Take a trip to the coast

On Thursday Duncan had a thought: "I've not been to the coast!"
Well he's been to the sea down in Kenting... but that's like saying you've been to Brighton but not Hornsea when you live in Hull... madness.
So using Googlearth to plot a route from his house to the sea (16 miles as the crow flies) and checking his trusty bike compass was still working, he set out on a grey windy afternoon through Yuanlin Westwards.
The day was not so nice, before long a fine drizzle came down that not so much drenched his clothes, but rather dampened his spirits. The wind was not gusty, more of a dark force that didnt want him to get to the coast.
The road too was probably the dullest he'd cycled down... a concrete dual carriage bordered by dirty warehouses and the occasional neon glass box of the beetlenut girl.
After an hour and 18 miles without a change of scenery, the road seemed to veer northwards. He decided to take a left down a random track which ended in a bustling village centre with the typical touristy traders that appear near attractions... what the attraction round here was, he could not tell.
At the far end of the village he took another turn westwards, and cycled what could have been post-invasion Normandy beach... with still no sign of the sea.
The path narrowed and followed a small embankment. After 20 miles and not sure if he would ever see the sea today, Duncan climbed the embankment for a better view and lo behold! There was the sea 5 metres away. Now he knew this was going to be no Kenting, but this really was the worst bit of coast he'd ever seen: a collection of rocks netted together and covered in litter... the place was lifeless as far as the eye could see, not even any ants scurrying around the rocks. No birds, bugs or seaweed.
"Well so much for that idea" thought Duncan: next time he would stick to the hills for a cycle. He got on his bike and headed the 20 miles back home.