Taiwan--Any good for cycling?
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JC4LAB
Taiwan--Any good for cycling?
Seen some critical mass rides on the the internet based in Taipai and it is the home of many a bike manufacturer nowadays..Is a DIY tour a good idea/possible?
Re: Taiwan--Any good for cycling?
I lived there for a while several years ago and my answer is "yes" with a couple of minor cautions. First, Taiwanese driving is undisciplined (to put it as politely as possible) so expect the unexpected in Taipei like cars and scooters running red lights, sudden lane changes etc. Out of town there can be some insanely fast driving on curvy mountain or coastal roads. Second, the climate is not friendly to cyclists. Winter is endless rain and not like in the UK where it stops and starts. It rains without stopping for weeks. Summer, on the other hand, can be unbearably hot and humid. Third, air quality in Taipei is awful but if you're touring this won't concern you.
Having said all that, interesting roads through rainforest valleys, good mountain scenery, challenging climbs, beautiful coastlines, fantastically friendly people, liked the food.
Accommodation can be a problem but beauty spots like 'Sun Moon Lake' have hotels. I never camped.
Having said all that, interesting roads through rainforest valleys, good mountain scenery, challenging climbs, beautiful coastlines, fantastically friendly people, liked the food.
Accommodation can be a problem but beauty spots like 'Sun Moon Lake' have hotels. I never camped.
Re: Taiwan--Any good for cycling?
There was a decent report in Cycling Plus about 9 months ago.
Re: Taiwan--Any good for cycling?
Visit my on-line bike touring archive at www.biketouringtips.com
Re: Taiwan--Any good for cycling?
I've ridden in Taipei and the central areas are mad, the traffic especially the scooters are the pits. However, the city was also quiet when we explored the side streets. I took the train from Taipei to Kaohsiung and wondered at how great it would be to cycle tour Taiwan.
Re: Taiwan--Any good for cycling?
I just completed my ride around Taiwan. I started and finished in Taichung (roughly halfway up the west coast) and followed the coast clockwise as closely as I could.
I rode alone, on an over-weight (aluminium, yeuch!), over-geared and under-sized Giant R800 bike (which I bought new for about 80 quid on a previous visit), with two under-filled panniers...and sufficient, if not extravagant, cash.
I top-and-tailed the island rather crudely, but loyally followed the east coast from up near Keelung all the way down to Daren (50km south of Taitung). Stunning. Some bits, especially from Su'ao(?) to Hsin Cheng (near Hualien) feature steepish climbs, twisty roads, long tunnels and heavy quarry (and, worse, tourist, traffic). These features may have added to my excitement. The scenery here might be at its most dramatic. But I would recommend the coast road between Hualien and Taitung to all, including young(ish) families. The crossing of the mountains over the southern tip was another highlight. To be fair, I also enjoyed the conurbations up the west coast. For one thing, it was nice not to worry where the next snack might come from. But I learnt something of what they mean when claiming the wind as mountain. And splitting the west in two by starting half way up, was A Good Move.
In all, it took me 7 days, including one day off the bike, spent with the Little Boy and his mum. Just over 1000km. No sore bits. One broken spoke. No P*nct*res.
Any good for cycling? Oh yes.
More details on request!
I rode alone, on an over-weight (aluminium, yeuch!), over-geared and under-sized Giant R800 bike (which I bought new for about 80 quid on a previous visit), with two under-filled panniers...and sufficient, if not extravagant, cash.
I top-and-tailed the island rather crudely, but loyally followed the east coast from up near Keelung all the way down to Daren (50km south of Taitung). Stunning. Some bits, especially from Su'ao(?) to Hsin Cheng (near Hualien) feature steepish climbs, twisty roads, long tunnels and heavy quarry (and, worse, tourist, traffic). These features may have added to my excitement. The scenery here might be at its most dramatic. But I would recommend the coast road between Hualien and Taitung to all, including young(ish) families. The crossing of the mountains over the southern tip was another highlight. To be fair, I also enjoyed the conurbations up the west coast. For one thing, it was nice not to worry where the next snack might come from. But I learnt something of what they mean when claiming the wind as mountain. And splitting the west in two by starting half way up, was A Good Move.
In all, it took me 7 days, including one day off the bike, spent with the Little Boy and his mum. Just over 1000km. No sore bits. One broken spoke. No P*nct*res.
Any good for cycling? Oh yes.
More details on request!
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samfranklin
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 11 Apr 2010, 10:33am
Re: Taiwan--Any good for cycling?
Yes, excellent.
The east coast is dramatic and less busy. You can put BAGGED bikes on trains but need to reserve your seat. This is the time of year to go - not to hot, or wet.
Cycle the East Caost from N to S to avoid headminds.
Head inland up Taroko Gorge - its a long climb but like all mountain roads well engineered so not too steep. Stunning views.
From Hualien to Taitung, consider following the E Taiwan rift valley for a change of scenery.
On the W coast...
Cycling in cities is hard especially if you don't know your way around. Traffic is crazy but not agressive
I believe the road from AliShan to Nantou (via Lushan) is now impassable. If its open, its good cycling & quiet. The road up to Sun Moon Lake is now bearable as the motorway bypass takes the traffic.
Out of the cities, leave the main road and follow small farmers paths between rice fields and learn to ask for directions or have a satnav.
In cities, most bike shops have evening cycle clubs when people meet for a guided ride out in the cool of evening. A good introduction to a city. Pace tends to be fast.
The CTC touring dept has some notes on the country.
The east coast is dramatic and less busy. You can put BAGGED bikes on trains but need to reserve your seat. This is the time of year to go - not to hot, or wet.
Cycle the East Caost from N to S to avoid headminds.
Head inland up Taroko Gorge - its a long climb but like all mountain roads well engineered so not too steep. Stunning views.
From Hualien to Taitung, consider following the E Taiwan rift valley for a change of scenery.
On the W coast...
Cycling in cities is hard especially if you don't know your way around. Traffic is crazy but not agressive
I believe the road from AliShan to Nantou (via Lushan) is now impassable. If its open, its good cycling & quiet. The road up to Sun Moon Lake is now bearable as the motorway bypass takes the traffic.
Out of the cities, leave the main road and follow small farmers paths between rice fields and learn to ask for directions or have a satnav.
In cities, most bike shops have evening cycle clubs when people meet for a guided ride out in the cool of evening. A good introduction to a city. Pace tends to be fast.
The CTC touring dept has some notes on the country.