After attending the fast-growing Taipei Cycle Show, where we were treated like family by the fun and lively bunch at Source Solutions, we hit the road on two wheels across the island. Taiwan is only 400 km long north to south and 150 km wide but the 270km central mountain range has over 200 peaks over 3,000 meters high. Miles that pack a punch! It’s a touring cyclist’s paradise, if you like climbing that is!! Renting Giant bikes in Hualien on the east side, we started climbing through the absolutely magnificent Taroko Gorge National Park. Breathtaking views, quiet roads, smooth asphalt, impressive road construction work, beautiful temples, hot springs along the way and above all, an unequalled sense of peace and security among the helpful and friendly Taiwanese people. These were but a few of the highligths of this one-week trip. Mind you, Chinese is spoken here and very few Westerners are in sight, let alone Western cyclists!! We hip-hopped our way to popular Alishan on the west side of the range with the road peaking at 3275 meters and then strolled down to fabulous Sun Moon Lake. Then it was back to civilization in the bustling city of Tainan, where we dropped our bikes and took the high speed, 300 km/hr, train back to Taipei. 
 

Taiwan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, so cycle touring would not seem to be advisable. However, the whole inside of the island with its impressive mountain roads are a pure dream to ride. To top it all, lodging, although sparse, is excellent and the food is great, as long as you can handle chopsticks :-)
 
Who would have thought, but Taiwan will rank right up there with the nicest bike destinations that Louise and I have had the chance to ride. Special thanks to the great folks at Source Solutions as well as to Mrs. Pan Shu-Han for her exceptional welcome at the astonishing Visitor Center of Sun Moon Lake.
 
Taiwan, the amazing… place to ride!!

Complete photo album