Cycling in Taiwan 2015

This is a marketing campaign for the launch of the Taiwan round island cycling route. I love it because its more then just cycling.
My wife summarised it very well.
放自己一个悠长的假期，以时速每小时15公里慢慢地解放自己，重新找回“我”。
Riding along slowly, and listen to your inner voice.  Rediscover yourself @ 15 km/hr. One crank at a time.

Taiwan and her bicycle push

Found this nice brochure on promoting Taiwan using the humble bicycle. I been to Taiwan many times and its really changed a lot. I can see that cycling has took off and many like me go to Taiwan to explore her beauty by cycling. Its really nice!
http://www.biketaiwan.com/resource/article/2/28/article-03.pdf

Bikeshare near Taipei 101 - Photo credit Biketaiwan.com

Cycling around Taiwan by Lion Group Tour agency

This looks like the Chan Brothers (big tour agency) in a Taiwan context.  The tour agency is called Lion group Its really heartening to see tour agency doing this tour format which will make the experience a very unique and memorable one. 

If there is a chance, I really like have a go to do this on a more regular basis. 

Below video talks about cycling about the next way to explore a country. This is a global trend and how the Lion group is embracing this wave to share Taiwan in a eco and fun way.

Packing up to go back Taipei

Pros at work

This is how our luggage and bikes were transported from Ann Tong to Taipei. Its amazing how much we can load up this small lorry!

Start... load 'em up!

oh oh... still got more.. how?

Mai keng... take photo.. come help har! 

Tada... squeeze squeeze abit! It works!

Covering with Taurpaulin... incase rain

Taiwan LCSG Tour 12th Dec day 6

Route: Ang Tong Old train Stn PCN - Yushan mountain reserve part ending at start of Walami trail

Map link
Photo link

Route for day 6

taken from Google map

Shot of Gary's Go Pro mounted on the front of his bike

Yah, its abit chilly. Don't forget ur camera!

power stick to rev up the engine... 

We visited the old Antong train station. It has been converted into a bike path but perhaps business was slow. The Giant rental shop had closed for some time (judging from the wear on the wall paint)

abit crummy 

Riding on the old train PCN. Looking over the padi fields and mountains. 

Eliasha with his troll nearing the bridge 

Still it was great to be able to cycle slowly; to see the rice fields and mountain at the horizon.

what a view!

The smaller blocks are supposed to slow down the flow of the water during the floods. 

The dry river bed with lots of sediment

Geography lesson on what happened here

one for Janny

brief break at the PCN. 

As we rode towards the river, it was meeting point of two tectonic plates, which shifted during the 1999 earthquake The Taiwanese authorities had to realign the train path and the former station was abandoned until it was repurposed as a cycling path.

I chatted with this nice ah ma, She was astounded that we came all the way from SG to cycle. And she was happy to see us!

At Yuli Red Bridge

Enjoying the country side.... 

cycling and soaking everything in

We also went to Yu Shan national park which we rode all the way up the old Walami trail. This trail is an ancient trail which connects to Batongguan.  Lunch was on the top of the mountain pass and really was a nice experience. 

This concluded the super nice LCSG ride to Taiwan. Tomorrow we head back to Taipei and some would be flying off to Singapore. I am very thankful for the opportunity to be riding along side some really nice folk. Its the company that made is so fun. Also very grateful for Encik George and Cindy for their leadership and efforts. Taiwan Tourism Board, he is your man to bring more SG cyclists to Taiwan :) 

going up towards the Naan vistor centre

Why a support vehicle?  Because we can have a break where ever we want and have bananas or snacks. 

even hot coffee!

So that you can enjoy the views in quiet and slowly zip coffee. Its a wonderful feeling!

The small things in life. They are so beautiful. If u stop and see

Totally no cars... just us and nature!

The waterfall along the way

Every where is just beautiful

Entrance to Yu Shan National Park

Makan at the Nature park

Chatting invariably will turn into a poison session.. Pei Sze cannot believe how light Nixs wheel is!

Taiwan LCSG Tour 11th Dec day 5 - Dong Li old train station

Old train station convert to "Steel horse" bicycle station

Sensitively done. Not cleaning up all the remnants but leaving some as a tribute to the history of the place.

After Liushishishan, we visited the 东里 old train station on our way back. 

soaking in the beautiful vibes. 

Places of interest around the vicinity. Very suitable for cyclist to visit.

Abit about the place. There was a major earthquake in1999. The tectonic rift plates shifted so much that the Taiwan authorities had to re-route the 2 train stations (Dongli and AngTong).  The former station was then re-purposed the old  a Park connector. The old train installation were retained and built upon. Nicely done without loosing the initial character of the place . 

drip coffee with a special milk that the boss show how is done. Very nice aroma!

have a cuppa!

There was a small cafe at the old Dong li train station. Over very nice coffee, we chatted with the friendly lady boss who was originally from Taipei. She told us her story that she quit her day job and moved to the countryside to do this. Simple life and not earning much but she finds it so fulfilling loves the whole place to bits. 

The cafe lady motto. 

Taiwan LCSG Tour 11th Dec 2013 day 5

Route: Ang Tong to 六十石山Lui Shi Shi Shan (60Rocks mountain)

Map link

Distance: 20 odd km. Mother of all climb(800m elevation)... Short but intense. Cold on the top. 

Photo link here 

Route from Ang tong to Liu Shi Shi Shan 

This is how it looks at 六十石山  - Photo credits from http://www.roundtaiwanround.com/118/Taiwan/east-rift-valley

Encik speaks "We going over the mountain, thru the tunnel. Abit tiring but ok one.  I ride slow ok?" ...silence...  

haha... lai liao... What will we be seeing today

Pierre fuels up... don't play play. Its all very serious business

Another drizzly wet day. After breakfast we started our ride. This time to Lui Shi Shi Shan. The area is famous for the golden needle flowers and when it is in bloom (Summer), many people would come and visit. 
This is the official Taiwan Tourism write up of the area if you like to know more.
From a couple who blogged about their experience there. 

Drizzling rain as we rolled along

foggy and misty

stopping for a hot tao hway and fritters

nice warm breakfast

The old lady boss was so happy that so many customers in the morning

December was unfortunately not the season to see the flowers but still, we just needed an excuse to be riding. 
The route was ok and flattish. 

Now you know what to do with that spare bike of yours sitting in the store room

The signage for Liushishishan

Turn in to more rice fields... I think thats the mountain we supposed to cycle up.. gulp

Most challenging portion was as the 60 Rocks mountain and the beginning 2-3km. It was steep steep. 

straining at the switchbacks.. it's really steep. I need a super granny gear

Engine over heated... 

lai lai.. have some bananas... Super helpful Elaine!

mid way up and this is how it looks

higher up we go

more foggy and colder as we reach the top

small beautiful violet flowers 

when the fog clears.. it looks great!

group photo on the top!

Tech tip. when too cold, wear a disposable plastic gloves and then your gloves. It works!

On the way down, I skidded into a bush even after applying lots of braking and slowing down. Do be very careful when you visit this location.   

full concentration going down...