“Delicious food, stunning scenery, and warm hospitality” left a deep impression on foreign riders participating in the “Taiwan Cycling Festival.” At the end of this month, cyclists from 31 countries will gather in Taiwan once again to take on the world’s most challenging mountain cycling route. The festival’s 20 group rides around the island will serve as a “warm-up tune,” preparing for the upcoming launch of the “Round-the-Island Route One” at the end of the year.
Serving as a Warm-Up for Route One
“The Taiwan King of Climbs is not only an enjoyable experience but also one of the best forms of tourism marketing.” Zhou Xiaolin from the Yang Cycling Team, who has participated in the KOM Taiwan King of Climbs for four consecutive years, has witnessed the event grow from 79 foreign riders at its inception in 2012 to nearly half—about 200 participants—being international this year. The competition has become increasingly intense and has garnered even more acclaim.
Zhou Xiaolin won the division championship in the King of Climbs in 2013 and last year completed the race in freezing temperatures of 3°C, gaining a profound appreciation for what was hailed by a French cycling magazine as “the world’s fifth most difficult cycling route.” He had to climb from Qixingtan in Hualien up to Wuling, which sits at an altitude of 3,275 meters. Despite the difficulty, the breathtaking scenery along the way made him and other international riders frequently give thumbs-up, with many saying they’d return next year.
Champion Father-Son Duo Takes on the Challenge
Zhou Xiaolin observed that after each race, foreign cycling magazines would highlight the event and Taiwan’s scenery, providing free promotion for Taiwanese tourism. This event has become the most cost-effective and high-impact tourism highlight. “The bigger the cycling event, the better it markets Taiwan.” This year, he will tackle the King of Climbs together with his son, hoping to claim the division title once again.
Fluent in Chinese, 47-year-old American retired military diplomat and current International Marketing Director of the Chinese Taipei Cycling Association, Eagle Chen, has been stationed at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) since 2009. After retiring from military service the year before last, he chose to stay in Taiwan and obtained permanent residency. He has experienced cycling routes in areas such as Hualien and Taitung, joined the “Northbound Cycling Group,” admired Taiwan’s beautiful landscapes, and fallen in love with the strong camaraderie among local cycling teams.
International Riders Love Taiwan’s Warm Hospitality
Chen and fellow cyclists frequently join races, believing that “Taiwan is a paradise for cyclists.” Its scenic beauty rivals that of cycling routes in France and Italy, making it ideal for international visitors. The only missing piece in his cycling map is the Sun Moon Lake loop, and this year he serves as the spokesperson for the “Sun Moon Lake Come! Bikeday” event during the cycling festival. In addition to rallying cyclists to join, he aims to complete his own personal goal.
Su Zhenwei, head of the Transportation Research Institute, stated that the round-the-island rides in the Taiwan Cycling Festival have actually already referenced the route of the upcoming “Round-the-Island Route One,” which is set to be completed by the end of the year. The signage and road markings are expected to be finished by the end of this month, and after a full review next month, Taiwan will officially have a 1,200-kilometer round-the-island cycling route. The 20 group rides will serve as a warm-up for this route, and next year the Tourism Bureau will incorporate dedicated itineraries for the “Route One,” attracting even more participants.