Bike Trip from Xindian (新店) to Hsinchu (新竹)
2018/02/17-18, Part 11
Looking back on these two days I was thankful for every pedal stroke I could experience. From the exceptional weather, the friendly people I experienced, the breath-taking views and the very smooth riding.
"Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring (Genesis 13).
Unfortunately many people in Taiwan refuse to accept this island as there home, they have been hurt by the history, have lost their faith into the government! Bless Formosa, the beautiful island, to face their past and not to return back but move forward to find their own way of democracy.
May everyone be blessed and have a save ride,
My new bike pal and me did not ride into the center of Yingge (鶯歌) but took the
dangerous Sanxia Big Bridge (三峽大橋) over the previously mentioned Dahan River (大漢溪). It does not feel save because there is a wall at the right side of
the two lanes, leaving no space to move or no room for errors for the bike rider. Additionally
there are many speeding cars and trucks over this bridge, seemingly pushing the bikes against
this wall. It takes some courage and cost some nerves to cross it even
for an experienced rider.
 |
| Dahan River (大漢溪) near Shihmen Water Reservoir (石門水庫) |
Fortunately there was not much traffic on this early sunny afternoon but just in the middle of the bridge fell my chain off the bike! It was a fix of a
few seconds with the help of a plastic bag protecting my hands from the dirty and sticky chain
lube.
In Sanxia (三峽) we
rode to the famous Old Street (三峽老街); I wanted to invite my partner for some shaved ice. Arriving
there I could not believe how many people used the Chinese New Year holidays to
visit this street. Seeing that it was hopeless by bike to ride through the
crowd my friend suggested another place. Unfortunately it was closed...
 |
Sanxia Old Street (三峽老街)
|
After he explained the familiar way home we finally
separated. I gave him my name card in case he wants to initiate another ride
some times later. When getting in touch with Taiwanese or Chinese you should
not push too hard and give the opposite person some time. I am still waiting
for the call...
From Sanxia (三峽) is a mountain
road to Xindian (新店),
my home for some 25 years. I know the road very well so I've decided to stop at
a 7-11 and have an ice cream first. As I've asked the shop assistant for the
ice box I noticed a customer sitting in front of the window eating strawberry
soft ice cream. I've ordered on and enjoy the cool ice on this sunny afternoon.
 |
strawberry
soft ice cream
|
The
mountain road was nearly empty and therefore made good progress. Not far away
from my home I've noticed a flat on my front wheel but did not want to repair
it. So, the final 1km I walked home...
 |
mountain road between Sanxia (三峽) and Xindian (新店)
|
I
arrived around 3:30 at home, a little exhausted but very happy and felt
great about my personal achievement. Still in a good mood I opened my
luggage and threw everything to wash (sleeping bag etc.) in the wash
machine. I took of my sweaty clothes and took a good hot shower. The dirty
clothes I threw into the machine and let it wash together with my other stuff.
Looking back on these two days I was thankful for every pedal stroke I could experience. From the exceptional weather, the friendly people I experienced, the breath-taking views and the very smooth riding.
We are living in a great time with all
the amenities our fathers only dreamed of (internet, smartphone, GPS, credit
card etc.). For me we are living in unbelievable rich times and it is amazing
why people are still longing for the old times by discrediting the freedom of
speech and suppressing other opinions like their own build protective walls
which already came down in Europe in the 1990s.
While I write this there is a very
clear return to protectionism and populism; the ideas of the 'old guards'
(guarding what?) are on the rise. People are freely giving up democracy for
their own short sighted benefits, willingly to give up this freedom which their
own fathers fought and died for. Why? I don't know...
Riding in the USA 10 years ago I've
told and American that ..."the USA is a great place." He answered:
"You think so?" At that time the word 'fake news' was not even
invented.
I
thank God that he created the island of Taiwan. As God has given the land of
Israel to Abraham I am sure He gave this land to the great Taiwanese people -
with a purpose.
"Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring (Genesis 13).
Unfortunately many people in Taiwan refuse to accept this island as there home, they have been hurt by the history, have lost their faith into the government! Bless Formosa, the beautiful island, to face their past and not to return back but move forward to find their own way of democracy.
Do
not put your trust in prices, in human beings, who cannot save (Psalm
118).
May everyone be blessed and have a save ride,
Gerhard
No comments:
Post a Comment