"Recommended Cycling Route by Lonely Planet: $220,000 Prize for the 100K Golden Bike Race"

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

To promote energy conservation and carbon reduction and encourage the public to use bicycles for eco-friendly travel, the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration hosted the "2012 Brave the East Coast $uper Rider Self-Challenge" cycling event on April 1, 2012, in Taitung's Jialulan Recreation Area. To encourage more cyclists to challenge themselves, the event featured a newly introduced "100K Golden Competition Category" this year, with the top prize of NT$30,000 and total prize money reaching NT$220,000.

The 2012 Brave the East Coast event will start from Jialulan, a hub of driftwood art, and riders will brave the wind along the winding and beautiful Provincial Highway 11 coastline, turning back at Sanxiantai, covering a total of 100 kilometers through mountain and sea landscapes. The newly launched 100K Golden Competition Category includes individual age-group divisions and an elite group, with prizes ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$1,000. Taiwan’s top cyclist Hsieh Yen, who has won multiple championships and has also studied in Taitung for a year, pointed out that compared to triathlons, cycling competitions require more attention to team strategy. He noted that this route features undulating terrain and unpredictable winds, making it quite challenging, and he plans to intensify his training accordingly.

The East Coast is a cycling route highly recommended by the internationally renowned travel guide Lonely Planet and is also voted one of the world's most desired green corridors by cyclists. In addition to the 100K Golden Competition Category, the event also offers a 100K Wind-Chasing Fun Challenge for the general public, featuring 100 km and 200 km categories. Registration is open from now until March 23, with a limit of 600 participants per category. For event details, please visit the official website of the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration at www.eastcoast-nsa.gov.tw.