Pingtung County April Trip

Day 01 Sun 5 Apr

Hengchun Township Ride 16.3Km

Photo Slideshow

We met up with the biking members from Formosan Serow Biking Club at 8am in Kaohsiung Extreme Sport Center. Together 11 bikers, 2 pick-up trucks and 2 cars set out to Hengchun Township in Pingtung County, somewhere near to Kenting for a leisure ride. The southern island ride covered 16.3km and it took us to Longshei Police Station where they provide all the biker's need from a cold refreshment to bike repair if needed. We later rode on to Guanshan Temple and had a bird eye view of the coast but too bad it was hazy on that day. About 1.5km south of the temple, we stop over for a lunch break where they served the famous intestinal glutinous rice with sausage. After the break we headed down the coast and rode back to our vehicle.

Giant Maestro Bike School and YOHO Bike Hotel

When Ak asked me if I was interested in attending a bike school, I wasn't sure what I was in for. Until I was there only then did I realised it was Taiwan's Giant Maestro Bike School Grand Opening on that day. I felt very honored to be there and witness the grand opening. The Bike School is located in Hengchun Township, only a few kilometers away from Taiwan's famous beach, Kenting. The grand opening was not just the Giant Maestro Bike School, YOHO Landis Beach Club had converted part of the area into a YOHO Bike Hotel. The rooms and around the hotel area had been converted to a bike friendly area which included bike spa, road trip around the area or an off-road MTB class, bike stand to hang your bike in the room and, a little nice fan to put infornt of your bike and many more!!

Tainan Red House Track Ride

Tainan Red House Track

23 Mar 2009
Tainan County
more photos on ddhbike's blog
Google Map

JiMuShan Ride 雞母山

Kaohsiung Trail 雞母山

15 Mar 2009
Google Map

Giant Trance X zero aka "Silver"

Silver was born on the 10 Oct 2008. She was picked up in Singapore bared body from Tay Cycle which I traded SGD2000 for her. She was stripped off all her parts, only the fox RP23 shox, crane creek headset and her body came back with me. I had her rebuilt based on my specification which will be discussed in a later stage.





Why did I choose Silver?
There are few reasons why I picked her. Currently Giant is the largest manufacturer of the world's bike population. Giant gave birth to the second generation Trance somewhere in mid 2007 and since then there were great reviews on the bike which you can view below. Here is a brief history of the company

One point I have noted that is most of the renowned bike manufacturers have their bikes build in Taiwan such as Jamis, Scott, Specialized and so on. Giant being the household name in Taiwan, it is logical to get a bike that the country industry is based upon. Why would I pay more for an American model when it was built in Taiwan.

Second generation Trance X zero was built on the most advance technology; Alluxx Aluminum Technology and also the design of Maestro suspension which had proven very effective since 2005. The new design of the aluminum frame with four piviot point suspension had reduced the weight by 450gm from the first generation.

As for her looks, you have to agree that she is a beauty, the polished bared aluminum make her stand out in the crowd and further to that she will take scratches that will not show too much. When you saddle her, the curves on the upper tube makes you look tall.


Reviews and News
Bike Magic
Dirt Rag magazine
NSMBe.magazine
cyclingnews.com
mtbr
Giant Trance X0 chosen for 2008 Best of Adeventure Gear

Adventure Around Chemu village in Wutai Township

Pingtung County
15 Feb 2009

If I counted correctly, 17 Serowan Bikers got together today for a little adventure on the wild side. The idea.... head to Wutai Township to visit an isolate waterfall and ride up the "sky city". I decided the skip the later and get back for some beer.

Sun Moon Lake Biking and Sitou Hiking

The weekend 6 to 8 Feb 2009, last minute decision to head up Sun Moon Lake and Sitou for some outdoor activity.


Sun Moon Lake 日月潭 Google Map



This is the third time I have been to Sun Moon Lake but this time was different, we decided to bike around Sun Moon Lake.


Accommodation - Youth Centre
Room - 7/10 bedding was comfortable with wooden flooring
Food - 6/10 dinner was nothing great, breakfast was good.
Service - 7/10 no room service but the counter was helpful.
Room for 4 package would cost around NTD3100 included bikes (Giant Boulder), dinner and breakfast

Activity - 20km biking around the lake.
Resource - Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area


Sitou Forest Recreation Park 溪頭森林遊樂區 Google Map


Indeed is a recreation park, basically you just walk and walk and view the nature. Most of the path have been paved so kids and elderly could just do it.
Accommodation - Youth Centre
Room - 7/10 wooden flooring no beds but bedding provided
Food - 6/10 nothing fantastic
Service - 6/10 no room service but counter was helpful
Room package of 8 included dinner and breakfast cost around NTD3500

Activity - 20km of so call "Hiking".


Well.. This is not really an adventure trip but a recreation fun for family. However I did some workout like pushing myself biking faster up the mountain in Sun Moon Lake and running up and down almost 2km of steps in Sitou. It been 2 days since I am back and both my legs are still aching. Guess it had been a good work out over the weekend.