Info on episode 30: Cycling in Houli

Time for Taiwan 2015-2016, Episode 30: Cycling in Houli

2015-2016年「台灣好好玩」第三十集： 台中后豐鐵馬之旅

Transcript 文字稿:

One way to say “bicycle” in Chinese is “iron horse.” Today we’re going cycling in Taichung.

台灣人有時候會用「鐵馬」來形容單車。今天我們要到台中騎鐵馬～

The Houfeng and Dongfeng bike trails used to be a railroad. The two trails put together are about 16 km long and take about 3 hours to complete roundtrip if you take a regular bike. We have to finish shooting before it rains, so we’re on electric bikes today.

前身為鐵道的后豐和東豐這兩條單車道，加起來大約16公里長，慢慢騎的話，來回約3個小時。今天我們要趕在下雨前取景完畢，所以我們騎的是電動單車。

This is the Houfeng section of the trail and I think it’s really interesting because there’s a bridge that you have to cross and it’s narrow, long and a bit scary if you stay on it too long. Really exciting. After the bridge you’ll come to a tunnel, again long, narrow and really cool.

這裡是后豐單車道，我覺得很有趣，因為要跨越一條又長又窄的鐵橋，停留太久會很恐怖，很刺激。過橋之後有一條隧道，也是又長又窄又酷。

This tunnel is 1200 meters long, it was built more than 100 years ago during the Japanese occupation. This tunnel is the first in Taiwan to be converted into a bicycle path. I think it’s quite cool.

這條隧道長約1200公尺，大約是在一百年前，日治時期建造的，是台灣第一條轉型成單車道的隧道，我覺得很酷。

A great way to repurpose obsolete railroads and tunnels, wouldn’t you say?

我覺得這真是一個舊物活化再利用的好方法。

At the end of the Houfeng trail, you’ll come to Houli Horse Ranch, previously a military ranch.

后豐單車道騎到盡頭，你會來到后里馬場，這裡曾經是軍方的馬場。

This ranch was started during the Japanese occupation. Taiwan was a springboard into southeastern countries for Japan, and the Japanese government established and operated 10 military ranches in Taiwan - the was one of them.

這座馬場是從日治時代開始的，對日本來說，台灣是進入東南亞國家的跳板，當時他們在台灣興建了十座馬場，這是其中之一。

Horses were bred and riders were trained here, when the time came, they were shipped off to war. The Japanese lost the war, and eventually 9 of the 10 ranches closed down. This is the last of them, now open to the public.

當時馬在這裡繁殖，騎兵在這裡受訓，到作戰的時候，人和馬直接從這裡送上戰場。最後日軍戰敗，馬場陸續關閉，十間只剩下這間，現在對外開放。

Houli Horse Ranch is like a big park. There are lots of old trees to enjoy and paths to walk. Occasionally you’ll see an old stable or building from the occupation. If you’re like me and like horses, you’re going to like it here.

后里馬場像座大公園，這裡很多老樹，很多散步的地方，偶爾會看到古老的馬廄還有建築。如果你跟我一樣喜歡馬，你也會喜歡這裡的。

Riding a horse is sort of like riding a bicycle. You only need to learn it once. I haven’t been on a horse in more than ten years, but it comes back to you with a bit of practice.

騎馬有點像騎單車，很容易就上手了。我已經十幾年沒騎馬了，不過感覺很快就回來了。

Houli and Fengyuan are a ways from downtown Taichung, and I never thought they can be so interesting. I knew that Houli is known for saxophones, but bike trails and this ranch too? Holy cow, Houli is fun! You should come!

后里和豐原距離台中鬧區有一大段路，我原先不知道有這麼好玩。我以前只知道后里的薩克斯風產業很有名，沒想到還有單車道和馬場，真的很有趣，大家要來喔！

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Michella's notes 米雪拉的筆記：

We mostly shot on the Houli portion of the path and it was quite beautiful! The bridge, the tunnel, and the way down to the ranch were all really nice. Would love to see what it’s like on the Fengyuan side sometime!

這次我們主要在后豐自行車道的后里段拍攝，鐵橋，隧道和從隧道到馬場的路很漂亮，很推薦～ 有機會也想騎騎看豐原那一段！

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Links 連結：

Taiwan Cycling Festival 台灣騎跡 http://taiwanbike.tw/default.aspx?lang=2

Houli Horse Ranch 后里馬場 https://www.travelking.com.tw/eng/tourguide/taichung/houli-horse-farm.html