Roaming the World on a Bike── A-Kuei's Bike Circuit/天涯自由行──阿桂的單車路徑
Roaming the World on a Bike── A-Kuei's Bike Circuit
Text by Yu-Fong Wang Photos by Jung-Hui Pao
Do you still associate bikes only with athletes or student life? Let's catch up with A-Kuei and see what biking can do for our own lives!
Cycling is catching on in southern Taiwan, and A-Kuei is considered to be one of its pioneers. He founded The Formosa Serow Biking Club, which is popular among amateur cyclists, wrote the first book about cycling in Taiwan, and organized a Mountain Biking Competition that is as professional as mountain biking competitions on an international level. Moreover, he is participating in the research and development of the latest cycling technologies.
"A-Kuei", whose real name is Meng-kuei Chou, studied advertising in college. He worked as an editor in a publishing firm after graduation, and delved into the areas of ecology, literature, history, and travel. While in high school, he accomplished the admirable feat of cycling around the island with friends on road bikes. His life and attitude towards cycling changed dramatically after he was introduced to mountain bikes, which are designed for off-road cycling.
A-Kuei pointed out that long-distance bike tours can only be arranged once or twice a year; however, weekend cycling trips in the mountains or suburbs can be done weekly. Recreational cycling is especially good for urban office workers. When leaving level ground to participate in cross-country cycling and mountain biking, or biking along streams, you embrace nature and work out at the same time. You challenge yourself in the process and find a great way to release stress. A-Kuei goes everywhere with his bike, including to work. Some teammates from The Formosa Serow Bike Club now work at China Steel or China Shipbuilding Corporation in Taiwan, and commute daily via bicycle as well. A-Kuei not only challenges himself with difficult off-road routes, but also explores the streets and alleys in Kaohsiung with cycling pals.
There are many lanes in Kaohsiung that are suitable for bikeriding, according to A-Kuei. In addition to the bikeways in Chijin District and along the Love River, he recommends the quiet bike circuit in Zuoying District, which connects communities for military dependents, old villages, and historical homes. This circuit is not only comfortable but also possesses a cultural feel. A-Kuei has often been seen cycling in Yancheng District and near the Hongmao Harbor.
In 2004, A-Kuei ranked 5th in the 30's age group of the MAXXIS Chiang Rai MTB Challenge in Thailand. This year, he won the championship in the 40's age group for the Look Cup, which was held in the Guiren mountain region in Taiwan. He also takes part in the testing and marketing of bikes with automatic transmission systems.
A-Kuei believes that cycling is not only for recreation; it can also be a way of life. Riding bikes does not consume energy, produce pollution, or take up too much space. It is a very healthy and clean means of transportation. In a world where people pay more attention to pollution elimination, environmental protection, and ecosystem preservation, cycling will prove to be a popular means of transporation in future.
A-Kuei
Full name: Meng-kuei Chou
Hometown: Kaohsiung
Born in 1966
Graduated from the Department of Advertising, National Chengchi University
Founder and leader of "The Formosan Serow Biking Club"
Books: The Routes, A Biking Safari in Southeast Asia | 阿桂
周盟桂
高雄人，1966年生
政治大學廣告系畢業
「長鬃山羊單車俱樂部」創始人與領隊
著有：《路徑──台灣單車路線全集1》、《中南半島28天》 |
天涯自由行──阿桂的單車路徑 文／林昀熹 攝影／鮑忠暉
你對於自行車的概念還停留在「學生騎的」或是「運動員騎的」時代嗎？趕緊加快你的速度，跟上阿桂的腳步，看看自行車能為你的生活帶來什麼！ 阿桂可說是南台灣自行車活動的開路先鋒，不但創辦了業餘單車玩家圈中知名的「長鬃山羊單車俱樂部」，著有台灣第一本介紹單車路線的書，還籌辦了台灣第一個具有國際賽事形式的登山車挑戰賽，目前更參與單車新技術的研發。 人稱「阿桂」的周盟桂，大學唸的是廣告，畢業回到高雄後從事的是出版社企劃與文字編輯，對於生態、文史、旅遊都多所涉獵。高中時，他就已經跟朋友完成單車環島旅行的壯舉，不過當時騎的是「彎把跑車」；後來接觸設計來騎在「自然路面」登山車後，自此阿桂的生活與騎單車的態度有了很大的改變。 阿桂說，相對於以往一年頂多進行一、兩次的長途公路旅行，往山林、郊外騎車，是每星期都可以規劃的，這種休閒方式特別適合都會中的上班族；然而在騎著單車離開平整的路面，在越野、登山、溯溪的同時，不但接觸到大自然，同時也鍛鍊體魄，更在過程中完成自我的挑戰，對於工作壓力更是一個很好的舒展。阿桂不論到哪裡，都盡量騎單車，包括上班通勤；阿桂說，「長鬃山羊單車俱樂部」裡有些隊友，甚至是在中鋼、中船上班的，也都是每天騎單車通勤呢！ 不同的單車路線；不過阿桂不只是挑戰高難度的Off Road路線，也常和好友一起在高雄大街小巷裡鑽跑。 阿桂說，高雄有很多小巷子很適合騎單車，除了旗津與愛河的自行車道之外，阿桂相當推薦左營的安靜小巷，連結眷區、舊部落、古厝，可以形成一條舒適又富人文感的單車路線；其他像是鹽埕區的單行道以及紅毛港，都經常有阿桂的蹤影。 曾經參加2004年泰國馬吉斯盃國際登山車挑戰賽，獲得30歲組第五名，又在今年於歸仁山區舉辦的陸客盃拿下40歲組冠軍的阿桂，目前更參與國人自行研發的單車自動變速系統之測試和行銷。 他認為，單車不但是一種休閒方式，更可以是一種生活方式。由於單車不耗能源、不製造污染，也不太佔空間，是非常健康、乾淨的交通工具，在全世界極力降低污染、注重環保與生態的潮流中，單車的未來肯定充滿希望！ |