A Character Interview of Zheng Quan Xie - A person who is good at cycling

Ren Ting Chen

• Interviewee：Mr. Zheng Quan Xie
• Date：March, 12th, 2011
• Location:His Home
• Interviewer： SunnyKnight
• Recorder：Ren Ting Chen

This was the first time to visit Mr. Zheng Quan Xie who had attended many bicycle races. We were looking forward to getting information about bikes from his past experiences. For example, we would like to know the points for attention when cycling. Let's go to interview Mr. Zheng Quan Xie.

Q: What are the reasons for you to be addicted to cycling so much?

A: Firstly, I wanted to lose weight. Riding a bike was not like running which makes people easily get pulling injury. After riding a bike for a long time, I found that I could have better cardiopulmonary function, thus, it wouldn't make me get hurt. Moreover, in the process of riding a bike, I surfed on the Net to get further information about cycling. After that, I was totally addicting to that and it had been five to six years since I started to ride it. 

Q：What and where are the races you have attended? 

A：I had only attended the bicycle races in Hualien. Because of my work, it was hard for me to have the races to other places, but I had been in the races in 2008 and 2009.

Q：Did you get any honors from these races?

A：Speaking of honors…. (He took out many medals.)

Q：Wow! There are so many medals!

A：Actually, there is another race today, but I cannot sell the medals, right! (Laughed…)

Q：From your previous experiences, what were the differences of the bicycle races between the areas of Hualien and other places?

A：You can ask Mr. Tseng. (He pointed to Mr. Tseng.). He had attended the races in other areas.

MR. Tseng：I once had the experience.

A：Are you sure? Some of the races were held on roads. The roads of Hualien are the best places to ride a bike since there are only a few traffic lights. On contrary, there were too many traffic lights in other areas; you got numb with your legs as you were waiting for the green lights. We didn't always have to change the derailleur of our bikes all the time especially on the east cost of Hualien when we were riding there. The highest record of keeping riding for me was 80 kilometers. Hualien, whose length is longer than Taitung and Yilan, is the paradise of riders.

Q： Do you have a part-time job related to bikes?

A：Actually I do not. I am an amateur at bike riding. It is just my interest. However, he joined a bike team of Guotai Insurance. (He pointed to Mr. Tseng).

Q：Have the bike team ever attended any races?

A：Since there is a huge gap between the members' ability of the team, some essential members of the team were chosen to attend some bike races. If you choose the others who are not good as those people, they are easy to give up in the middle of the way.

Q： So, people joined the team for fitness and recreation instead of being professionals?

A：Actually, many people joined the bike team at the beginning and they could ride bikes better and better; however, the others could not catch up. We had people in talent, but they seldom attended races in other areas.

Q：Why?

Mr. Tseng: Contestants in other areas had more information of bike riding than contestants in Hualien. They were also guided by contestants from abroad. To combine these advantages of theirs, their abilities of bike riding are better than us.

Q：How do you feel about the bike roads in Hualien? Are they cozy and challenging?

A: It depends. Speaking of roads, roads on mountain can be the most difficult tasks. We had to climb up the hill all the time. To us, we had to overcome it and think the uphill as downhill. It takes time to overcome the difficulty.

Q：This reminds us that we once rode on a long road and we ended up exhausted.

A： First, speed is not required but endurance. Second, you feel unfamiliar of other bike roads at first, but it takes time to get used to them. After you buy a new bike, you will request yourself to ride faster and further. You feel much comfortable followed by numerous practices. Third, if you want to ride further, outfits are important like sunglasses to prevent bugs and professional riding suits. Fourth, drink water every 10 to 15 kilometers when you are racing. What's more, if you want some challenges, I recommend "Rice Granary Quiet Diameter (193)". You'd better not to ride the road from Taroko to Tien-Hsiang.

Q：Why?

A：A person got shot from the falling rocks recently. That's why I don't recommend there, it is dangerous.

Q：How do you train yourself?

A： Do not choose the roads which are too difficult and long, or you will soon lose your energy and confidence. Moreover, you can use vehicles to strengthen your legs. One of the vehicles is to hang your bike and you step on it, but you are more likely to fall down.

Q：Have you ever tried that?

A：Oh, no! But he did. (He pointed to Mr. Tseng.)

Mr. Tseng: That kept shaking until you knew how to control the balance from your legs.

A：You can try to stand and squat repeatedly, it is like split jump. Try not to jump high when you do the split jump, and it can strengthen your legs. Do the actions for three times and then take a ten minutes break. Change the action with another leg. Your legs are really sour if you do it for the first time and you are not able to get up next day. (Laughed…)

Q：It sounds like a difficult job!

A：If you do this for many times, you will find out your cardiopulmonary function is getting better. Formally, I do it once every two to three days; I spend two days to smooth lactic acid of my body away. I also lift up dumbbells and increase the gravity of them little by little. The maximum of your heart beat is about 220 minus your age. If your heart beat is over it, your health is at risk.

Q：Do younger contestants take the advantages?

A：Yes, they do. With younger ages, they are more likely to get their targets.

Q：Are there any disadvantages of the roads in Hualien to get improved?

A：This is related to the politics. For example, if the manager is from Kuomintang. He will promise to fix the cycleways well. On contrary, if the manager is from Democratic Progressive Party, maybe he or she doesn't want to fix the cycleway. And the road will be fallen into misused. The quarrels from these two parties affect the construction of cycleways. Many of them were neglected from the reason. In a word, sports are connected to the parties in the modern age.

Actually, a neglected road can be one of the best routes. Take the cycleway from Nan-hua to Old Railroad for example, the air is fresh, the roads are smooth.  Originally, it was almost finished with 100 meters long left. It was falling into misused since they changed the manager, saying nothing of making a surrounding footpath in Ji-an. Although people are proposing cycleways, it is hard to have new cycleways like the roads of Bai Bao River. Riding bikes on asphalt roads are better than cement roads, but they still use cement to build the cycleways. Cement cannot absorb vibrates, that's why our bikes keep shaking when we are riding. I think the road of 193 is fantastic. You can practice without many cars surrounded. We once proposed to the government to plan a cycleway, but the government refused it and said "We already have one cycleway, Chuyingqin Mountain." At that time, I was really angry because Chuyingqin Mountain was not designed for all the bikers, but cars, trucks, etc. The day before we proposed the plan, there was a car accident from that cycleway.  

Q：Then, what's the organization of the bike team in Hualien?

A：Like I told you before, people in the team are amateurs, only a few of them attended races. If we want to attend races overseas, we are easily to lose because Asia people are thinner. It is much easier if you ride after people, so some training require to take turns to be the leaders to train contestants. Sometimes when you are almost arrive to the terminal point when you are racing, another contestant may overtake you. That's why many contestants keep looking back when they are almost getting to the destination.

Q：That is to prevent people from dashing, right?

A：That's right! They don't want to lose the race.

Q：Is it possible to combine the area of the north (Xiulin, Xincheng, Hualien, Jian), the middle of north (Shoufeng, Fenglin), the middle of south (Wanrong, Ruisui, Guangfu), south (Zhuoxi, Yuli, Furey), Binhai (Fengbin) to have one or half a day cycling trip?

A：These places are good spots, especially the road between Rui-sui that is near a farm. If you go in the morning, there won't be filled with too many cars and the air is fresh there. To develop more spots of Rui-sui, it will be a better cycleway.

Q：Is there any spot or food you would like to recommend?

A：There are much food to recommend like Jian with food anywhere, Shoufeng with famous ice, Wanrong with Lin Tian Mountain, Guangfu with ice and Ma Taian Wet Ground, Fenglin with pickles and Yuli with noodles. I have non-ending recommendations.

Q：Is the current cycleway (Liangtan, Chuying, Liyu Pool, Bai Bao River, Shoufeng, Fenglin, Ma Taian, Ruisui, Yufu, Loshan) in Hualien proper? Do you have any suggestion?

Liangtan: Deyan Brink Plant Area-->Qixing Pool-->Siba Highland-->Jilaibi Lighthouse-->Dawn Bridge-->Hualien Port-->North Shore Park-->South Shore Park-->Zhonghua Paper Pulp Field-->Old Railway-->Papaya Bridge-->Hongchen Village-->Liyu Pool Scenic Spot

Chuyingchen Mountain: Taichang Village Dashan Bridge-->Jiye Shrine Town Memorial Stone, Jiye Develops New Village Memorial Stone-->Agriculture Change Field-->Qingxiu Yard-->Sanjun Cemetery-->Life Castle Yingtanye Health Hall-->Liancheng Lotus Square-->Nanhua Village Feather Pine Woods

Chuyingchen Water: Nanhua Village Feather Pine Woods-->Chuying Cycleway-->Chuyingchen Water Ecology Park-->Jian Canal Ecology Footpath-->Chuying Power Plant-->Intersection Road Excavation Memorial Stone-->Junda Vanilla Health World

Liyu Pool: North Liyu Pool-->North Chen Water Park-->South Liyu Pool-->Food District-->Hualien Cultivation Institute

Ma Taian: -->Hualien Sugar Factory Gate-->Turn right on Zhongshan Road (north)-->Guangfu Bridge-->Go north to Guang-fu Bridge, then turn left to Highway 9-->Go through the east line of railway-->Turn right, then turn left to the fist intersection-->Go along the indexes-->Ma Taian Lightrature and History Workroom-->Lalan House-->Ma Taian Agricultural Exhibition Center-->Xinlu Plantation-->Hongwawu Restaurant-->Xinlian Bridge-->Dragonfly Bioremediation Area -->Bailu Bridge-->Go along Fudeng Stream-->Turn left and go through the east line of the railway

Ruisui: Ruisui Train Station Minsheng Road (North)-->Go through the grade crossing-->Turn left to Chenggong South Road-->Turn right to Wenquan Road-->Go through highway 9 Outer Circuit, then turn right on the first intersection-->Go along the indexes-->Huye Hot Spring-->Dairy Cattle Production and Marketing Class-->Local Land God Temple-->Wenquan Road-->Zhong Jia Tobacco Building-->Ruixiong Hot Spring-->Go along the indexes and turn left-->Camphor Tree Forest Tunnel-->Turn left to Hongye Stream Outer Dike Road-->Turn left at the end of the road-->Go along the indexes-->Wenquan Road-->Rui-Xiong Train Station

Loshan: Furey Farmer Association-->Loshan Tourist Center-->Loshan Camping Area-->Tujiaochu-->Ji-ming Garden-->Ecology Stage-->Loshan Waterfall;

Branch Line: Jiming Garden-->Loshan Big Fishpond-->Mud Volcano-->Loshan Big Fishpond-->Chang Fern Ecology Area-->Yuzhuxuan Tujiaochu-->Jiming Garden-->Ecology Stage-->Big Natural-->Loshan Waterfall-->Loshan Big Fishpond-->Chang Fern Ecology Area & Mud Volcano Area-->Yuzhuxuan Cycleway

Bai Bao River: Chinan Forest Amusement Area-->Liyu Pool Camping Area-->Lau Xi-->Loshan Waterfall-->Bai Bao River Plumber Ecology Classroom

Yufu: Kangle Street (in front of Yu-li Stain Station)-->Turn right to the entrance of the cycleway-->Xiuguluanxi Railway-->Antong Break Area

Shoufeng: Go south from Highway 9 to Papaya River, then turn right at the second intersection-->Turn left to Township Road 33 (South)-->Zhixue Farm-->Intersection of Pinghe Street of Pinghe Village and Pinghe Second Street-->Pinghe Second Street-->Turn right at the intersection (opposite to Pinghe Primary School)-->Turn left to Guangrong Bridge-->Guangrong Fifth Street-->Turn left to Zhongshan Road (Highway 9 Third Line)-->Highway 9-->Turn right at the intersection after Zhonghua Road-->Turn left at Shanbian Road-->Shoufeng Primary School-->Zhongshan Park-->Shanbian Road-->Three branches road: Turn left and go south (Red line) to Shuhu Community-->Xiao Nan Planted Forest ; Turn right (Pink Line) and go through Taiwan Tourism College-->Xiaonan Planted Forest-->Xikou Third Street-->Turn left at the end of the road, then go through Highway 9-->Renai Street-->Bilian Temple-->Gonghe Road-->Go down to Lauxi Bridge-->Highway 9

Fenglin: Entrance of Zhaofeng Farm (Highway 9)-->Turn right at Fifteenth Road-->Fuxing Road-->Turn right at Zhonghe Street-->Turn left at Xinyi Road-->Highway 9-->Zhengxin Road-->Pingxin Road-->Shuiyuan Road-->Fengming First Road-->Qiedong Property Road-->Yongkang Road-->Xilin Road-->Highway 9

These routes were checked from the Net and then I could understand them.

A：Frankly speaking, these routes are okay, but the Liangtan cycleway between Zhonghua Pulp Factory and Old Railroad is neglected.

Q：Umm, it's a pity!

A：It is. Nanhua Village Feather Pine Woods of Chuyingchen Mountain is a wonderful spot. If you go in fall or spring, the beauty of the place can be compared to the scenery in Europe. You can stop there and enjoy the footpath in a while. In Nanhua, Liyu Pool is the best well-organized cycleway. Thus, the route between Yuli and Furey is good, too. Speaking to Highway 9, I don't recommend it. There are too many cars and it is dangerous. Now, the best route for me is road 193.

Q：Now we are planning a gravity route: Top of Hehuan Mountain, Sanhengliangshu, Chikelan Mountain, Jin Zhenhua Sea, Rice Granary Quiet Diameter, Long Jianfei Waterfall. Is there any difficult gradient road in these places?

A：To the top of Hehuan Mountain is the most difficult one. From the bottom to the top of the mountain is filled of uphill. And the road on Long Jianfei Waterfall is dangerous because there are no traffic islands. As lone as you fall down, you are sure to die. The road of Long Jianfei Waterfall is mostly walked by workers of electricity. Although it is not so difficult, it is dangerous to give it a try.

Q：What equipment should be taken in the gravity route?

A：First, you need to choose a suitable bike. Bikes ridden on road and mountain are quite different. As for bike pants, they are required because they are tight pants. The lighter stuff you bring, the better you can go smoothly. Watch out your weight as well. It may affect you when you are riding down the hill. Your age can be one of the factors to affect you, too. Old bikers perhaps do not have explosive forces but endurances. Moreover, you'd better train your muscle before you hit the road or you will be really tired after that. You don't have to wear too much in the process of riding. Since your body increases calories on the way, we have to eliminate them. Therefore, it may be a burden to wear too much. As for shoes, you can use a vehicle which can get your shoes stuck on the running-board. The benefits are to fix your legs position and make you ride easier. However, if you don't know how to pull them out under you shoes, you will fall down. I did fell for many times!

Q：We have all our questions. Thank you, Mr. Xie.

A：You're welcome.

Q：We also have to thank to Mr. Tseng.

A：Umm….  

Our team members have known more information about bikes from you who are experienced bikers! We have never thought about the in-depth knowledge from bikes. There are too many things we have to keep learning. In a word, thank you Mr. Xie.