My HuanDao Taiwan trip took place from the middle of September to mid October 2017. It was extremely hot during that time with the temperature never going below 35 degrees Celsius during the day (apart from the last day which was the only rainy day of my trip) and even including the hottest ever October day in the history of Taiwan. In the mountains it was obviously cooler. The extreme temperature made that I averaged only around 60-70km a day and drinking and cooling down in air conditioned 7-elevens became the rhythm of my trip. Because of the heat I also decided not to camp and stay in local airconditioned guesthouses to have a good night’s sleep. General daily rhythm During my entire trip I had quite a similar way of going through my days. I would usually mean getting up and either have breakfast at the guesthouse (if it was included) or go to a close by 7-11. I would always have a coffee and a soymilk (豆浆) on the side. After that I would start riding for about 20km before cooling down in the air conditioning of the local 7-11 or family mart. After that I would ride another 20km or so have a snack/some food and keep going till about 5-6pm. I ended up quite a few times riding in the dark but especially on the West coast this is never a problem as the roads are well lit and the cycling lanes are wide and well-respected by motorized traffic. Trip details Here is a detailed run down of my trip cycling around Taiwan including the places I slept, the route I took and the food places that you shouldn’t miss. Day 1: Taipei – Longdong/Bitou cape (台北- 鼻頭角) 61km – 1,222m elevation gain Rode east out of Taipei towards Keelung city. Had a good lunch there at the nightmarket (which was open during the day) and then continued following the coast towards Bitou cape. Here I stayed in a cute small hostel called the Bivy that is run by climbers. Longdong itself has a cool small harbour with some restaurants right nect to it. If you have energy and time you can hike the 2 km or towards the Bitou lighthouse as well for spectacular views and sheer cliffs. Alternatively you could add in Jiufen during your ride but as I had been there before I didnt bother doing the climb up towards the town. Day 2: Longdong/Bitou cape – Yilan/Luodong (鼻頭角-羅東) 81.3km – 659 elevation gain Coninued along the coast from Bitou cape in the direction of Yilan. Some sections have dedicated cycling paths but most of the time you are sharing the road with cars. I rode a bit further than Yilan to Luodong and stayed there in a nice apartment hostel called Green hostel (綠舍背包客棧). Located super central and right next to the night market. Day 3: Yilan/Luodong – Nanshan (羅東- 南山村) 61,2km – 1,565 elevation gain The first day into the mountains started out with a flat first 20km. But from there it was climbing all the way to Nanshan. Pretty steep sections and little downhills make it quite an irregular climb. The lack of traffic is great. There is no 7-11 or Family Mart until you reach Nanshan but some little shops along the way sell drinks and snacks. In Nanshan stayed in a cool Minsu called 哈勇的家 (HaYong de Jia) (700NT$ including breakfast). Day 4: Nanshan – Lishan (南山村- 梨山) 47,4km – 1,507m elevation gain More climbing this day. Towards Yishan the climb gets a lot more regular and less steep which is great with touring bags. Great scenery all along the way all the way to Lishan at an altitude of 1956m above sea level. In Lishan I stayed at the local monastry 梨山靈山慈元宮母堂 for (300NT$) and I was lucky as they provided me with free dinner too. This place is very special due to the temple atmosphere. The accomodation though is super basic and definitely not for everyone. But if you are a bit adventurous and looking for a unique experience stay here. Day 5: Lishan – Wuling (梨山 – 武嶺) 53.2km – 1,758m elevation gain The final day of uphill towards Taiwan highest road at 3250m of elevation. It starts with a 5km downhill but then a gradual up again until you hit the Taroko gorge road at Da Yu Ling (大禹嶺) just after the tunnel. From there it is another 8km to the top. However this is by far the steepest section with inclinations up to 27% I left my touring bags at a house in Da Yu Ling to tackle these steep parts as light as possible and I am happy I did. The ascend is a real challenge with very steep parts alternated with flatter recovery sections. Very fun though but a struggle due to the high altitude. When I reached HeHuaShan (合歡山瞭望台) I thought I had reached the highest point already. So took some pics and turned around back down. Turns out you got to continue another kilometer to reach the real Wuling for the official top and the better views. It is worth noting that there is budget accommodation at HeHuaShan: Song Syue Lodge (松雪樓) and Ski lodge (滑雪山莊). As the reviews are very mixed I opted to go down and stay about 15km down from the top in a hostel named 救國團觀雲山莊. 500NT$ gets you a dorm bed and a Taiwanese breakfast. There is option for dinner but you have to call ahead and reserve it. Otherwise they sell instant noodles that can serve as your emergency dinner. They also have privates. Day 6: Wuling – Hualien (武嶺 – 花蓮市) 99.1km – 2800m vertical drop down! The ultimate downhill cycling day. From the top of Wuling it is 80km of downhill from an altitude of 3250m all the way back to sea level. As I stated 15km down from the top I only had 65km of downhill this day…but how awesome: almost no traffic, gorgeous newly paved road, amazing scenery and beautiful weather. I stopped many times just to take in the scenery. The last 20km of the downhill, once you pass TianXiang (天祥) it gets crowded with toursists. Tianxiang has multiple food options and a 7-11 to stock up on drinks. Even a hostel and some hotels if you want to stay in the Taroko gorge. At the bottom of the downhill you hit a town called XinCheng (新城 (太魯閣)). I continued another 20km to Hualien. In Hualien there is a cool night market (東大門夜市) that is worth visiting. It is bustling with life, food, music and it is a really good place to get a beer too. Day 7: Hualien – Ruisui (花蓮市 – 瑞穗) 79km – 536m elevation gain From Hualien you have two options to continue your cycling loop around Taiwan. One follows the coast and the other follows a parallel, more inland road called the East Rift Valley. I opted for the latter option and had a good day riding through this valley. End of the day made it to the Spa town of RuiSui where I found a cool Japanese style guesthouse just around the corner of the family mart, in the Spa part of town. It has no internet presence but the coordinates are (23.494425, 121.346822). Fro 500NT$ I got a room there. Day 8: Ruisui – Taitung (瑞穗 – 臺東) 74.2km – 923m vertical gain This day my Belgium friend Sander joined me. Straight out of RuiSui, on the main road, you will cross the Tropic of Cancer invisible line. Well quite visible actually as there is a Tropic of Cancer marker Park (北回歸線標誌公園) with a big statue…and ever better…a giant tea pot. After some pictures (in Taiwan do like the Taiwanese we rode owards to Yuli and decided from there to cross the mountains and hit the coastal road. In Yuli make sure you stop for stinky Tofu at 玉里橋頭臭豆腐. It is world-famous in Taiwan. While riding the coast we rode through two cool little towns. The first one is Donghe, which is hyper famous for its baozi (steamed buns). Great little lunch break there and the shop that is so famous (舊街東河包子) has a really cool garden where you can chill in the shade. The next cool town you will pass is Dulan. It is a real artist town full of galleries and very famous for its arty converted sugar factory (新東糖廠文化園區). Also good surfing in this place and full of guesthouses and hostels. It has a real hippie feel to it and would make for a great stopover. The weekend especially as there are loads of places with live music and good parties, including in the sugar factory. We were there on a monday and it felt a bit dead so we decided to continue to the much bigger city of Taitung (台东). Found a cool hotel (鳳麟庭園民宿) there where we stayed for 900NT$ in a private room (so 450NT$ each) on walking distance from the centre and the coast. Day 9: resting day in Taitung At this point I felt pretty tired from riding 8 days straight so decided to have a resting day and explore Taitung. The city has a couple of interesting things to see with the highlights being LiYuShan Park (a park on a hill with a cool pagoda a nice view over the city, ocean and the surrounding mountains), Railway Art Village (a former railway station turned arty creative zone) and Paposogan/seashore park which has a really funky and cool dome that represents the language tree of all Pacifica interrelated languages. The dome is really cool at night as it gets lit up beautifully. Surprisingly there is one really cool bar in Taitung that is really worth going for a beer: Texas Jo’s Bar & Diner (德周小館). It has great outdoor seating and a general awesome vibe. Highly recommended. Day 10: Taitung – Dawu (台东- 大武) 61.1km – 852m elevation gain The next day Sander left back to Taipei and I continued my HuanDao ride South along the coast. It was a nice riding day with great tarmac and gentle climbs that never went about 100m of elevation. I stayed in a guesthouse/minsu right at the mainroad and next to the harbour in DaWu named 尚武民宿 (No. 6-6, Huangang Road, Dawu Township) where I had a Japanese style dormintory for myself for 600$NT. Day 11: Dawu – Mudan/Shimen (大武 – 牡丹/石门) 44.8km – 752m elevation gain Starting in Dawu I had about 10km warm up ride before hitting a 400m vertical climb. As it was extremely hot I struggled a bit with the climb but managed to snail-pace it up to the top. What followed from there on is definitely one of the best riding days of the entire trip: a single lane road, well-paved with absolutely zero traffic and gorgeous scenery. The road kept winding in an extremely green forest landscape with stunning viewpoints and passing through small local villages. I rode to ShiMen in the Mudan township (石门牡丹乡). Shimen is an aboriginal town with some cool guesthouses run by locals. Descending into town your eye will get caught by the huge lake and there are immediately two cool little cafes next to the road. The first one is right after the last bit of the descend (Coordinates: 22.128546, 120.785235) and the 2nd one is a shop with a nice terrace next to river and Mudan bridge (牡丹大橋). Shimen/Mudan has a great feel to it and so I decided to stay there for the night at HongWa MinSu (red tile guesthouse 紅瓦民宿). Opposite this one is another excellent choice called 牡丹民宿山莊 (MuDan MinSu ShanZhuang) which seemed slightly more expensive. Day 12: Mudan/Shimen – Kending Street (牡丹/石门 – 墾丁大街) 52.9km – 462m elevation gain Continuing in the direction of Taiwan’s Southern most point the next day I headed for Kending national park. A fairly easy ride which started with some more downhill and then just due South on the main road from Kaohsiung. Just before hitting that main road I stumbled upon an imressive temple that I could see from miles away. Wan Ying Gong Miao (萬應公廟) has a massive towering golden Buddha sitting on top of the Temple’s roof. You can’t miss it if you keep your eyes open while riding towards the town of CheCheng. For the night I decided to stay in Kending Street which is the town closest to the beach. Here I dropped my bags in My Home hostel (946, Taiwan, Pingtung County, Hengchun Township, Tonghai Lane, Kending Rd, 21號2 號) and continued riding towards Taiwan’s souternmost point around 10km further. Got there just before dark, snapped some pics and rode back. There are some cool things to see along the way and the road is well-paved. Kending Street is well-known for its night market that fills up the entire main street every night. Plenty of food to savour but at the far southern end there are also a couple of quirky mobile bars that are great to go for a drink. Day 13: Kending street – Hengchun (墾丁大街 – 恆春) 70.5km – 677m elevation gain Today I decided to explore the entire Southern peninsula by bike. But before doing that I packed my bags, rode to Hengchun (only 10km) and dropped them at the Rainbow Wave Surfing hostel (墾丁彩虹波浪沖浪背包旅店). From there I rode Eastwards in the direction of JiaLeShui. Almost immediately I hit a massive street parade of dragons, loud drums and loads of fireworks. Mesmerized by it I watched it for half an hour where offerings were made to the local temple by the dressed up groups each carrying a local altar. Pretty impressive and highly colourful. Once the parade finished I rode to JiaLeShui and subsequently followed the coastal road further down southwards. The section from JiaLeShui to the Southernmost point of Taiwan is absolutely stunning and well worth the detour. If you fancy a surf you can stop at JiaLeShui rent a board and hop in the water for some hours. There is a cool red pedestrian suspension bridge there too that is worth checking out (Gangkou Suspension Bridge, 屏東滿州港口吊橋). Adding in another loop passing White Sand Bay (墾丁白沙灣海灘) – which I didnt see by the way as it was dark already when I passed – I made it back to HengChun and the really cool Rainbow Wave hostel (Dorm 500$NT, incl. breakfast). HengChun itself is quite a cool town as well with a quirky pedestrian street, some remnants of the old city walls and a great night market on Sunday nights. Day 14: Resting day Hengchun (恆春) A day of lazing around in Hengchun, walking around town and just relaxing in the hostel. Day 15: Hengchun – Kaohsiung (恆春 – 高雄) 98.8km – 545m elevation gain This stage was pretty straightforward as I just had to follow the coastal road up North to Taiwan’s second biggest city Kaohsiung. Some nice coastal riding however most of the time I was at the wrong side of the road (a bit too far away from the coastal view) as I was riding Northwards. Would I have ridden southwards, which most Taiwanese I met were doing, then I would have been on the road shoulder immediately next to the coast with better views. Around halfway I decided to leave the mainroad and follow a smaller road right at the shoreline. The area here is completely dominated by fish farms which made for an interesting scenery. The coastal road however was shit as it was behind an elevated dyke taking away the entire coastal view. So not really worth it in hindsight. I reached Kaohsiung as the sun was setting and checked into the Backpackers Inn. It is an ok hostel (a bit sterile) which has an amazing roof terrace. Day 16: exploring Kaohsiung (高雄) by bike 23.5km – 357 elevation gain I had heard great things about Kaohsiung so decided to do a day of exploring the city. First on was the Art pier, a former shipping wharf converted in an art and exhibition centre. It is full of old warehouses turned galleries and plenty of street art installations, graffiti and random cool statues. From there I went on towards the university area as I had heard there is beach right on the university campus. The rumours appeared to be true but the beach was pretty bad. The location of the university is awesome though as it is build up against the hills of the ShouShan National park overlooking the ocean. I rode back and took the ferry to QiJin, the old part of town on a peninsula facing the new modern city. There is a much nicer beach there with some bars and eateries that are worth exploring. Along the coast there is a nice cycling path too that I followed for about 10km. NIce views and some cool art installations along the way too (including a giant seashell). Day 18: Extra rest day in Kaohsiung Day 19: Kaohsiung – Tainan (高雄 – 台南) 61.3km – 533m elevation gain Riding out of Kaohsiung I decided to follow the ‘love river’. Most of it had a nice cycling path just parallel to the river in a green park-like surroundings. Definitely a very enjoyable start. Away from the river I headed to another one of Kaohsiung’s famous landmarks: The Lotus Pond (蓮池潭) with its fantastic tiger and dragon pagodas. The pagodas are one of the most unique and colourful pagodas I have ever seen in Asia. Did some great picture taking with them and explored the pagodas for a good hour or so, time very well spent. From the Lotus pond my next destination was Taiwan’s former capital: Tainan. An easy afternoon’s ride away I reached there late afternoon and checked into the centrally located Wow hostel. A really cool thing about this place is that the Wow hostel has special rates for huandao people. Their normal rate is 500NT$ for a dorm bed but if you motorbike, cycle or walk around Taiwan they offer discounted rates of 400, 300 and 200NT$ respectively. Pretty awesome. Day 20: Tainan bike exploration 31.7km – 381m vertical elevation I decided to stay 2 nights in Tainan in which I went exploring Tainan’s amazing maze of small street, historical sights (including Fort Zeelandia, a fort build by the Dutch colonialists who had occupied Taiwan for 38 years and Anping old street), great food scene and nightlife. Hopping on my bike I rode over to the coastal area where I saw one of the better Taiwan beaches so far. Had a dip in the sea, checked out Fort Zeelandia and rode around Taijian national park (台江國家公園). The latter looks like a maze of green and waterways on google maps but in reality isn’t that impressive at all. Randomly rode around on small roads next to fish farms, lakes and waterways for a while. It was only until I returned to the Qiaotou beach (橋頭海灘) and followed the cycling path up north back into the Tainan city centre that it became worthwhile. For a drink in Tainan there is the great Armory Tainan (great outdoor garden seating for a beer), Legends sports bar (amazing pizza in an old industrial complex) and the bar street at section 2 of Hai’an road (including Dive bar) with all its eateries and fun bars. Day 21: Tainan exploration As it was the mid autumn long holiday weekend the city (and bars) were full of tourists and devoid of locals. It made for a difficult search for a night’s accommodation on my third night in Tainan but with help of the wow hostel staff I managed to find a bed in the old man captain hostel, right next to the train station. It was good enough for a night and I left the next morning continuing my ‘Taiwan Huan Dao’. Day 22: Tainan – Budai (台南 – 布袋鎮) 73.4km – 423m vertical gain The super busy holiday weekend made it hard for me to decide where to go next as, online, most guesthouses and hostels within a day’s riding seemed fully booked. Scrolling over the map I stumbled upon Budai and its unbelievable ‘High-Heeled Shoe Church’!!!!. I couldn’t believe my eyes and knew I had to go there. By pure chance I managed to book the last bed in the Light Shadow hostel (光影民宿), located right next to the high-heeled church. Perfect. Riding out of Tainan I decided to check-out the Taiwan Salt Museum and its accompanying salt hill, both located on the way to Budai. It being a holiday weekend made the place way too crowded to my liking so I just went in and tried out some of their colourful and flavoured salts and took a picture of the salt hill from far away. Not a big highlight but ok as it was on the way anyway. Riding straight north to Budai I made it there just after dark. Entering Budai I stopped for a mango shake and cycled through town straight to the highlight of the day: the high-heeled shoe church. And oh did it not disappoint. The shoe shaped church was colourfully lit up and an absolute hilarious sight. Definitely one of my personal highlights of cycling around Taiwan! So random. So cool. For dinner I went to the night market and had a great steak with noodles and egg on a hot plate (牛肉排) for 120NT$. You can often find it on night markets as well and is a great carb and protein replenisher. A definite winner. Day 23: Budai – Jiji (布袋鎮 – 集集鎮) 96.9km – 537m vertical gain From Budai I aimed for Jiji, a town at the foot of the fabled Sun Moon lake. It meant following the #157 road for most of the day…and by sheer luck…with a backwind. So it turned into a great rolling day of speeds hovering around 30km/h all day long. Once again it was extremely hot with temperatures of around 38 degrees celcius. All during my trip I found it hard to drink enough to compensate for the extreme seating so today I decided to note all the drinks I used all day long. And here is the impressive list:
When I arrived in Jiji I check into the Lu An backpacker hostel (旅安背包客驿站) which is a great place with awesome owners. On arrival they weren’t there but the neigbours, who were having a bbq outside, called them and invited me for a beer and some grilled chicken while waiting for the hostel owners. Great end of a long sweaty day. Day 24: JiJi – Puli (集集鎮 – 埔里) 57.7km – 1,157m vertical gain Today’s highlight was going to be the sun moon lake (日月潭), one of Taiwan’s defining landmarks. From JiJi this meant an initial 10km flat section followed by an eight kilometer climb to the lake on an altitude of about 750m. Once I reached the lake i followed its eastern shore looping two-third of the entire lake. Beautiful views with touristy sights mixed in made it a great exploration day. An extra plus was that most of the lake ride was forrest shaded making it much more bearable than the sun-infused sweaty rides of the days before. In Puli I stayed at the very homey ‘Here Hostel Puli’ (No. 2, Yingliu Street). The owner was fantastic and we ended up drinking some beers with his friends in the hostel’s living room. Day 25: Puli – Taichung (埔里 – 臺中市) 55.3km – 434m elevation gain Fun downhill day for about 50km with very little traffic on the #14 road all the way from Puli to Taichung. For starters I cycled a couple kilometers in the wrong direction to check out the Geographic centre of taiwan landmark (臺灣地理中心碑) just outside Puli’s city centre. Snapped a pic of the unimpressive monument and went on my way downhilling towards Taichung. On the way i stumbled upon a cool temple Dun He Gong (敦和宮) but the highlight was just the great tarmac road constantly slanting downhill with great views along the way. In Taichung I arrived once again around dusk and checked into the Happy Inn & Hostel (快樂腳旅棧) which was right in the centre. Could store the bike in their lobby and they had a night market right outside the door where I could score some good food. The river area a couple hundred meters from the hostel is nicely lit up at night and worth a look. Day 26: Taichung – Hsinchu city (臺中市 – 新竹市) 89.1km – 936m vertical gain Today was a full head wind day! Exiting the city was followed by a gradual uphill for the first 30km. Add to that the headwind and I was off to quite an intense start. However the gradual 25km downhill that followed made everything better and assured a steady progress towards Hsinchu city arriving there late afternoon. I stayed in the Chuan Lai Hotel (川籟都會旅店) which has simple rooms including breakfast and is well located close to the centre and next to a cool food market. Hsinchu itself is a pleasant city with a cool green stretch of park in the centre of town around which a whole bunch of cool bars and restaurants are located called the Hsinchu moat. There is even a very cool bar street with a collection of cool little pubs on 新竹市東區民族路33巷. An all time favourite foreigner hang out is the Red bar located somewhere half way on that street. Definitely worth a visit if you are there. Day 27: rest day Hsinchu city A day exploring the city and going for food and drinks at the food market and bar street as described previously. Good times guaranteed! Day 28: Hsinchu city – Taipei 78.5km – 796m vertical gain The last stage of my Taiwan Huan Dao cycling trip was the only time it rained in the entire month touring the island. I was off for a dry start but slowly during the day the rain go more intense. The ride itself can be summarized as an ever increasing urban density as the Taipei suburbs and city outliers are really just an extension of the big city. I arrived around sunset time in Taipei, checked in a hostel and finished the trip with a big meal and a Taiwan beer! Source: Kickass Trips
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Taiwan is generally considered the most bike friendly place in all of Asia with its dedicated cycling lanes, plethora of bike sharing schemes and a government actively promoting cycling culture. Due to this cycling revival, which was kickstarted about 10 years ago through a movie, cycling a loop around the island has become a “once in a lifetime must do” for the Taiwanese. In Chinese they even have a dedicated word for this tour around Taiwan called Huandao (環島台灣) which literally means ‘around the island’. Inspired by this cycling culture and local friends telling me about the great riding in Taiwan I went on a Huandao bike touring Taiwan trip in September 2018. And it was awesome! History & Cult status of cycling Huan Dao (環島台灣) in Taiwan Taiwan is making a name for itself as a cycling heaven. Taipei is the best case in point with its 300+km network of bicycle paths with the majority running alongside rivers and streams flowing through the city. This has inspired many people picking up cycling to commute to work or as a sport. And Taipei’s Mayor, Ko Wen-Je himself is one of the most active cyclists of them all. In 2017 at the age of 56 he cycled the 520km from Taiwan’s northern end to its southern tip in under 29 hours. “I wanted to nurture a ‘Just Do It’ mentality in Taipei,” Ko tweeted afterward. “So I started with myself.” And an impact he is making…The bicycle has become a part of life for a growing number of Taiwanese, who use it to commute, socialize or simply to stay in shape. In Taipei, bicycles are used for 5.1% of journeys, according to data from Taipei’s transportation department — well above the 2% transport share achieved in London. Introduced during Japanese rule in the 19th century, the bicycle was once a part of everyday life for Taiwanese, but it was gradually abandoned in favor of cheap gasoline-powered scooters and motorized vehicles in the eighties. Today there are 14 million scooters in this country of 23.5 million people. But cycling is catching up quickly spurred largely by Youbike, a fantastic public-private partnership between Giant Bicycles of Taiwan — the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer — and Taipei’s transportation department. Launched in 2009 and now available in all major cities in Taiwan, the initiative has close to 400 bike stations in Taipei alone. For cyclists, it is cheap (or even free in certain cities)to us the bikes for the first 30 minutes. As per 2017 the program had facilitated more than 73 million bike rentals. But the greatest inspiration for Taiwan’s cycling revival came from a whole different direction: a cult movie called Island Etude. Island Etude (練習曲) Taiwan cycling cult movie A surprise hit film called “Island Etude,” released in 2006 inspired all of Taiwan to go cycling…and notably a full loop around their own country. Island Etude’s storyline is very much focused on cycling. In the film, a deaf university student cycles around Taiwan’s coast with a backpack and a guitar and discovers interesting landscapes, customs and people. The film planted the seed of cycling a Huandao (環島台灣) was planted in many people’s head. “Island Etude” and its signature line: “There are some things … if you don’t do them now, you’ll never do them in your life” really changed a generation of young Taiwanese and opened them up to the idea that cycling was cool. It led to a huge uptick of young people cycling Taipei’s river paths, getting ready to huandao.” Huandao, a Mandarin phrase for touring round an island, has become a rite of passage for many Taiwanese, while cycling in general has become fashionable across all segments of the population. Today it is the fourth most-popular primary form of physical activity among Taiwanese after walking, jogging and basketball. Taiwan’s amazing Huandao cycling infrastructure Taiwan’s government has put in place an amazing infrastructure to facilitate cycling. A lot of police stations along the popular coastal route number 1 serve as rest stops that offer free water refills, camping spots next to the station and even light maintenance and repair assistance for huandao cyclists. Bike lanes along the coast are often as wide as car lanes. There are also plenty of of huandao bike rental networks, including one run by Giant, that allow you to pick up a huandao touring bike – including paniers, a repair kit, pump, speedometer and front and back lights – in one city and return it in another. Hostels and small hotels in Taiwan’s cities and countryside are also benefiting from the vibrant cycling culture and many of these establishments started catering specifically to cyclists. 7-11 cyclist heaven The needs of cyclists are also well-catered for by Taiwan’s 5,000-plus 7-Eleven grocery stores. Aside from offering food and drinks, 7-Eleven has train ticketing services and even acts as a postal service, allowing items such as clean clothes or laptops to be sent to strategic locations along the route. The shops are extremely well outfitted for bicycle tourers: bicycle drink bottles with sports drinks, gels, aircon (to escape the heat), good coffee, full meals, heaps of snacks including my favourite BBQ sweet potatoes. Family mart is a very similar chain of convenience stores but with (in my opinion) better hot meals. Eric Lin, director of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s international department, said that the number of bicycle tourists coming to Taiwan has been growing steadily in recent years. “We’re promoting Taiwan as a cycling destination in other markets, highlighting how convenient it is,” Lin said. Chinese-speaking cyclists from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore were primary targets, he added. Cycling has changed how many Taiwanese view their own country, according to Ma. He described two types of Taiwanese cyclists: those focused on speed and those focused on experience. The speed-obsessed may finish the 900km circuit of Taiwan in a week or so, but for many who take the time to explore over a two-week period, he said, the journey has a profound impact, reinforcing Taiwanese identity, as it did for the protagonist of “Island Etude.” “They end up loving their country even more than before,” Ma said. Bike route no. 1 Cycling a full loop around the island is best done following the Huandao route number 1. It is fully signposted all the way around Taiwan and basically follows the coast line for most of the journey. Taiwan Cycle Route No.1 (環島1號線) is a 968 km (602 mile) bicycle route around the island of Taiwan to huan-dao (環島) sometimes translated as a “cycle-the-island-trip”. He route was developed by the Taiwan (R.O.C.) Ministry of Transportation and Communications and inaugurated on December 30, 2015. The route is marked with road signs and road markings and it follows a mixture of dedicated bicycle paths, less-traveled country roads, and busier roads with dedicated cycle lanes. Although the route may be started at any point, the initial 0 kilometer marking is at Songshan Station in Taipei. Cycling the entire route generally takes 9-12 days. For the route planning have a look at the excellent government huandao cycling website here or download an entertaining map description here. Clockwise or counter-clockwise around the Island? Most Taiwanese go counter-clockwise tackling the very urban East coast first and riding the very pretty West side of the Island while coming back up North. I did it exactly the other way around as it felt more natural to me but really there is not much difference to it. To avoid the tricky and dangerous Yilan to Hualien section (many many trucks and narrow mountainous road sections full of dark tunnels). I went up and inland from Yilan towards Lishan and Wuling, Taiwan’s highest road at 3250m of elevation. Although it meant three days of uphill cycling this was the highlight of my trip and well worth it. The added benefit is that you are rewarded after all that uphill riding with a 100km downhill through Taiwan’s most stunning natural sight: the Taroko gorge national park. Simply breathtaking. Giant huandao bike touring rental program The Giant huandao touring bike rental program is fantastic. I used one of their bikes which costs TWD1200 for the first three days and TWD200 for every subsequent day. The bikes are nice touring bikes that come with paniers, speedometer, repair kit, handy pump and front and back lights. Bike service at other Giant shops along the way (which are plentiful) is free of charge too. Find info about Giant’s huandao bicycle rental program here and here is a store finder. You can make reservations for a huandao bike over email or by calling one of their stores. They usually have someone that speaks English. If a full huandao loop of Taiwan is too long, or if you want to cycle only the more beautiful East coast you can drop the bike off at any other Giant shop too. A popular version is to pick up a Giant huandao bike in Taipei, ride from there to the south via the East coast and drop the bike off in Kaohsiung or Taitung. Accomdoation along the way is plentiful with camp sites and many guesthouses catering to huandao cyclists. Stayin so called Minsu guesthouses/ bed and breakfast places is great. Just google 民宿 when you are looking for a local place to stay and you will almost always find one close to where you are. Expect to pay between 300 and 600 TWD for a dorm bed including breakfast. Taiwan 加油 (jiayou) Nation When you cycle in Taiwan you will get loads of smiles and encouragements from passersby, shop owners, scooter drivers and road construction workers. Get ready to hear a lot of 加油,加油 (jiayou jiayou) from the Taiwanese. It is the common encouragement heard in stadiums and during sport matches… And they will yell it at you too. It is pronounced ‘Jia you’ (zhaa Joooo) and its literal meaning is ‘add oil’… But taken in a context of ‘add oil to the fire’ you get a verbal ignition to light the sporting powerful fire in you! ‘Come onnnn’ or ‘Go go go’ would be the English translation for those plentiful support yells you will hear along the way. Source: Kickass Trips
Sore muscles, aching bones, and pains in areas of body that you didn’t know existed. This is the life of an adult trying to get in shape. Going for a quick run isn’t as easy today as it used be and this, among many other reasons, is why cycling is the best sport ever. As our muscles and bones continue to age, finding exercises that not only keep us in shape, but allow us to live to tell, are priceless. As a low-impact sport, cycling has enormous health benefits. While we’ll mention a few below, this article serves to point out some of the incredible benefits of cycling that reach beyond a good muscle workout, improved joint mobility, and increased cardiovascular health. Getting on a bicycle for a half an hour everyday does a lot of good and it isn’t just because these rides keep you fit. Cycling is truly the bee’s knees and we’re here to tell you a few interesting reasons why. Let’s get pedaling. Cycling is home to some of the most groundbreaking creative thinking to date. From artists to musicians to writers, breaking through mental blocks and steering ideas to new places can all happen on two wheels. Promoting the flow of oxygen in your brain, neurons are sparked during bike rides that allow for unbelievable brainstorms and innovation problem solving. Getting a bike a little bit each day actually helps you to get a better, deeper night’s sleep. Backed by a study from the Standard University School of Medicine, the circadian rhythm is able to sync with much more ease with outdoor exercise. In addition, stress hormones that thwart regenerative, deep sleep are reduced with a 20-30 minute cycle. Your sex life is improved by cycling. Yes, you read that correctly. Physical activity has been proven to improve your vascular health, which increases your sex drive. Can you say couple bike rides? Cycling benefits your baby. Sounds crazy, right? Wrong. Getting on a bike everyday while pregnant has been said to boost your mood, make labor much easier, and lowers the likelihood of your child becoming obese by 50 percent. Cyclists have more friends. Okay, this one may not be proven, but the social benefits of cycling go without saying. Group rides are one of the most popular ways that cyclists get out on the roads every night. Join a club, gather your neighbors, or start a team of your own – no matter how you slice it, cycling will most definitely help your social life. Bike rides get you high. Not the high that you felt in your dorm room ages ago, but a new, invigorating high that will start a serious cycling addiction, and that’s a good thing. “Runner’s high” is a real thing and it of course applies to cyclists. There is a direct correlation between cycling and feelings of well-being. Get on a bike and feel the joys that come from a natural high. Forget an extra cup of coffee; cycling can actually increase your bowels. Studies have shown that physical activity plays a role in decreasing the amount of time that it takes for food to travel through the large intestine. This limits the amount of water that is absorbed back into the body, allowing for softer stools. Cycling makes you smarter. Around age 30 the mind has more trouble with its memory. Cycling, however, builds up new brain cells in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that controls memory. The boost of oxygen and blood flow to the brain will work wonders to improve your ability to remember. Bicycle riders protect themselves from serious diseases like heart attacks, some cancers, obesity, strokes, arthritis, and depression. From a decrease in body fat to an increase in flexibility and muscle strength, getting on a bike everyday is imperative to improving your overall health. The “green movement” isn’t the only reason that cycling’s popularity is growing at astronomical rates. Since 2000, bicycle commutes in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States have said to increase by over 70 percent, and that’s just in our country. Worldwide, cycling has seen even more impressive popularity. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to pedal into a new lifestyle of cycling. Source: Bill Bone Bike Law
There are millions of Americans who ride bikes and those numbers are increasing all the time. With more and more riders on the trails and roads, these tips for beginner cyclists will help you ride better and safer. 1. Protect your head. Head injuries are the cause of 60 percent of all cycling deaths in the U. S. every year. Many of these deaths could be avoided if everyone wore a helmet while cycling. Always wear a helmet when riding and make sure your kids do as well. Many states have bike helmet laws, but you should always wear one even if you don't have too. 2. Don't pedal in high gear for extended periods of time. You want to try and keep your cadence between 70 and 90 rpm's. When you pedal in a high gear it puts added strain on you knees. 3. Use your gears. When climbing hills shift into a gear that will keep your cadence in the right range of rpm's so you can make it up the hill without putting undue stress on your knees. 4. Get a proper bike fit. Having your bike set up to fit your body will make riding much easier, more efficient and cause you much less pain and soreness during and after the ride. 5. Get the right saddle. Getting the right saddle will make a huge difference when riding. Don't think the thickest padding will give you the most comfortable ride. A longer seat with a cutout will generally be the best type of saddle. Read reviews online and find out what others like, then test ride a few. 6. Change position while riding. Move your hands around on the bars, and move your rear end around on the saddle. This will keep your hands, arms and rear from getting numb due to prolonged time in a given position. 7. Don't ride with headphones on. It can be extremely dangerous if you don't hear an emergency vehicle or other commotions behind you or off to the side. If you have to have music, get a small clip-on radio with a speaker that you can attach to your jersey. 8. Know the rules. Ride with traffic and obey all road signs. Closely watch all cars in front of you so you can try to anticipate what they are going to do. 9. Keep your head up. Look out in front far enough ahead so you can react to any obstacles in the road or on the shoulder in front of you. Things like storm drain grates are very bad for skinny road bike tires. If you follow these tips you will have a better, safer and more enjoyable time on your bike. Source: Active
*****From coastal views to intense climbs and world-class events, taiwan is the ultimate cycling destination you never considered. Taiwan looks as if it were designed as a paradise for cyclists. Offering unparalleled scenery, challenging terrain, and amenities for weary riders, the island nation draws more and more visitors from across the globe each year. “There aren’t many places in the world where you can ride along the coast, then (travel a short distance to) climb an 11,000-foot mountain,” said Nate Schickel, a frequent visitor to the island nation. *****Where to go****** The famed Cycling Route No. 1 might be the best way to experience Taiwan cycling culture firsthand, taking riders about 1,200 kilometers around the island, following the breathtakingly scenic coast. Riders pass numerous historic temples and villages, take in gorgeous gardens and lakes, and, of course, travel up multiple mountains. “Most of (Cycling Route No.1 ) is either protected bike lanes or ample sized bike lanes,” said Brian Hemsworth, an avid cyclist who rode much of the route last year. The food is great. The people are wonderful. And the riding is amazing! “The southeastern side of Taiwan was among my favorite parts of the ride. Protected bike paths through rice paddies and lush green valley were postcard perfect. But my best day was the mountain pass on Highway 9, crossing from the east coast to the west coast at the southern end of the island. A great climb, a great descent, and stunning views along the way.” The eastern side of the country is a bit more rugged than the densely populated west coast, but still abound with food and lodging options. Most visitors find 12 days is more than enough time to ride the entire route, while still enjoying the stops along the way. *****Infrastructure***** If you’ll be spending more time off the bike than on while riding around Taipei or one of the other major cities, consider taking advantage of the local bike-share system. YouBikes stations can be found on most streets, and riders are charged for every half hour in the saddle. Visitors can use the same EasyCard they use for the public transit system. Given the number of bicycle manufacturers located in Taiwan – Giant Bicycles, the largest bike manufacturer in the world, is headquartered here – expect to see plenty of both local and international cyclists on the latest equipment. People who weren’t able to bring their own bike can rent one from nearly 300 Giant storesthroughout the country. Unfortunately, the site doesn’t have an English option yet, so you may need to use auto-translate. Taking a cue from the popular cycling routes in Europe, Taiwan has its share of bike hotels, where guests can find a maintenance room where they can wash and repair their creaky steeds, then rest themselves. ****Big events***** The best time to visit might be in the fall, when the humidity drops and the country hosts the Taiwan Cycling Fest each October and November. The highlight could be the Formosa 900, which uses basically the same template as Cycling Route No. 1, with dozens of teams pedaling nearly 900 kilometers over 9 days. So which is better? “Formosa 900 is a cycling event that happens annually, whereas Cycling Route No. 1 will always be there for you to explore”, said Brad Shih, Director of Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s Los Angeles Office. “Both are wonderful opportunities to experience the beauty of Taiwan on two wheels. If you wish to go around the island at your own pace, doing Cycling Route No. 1 might be more appropriate. Want to meet fellow cyclists and do it as a team? Then joining Formosa 900 would be the way to go.” Held at the same time as the Taiwan Cycling Fest, the Sun Moon Lake Cycling, Music, and Fireworks Festival is a great pairing of local beauty, wonderful sounds, and spectacular nighttime entertainment. Looking to push yourself even more? Tackle the Taiwan KOM Challenge, where riders climb more than 11,000 brutal feet over 69 miles. Both amateur and World Tour riders suffer on this beautiful, switchback-filled climb up Taroko Mountain, generally considered one of the hardest in the world. Grades in the last 10 miles can hit 20 percent and last for what seems like an eternity. Throughout the country, more than 200 peaks surpass 10,000-feet in height, making Taiwan a climber’s dream. No matter what time of year you visit, be sure to pack arm warmers or a jacket. While temperatures routinely exceed 86 degrees from June through August, you’ll likely encounter bitter cold and maybe even snow atop many of the high mountains. *****Making plans***** If you’d rather focus on riding and leave the planning to someone else, multiple outfitters – Giant Adventure, My Taiwan Tour, Panagoe Professional Cycling Tour, and Lion Travel – offer guided or self-guided tours. Source: Bicycling
Seeing a country by bike is one of the most rewarding, connected, tactile and thrilling ways of getting to know a new destination. Cycling to be green, to get fit or just for a new challenge in life, combining sport and travel could be a completely life changing experience. And in the fascinating continent of Asia, with its exotic landscapes and great variety of cultures, this is a truly wonderful way of exploring. Whether you’re a pro rider or a cycling novice, travelling by bike can be done at your own pace and there are no rules about how many times you stop along the way. There are countless trails to suit different riding levels, but here are our top 10 cycling holiday routes in Asia… 1). Silk Road, China The famous Silk Road is made up of a network of trade routes which were established during the Chinese Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) when silk traders travelled to and from different parts of Asia. The routes connect East and West Asia, even extending to parts of Europe, and was used by many traders, monks and soldiers in the past. Today, these ancient routes have become popular with travellers wanting to trek or cycle. If you’re looking for both a physical and mental challenge, we would recommend cycling the historic Silk Road. There are three main routes of the Silk Road in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region: the northern route which covers the Tianshan Mountains, Hami, Urumqi and Yining; the central route which takes you westward to the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, passing through Ruoqiang, Turpan, Korla, Kuqa, Aksu and Kashgar; and the southern route which takes you around the Kunlun Mountains, Hetian, Yechang, Shache and Kashgar. All three routes offer the most wonderful views of China’s untouched countryside. 2). Qinghai Lake, China The route around the vast Qinghai Lake in China will take 4 to 7 days of cycling. The total distance is over 220 miles and runs clockwise from Heimahe Town, finishing at Huangyuan County. The beautiful alkaline lake, which is said to change colour depending on season or time of day, is located in the culturally Tibetan area of China and has been a sacred lake to the Tibetan people for many centuries. In terms of difficulty, at a steady and comfortable pace this route can be completed with ease. Due to the Qinghai Lake International Cycling Race, which has taken place every July since 2002, the roads are well maintained and very easy to ride on. The asphalt road makes an excellent smooth surface, so you won’t be up against rough terrain. For the best weather and the clearest views of the peaceful lake, visit during summer. The best months for cycling are July and August, but remember to travel with layers as the temperatures can drop dramatically in the evenings. 3). Angkor Wat, Cambodia Biking around the Angkor Wat temple complex is one of the best ways of exploring the lesser known wonders of this incredible archaeological site. Angkor, set in the northern Siem Reap province of Cambodia is one of the most important sites of historical significance, one which also carries a painful past, and it spreads across almost 250 square miles of land. The most famous temples include Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm Wat (which featured in the Tomb Raider movie with Angelina Jolie) and the Preah Khan Temple. But there are also some lesser known temples such as Baksei Chamkrong, Banteay Srei, Preah Ko and the 10th century East Mebon structure, which are all really worth exploring and can be easily reached on bike. If you’re not planning on taking your own bike, you can rent a bicycle from the old market area in Siem Reap for just a few dollars a day. But remember, prices are often not fixed so be sure to haggle. 4). Himalayas, Bhutan The small landlocked country of Bhutan, nestled in the eastern foothills of the Himalayas, is packed with mind-blowing scenery and unspoiled wildlife. Although small in size, when it comes to natural sights and dramatic mountain views, the Bhutan certainly doesn’t disappoint. Still reasonably undiscovered by the clutches of tourism, a journey to the Himalayas in Bhutan will feel completely off the beaten path. The impressive Himalayan mountain range reaches 29,029 ft. in height and stretches 1,500 miles in length, spanning a total of five countries: Pakistan, China, Nepal, India and Bhutan. If you want to explore the mountain range and the surrounding area in Bhutan, the best way to do this is by bike. The rides are challenging with long uphill climbs, but you’ll find plenty of paved roads that are even enough for cycling. The views are truly spectacular with an ever-changing mountainscape as you tackle the ascending passes and long descents. You will be greeted with the magic of surreal temples, dzongs and monasteries along the way. 5). National Highway 1, Vietnam Vietnam’s National Highway 1, connecting the two major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), is the most popular cycling route in Vietnam. Disconnected by warfare for many years, it has now become a famous trail for those who are looking for a physical challenge with great rewards. The road also acts as a symbol of unity for the Vietnamese people. However, the route is now crowded and runs through many built up areas. If you’re in search of some cultural and spiritual exploration, then we’d recommend the northern stretch of the Ho Chi Minh trail from Ngoc Lac to the Hai Van Pass in Da Nang. This route was originally an elaborate web of jungle trails linking the country’s North and South during the Vietnam War. You will need a minimum of 10 days to complete the 500 mile stretch of road, but we would definitely recommend allowing a few extra days giving you enough time to explore each stopover. There are also a few steep hill climbs so be sure to carry plenty of water. 6). Serpentine Road and Jaipur, India The Pink City of Jaipur is located in North India and has earned its name from its lime plastered buildings which fill the cityscape with a deep pink colour in bright daylight. Founded in 1727 by the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, Jaipur is one of the country’s distinctive ‘planned cities’, and today it stands out as a unique place with pristine streets built with the highest levels of orderliness. Overlooked by the Nag Tibba Mountain, Jaipur is a stunning city best captured on foot or by bicycle. The winding Serpentine Road is a steady ascent into the mountains and from the top, you can catch the most amazing views of the city. Jaipur centre itself can also be explored on a biking tour; ride through the colourful bazaars and see the city’s major architectural sites including the Albert Hall Museum, the Water Palace, the Maharajah’s cenotaphs, and the beautiful Marble Carvers’ District. 7). East Coast Park, Singapore This cycle route is a city trail with a difference; combining the convenience of the city with the beauty of beach and coastal scenery, there’s no other bike route like it in the world. If you’re looking for a gruelling life challenge though, this isn’t for you. The relaxed family atmosphere of East Coast Park and the coastal road is designed for a leisurely, laissez-faire approach to cycling. So, if you’re a beginner and don’t want to tackle anything too challenging just yet, this is the perfect cycling route to ease you into some longer rides. Starting your journey at East Coast Park, a beautiful man-made beach, you will ride along the coastal stretch of the city where cycling is a very popular activity with locals and travellers alike. The entire route is built on reclaimed land so you won’t have to deal with any rough or uneven terrain and with skate parks, beaches and waterparks along the way, there will be plenty to do if you wish to take a break from cycling. Ending at Changi Village, you will find a huge selection of food hawkers and food halls to satisfy your appetite. For that well-earned meal after your 4- 5-hour cycle tour, head to Changi Village Food Centre where there will be a fantastic choice of street food stalls. 8) Bangkok to Phuket, Thailand Bangkok and Phuket are must visit destinations in Thailand, both with their own unique charm. Cycling from one to the other will take you around 10 days and covering around 523 miles of stunning coastline, there will be plenty of beach stopovers. For the perfect combination of bike and beach, make sure you allow yourself a couple of extra days to relax and wind down at some of the resorts dotted along the coast. If you have a day or two to spend in Bangkok before you begin your journey, be sure to visit The Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun), the Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw, Wat Pho, the bustling Chinatown, and the amazing Damnoen Saduak floating market. Once on the road, the cycling route will take you through some amazing virgin forests and picturesque rice fields, stunning natural sites such as Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and Kui Buri National Park, and some lovely little beach towns that you would otherwise miss if you travelled by train, coach or car. 9) Mekong River, Cambodia The spectacular Mekong River is as much a gem of Cambodia as its temples; it is the 12th longest river in the world (and 7th longest in Asia) and stretches over 2,700 miles through China, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. If you’re cycling along the 50 mile stretch of river in Cambodia, you will be able to find bicycle rentals such as CRD Tours (which is run by the Cambodian Rural Development Charity). However, you’ll be hard pressed to find sufficient cycling equipment and safety gear – so make sure you bring these with you or source them elsewhere. The best time to cycle the Mekong River is in January and February when temperatures are comfortable and dry. If you want to avoid the crowds, the best time to ride is in September or October but this is typically the rainy season so be sure to bring lightweight waterproofs. 10). Hiroshima's Shimanami Kaido, Japan Shimanami Kaido – also called the Nishiseto Expressway – is one of the most impressive cycle routes in Japan and the world, but the beauty of this incredible toll road is that it can be completed in just a matter of hours. Just under 40 miles, this uncomplicated stretch of road connecting Honshu to the island of Shikoku makes for a smooth, easy ride; perfect for beginners, younger riders and families. This route offers amazing coastal scenery and you will pass over the 6 islands of Mukaishima, Innoshima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima before finishing up at the tranquil and laid-back Shikoku. When renting bikes, there are two rental options available along the expressway. The first, and the most popular, has a large number of terminals across the cycle route and is around 500 Yen per day with a 1,000 Yen deposit per bike. The second, available with The Giant Store Imabari, costs between 4,000 and 7,000 Yen per day for high-tech bicycles and there are only 2 terminals across the whole route. Source: Ampersandtravel
Bike lanes blocked by bollards, potholes, contradictory signs and “the world’s shortest bike lane”: when we asked for examples of the best and worst cycle infrastructure in cities the submissions came in thick and fast. Readers around the world shared photos of bikes lanes that were impossibly narrow, that led nowhere or were blocked by parked cars, even police cars. On the upside there were also cycle networks and paths that were a joy for people on bikes. Here are some of the best (and worst). Cambridge: signed pothole This photo of a bike sign, and an arrow pointing at a pothole, was sent in by Brian Hart. “Taken in Thoday Street Cambridge, part of the new Cambridge infrastructure.” Cape Town: ‘Even the police park on the bike lane’ Jared took this picture in the city centre in Cape Town: “This green lane is one of the only bike lanes in Cape Town. It’s a glorified parking and taxi overtaking lane. And even the police park on it.” Berlin: ‘More of this please’ This photo of a new bike lane at Hasenheide, in Neukölln, Berlin, was sent in by a reader who said: “Beautiful safe bike lane. More of that, please. Hong Kong: ‘Contradictory signs’ Is cycling allowed? This photo was sent in by James Tagg, who said: “Contradictory cycle path signs abound in Hong Kong ...” Bucharest: A tree blocks a bike path A reader let us know about this bicycle lane in Bucharest where a huge tree blocks the entire path. Seoul: ‘One of the finest networks of long distance cycling routes’ Brian Grover said: “This picture shows a repurposed highway bridge and a purpose-built bypass along a steeper section of the Nakdong River. It was taken on the Seoul to Busan mainline of the 4 Rivers Cycling network in South Korea. South Korea may have one of the finest networks of long distance cycling routes in the world.” Bristol: ‘It’s incredibly dangerous’ A reader sent in this photo of Jacob’s Wells Road roundabout in Bristol, and said: “This short cycle lane goes nowhere! It sits between two lanes – look at the lines separating the lanes either side of it. Incredibly dangerous.” London: ‘Shameful’ Michael, from London, said: “This is the shameful cycle lane on Parkway going into the Regent’s Park at Gloucester Gate. My daughter, in the picture, is on her school journey.” Leeds: ‘The shortest bike lane ever?’ Paul Bunton in Leeds said: “A great local example in Leeds which is nine paces long. This was taken at the junction of King Lane and Nursery Lane in Leeds on 19 June. One of the shortest bike lanes I’ve ever seen!” Dublin: ‘It’s not even possible to open the gate’ Joan Sugrue in Dublin: “This is the cycle lane coming out from Deaf Village onto the Navan Road in Dublin. It is not even possible to open this gate as there are no movable hinges on it. It is a totally fixed structure.” Bhubaneswar: Rubbish-strewn route This photo was taken in Bhubaneswar in eastern India where part of a street was recently painted for cycling but garbage has been dumped on it. Cardiff: ‘A great cycling resource’ Duncan in Cardiff says: “Cardiff barrage is a great cycling resource with virtually no cars bar a few dock workers. It is just a shame that Cardiff council obstructs or blocks cycling across it during the summer for events in the bay.” Birmingham: ‘A new cycle path’ Tom from Birmingham said: “A tasteful shade of blue tarmac marks the new cycle path down the central reservation in Bristol Road, three miles south of Birmingham city centre. It is part of a new cycle path from the city centre to Birmingham University and Selly Oak. The photo is looking north on the Bristol Road (A38) a short distance north of the intersection with Edgbaston Park Road. There were no cyclists in sight at this time, but already some cyclists are using it to commute and it will probably become much busier when the new academic year starts next September and hordes of students flood into this part of Birmingham.” Edinburgh: ‘Do I risk it?... Mmm, not today’ Istvan sent in this photo taken in Queen Street, Edinburgh and says: “Do I risk it? ... Mmm, not today ... Each traffic light on Queen Street has this very narrow bike lane to lead you to a bike zone in front of the traffic (usually used by cars, taxis and buses). There are many of these useless lanes everywhere in Edinburgh, and many many used for parking (when they don’t have a double yellow line above the bicycle sign).” Vienna: ‘Many people use bikes’ Laurence says: “This is just one of the ramps in Vienna, leading from the bridges over the Danube, to the bike track along each side of the river. There is a network of bike routes criss-crossing the city, with their own traffic lights at many junctions. Not surprisingly many people use bikes to get around the city.” Source: The guardian
Cycling is a brilliant way to travel. Moving at a slower pace, you can engage more deeply with your destination. Whether you want a challenge or to mosey along the flat, here are our top cycling trips... 1. Cycle through watercolour landscapes in China Cycle through the karst limestone landscapes that have inspired Chinese painters and poets for centuries on this hiking and biking adventure through China with World Expeditions. After exploring the country’s most famous attractions, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Terracotta soldier of Xian, you’ll hike the Tiger Leaping Gorge (one of the deepest and most dramatic gorges in the world) and visit the ancient World Heritage town of Lijang. The best, however, is saved until last, when you cycle through the picture book landscape of Yangshuo, weaving your way through towers of limestone, as you ride from Guilin to the ancient town of Xingping. Trip: Hike & Bike China Who: World Expeditions When: Departures Mar to Nov How long: Nine days How much: From 2,390 (exc. flights) 2. Pedal the Pan Am in Central America See Central America's top spots with Intrepid on this exhilarating cycle tour, that will see you pedal along parts of the iconic Pan America Highway through Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Cross Lake Nicaragua and journey through the lush countryside until you reach Costa Rica's highest volcano, Irazú, stopping at San Jose. You'll cycle past sugarcane plantations, and raft downriver through the land of the Cabecar indigenous tribe to the Caribbean islands. In Panama, snorkel the crystal clear waters, cycle the highland tracks and explore Panama City. Trip: Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama Who: Intrepid When: Departures Aug to Apr How long: 16 days How much: £2,165 (exc. flights) 3. Mountain bike the Himalaya in Nepal Nepal is recognised to be one of the world's great mountain biking destinations and this superb cross-country bike ride with KE Adventure Travel is a great way to experience it. Starting in Pokhara, you’ll enjoy a couple of days biking the area's classic routes, including the Kali Horseshoe, with superb views of the Annapurna Massif, before riding eastwards, via the Marshyangdi River, to the ridge-top town of Gorkha. From here, a testing, mile-high, climb to the Kathmandu Valley rim awaits, before an entertaining downhill blast back to bustling Kathmandu. Stunning scenery and great cycling across diverse terrain, together with the friendliness of the local people, makes this an unforgettable experience. Trip: Pokhara to Kathmandu Mountain Biking Who: KE Adventure Travel When: Oct to Jan & Apr How long: 12 days How much: From £1,295 (exc. flights) 4. Bike the Baltics: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are perfect for biking, offering a beguiling mix of fairy tale towns and wild, untouched nature. This 11-day cycle tour with Intrepid will take you from the medieval spires of Tallinn and the funky bars of Riga to the endless dunes and stunning beaches of Lithuania's Curonian Spit National Park. Along the way you’ll cycle through Tallinn’s quaint Old Town, and cycle the famous Route 10, which cuts quite literally across the Baltic Sea, surrounded on both sides by water. You’ll stay in a quaint farmhouse in the Estonian countryside, ride through bird-filled forests and past glittering lakes and explore the Latvian city of Jurmala’s 33-kilometre stretch of beautiful white sand beach. Trip: Cycle the Baltics Who: Intrepid When: Departures May to Sept How long: 11 days How much: From £1,360 (exc. flights) 5. Cycle the Cape in South Africa Following a section of Route 62, KE Adventure Travels' Cape Town and Winelands cycle tour starts in the Stellenbosch vineyards with wine tasting in some of South Africa’s best wineries. You’ll traverse the semi-arid Karoo desert and the orchards of the Koo Valley, and explore the Dutch village of Barrydale. You’re heading for the sea: to watch whales from Hermanus and to follow the coast to the Cape of Good Hope, dropping by to visit the famous Boulders penguin colony and following a part of the annual Cape Argus race route. Trip: Cape Town and Winelands Cycle Tour Who: KE Adventure Travel When: Departures Sept to Jan & Apr How long: 12 days How much: From £1,695 (exc. flights) 6. Ride through temple-dotted jungles in Burma Get to know enigmatic Myanmar the two-wheeled way on this cycling tour from Yangon up to Mandalay and Inle Lake with Intrepid. With its softly rolling terrain, quiet roads, abundance of outdoor attractions and idyllic rural countryside, Myanmar is the perfect place to get to know by bike. After a couple of days checking out Yangon's attractions, head north to the ancient city of Bagan – a landscape defined by thousands of ornate ochre-coloured temples. Cycle through toddy tree forests to Mount Popa, the reputed home of the country's spirits, watch fishermen working their trade on Inle Lake and creep through limestone caves stocked with Buddha effigies. Exploring Myanmar and its provincial backroads by bike opens up the country's essence in myriad ways. Trip: Cycle Myanmar (Burma) Who: Intrepid When: Departures Aug to Mar How long: 13 days How much: From £1,503 (exc. flights) 7. Cycle the south of New Zealand Is there a better country to cycle through than New Zealand? This is a land known for its natural beauty, welcoming people and delicious wine, and this cycling trip through New Zealand’s beautiful South Island takes in the best of it. Kick things off in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the country, then cycle the famous Central Otago Rail Trail through small gold-mining towns like Alexandra, Omakau, Wedderburn and Hyde. Meander through the open plains with pristine rivers, enjoy some proper Southern hospitality at local taverns and rediscover the joy of pedalling through one of the most gorgeous areas in the entire country. Trip: Cycle New Zealand South Island Who: Intrepid When: Departures Nov to Apr How long: 16 days How much: From £1,602 (exc. flights) 8. Pedal the path less taken in Peru Ride through classic Peru, hike the Inca Trail and visit South America's stunning ancient Inca sites on this cycling adventure along the Inca Trail with Intrepid. Kick things off on the streets of Lima, pedalling through fishermen and artist hangouts, clocking beautiful views of the Pacific coastline. Fly to Cusco and hit the single-track to explore a veritable treasure trove of Inca archaeological sites. Ride a mountain bike across the lush countryside of the Sacred Valley, a world of colourful Andean communities and phenomenal landscapes shaped by lost civilisations. Finally, swap your cycling shoes for hiking boots and walk the legendary Inca Trail. Finish with a tour of mighty Machu Picchu, one of South America’s must-see draw cards. Trip: Cycle Peru with Inca Trail Who: Intrepid When: Departures Jun, Sep & Oct How long: 11 nights How much: From £1,544 (exc. flights) 9. Get in the saddle on the Silk Road in Kazakhstan Cycle the fabled Silk Road and discover the magic of Central Asia on this mountain biking holiday through the south-eastern corner of Kazakhstan with KE Adventure Travels. Starting with a week in the northern foothills of the Tian Shan, you’ll cycle on a mix of surfaced and gravel roads that cut through the open grassland or ‘steppe’ of several picturesque valleys. There, you'll visit isolated farming villages and encounter camps of nomadic Kazakh shepherds, who come to these upland valleys in summer with their flocks of sheep and herds of horses. After visiting the spectacular Charyn Canyon, you’ll follow a route that dates back to the Silk Road to the Kegen Plateau and Lake Tuzkol. Your journey ends in the desert landscapes of Altyn-Emel National Park, where you’ll cycle between outrageously colourful sandstone formations and hiking to the top of the 120m high ‘Singing Sand Dune’. Trip: Cycling in Kazakhstan Who: KE Adventure Travel When: Departures Jun, Aug & Sep How long: 11 days How much: £1,645 (exc. flights) 10. Tackle tough trails in Vietnam & Laos KE Adventure Travel’s Hanoi to Laos Mountain Bike Epic is what it says on the tin. This challenging backroad adventure leads from north-west Vietnam into Laos, traversing the Tram Ton Pass, the highest road pass in Vietnam. Pedal among hill tribes in the Sapa region, along steeply-terraced valleys, and on trails that hardly see tourists – staying in traditional villages en route. Finish amid the French-colonial charm of Luang Prabang, frequently voted by Wanderlust readers as the World’s Top City. Trip: Hanoi to Laos Mountain Bike Epic Who: KE Adventure Travel When: Departures Oct to Mar How long: 13 days How much: From £2,395 (exc. flights) 11. Make a pedal pilgrimage through Spain Complete a classic pilgrimage by bike with Intrepid’s Cycle the Camino de Santiago trip. This self-guided ride follows the UNESCO World Heritage trail for over 250km, condensing the highlights into a faster-paced tour, and staying at small rural hotels. Cross the Castilian plains, weave through El Bierzo’s ancient wine valley, admire lush countryside and tuck into tapas, before finishing at the iconic cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Trade stories, break bread and drink wine with people all over the world on a pilgrimage ride over mountains and through the gorgeous Galician countryside. Trip: Cycle the Camino de Santiago Who: Intrepid When: Departures Apr to Jun & Aug to Oct How long: Eight days How much: From £1,505 (exc. flights) 12. Lap lovely lakes in Central Europe Hop on an e-bike to glide past postcard-pretty villages, fairy tale castles, cherry orchards and gothic cathedrals with ease. B’Spoke Tours’ self-guided Lake Constance Cycling tour ticks off three countries – Austria, Switzerland, Germany – as well as some of Europe’s most breathtaking mountain scenery, observed from traffic-free, low-stress, lakeside cycle paths. Trip: Constance: Three countries on three wheels Who: B’Spoke Tours When: Flexible departures throughout the year How long: Seven days How much: From £715 (exc. flights) 13. Hit highlights and backroads in Cambodia Combine slow travel through rural countryside with headline sights on KE Adventures’ well-paced Backroads of Cambodia tour, a cycling holiday that will take you from Angkor Wat to the Cardamom Mountains. This trip is a chance to visit must-sees such as the sandy southern beaches, bustling Phnom Penh and spectacular Angkor Wat, as well as pedalling amidrice paddies, temple ruins, lush national parks and ornate palaces. A highlight is navigating the Angkor complex on two wheels – it’s the best way to explore the spread-out ruins and get away from the crowds. Trip: Backroads of Cambodia (Bike) Who: KE Adventure Travel When: Departures Feb to Mar & Oct to Dec How long: 14 days How much: From £1,375 (exc. flights) 14. Ride the Kasbah in Morocco Ride from the snow-covered peaks of the High Atlas to the epic sand dunes of the Sahara on this classic adventure cycling holiday in Morocco's arid Jebel Sahro region with KE Adventure Travel. The climate of the Jebel Sahro is the perfect for cycling outside the summer months. Starting in Todra Gorge, you’ll ascend on tarmac and hard-pack jeep roads to a remote mountain area with nomadic Berber shepherds and views of the Atlas peaks. You’ll cross the Tamtattouchte Pass (2615m), drop down into the beautiful Dades Valley, the so-called 'Valley of the 1000 Kasbahs’, and then on to Boumalne Dades and the oasis town of Zagora on the very edge of the Sahara. This is a great biking adventure, perfect for anyone looking to make a winter escape to Morocco and the pink and ochre mountains of the Jebel Sahro. Trip: Ride the Kasbah Who: KE Adventure Travel When: Departures Feb to Mar & Oct to Dec How long: Eight days How much: From £775 (exc. flights) Source: Wanderlust
1. Check your planned route with a map or an online mapping tool, as it will give you a good idea of any changes in gradient and if the route leads you down any major roads. 2. Make sure your phone is fully charged before you head out and place it in a waterproof phone carrier, if you have one. 3. Be sure to check the weather, plan accordingly and if necessary apply skin protection. Clothes wise, make sure it's water and windproof – the tops of hills can often be exposed even in summer and it's easy to become cold very quickly if you break down or need to stop for a certain period of time. To avoid dirt/grit and bugs getting in your eyes, sports glasses can be useful. 4. With regards to your bike, make sure it's roadworthy. This includes checking the brakes as you'll need them for the descents, and checking the condition of your tyres – apply lubricants if needed. 5. Prepare a tool kit for longer rides. It's wise to carry a couple of spare inner tubes, tyre levers, a bike pump, spare chain links and a multi tool because, if you're riding in the countryside, you might be a while away from the nearest bike shop or mechanic. Lights are vital during the winter but worth taking with you in case you end up out on your bike for longer than you planned. 6. Take fuel! Carry energy gels and bars and a minimum of two bottles of water. Be sure to take liquids and sugars on board at regular intervals – don't wait until you get thirsty because this means you are already dehydrated. Put any unwanted wrappers in the bin and finally don't forget a payment card and a small amount of cash, just in case you run out of provisions or don't take enough. Source: CountryLiving
Cycling from Taroko National Park to Fenglin Township, Hualien County Distance: 67 km We started our Taiwan cycling tour in Taipei where we got the train to Hualien to meet our guides and to get our bikes. There are trains departing from Taipei to Hualien every hour and you can board them with your bike. From Hualien Train Station we hopped on a bus to reach Taroko National Park. A traffic jam due to road renovations delayed our arrival at the starting point and our team had only a few minutes to prepare the bikes and start cycling before the road was open for the cars again. Expectations and anxiety built up and we were off to 10km downhill through the stunning landscape of Taroko Gorge. The sharp curves and the traffic added an extra challenge to this ride, I enjoyed it a lot but I was a bit worried about Nat. She was not used to cycling on busy roads, actually she wasn’t used to cycling long distances at all. The photo breaks were great for admiring the stunning nature and also for Nat to catch her breath up. Exiting the park we cycled for about 17 km on flat roads to reach Xincheng Township where we would have lunch, the heat was killing us. Seafood for me, vegetarian dishes for Nat, aircon and a cold tea put us back into shape for the second half of the day. The route from Xincheng Township to Fengling Township included a 23 km long easy ascend, followed by a 10km descend and finished with 7 more km up. On the way we crossed villages, rice fields and the beautiful Lyu Lake. Luckily the sun wasn’t that strong so the heat didn’t drain us that much. We reached our hotel at night time, tired and starving. It was time for a shower, dinner and chatting with the group about our first day. We had a support car following our group and two guides cycling with us all the time, one leading the squad and the other following behind making sure everybody was still alive. Every hour or so we stopped for photos, drinks, resting or to get the squad back together. Nat was the first one to get a flat tire which was promptly replaced by our support team. On the first day, we revealed our addiction by stopping several times at 7-11 shops to get iced coffees. By the end of the cycling trip, we were not the only ones. Cycling from Fenglin Township to Chishang Township, Taitung County Distance: 99 km After a good night of sleep and a replenishing breakfast we were ready for our second day cycling in Taiwan’s east coast. The morning ride was supposed to be an easy one, about 50 km of which 7 were ascending until our lunch break. The route was easy, the issue again was the heat. The sun was terrible, Nat needed to stop for a while in the shade to cool down. The bright side is that we cycled by tea plantations with beautiful mountains along the road. The afternoon was reserved for one of the most beautiful cycling paths I’ve ever been to, Yufu Cycling Pathway. Built over a former railway track it crossed lush green rice fields with impressive mountains in the background. And on our way to Chishang we saw vast pineapple, noni, sugar cane and dragon fruit fields. Cycling from Chishang Township to Taimali Township, Taitung County Distance: 99 km Not sure if the run on the previous day was a good idea, my legs were really sore on day 3. While Nat was feeling 100%, I was complaining at breakfast, not much excitement that morning. The weather forecast for our 3rd day biking in Taiwan wasn’t good and we left the hotel under the rain. All the beautiful rice fields we had seen before became average after cycling along the rice fields in Chishang. Opulent mountains on both sides of the valley, narrow roads and green rice fields as far as the eyes could see. Even with the rain, the place was outstanding. This was in the beginning of our journey that day and such a beautiful landscape put everybody in a good mood. Our journey was about to change sceneries, from valleys to rolling hills with sea view. The views were fantastic but there was a drawback, part of the road was under construction, so we needed to share our space with cars and big trucks while cycling up the big hills. The rain followed us almost the whole day, at least on our third day cycling in Taiwan we didn’t suffer from the heat. Cycling from Taimali Township to Checheng Township, Pingtung County Distance: 81 km They saved the best for last. Our fourth day cycling the east coast of Taiwan was the most scenic, challenging and rewarding one. The first 30 km we cycled by rolling hills along the coast and for about 1 hour we could see a storm approaching the shores of Taiwan and once again the rain was our companion. No complains as the rain kept the heat away and the big waves crashing on the shore were beautiful. That was the scenic part of our cycling itinerary. Then the biggest challenge of our Taiwan’s cycling trip started: 12km uphill to reach Souka Bike Station which was 460 meters above sea level. To be honest it went better than I expected, not easier but better. The countless curves and the traffic added an extra challenge to it. It took us about one hour to cover the distance and at Souka Bike Station there were dozens of bikers, a proof that Taiwan breathes cycling. Yes, that was the challenging part of the day. Our lunch was 11km downhill from Souka Bike Station. I was so happy to hear these 2 words: lunch and downhill. The 11km downhill were pleasant but required a lot of attention as the road was quite narrow and there was some traffic. The food at Maljipa Aboriginal Restaurant was outstanding, my favorite restaurant of the trip. They served aboriginal food prepared with fresh ingredients and served in a simple way , we loved it. In the afternoon we cycled 28 km to reach Taiwan’s west coast. We couldn’t believe that our cycling trip in Taiwan was about to end. This was an easy and enjoyable ride, we chatted with the group, stopped for more photos and of course, for more iced coffee. Our final destination was the Checheng Fuan Temple where our support team was waiting for us. We returned the bikes, changed clothes, kissed goodbye and set off to Kaohsiung by bus. The convenience of having guides and a support car made our trip quite enjoyable and easier. We not only survived the 4 days cycling in Taiwan’s east coast, we also loved the experience. And to my surprise at no moment we thought of giving up, Nat and I cycled the whole 346 km route. This great feeling of accomplishment was the reward of the journey. Source: Love And Road
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November 2019
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