Rally your friends for a bike ride in Taitung — registration now open!

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

The 2011 Taiwan Cycling Festival’s “Rally to Ride, Go Crazy for Taitung” cycling race and Green Riders Music Concert will feature a series of exciting events on November 13th at the Taitung Sugar Factory. The cycling race includes three categories: a competitive group covering 100K, a challenge group covering 60K, and a leisure treasure hunt group covering 40K, with a total of 1,000 spots available. Registration is open from now until November 7th.

This cycling race is divided into three groups, all starting on the morning of November 13th. The competitive group covers 100 kilometers, starting from the Taitung Sugar Factory, traveling along Provincial Highway 11, turning back at the Chenggong Gas Station, then passing over Zhonghua Bridge and along Mahengheng Boulevard to reach the finish line at the north entrance of the Forest Park. The challenge group covers 60 kilometers, starting from the Taitung Sugar Factory, via Zhihang Road, Taitung Bridge, Provincial Highway 11, and turning back at Jintun Recreation Area, then returning to Taitung Bridge and finishing back at the Taitung Sugar Factory. The leisure treasure hunt group covers 40 kilometers, also starting from the Taitung Sugar Factory, going to the Dulan Sugar Factory and turning back, then continuing along Taitung Bridge and Zhihang Road to the finish line at the Taitung Sugar Factory.

Prize money for each group is as follows: for the competitive group, the top five male riders will receive between NT$1,000 and NT$5,000, and the top three female riders will receive between NT$1,000 and NT$3,000. In addition, all participants who complete their respective courses will receive vacuum-sealed small-packaged rice, beautifully designed gift balls, and vouchers for the riders’ night buffet dinner provided by the organizing committee. Registration closes on November 7th with a limit of 1,000 participants. Registration forms can be downloaded from the event website of the Taitung Triathlon Sports Committee. Applications can be submitted by mail (P.O. Box 137, Malan Post Office, Taitung County, Taitung County Sports Association Triathlon Sports Committee) or by email (hjk3636@xuite.net). For in-person registration, please visit the contact office of the Taitung County Sports Association Triathlon Sports Committee or register with Ms. Xu in the Tourism and Leisure Division of the County Government’s Tourism Department at 089-324-902.