by all the markers; you can turn them on and off by clicking the check boxes under Places at the right. If you select a ride path under Places, you can click the Play button at the bottom to go on a virtual spin through the mountains. It's a great way to see how all the rides connect and to figure out finally just where a ride like the Temple Switchbacks is located!



Remember that the annual Helen's climb is coming up on Sunday May 28th. The ride will leave TAS at 8 am (after a late Prom night for some) and climb up to Helen's coffee stand. Elevation, map and more details are in the blog post of April 13th. We had 50+ riders of all abilities the last time I was out on this ride. It's a great chance to say goodbye to those leaving Taipei at the end of the school year and to meet new riders for the summer months if you're sticking around.


There is also a 57 km road race out by Fulong and Shuangsi. Race information is available here and race map and elevation details are available here. If you'd like to do this race, registration closes May 5th. It is the 4th stage in the Taiwan Cycling Club Championships, but don't be intimidated- cyclists of all riding abilities participate in races in Taiwan.



Hope to see you out on the road!

Bill

Saturday Race Report

Despite the heavy rain last night and early this morning, Leon, Bill and Reedus met down at Sean's shop at 6:45 this morning to meet up with the Henry and the Columbus boys for the trip out to Taoyuan. White Dog was initially surprised that Seymour was a no-show, but then he mumbled something about "fair-weather rider" and the boys were off...

There were around 100 racers for the spin down the coast. The main group stayed together until the climb up to the Linkou Plateau. The steep grade in places was reminiscent of Spider Hill or the Horse Stable Road. Leon and Steve managed to keep the lead mountain goats within reach and regrouped on the treacherous descent. Bill and Henry formed a small chase group behind.

Leon and Luke (Tom's grandson) pushed the pace for the lead group of six, but the finish came quicker than either Leon or Steve expected. They were beat out in the sprint by a young rider on a trick bike, but Luke managed 3rd overall, Leon 4th and Reedus 6th.

Overall placings for the day included 1st for Luke in the M20, 1st for Henry in M30, 3rd for Bill in M35, 1st for Leon in M40 and 2nd for Steve in M40. Not a bad showing for the Team Columbus boys!

We were fortunate to meet up with a couple riders from Ilan, Mark (3rd in M40) and Caine (6th in M25).


The M40 Boys...

Several riders asked about Seymour, but the general consensus was that the quick climber would have had a rough day in the saddle given the need for power along the coastal flats and it is probably just as well that he stayed in bed. Undoubtedly, his family relished the rare site of Seymour off his bike on a Saturday morning.

Next race: May 27th out near Fulong...

-Bill

Saturday Race

There will be a 48 km road race this Saturday starting in Taoyuan,
out near CKS Airport at 9 am. The race follows the coast road, turns
into the hills for a brief loop, and then finishes back along the
coast road. This should be a rather small race- let me know if you'd
like more details.

Bill O'Brien

P.S. Stage 4 of the Taiwan Cycling Club Championships will be held on
the 27th of May out near Fulong. Mark your calendar- more details to
come...

2006 Tour of East Taiwan Results

The Tour of East Taiwan was held this weekend, with the Hualien to Taidong leg on Saturday and the return leg on Sunday. Steve Seymour won his age category and Leon took second- impressive results!

Saturday's results:
Overall
Age group

Sunday's results:
Overall
Age group

General Category results.
Overall


Maximus and Greg were also tearing it up. I believe Bill and Bill were riding the challenge race as well.

Any stories or photos, boys?

Bill

YCC Annual Helen's Climb

Hello cyclists.

Recognize anyone in this photo?



This is the crew of 50 or so who ascended Helen's in May 2002. I'm hoping we can get a large group together to do it again this May.


Mark your calendars:

Sunday, May 28th at 8:00 am in front of TAS.

Helen's is a great climb- once you get out past the National Palace Museum, there are very few cars and lots of beautiful scenery. Helen's mobile coffee van has great lattes, peach smoothies, waffles and more. You will be well rewarded at the top!

There are quite a few cyclists on this email list; it would be great to have a crowd for the ride this year. All ability levels are welcome for this climb- mountain bikers, touring cyclists, roadies- anyone on two wheels.

Here's the map of the route:



If you download the Google Earth file at right, you can select the Helen's route and play it to give a feel for the ride if you've never done it before. Here's an elevation map of the climb:




Please let me know if you have any questions. This weekend would be a great time to go for a spin up part or all of the climb. It certainly makes it easier if you get out for a few rides before the 28th, but don't let that keep you from coming if you don't!

Hope to see you next month...

Take care,

Bill

Friday Ride

Is anyone available for a spin sometime tomorrow?

Bill

Saturday Triple Crown Ride

Leon, Steve and I are meeting at TAS to tackle the Triple Crown (Helen's, Wanli, Sanjr, 101, Tien Mu). It will be a rather long ride, but we'd welcome any other roadies who would like to come... Meet at TAS at 1 pm.

Bill

Google Earth Ride Landmarks

If you use Google Earth, here is the most up to date (March 19, 2006) .kmz file of the local riding landmarks. To use it, right click and save it to your desktop, and open it with Google Earth. You can then drag the file from Temporary Places to My Places in Google Earth to have it always accessible.

If you have additional landmarks that you'd like to add (or changes to any of the current landmarks), just email me the Google Earth location, and I'll update it and repost the file.

If you have photographs/descriptions that you'd like added at any locations, email these as well.

Once someone gets a GPS receiver, we'll post route maps, too...

Bill

Some Race Photos

The race rolls along the coast.

Another group.

Leon, Peter & Steve break away.

Steve & Peter push it.

Wheelsucker, Steve & Bill

Race Results

Despite the wet and rainy conditions this morning, close to a thousand cyclists participated in the 2006 Taiwan Cycling Club National Championships. Riders were of all abilities, racing in road and mountain bike categories.

Steve and I raced in the 30-40 year old race with 257 preregistered riders and some additional race day registrants. We had planned to try to break at two points on the coast, and our first attempt succeeded! A third rider caught us but wouldn't do any work, as he was covering the break for one of his teammates. As we cloased in on Jinshan, Steve and I opened gaps between us and the wheelsucker. Eventually, Steve managed to break free, and I sat on the other rider's wheel. Steve ended up taking first overall! I came in third, second to Steve in the 35+ category.

Dave, Leon, Steve, and Peter raced in the 40-50 year old race with 171 preregistered riders and some extras. They also planned to break at the same spots. Although the first break was caught, Leon, Steve and Peter managed to break for good at the second spot. Leon flew up the hill to take first overall, while Steve and Peter finished third and fourth! Dave had a great race; he caught hundreds of riders over the course of the race and was never caught himself.

Results:
Overall
Age group

Perhaps Bill or Craig or some of the others there can write in with other race stories. All in all, it was a great morning!

-Bill


Bill, Leon & Steve prepare in the wet for the race.


Dave unloads from the van.


Bill and Steve on a breakaway.


Steve on the podium, Bill at home with his girls!


Leon, Steve and Peter atop the podium.

Weekend Races & Trade Show

Hello cyclists-

Just a reminder that the Taipei Bicycle Trade Show concludes this
Saturday. I still have free tickets if anyone would like to head down
to the World Trade Center to check it out. The Tour De Taiwan also
concludes Saturday morning with a criterium (circuit race) around
Taipei City Hall at 10 am. If you're looking for something to do
Saturday morning, it should be a fun event to watch.

"The Taiwan Cycling Club National Championships 2006," aka That Coast
Race will be held Sunday morning. Registration is at 7:30 Sunday
morning, and the racing commences at 9:00. There are a number of
local riders racing; the total number of participants is up to 675.
The race starts at Green Bay in Wanli, goes along the coast to Sanjr
and turns back to Jinshan and up to a mountain finish 5 km up the
hill. It should also be a fun race to watch if you're out that way.

Bill

Taipei Bike Show & Riding with Bill Bryson

The Taipei Bike Show is this Wednesday-Saturday (www.TaipeiTradeShows.com.tw/cycle). It's usually fun to check out, but children under 10 are not allowed in. I have some extra tickets (thanks, Aaron!) and I know Leon does as well (thanks, Sean!). If you need tickets, let me know, and I can probably get some for you.

The North Coast race is this Sunday. It looks like 659 racers are pre-registered. Information (in Chinese) is available at www.cyclist.org.tw. We have a number of racers- Bill, Bill, Bill, Steve, Steve, Leon, Peter and David and perhaps more. Should be fun!

Bill Bryson writes with some information about the Tour of East Taiwan which will be held April 19th & 20th from Hualien to Taidong and back:


On the Tour of East Taiwan, the challenge ride is actually longer than the race course, and is 175k on both days. It runs from the Astra Hotel in Hualien to the Naruwan Hotel in Taidung, and then back again on Sunday. While it follows basically the same roads as the race course, it ends in a different place on both days (the race ends on Sunday at Carp Lake rather than the hotel). So, if anyone thinks that 300k is not long enough to merit the drive or flight to Hwalien, they can enter the 350k challenge ride, which also has some pretty fast riders in it.


Bill also writes about his regular weekday morning rides:

BTW, a group regularly meet for rides on any non-rainy Tuesday or Thursday at 0500 in front of the school. Pace varies but the route is generally either Incinerator (Smokestack - 42k of mostly level riding)) or Wimpy Hills (ride to Starbucks through Peitou - 25-30k of climbing and descents). Would be happy to have you post this on the site. We usually have 2-8 riders show up, depending on where everyone is in their training schedule.


Bill has sent along a note and a photo essay of a typical early February ride in the mountains:

On Saturday, we had planned to ride up Helen's, down to Wan Li and then let Kaight lead us up 101 from Bai Shia Wan. We were also supposed to meet a group of Chinese riders from Howard's Bike Shop on the way up to Helen's. We got up to the Helen's saddle and the weather was about as bad as it ever gets there - rain, wind, fog, and very cold temperatures). We were heading down when we ran into Howard and his group. Marcus, Kaight and Ron (being the sensible ones), headed down the hill to a well-deserved latte at Starbucks in Tien Mou, while Bill F. and I continued with Howard and his riders to Wan Li. Resting (and warming) at the 7-11 in Wan Li, we decided to return to Tien Mou through Tam Shui instead of going to 101. Last rally stop was the 7-11 on the hill above Tam Shui, where we once again, after some very fast-paced (but dry) paceline riding, enjoyed some nice hot Mr. Brown's.

Photo essay provided by Victor Shar:

At the first 7-11, we only thought about eat…eat…eat…



And of course drink…drink…drink…



More drinking and eating.



Yes, eating and drinking is much more fun than biking.



Bill was well protected from the cold and rain from head to toe. I bought two heat packs to put under my clothes because I was so cold after coming down from Yang-Ming Shan.



Here's the route map in English:



And in Chinese:




Keep spinning,

Bill

Saturday ride

Steve, Leon, Dave, Steve and I will be meeting at TAS at 11:00 on
Saturday. We'll be ascending Helen's, descending down to Wanli,
ascending the race course hill and the climbing back to Helen's. The
pace will probably be rather quick. Please feel free to join us if
you'd like a push.

Bill O'B

YCC Riding Notes: Spring Racing, Internet Resources and More

Hello cyclists-

The weather is warming and the mountains are drying- time to ride! If
racing is your thing, you should really consider the March 12th North
Coast race. It's about 45 km of flat riding along the coast, followed
by a 5 km climb. It might be tricky to stay with the fastest riders,
but there are usually a variety of ability races at Taiwan races. Pre-
registration is 500 NT to Sean Huang by tomorrow, February 25th. Race
day registration is available. Let me know if you'd like more
information.

There's also the two day Tour of East Taiwan coming up April 15th and
16th. The first day is a 130 km ride from Hualien to Taidong and the
next day is a 160 km return ride. In the past, there has also been a
non-race challenge ride over the same course at the same time. See
Sean if you're interested in doing this.

I'd also like to organize an end of school year ride from TAS to Helen's in May. I believe our record for riders is around 46; it
would be great to beat that this year. Although the ride to Helen's
is not easy, past experience shows that if you've got a bike, a bit
of courage, and you don't mind possibly walking a stretch or two, you
can make it to the top. More info on this ride to come.

I've found a few internet resources that may be of interest to Taipei riders. First of all, if you haven't checked out Google Earth (earth.google.com) for Taiwan, do it! Now that there is a Macintosh
version, I've been zooming in and circling around all of the local
peaks. I was thinking of putting together a few image maps of some of
the local rides- let me know if you think that would be helpful...

I've also found some weather sites.

The Central Weather Bureau (http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V4e/index.htm) is
always good for current conditions.

I usually complement this with the National Weather Service's 24 hour summary (http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/current/RCSS.html).

And the coolest- weather cams! Check out http://twcam.www.gov.tw:80/
webcam/english/scenery/main.jsp?who= and select Taipei City and
either Yangmingshan or National Palace Museum. The images are in real
time and the temperatures are fairly accurate. The Yangmingshan
camera is at the final corner on the way to the Saddle (just above
the Switchbacks).

Were you interested in Jesper's report of a 22% gradient and 1000's
of meters of climbing? If so, an altimeter might be the gadget for
you, and you're in luck- Claus has an extra one. He writes:

I recently ordered a VDO MC 1.0+ computer (identical to Jesper's) with altimeter online at Wisecyclebuys.com. They send me the old model MC 1.0!
When notified, they immediately shipped new model with lots of apologies. Came back next day and asked whether I could sell the old model locally at good rate instead of the hassle of shipping it back to them...

Long story short - I have a brand new in box VDO computer for sale @79 USD/2.600 NT - new model retails at 139.90 USD. The two models are showcased at http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=3786

I'd take it myself but new model already shipped when they send me price - and I was ready to pay 140 USD anyway...

If you're interested, you can contact Claus via the comments on this page, and I'm sure he'd be happy to send you his email address.

And finally... Peter Langslow is back in Taipei this weekend, and so
Steve, Steve, Leon and I will ride with him at 10:45 from the TAS
Main Gate on Saturday. We'll ride out through Tamshui, along the
coast to Jinshan, and then up the March 12th race course hill, coming
out at Helen's Pagoda. It should be about 3.5 hours riding time. The
pace should be quick, but all are welcome.

See you in the hills!

Bill

Sunday 6:30am-from-TAS Ride

heading out to the March, 12^th course – few of us on road bikes going at a comfortable pace/no hurry – ride up the back of Helen’s before coming down past the Palace and home.

dave

Hazards of Roof Bike Rack in Taipei

I will keep this brief. Imagine you had just taken your bike in to Sean’s shop for a tune up, strapped it back on the roof and took off, daydreaming about the next climb. It’s a beautiful February day on Taiwan, and the furry, blustering grass of Chi Xing Shan (Chi Hsin Shan) is in full view, nothing but green and blue as you look to the skies around Taipei. Well, as I thought to myself, it looks like a great day for Bailaka (101). I turn the corner through an alley, all the sudden; BOOM I hear a sound that makes my stomach drop. I look in my rear view mirror; all I see is broken glass. I then look in my side view mirror, all I see is my bike dangling from a power line. The good news is, the weather held, my back window is repaired and me and my bike had a nice ride up Bailaka yesterday evening just in time for a splendid sunset over the Taiwan Strait. Sorry, no picture, the driver behind me was in a hurry, so he got out and pulled my bike off the power line. Any one interested in an on the roof bike rack???

 

Jack Whiteford