Tens of Thousands Bike for the Goddess Mazu – Cyclists Across Six Counties Join the Wind-Chasing Ride

By Liu Jiawen / Compiled and Reported

Now in its fifth year, the Mazu Million Riders BIKE event continues to draw passionate cyclists every time it’s held. This year, the festivities kick off with dual main venues in Hsinchu and Taichung, and the event will officially begin on February 18. The event features three main categories: besides the 27-kilometer “Ride for Blessings & Peace” group and the 115-kilometer “Ride for Blessings & Challenge” group, a new “Ride for Blessings & Wind” category has been added. It spans six counties and cities—Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi—taking riders past major temples visited during the Mazu procession, and challenges them to complete an 185-kilometer route in one day. In addition, there's a creative bike decoration competition for teams, encouraging cyclists to dress up and ride together, with the winning team receiving a NT$10,000 fun reward bonus.

The “Ride for Blessings & Wind” group departs from Hsinchu City Hall and covers a total distance of 185 kilometers. Riders will follow the West Coast Highway southward, switch to Provincial Highway 1 in Miaoli, then trace the route of the Mazu procession, cycling past major temples such as the Dajia Zhenlan Temple, Changhua Nanyao Temple, Siluo Fuxing Temple, and the final destination, the Xingang Fengtian Temple. The family-friendly “Ride for Blessings & Peace” group will travel through sites including Hsinchu Chenghuang Temple, Xiangshan Tianhou Temple, and along the coastal cycling path before returning to Hsinchu City Hall Plaza. The “Ride for Blessings & Challenge” group starts at the Dajia Stadium in Taichung and ends at the Xingang Township Office in Chiayi. All participants who reach their destinations within the designated time will receive a certificate, raffle tickets, and gifts.

Registration for the event is open from now until February 6. Participants can register online via the official website (www.mazu-bike.com.tw) or at any designated Giant Bicycles store across Taiwan. Those signing up for the “Ride for Blessings & Challenge” and “Ride for Blessings & Wind” groups must pay a registration fee of NT$500 per person, while the “Ride for Blessings & Peace” group requires a NT$200 fee per person. The organizers also offer paid shuttle bus services. Outbound routes include Taipei–Hsinchu, Taipei–Dajia, and Kaohsiung–Dajia, while return routes consist of six options: Xingang–Taipei, Xingang–Taichung, Xingang–Kaohsiung, Xingang–Dajia, Xingang–Hsinchu, and Hsinchu–Taipei. For shuttle service schedules and details, please check the event website or call 02-5591-5658.