Bike Trip from Xindian (新店) to Hsinchu (新竹) , Part 8

Bike Trip from Xindian (新店) to Hsinchu (新竹)

2018/02/17-18, Part 8

After a good night sleep I woke up at 7:00 in the morning. I’ve heard in Japan you are allowed to camp in every park but have to leave before the same time.

I took some photos and started to pack. I think it’s a kind of manner to clean up but also as a gesture of respect to the place which let me rest…
 

my place of the night

Yesterday I have seen a Giant dealer not far away. Each pedal stroke produced some cracking noise; I was not sure if it came from my bottom bracket or my chain. To make sure I thought I should visit a bike shop.  But like yesterday it was closed. As I could not find a sign for opening hours I just lived with the sound while pedaling for the rest of the day.

Not far from my camp is the Hsinchu Fish Harbor (新竹漁港) or Nanliao Harbor (南寮漁港) as it is known to locals. As with most fish harbors the fish and seafood is sold to consumers but it serves also as a wholesaler to businesses. In the early morning there were no humans but stray dogs to be seen.

I don’t know why but a harbor full of ships with the ocean in the background gives me a sense of freedom; unlimited thoughts fly to the horizons far away. In German there is the phrase ‘Leinen los’ which I would translate into ‘unloose the rope’ which refers to the rope which fixes the ship onto the dock. 
 

Peace I (Jesus) leave with you; My peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it fear. (John 14:27)

Hsinchu Fish Harbor (新竹漁港)

After some photos for my smart-phone and my mind I hit the road again.

Yesterday I had a great wind pushing me to the south. Unless the wind changes it would be unwise to ride the same road back home. Furthermore I had to take the road on the side of the mountains and could sparsely see the Taiwan Strait. Therefore I’ve decide to take another cross-country route back home.

I cycled back to the main street which led me to the ‘Ordinary Provincial Highway No. 15’. But I turned right to look for a breakfast. Unfortunately it was too early and so I turned back. I crossed yesterday’s Hsinchu Port Big Bridge (竹港大橋) but after the Fengshan Creek Bridge (鳳山溪橋) left for Zhubei City or 竹北市. From here the flat roads were gone, the road become a big up and down as expected in a hilly environment.
 

The agricultural aspect of Zhubei has shifted from mainly rice paddy farming to more floral and fruit cultivation that attracts tourists; however the majority of the local economy is now fueled by the semiconductor industry, real estate speculation and the service sector. Parts of Zhubei City have retained their traditional infrastructure following the demolition of the old city. There are also industrial parks in the city, which are the Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park and the Tai Yuen Hi-Tech Industrial Park (Wikipedia).

Even with the beautiful and traditional views of the countryside I would not overhear my stomach calling for breakfast. I found a McDonald’s which offers Western breakfast in a clean environment. I parked my bike unlocked before the big window where I could see my bike. First I was interested to secure a place with an electric outlet to charge my phone. After claiming the seat by placing my helmet on the table I ordered. Back to the seat I charged my phone while enjoying a great breakfast.

There were only a few customers in the restaurant, few locals but many mostly female Philippine workers. As strange it may seem but even Taiwanese companies or families take advantage of the cheaper workforce from Southeast Asia. Many factory and service workers but also housekeepers and caretakers come from the Philippines to earn the harder Taiwan currency which they send back to support their families back home.

The toilets in this McDonalds were very clean; I washed my face, brushed my teeth and made my business there. 
After finishing I’ve discovered a hardware supermarket and went inside. As mentioned I could not locate if the cracking sound came from the bottom bracket or the chain so I bought a spray lubricant for my chain (NT$130=USD4.45) and a replacement of my frame pump (NT$199=USD6.79) which I forgot after my inner tube replacement yesterday. Both I took home and still use…

After spaying the lube the condition of the ride quality did not change. At least I’ve figured out that the reason must be the bottom bracket itself. I could not repair it on the road so I continued and lived with the sound for the rest of the day. 

emptied fruit stall beside the road

(to be continued)