Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 2

Sunday, Sep 09, 2007

On the Streets of Los Angeles

Route: Hollywood-Santa Monica-Hollywood

Distance: 74.21km, Time: 5hours:54minutes:58seconds, Total: 74.21km

   

Painting in Hollywood

   Because today was Sunday I wanted to join a church and worship our Lord, wanted to thank God and ask for his blessings for a trouble-free tour. 
   Already yesterday I've noticed a large church, the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, not far away from the hotel. As I stepped through the large gate into a dark church an elderly brother welcomed me with a strong handshake. I looked for a seat in the back and let the surrounding and the atmosphere settle on me. The whole appearance reminded me of the Anglican Church, typically for the United Kingdom. Even the chorus wore long the same purple garment. 

Pastor Michael Morrow read from Luke 4:16-21 

"16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.

     He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
     to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood

   As I arrived in the hotel shortly after noon I wanted to discover more of Los Angeles of my bike. Generally the road design is based on main roads leading straight either from north to south or east to west this makes it very easy for first time visitors. The prominent and from far away visible 'Hollywood' sign on the nearby mountain made the orientation very easy. As the Basque proverb goes "Earth belongs to the brave but heaven those to deserve it" I went on my first bike ride on American soil.

Hollywood

   I cycled along Hollywood Boulevard and turned left into Vine Street. I stayed on this with potholes dotted road until I it became a smooth road near a park-like housing area with beautiful houses. I turned right into Wilshire Boulevard. On a brick colored building on my right I've discovered big letters saying 'Korean Television America Network'. This marked the beginning of the Korean community of Los Angeles. Indeed, the road is lined with Korean shops, services and doctors. One commercial offered the service of a housing agency in Korean.

   I stayed on Wilshire Boulevard until I came to the La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park (https://tarpits.org/), even for America a bizarre and for me unknown place. Many thousand years ago the earth had natural tar deposits covered with water. As heavy animals went for water they got stuck and could not move in the tar until they slowly sank, died and were immediately conserved. The management recreated the events with large animal models with family members of the animal trying to rescue them or stand frozen in fear watching the scene. As the tar pits began about 50.000 years ago their were no dinosaurs to be found... 

   After their discovery the material of the tar pits were used of asphalt of roads; between 1913-1915 around 100 larger bones from mammals have been excavated and examined.

    Considering other visitors I walked my bike through the park and between people in the beginning but the road became too long for me. As I went back on my bike and rode between the museum buildings I was whistled off my bike by a Mexican guard and asked to get off my bike. I was already going to leave the park anyway....

(To be continued)

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 1

Sunday, Sep 09, 2007

On the Streets of Los Angeles

Route: Hollywood-Santa Monica-Hollywood

Distance: 74.21km, Time: 5hours:54minutes:58seconds, Total: 74.21km

   “The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.” 

– Sir Richard Burton

   When I left my hotel (on Hollywood Boulevard)  the 8th annual Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon, according to the organizers “one of the largest and most prestigious  triathlon in the world" already was on its way. As I've heard the competition started  with the swim at the beach of Venice Beach, went through Hollywood by bike and ended with the run at the Staple Center, the home of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon

   Directly in front of the Hotel gate flew the first triathletes by; for a lower wind resistance crouched in their typical position. As I walked along the Boulevard the triathletes become more and more, the professional athletes were replaced by amateurs, families with their children and even groups like firefighters and policemen joined the challenge. It would be another 10 years until I did my first triathlon.

   On the side of the road were policemen stationed in regular distances, securing the scenes demonstratively sitting on their white Harleys. Everyone was at least 1.80 m tall, muscles could be seen over their much too small and maybe even tailored shirts. They wore motor biker slacks, wide on the thigh and tight on the calf in high polished leather boots. At temperatures at around 30 degrees surely not an amusing job but, hey, this is Hollywood!

Harley on Stars

   As I walked by the obviously boring police I’ve noticed a Mexican looking officer reaching in his side pocket and grabbing a sun lotion. I’ve heard him clearly asking his colleague: “Do you want?” As he negated the first offices squirted some in his hand and creamed appreciatively his face with it.

Hello Delicious

  On the crossing to the N. Highland Avenue I’ve notice an African-American female Policewomen controlling the traffic arguing with another female African-American wearing a heavy makeup sitting in her car.

“I want to cross the road, why does the competition take so long?”

“You are an adult therefore you should know that you are not allowed talking on the phone while driving and that you have to follow my instructions.”

After these words the driver become quiet and while she had to wait she slipped seemingly annoyed on her seat forward and backwards.

   Not far away I saw a city cowboy sitting on the side of the road feeding his horse with carrots. “Curious”, I’ve thought to myself and took a picture.

City Cowboy

   I’ve realized that many European Americans in neat Sunday clothes were strolling to Ivar Avenue while others in full bags came from there. I followed them and they led me to the Hollywood Farmers Market. In this certified (!) market around 90 farmers and 30 bakers sell their organic products, around 30 artists their crafts. As I’ve heard later organic products are the hot items in high society, accordingly is the demand and the many people. I personally found the prices astronomically, for a cup of juice with much ice cubes I've paid US$5.00/cup.

    The many people let me recognize that there is a trend away from the in-‘famous’ genetically engineered mass crops to organically produced vegetables and fruits even in the U.S. Visiting the farmer’s market let me experience the ‘alternative’ America which indeed exists.  

(to be continued)

Bike Trip from Xindian (新店) to Hsinchu (新竹) , Part 11, final part

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

2018/02/17-18, Part 11

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

Bike Trip from Xindian (新店) to Hsinchu (新竹) , Part 10

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

2018/02/17-18, Part 10

   
   Still conquering a mountain on the Provincial Highway No. 4 I've discovered a mother and son cycling team looking at a map beside the road. I stopped in front of it and tried to figure out how to ride an alternative way. At that moment a middle-aged fellow Taiwanese biker asked me if I need some help. After some conversation he offered me to follow his lead to the Sanxia District (三峽區), his hometown and my final destination before a mountain road back home. 

   We rode on a beautiful bike path lined with high trees which are not very often in the lower lands of Taiwan. The island's climate ranges from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south; the average annual relative humidity is a staggering 81.6%. Under these conditions Taiwan is blessed with many different fruit and plants, everything seems to grow easily and abundantly, the island is also the kingdom of fruit. But there are very few 'real' big tree specimens, the larger ones are called 'giant trees' and are holy in the Buddhist religion. 

   The trees gave the both of us a pleasant shadow from sun which was shining unusually bright during this noon. Beside the road there were cherry blossoms to see with colors ranging from white to dark pink, almost red.

 Taiwan cherry blossoms

   The road went downhill so we had an easy ride with a lot to exchange while pedaling. My friend encouraged me to change my gear because of the cracking sound from my bottom bracket. After I've explained him that my bike had a problem he understood.

  After a while we followed a bike path right beside the Dahan River (大漢溪). Flat roads are to enjoy, to stretch the legs and to recover from the previous mountains. So we just took it easy...The government invested in the are and built a new dam which resulted in a new smaller lake. In the area before Yingge (鶯歌) there are some small rice paddies beside the road which let you feel that you are riding in the countryside. My mate suggested to take a rest and have some shaved ice, a specialty in Taiwan. So we stopped at the Vanilla Garden (香草野園).

Taiwanese shaved ice

   To a foreigner many Taiwanese are very open and after some chatting with the boss holding his nephew the son talked to us. He told us that he was living in Tasmania/Australia for a while and later worked in Indonesia but his father asked him to return and help him on the farm. They are transferring their land into an organic farm and the son offered us to show us his organically grown strawberries. Their free range chicken are not kept for their meat but their organic eggs. 

Vanilla Garden (香草野園)

   Still with the taste of strawberries in my mouth we followed the bike path to a big artificial lake which is controlled by the Yuanshan Weir (鳶山堰) which blocks and directs the flow of the Dahan River (大漢溪). 

Yuanshan Weir (鳶山堰) 

Beside this lake there is a path with some grass land which has been dotted with families enjoying the afternoon sun during these Chinese Holidays. From here it is not far to Yingge (鶯歌), the center of high quality ceramics in Taiwan.

Yingge (鶯歌) Ceramic Street

   On the northern side of Yingge lies a rock formation that went by the names of 鸚哥石(Parrot Brother Stone), 鶯歌石  (Eagle Brother Stone), and 鶯歌石(Golden Oriole or Warbler Brother Stone). The last stone is where the current name of the district derives from; the modern name, Yingge literally means "Warbler Song" in Chinese. 
   According to legend Hakka, a group within the Han Chinese, entered the area of Yingge (鶯歌) and planted tea in 1684. According to the locals, the history of ceramics in Yingge began 200 years ago when Wu An (吳鞍), an immigrated from Guangzhou (Mainland China), came to Yingge and was the first potter in the area. Later, Chen Kun (陳昆), a brick maker, moved into the area and both transformed Yingge into the centre of Taiwan's ceramics industry which we know today. 
   In 1920, Yingge Stone Village (鶯歌石庄) was renamed to Yingge Village (鶯歌庄). In 1940, the village was promoted to Yingge Street (鶯歌街), and in 1945 was changed to Yingge Small Town (鶯歌鎮). Today, Yingge boosts 800 ceramic-related businesses.

(to be continued...)

Bike Trip from Xindian (新店) to Hsinchu (新竹) , Part 9

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

2018/02/17-18, Part 9

Before I arrived at the McDonalds I’ve already seen a street sign showing the direction to ‘La La Mountain’ (拉拉山), a popular natural destination with giant trees half way between Taoyuan County (桃園縣) on the west coast and I-Lan County (宜蘭縣) on the east coast of Taiwan. La La Mountain has nothing to do with the Hollywood movie La La Land which won 5 Oscars in 2017.

With this sign I left Hsinchu County (新竹縣) and arrived in Taoyuan County (桃園縣), important for its international airport. The country road continued to be hilly but not too difficult to ride.

Taiwan road signs have different colors for different meanings. The brown ones give the direction to tourist destinations. In my case I just followed these brown road signs to the ‘Window on China’ (小人國) and the 'Leofoo Village (六福村)’ not far away from my home turf.

Brown road signs showing the direction to
‘Window on China’ (小人國) and ’Leofoo Village (六福村)’.

Beside the road I’ve discovered the Longtan Sun-Shui Community (龍潭三水社區) which has rolling hills, vast horizons and fresh air which makes it a great nature destination. This country side community has even a nice bike path, a sign of the positive developments in Taiwan.

Longtan Sun-Shui Community Bike Path Sign (龍潭三水社區)

   I continued until I arrived at the Longtan District (龍潭區), home to the headquarters of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army. This district is actually named after its famous 龍潭 (Longtan Lake or Longtan Tourist Pond) which has a large Buddhist temple in the center. This time I did not ride into the city center but crossed on a bridge the busy but not crowded Highway No. 3.

   From there I still followed the brown signs to the tourist destination ‘Window on China’ which is one of Taiwan’s earliest theme parks (established in 1984) and includes the miniature Mini World (divided into Mini Taiwan, Mini China, Mini Asia, Mini Europe and Mini America), the Water Park and the Amusement Park.

   A very clear road sign directly in front of the park showed me the way to the Shihmen Dam or Shihmen Water Reservoir (石門水庫), still in Taoyuan Couny. This remarkable engineering marvel was finished in 1964 and still supplies hydroelectricity and water to 3 million people. From an upper lake the water rushes through two Francis turbines to the lower lake, on its way produces electricity on its way.

Road in the Shihmen Water Reservoir (石門水庫) between upper and lower lake

Shihmen Water Reservoir (石門水庫) from a distance

The Shihmen Water Reservoir served as a start and finish of my 78 km Maple Leaf Bike Challenge in December 2017 (2017石門楓葉祭單車爭鋒挑戰賽).

Finish of the rainy 78 km Maple Leaf Bike Challenge December 2017

From here the Provincial Highway No. 4 direction Daxi Township (大溪區), famous for its old street and the large Daxi bridge built over the Dahan River (大漢溪). This river is also know as the Shihmen River (石門溪) because it comes from the Shihmen Water Reservoir (石門水庫).  Daxi Township (大溪區) is a popular destination for lacals and tourists alike. The town is sometimes a destination for a fun ride on Sunday afternoons. 

Daxi bridge

 (to be continued)