Taihang Mountain Cycling Guide Taihang Mountain Cycling Guide

Cycling in the Taihang Mountains is full of expectations and challenges for many young people. They start a romantic journey in the exciting competition. Many people are unfamiliar with the Taihang Mountains, but they can often be seen in TV series and movies. Let me share with you the guide for independent cycling in Taihang Mountain.

Yesterday, my riding friend Wang Yanan invited me to ride the Taihang Mountains. I haven't been there yet, but I always have a longing for it. Take advantage of your free time on Saturday and Sunday to see the Taihang Mountains.

The Taihang Mountains are over in Xinxiang, about 100 kilometers away from us.

I originally thought it would be easier. Unexpectedly, after not riding for several months, I was exhausted from the 70 to 80 kilometers of flat road. The sudden high-intensity riding made my thighs sore. But this is just a flat road, there is still a climb ahead.

Let’s talk about the weather first. The smog is too serious. The weather was gray and gloomy. I thought it was fog. But after the sun came out, the weather was still like that, so I knew it was haze. I thought it would be better in Xinxiang, but I didn’t expect that Xinxiang would be more serious. It was hazy all the way, and the Taihang Mountains, which should have been visible from ten kilometers away from the foot of the mountain, were now hidden behind the haze, without a trace. It wasn't until we reached the foot of the mountain that Taihang Mountain was vaguely visible. After entering the mountain, the shadow of smog is still shrouding the Taihang Mountains, making it difficult to see clearly from too far away, let alone take pictures of distant views.

After entering the mountain, it’s time to climb. I thought that riding the Sichuan-Tibet Line would be easy on any road. But I forgot that my body, wrapped in inertia, had not ridden for a long time.

The slope of the Taihang Mountain Highway is not too steep, and it is only 12 kilometers uphill. I didn’t expect that this short 12 kilometers would stump me. In just 12 kilometers, I rode so hard.

The 80 to 90 kilometers of flat road has consumed almost all of my strength. Facing the uphill slope, I have almost no fighting spirit. Ride for a while, rest for a while. Fortunately, Brother Yanan has been waiting for me and encouraging me from time to time.

I met several cyclists on the way and was passed by them one by one. I pedaled hard and thought about pushing the cart several times. It’s just my pride of riding through Sichuan and Tibet that prevents me from pushing the cart.

I rode slowly and slowly, and finally reached the entrance of the tunnel. The tunnel is one kilometer long, and after exiting the tunnel it is mainly downhill.

I was so tired from going uphill that I was sweating profusely. When the wind blew downhill, I felt so cold that goosebumps fell all over the ground. After all, it’s downhill, racing with excitement, looking for the final place to live.

Finally we stayed at a farmhouse in Tantou Village. 30 yuan, including breakfast and dinner, is really affordable. When riding the Sichuan-Tibet Line, accommodation alone usually costs RMB 30, and if breakfast and dinner are included, it will cost RMB 50.

I met two uncles on the way. The four of us lived in a house. When I got here, my legs were sore, my body soaked with sweat was shivering in the cool wind, and I was too tired to do anything.

The dinner was good, porridge, fried potatoes and cabbage. Home-cooked food, home-cooked taste, I like it very much, it satisfies the appetite and warms the body. In the evening, we soaked our feet, lay on the bed, and talked for a while. Before nine o'clock, everyone was asleep. I was used to sleeping late and didn't feel sleepy, so I started writing a cycling diary.

Tell me about the scenery along the way. Last time I went to see the Yellow River with Ma Xinfeng, and today I walked across the Yellow River. We walked on the Yellow River Floating Bridge, but because of the haze, we didn’t take any photos.

As soon as I entered Taihang Mountain, I was fascinated by a touch of yellow. It is a forest with yellow leaves that are particularly charming in the bleak early winter. I almost thought it was the school's ginkgo tree, but after a closer look I realized it was a poplar tree.

I took a few photos and walked up the slope. After passing a corner, I saw red words written on the bare mountain wall. When I rode over and took a look, I couldn't help but be stunned. It is not a word, but the leaves of several vines, forming "irregular fonts" on the Taishan Bi. As for what is written, it must be a passionate belief that blooms unruly in the early winter. It adds a touch of beauty to the bare mountain biscuits. I simply fell in love with them and took many beautiful photos of them without any scruples.

After climbing twelve miles uphill and passing the tunnel, the village began to appear. The village is hidden deep in the mountains, pretending that it has nothing to do with it, and living according to its own way.

The village is a contradiction between the new and the old, a combination of commerce and local customs. There are dilapidated brick houses and modern buildings, with the local customs of the village, a few men chatting in the village, and women whispering, but there are also many hotels and many farmhouses.

The increase in travelers is quietly changing everything here.

I became interested in those dilapidated brick houses, maybe I was nostalgic. The mud-walled brick house that had disappeared from my hometown has been reappeared here. Some have been abandoned and are about to collapse, while some chimneys still emit wisps of white smoke, telling us that the owner is busy with life and preparing a family dinner. I looked at them one by one, looking at each other beyond the boundaries of time. That dilapidated appearance gave me, a nostalgic person, an inexplicable feeling. Unfortunately, it was getting late and I was in a hurry, so I didn’t take too many photos. When I have free time tomorrow, I must take pictures of these old houses and keep them in my mind before they disappear.

I have to get up early to travel tomorrow, so go to bed early. I hope there won’t be too much haze tomorrow to prevent me from seeing the beautiful Taihang Mountains.

Heavy smog after 11 o'clock on Saturday, November 13, 2017

After returning from Xigou, Wang Yanan said to me, how was this trip? Do you feel it? You go back You need to write a diary!

Yes! I have so many feelings, how can I not write them down one by one?

Wang Yanan said to me: "I like to live in the mountains the most. When I wake up in the morning When you open the window, you can see the mountains, blue sky and sunshine.”

I deeply agree. When I woke up this morning, I could hear the whistling wind. Open the curtains, oh, it's such a nice weather. The strong wind overnight blew away yesterday's smog, and the mountains and water suddenly became clear. With such a nice day, you can enjoy the Taihang Mountains.

After breakfast, the four of us set off to Wujiawan. Wujiawan, as its name suggests, is a place with water. A small reservoir located under the mountains. The strong wind in the morning stirred the water surface, causing endless ripples. The shadow of the mountain also changed its shape in the ripples, a bit fragmented. An uncle stood in the cold wind, fishing contentedly. The water was dark blue. I asked the uncle and he said it was more than two meters deep. Wujiawan is only three or four kilometers away from where we live. Unexpectedly, we crossed Henan and arrived in Shanxi on the way. The mobile phone also received a message such as welcome to Jincheng, Shanxi. A small ride across two provinces was quite interesting.

Coming back from Wujiawan, we rode slowly. The sharp-eyed uncle discovered the "former site of Chen Geng's headquarters". An old house with photos on the wall giving a brief introduction. The three people who were interested in history immediately got out of the car and talked while watching. Entering the hut, there is a family, and an aunt is packing her things. It turns out that there are still people living there, but that’s fine. The best way to protect a house is not to leave it idle, but to let people live in it, so that the house can stay alive.

A wall was erected in the center of the courtyard, with Chen Geng's photo posted on it. An introduction is attached below. Behind the wall, a tall persimmon tree enveloped the courtyard. Wang Yanan told me that the prototype of Li Yunlong's boss in "Bright Sword" is Chen Geng. The two uncles were arguing about which of the ten marshals was the most powerful. What they said was something I couldn't find in history textbooks, so as a "college student" I could only listen silently.

After walking not far, we saw another "Eighth Route Army Rear Hospital Site". There was probably only one wall left, with photos posted on the wall. On another wall are written the words "Farming for the Revolution". The two uncles saw so many red old sites, and there was a lot of excitement in their words.

We walked a few steps inside, and a "Jade Emperor Temple" appeared in front of us. There were three stone tablets placed on both sides of the door. The uncle recognized that two of them were from the Qing Dynasty, and the other one was about the amount of donations. We pushed the door open and saw an old woman sweeping the yard. There are also several stone tablets inside the gate.

"This is a stele from the Qing Dynasty. These four pieces are two steles." The old lady introduced us enthusiastically.

"Auntie, you have to protect it and don't let it get lost. It's very valuable." The uncle wearing sunglasses joked.

Enter the main room - the Jade Emperor's Hall. The Jade Emperor is located in the middle, majestic. Next to them are several great immortals, the King of Pagodas, the Crouching Tiger Arhat, and the like.

“Now that we’ve come in, it’s unreasonable not to kowtow twice.” Wang Yanan told me, walked forward, and knelt down on the mat to kowtow. When the old man wearing sunglasses comes in, he not only wants to kowtow, but also wants to offer incense. He asked the old lady for incense and went to light it and bow down.

I hesitated. I wanted to kowtow but was embarrassed to do so. As a "good socialist young man", I had an inexplicable resistance and self-esteem due to the long-term teachings in textbooks, which prevented me from kneeling down.

I have no religious beliefs, but I don’t object to them either. On the contrary, I have a vague respect for Taoism and Buddhism, but I just can’t bend my knees to worship them. As for Uncle and Yanan, they went to worship without hesitation. Perhaps they are the simple and ancient original true faith of the people! And I, perhaps, am a lost believer taught by textbooks.

Coming out of it, I found a stone tablet on the right side of the main hall. After reading it in the past, it turned out to be a monument about the reconstruction of the Jade Emperor Temple. Due to the destruction of the war and the Cultural Revolution, the original Jade Emperor Temple has disappeared. Later, under the leadership of the village committee, everyone raised funds to rebuild the Jade Emperor Temple.

From the original belief, to the later feudal superstition, indiscriminate destruction, and finally to the spontaneous reconstruction, perhaps this is another return of faith, but in this destruction and reconstruction, there are also How many spiritual things disappeared with the destruction? I have no answer

On the left side of the courtyard is the City God's Temple, and there is a small room next to the City God's Temple. I went over and took a look. The door sign said "Pingdian Village Flash Flood Disaster Prevention Office". The door was closed. I didn't know if it was still used. The "People's Liberation Army Rear Area Hospital" is next to the Jade Emperor Temple, and the "Pingdian Village Flash Flood Disaster Prevention Office" is a neighbor to the "City God Temple". Can this scene be said to be an inexplicable irony? Or is it a compromise between folk consciousness and official consciousness? I used my only knowledge and left here with random thoughts.

Next we are going to Xigou. The road to Xigou is difficult, or in other words, the road is not prepared for bicycles at all. It was okay at first. The one-meter-wide wall-mounted dirt road (wall-mounted road is a road built on the edge of a cliff.) was still rideable. The road behind us got worse and worse. After crossing a river, there were big rocks on the road, making it impossible to ride on it. We had to push the cart forward. It was really a long journey through mountains and rivers to see Xigou.

Xigou has more water, and the mountain streams are always so clear. The mountain springs seep out from the mountain walls and flow happily to the ground. I can stand by the water and watch the reflection of the distant mountains.

Wang Yanan told me, "There is nothing good to see in Xigou now. It only looks good in winter. Once it freezes, there will be large areas of ice." He also showed me the photos he found online. It was really spectacular. . I could only lament that I came at the wrong time.

We started to return after 11 o'clock. We were not planning to return the same way we came. We planned to take the wall-mounted dirt road, which is about ten kilometers long. The road is difficult to walk, but the scenery is absolutely great. But the haze suddenly spread all over the sky and everything began to become hazy again. No matter how beautiful the scenery is, it cannot be enjoyed by the eyes. To save time, we went back the way we came.

The journey back was boring and painful. Climbing hills at a slow pace and racing at high speeds. The mountains are shrouded in clouds and mist, and you can't see anything clearly as you fly through the mountains, giving you a dreamy and unreal feeling. It seems that the world has disappeared and I am alone.

After going down the slope, we separated from the two uncles. We left each other’s contact information and agreed to play together next time. The best thing about cycling is that when you are doing something you like, you meet so many people with the same hobby, and you can talk about it and ride together next time. As time goes by, there are more riding friends. Maybe one day, as soon as someone comes up with an idea, everyone responds, and they form a group and set off.

Wang Yanan and I finished our meal at the foot of the mountain and started the return journey of about 100 kilometers. We started setting off at 2:30 in the afternoon and returned to the dormitory around 9:30 in the evening. After two days of high-intensity riding, my thighs and butt hurt again. Coupled with the annoying haze, it made me uncomfortable to ride. It's really hard to feel good on a gray day. After riding and resting, I returned to school full of exhaustion.

Wang Yanan said,

“I won’t ride anymore after the ride is closed this time. We’ll talk about it after the New Year.”

“Now that the ride is closed, maybe If I feel itchy again one day, I will definitely ride again.”

“We are so tired now that we don’t want to ride anymore, but the pain will be forgotten in a short time, but the beautiful scenery will never be forgotten.”

“Some people have never been to the Taihang Mountains in their lives; some people have ridden the Taihang Mountains once and will never come again next time; some people have been there once and want to go again. I have been there ten times. Several times. ”

To sum up, riding is really tiring and painful, and it’s purely for the purpose of being abused, but we still want to be abused. During riding, the physical pain and torture will disappear as time goes by, and will eventually be forgotten. But the beautiful scenery and stories along the way will become more beautiful as time goes by, brewing intoxicating memories in your heart.

Perhaps this is the most attractive part of cycling.