{"id":2937,"date":"2011-12-05T21:15:35","date_gmt":"2011-12-05T13:15:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/?p=2937"},"modified":"2019-12-28T14:18:49","modified_gmt":"2019-12-28T19:18:49","slug":"cycling-taiwan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/12\/cycling-taiwan\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Taiwan Deserves a Spot on Lonely Planet’s top 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taiwan nabbed a spot on Lonely Planet\u2019s 2012 list of top ten destinations.  After almost three weeks exploring this tiny island nation, I can assure you it deserves the recognition.<\/p>\n

The Taiwanese are embracing bicycle touring like no other nation in Asia, and that\u2019s one reason it earned a coveted spot on LP\u2019s top ten list.<\/p>\n

Even before we set foot in Taiwan, I realized what an honored spot cycle tourists occupy in Taiwanese society.<\/p>\n

a little love for two-wheeled travelers<\/h3>\n

Tawian\u2019s love affair with bicycles, and those brave enough to do the pedaling, was evident from the moment we entered the terminal in Xiamen (on the mainland) where we were to board the ferry to Taichung (in Taiwan).<\/p>\n

The place was a madhouse of tour groups in funny hats queuing up to board the boat.  Our bicycles were our ticket to first class service and we were whisked to the font of the line to board the ship first.  The crew bustled around stowing our bikes and bags, then lead us up to a comfy cabin complete with dazzling lilly- white bed sheets and a fluffy pillow.   After setting sail, I wandered around the ship and discovered not only karaoke and a dining room, but a sauna and Japanese-style bath house.<\/p>\n

Expectations vs. Reality<\/h3>\n

Now when I first envisioned an overnight ferry, I\u2019d imagined rolling out my sleeping bag on some filthy and cramped deck surrounded by a couple hundred Chinese men on little bamboo mats who would all be smoking like chimneys while simultaneously snoring, spitting, farting , belching and\/or puking if the seas were rough.  I\u2018d conjured up images of overflowing toilets and a boat laden with everything from rooting pigs and clucking chickens to crates of rotting fruit and giant satellite dishes.<\/p>\n

Reality was something more like the Love Boat.<\/p>\n

It was a very civilized crossing made complete by a free breakfast served just after sunrise.  When the ship pulled into port, a sailor dressed in a starched uniform ushered us off first like true dignitaries and lead us quickly through the efficient immigration procedures.<\/p>\n

I was pleasantly surprised and already loving Taiwan although I\u2019d yet to pedal a single stroke.<\/p>\n

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These guys came all theway from Malaysia for a tour around Taiwan...probably read the Lonely Planet article, too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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7-11 at your service<\/h3>\n

Taiwan\u2019s love affair with bicycle touring was evident from the very first 7-11 convenience store we wandered into.  7-11?  Yes, 7-11.  There are 4,790 of them in Taiwan and I pop in to several each day just to take advantage of the super clean restroom facilities.  Not only can you take a pee, you can also amble over to 7-11\u2019s special cycle service stations to pump up your bike tires, check out bike route maps or borrow tool kits to tinker with your machine.<\/p>\n

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My favorite spot for a break in Taiwan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Thank you 7-11 for making life easier for cyclists all over Taiwan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2026and the police, too<\/h3>\n

Designated Police Stations all over the country are festooned with Bike Stage signs.  These are spots where you can fill up your water bottles, get first aid and even camp for the night.  Along the coast, spots are designated as special bike rest stops where you can take a break and even pitch the tent for the night.<\/p>\n

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Police stations all over Taiwan offer water to thirsty cyclists.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not that finding a safe place to sleep is ever a problem in Taiwan.  On one of our very first nights in the country, we got hopelessly lost in the tangle of super highways that is Greater Tapei.  Night was falling, but no worries.  Temples dot the entire country and the Buddhists don\u2019t seem to have a problem with itinerant cyclists catching a little shut eye in their sacred places.<\/p>\n

Life couldn\u2019t be simpler for a cyclist<\/h3>\n

No temples around the bend?  Try a school or the fire station, you\u2019ll surely be welcomed warmly.<\/p>\n

Biking Taiwan means you\u2019ll be sharing the road with plenty of two-wheeled Taiwanese out exploring their island.  Most are loaded with nothing more than a couple of scrawny saddle bags holding a change of clothes, a few snacks and perhaps a puncture repair kit.  Their jaws drop in absolute awe and bewilderment when they see how much stuff we carry.<\/p>\n

Applause and arm pumps throughout the day keep us thoroughly motivated as do the shouts of \u201cJia yo\u201d which I\u2019m told is the Chinese equivalent of Go, go, go!<\/p>\n

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Even this old guy gave me a big smile as we pedaled by.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wait, wait\u2026there\u2019s more<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not just friendly people and great cycling infrastructure that make Taiwan such a fun country to bike in.  The island may be small, stretching to about 390km in length<\/em> and 140km wide at its broadest point, but there\u2019s an amazing variety of scenery and even climate zones.<\/p>\n

The east coast is lined with cliffs that literally drop off into the ocean.  Road crews are constantly out fixing highways that threaten to slide into the Pacific.  Where there is no way around the mountain, the Taiwanese have tunneled through<\/strong> the mountain.  Scary at times, but we got used to tunnel riding after we knocked back the first dozen or so.<\/p>\n

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It takes a while to get used to all the tunnel cycling in Taiwan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can\u2019t miss it<\/h3>\n

Taroko Gorge is Taiwan\u2019s biggest tourist draw and despite sharing the place with the crowds, we didn\u2019t want to miss it.  Taroko means “magnificent and splendid” in the local aboriginal language and magnificent and splendid this steep marble canyon truly is.<\/p>\n

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The narrow gorge cut into the highly resistant marble.<\/h4>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n

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Temple in Takoro National Park<\/h4>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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Navigating another tunnel in Takoro National Park<\/h3>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n

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Our Taiwan tour was all about crashing waves and rocky beaches, beautiful temples tucked away on steep mountainsides and thick tropical forests once we headed inland.<\/p>\n

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Just like vacation<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s been a relaxing few weeks.  More like a cycling holiday than a hard-core tour.  Just what I needed to re-energize before we sail back to China for another round of insane cycling on the Mainland.<\/p>\n

I don’t agree with everything Lonely Planet spins, but they were spot on with Taiwan.  It does deserve a place in the top 10.<\/p>\n

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