Riding to the Smell of Strawberries: Dahu and Miaoli

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I'm tuning up for my first Century (100 mile/167 km ride) next week, so Drew and I decided to take a long one on the relatively flat roads on the other side of Jhoulan in Miaoli. It was a stunningly gorgeous day, with little haze until the late afternoon.

The mountains were clearly visible to the east.

For once the valley around Jhoulan, filled with orchards and vineyards, was clear from ridge above. The easy climb above the city is one of my favorite rides.

A farmer has used old political banners as scarecrows for his field.

Unfortunately Liyu Lake, the reservoir, was less than lovely today, with water levels unusually low.

But the snowcapped peaks in the distance were still gorgeous.

....up close and personal.

Drew flies over the reservoir.

As we came down 3 past Dahu, we saw people picking strawberries at the farms that line the road. The smell of fresh strawberries filled the air as we rolled past one farm after another.

Strawberry stands along the road.

After zooming down 3, we turned onto 6, which follows the river. Wonderful mountain, farm, river views all the way into Gongguan.

Drew speeds through the tunnels.

Heading through the farms between 6 and the river.

Snowcapped mountains kept us company until we crossed the ridge on 128 and headed down to the coast.

In Tongluo we lunched at this restaurant full of knickknacks...

...like this poster for one of my favorite movies.

Then it was 128, the open road, the coast, and home: 125 kms, 6:08 hours on the bike.
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