Taiwan

[cycladelic]

I've just had a week in wonderful of glorious weather riding over taiwan's central Mountan range. Starting not too far from the country's main international airport, i did the North Cross-island Highway to reach the eastern side of the country.

After traversing the Central Mountain Range, I hooked up with my wife and we stayed on Highway 7 and veered south, towards the mountain town of Lishan, and once over the pass, dropped down Taroko Gorge. Fab.

The twisting 7 is not an easy ride: there are long - 20km - continuous inclines which will test any fully loaded tourer's leg muscles. Here are some snaps...

This first one is where the serious climbing starts, at a place named Fuxing. The second is an hour or so into the climb. It was a tough one.

My third self-timed photo shows me on day two - up on the North Cross-Island Highway. Great weather for this time of year!

[Danneaux]

Hi Cycla' and welcome to the Thorn Cycling Forums.

My! Stunning photos and a gorgeous Tonka Yellow Nomad you have there.

A colleague from my uni days was from Taiwan and showed my photos of this very area -- tremendous, long climbs just as you've donw (his journeys were by bus and car; I was still impressed by the scenery and gradient!).

All best wishes your way.

Best,

Dan.

[cycladelic]

My front tyre is a Maxxis Overdrive, which I've found to be pretty good.

The second photo is me about to drop down Taroko Gorge: a must-do for any cycle tourist.

[cycladelic]

Hi Cycla' and welcome to the Thorn Cycling Forums.

My! Stunning photos and a gorgeous Tonka Yellow Nomad you have there.

Best,

Dan.

Thanks, Dan

It's rare to see overseas cyclists touring here, despite it being where many decent bikes are made. Nudge nudge wink wink.

Graham

[cycladelic]

My! Stunning photos and a gorgeous Tonka Yellow Nomad you have there.

Best,

Dan.

And here are a few more shots of the terrain, with Highway 7 and Highway 8 crossing the mountains...

[alfie1952]

Hi Cycladelic.

Absolutely stunning photographs and must have been an amazing ride

Regards, Alfie.

[jags]

wow class.

[Chris M]

Great shots cycladelic.

[brummie]

Hi cycladelic, Welcome to the forum.

Your Yellow front rack, luggage & peaked cap seem familiar ....  your trips have been featured in Cycling Plus magazine in the past if I'm not mistaken? ( Norway, France, Corsica ) - Good to see you on a Nomad !

Happy Cycling

Brummie

[Donnydid]

Awesome photos!
Its a country I would love to Tour.

Dave

[John Saxby]

Wow! Serious bizness indeed -- super fotos, Cycla, and welcome!

[cycladelic]

Hi cycladelic, Welcome to the forum.

Your Yellow front rack, luggage & peaked cap seem familiar ....  your trips have been featured in Cycling Plus magazine in the past if I'm not mistaken? ( Norway, France, Corsica ) - Good to see you on a Nomad !

Happy Cycling

Brummie

Well spotted!

... You just forgot to mention my rugged good-looks.

I was riding a steel-framed Brodie then.

Graham

[cycladelic]

Hi Cycladelic.

Absolutely stunning photographs and must have been an amazing ride

Regards, Alfie.

Thanks, Alfie,

Yes, Highway 7 is a real gem. It's hard work, as there are some very long inclines: the last 20km of my first day was basically all up. And at the end of 110km, fully loaded, at my age, you feel it.

Graham

[Danneaux]

I was riding a steel-framed Brodie then.

Graham

Ah! The penny just dropped; I recall your CGOAB journals! I should have known straight away from the stunning photos.

Welcome again, Graham. 

Best,

Dan.

[cycladelic]

Awesome photos!
Its a country I would love to Tour.

Dave

Cheers, Dave

You'd really like it, I'm sure.

I think Highway 7 and Highway 8 are two great routes. There are some quiet rural roads along the east coast, and if you have a detailed map, there are some scenic roads on the industrial west side of the island, too.

There's a fashion here for riding around the island in a week or two, and the novice riders who do this tend to cycle along main roads. It's sad. They simply don't know what they're missing.

Here are a few more photos. The top two are from my most recent trip - during Chinese New Year - on Highway 8, which goes through Taroko Gorge. There's a descent of 50+ kilometres! The first was taken at a tunnel near the top section (around 2,500 metres) the second one much lower down. The third photo was taken back in November - again riding in Taroko Gorge.  

Graham