Nantou: 101 + 56 = Staggering

Drew on the 56

Slow news week and I haven't felt much like blogging. But with the excellent weather, it's time for some serious riding. Monday Drew took Eva and myself down to Nantou to do the awesome 投56, 20 kms of desolate hills, via the 投101 through the tea districts above and east of Lugu. Gorgeous. As always, click on read more to see more... UPDATE: Drew's write up is pure poetry.

ROUTE NOTES: To find this road, follow the 16 to Jiji, then turn south across the bridge on the 139. Cross the river, get on the 131. Follow that south, climbing a bit, to the 投101. Follow the 投101 until it ends. There are some restaurants there where you can restock on water and get some lunch. Water is highly recommended, since after the little town there the 投56 is desolate. At the end of the 投101, turn up towards the town and the birdpark, away from Lugu, on the 投56. On the Google Map it is marked as Fengyuan Road. That climbs steadily, then there is a short but very sweet alpine descent, followed by a longish gentle climb, then a brutal series of 15-20% switchbacks that will require stamina and power. From the top the 投56 takes you back to the river via a long series of switchbacks. The 21 has a couple of annoying climbs as well. This route is not recommended for novices due to its demand for endurance, but for seasoned cyclists, it is highly recommended for the swooping descents and amazing views (Google Map Link).

Drew and Eva on the road down to Nantou.

To find the 101, turn right from the 16 onto this bridge below Jiji.

Ordinary small town roads...

Eva takes a break. Just behind her is the turn onto the Nantou 101

Heading up the 101.

What's up the secret stairs? Chicken cages....

Drew spotted a strange multicultural shrine by the side of the road.

Here it is close up.

Community on the 101

As the 101 rises, it takes you through farms and tea plantations.....

...and becomes ever more rural.

The scenery is lovely. At this spot I realized I'd been on this road before: many years ago with Michael Fahey, I stopped there to get a shot of everyone I was riding with on our wonderful ride to Sanlinxi.

Climbing, climbing, climbing...

A tea farm by a curve in the road.

Through breaks in the vegetation hazed over mountain views...

...around every curve.

The common crop pattern of tea and betel nut

Getting on toward lunch, we got close to the end of the 101.

Stopping to take in the view.

The view.

Lunch. Where the 101 meets the 56 there are a couple of restaurants.

Where the quality of the outdoor karaoke can make you cry

After lunch, we turned up the 56 towards the bird park, past the muddy little lake.

There's a town there. Stock up on water, it's your last chance for a while.

You climb and climb, through the little town crowded with tea dealers.

The area is a tourist district with many places to stay and enjoy tea.

Finally you pass the town.

Nice views as you leave the town.

In a few minutes you reach the bird park. After this: desolation

This section of the 56 winds through a river gorge, with constant climbing and descending, and staggering views.

Eva climbs.

Waterfalls.

We saw few cars on this part of the road.

Just before the incredible set of switchbacks.

Otherworldly views looking down on Shuili.

Another shot...

Finally you reach the brutal switchbacks. 2 kms of 15-20% grades. I walked these, too hard for me.

After you go through the stand of bamboos you reach the peak. A long set of switchbacks to the river and the 21 below follows. Here Drew navigates one.

Farms along the river.

At last we reached the 21. We rode down to Shuili, made the 5:02 to Ershui, then hopped a local to Taichung. Difficult riding, but the rewards are well worth it.

Hope to see you on it soon!
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