Where would you go and what kind of riding would you do if you had 10 days in November to play, starting and finishing in Taiwan?
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I’ve just been asked about going to Taiwan for a freelance job in November - 2x 4-day stints with 10 days down time in between. My colleagues will probably head to a beach in Thailand or Bali or somewhere during the gap, but if I want to go cycling it seems like I might actually do best just bringing my road bike and staying in Taiwan. Is that the case?
Sounds like there’s lots of leisure cycling infrastructure but I can’t tell if that makes it good or bad for serious riding. And is it definitely a road bike trip, or would I want to bring a gravel bike? Lightweight bikepacking for a continuous trip or just move between one or more ‘bases’ and day-ride? I’d also be interested in shaking things up with 2-3 days hiking in the mountains in the mix if that’s the kind of thing people do there.
I’d also gladly hop on another plane and go elsewhere in the region if there are more exciting options (or if it proves significantly cheaper). Love the idea of bikepacking through Vietnam or someplace like that, but I’m not sure if the cost savings might be offset by the need to hire a guide or similar?
I’m an adventure rider at heart but usually default to being a roadie when I travel simply because the kit list is smaller and it’s so much easier to keep things clean and maintained, so could be swayed either way.
I’ve never been anywhere remotely close to that region so have no point of reference here at all. Any thoughts/tips/experience very welcome. Thanks!
I can’t speak to other areas in Asia, but the riding in Taiwan is fantastic. I usually am just in Taipei, but even there, there are so many options, from flat bike paths to long climbs in the mountains. I stay in the northern area of Taipei and from my hotel, which is in a busy area, I can be on quiet mountain roads in less than a KM. Ben Delaney posted a video last year of what looked like a pretty epic route out of Taipei.
The riding in southern Taiwan is spectacular. Long climbs, tropical with stunning views. Only downside is it will can be very hot and humid. It is also easy to access other areas of the island through their high-speed train.
So if you decide you just want to stay in Taiwan, your choices are near-limitless.
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Thanks - that confirms what I’d sort of surmised so far. Will look out Ben’s video!
Can you take a bike on those trains? Either in a bike bag or ready to ride? (Am thinking about both one-way rides and the possibility of doing a side trip to stay in another area for 2-3 days with just bike and basics, leaving bulk luggage at initial base.)
And can you get by with just google translate for basic interactions you might need to have on a long day out riding?
Is Taiwan expensive? We’re buying a new house this year, so unless it’s going to prove more exciting and way cheaper to get on another flight, I’m sort of thinking staying in Taiwan as the path of simplest logistics might be the winner here - in terms of both cash and energy/stress.
Pretty sure you can take a bike on the trains, but haven’t done it myself so I can’t confirm.
Like a lot of places, Taiwan can be very expensive or very affordable. Just depends on what you are looking for, I suppose. If you are adventurous with your food choices, there are many, many great options ranging from street vendors to local family-style restaurants. Breakfast is usually included in the room rate of most hotels.
I have never done any long rides there, but based on most of my interactions there, I would imagine you’ll be fine with google translate and some basic Chinese words and some English skills of the locals.
Taiwan is a wonderful country with a rich history.
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