The Tour de East Coast International Cycling Race is now calling for brave hearts and heroes!

The annual "Tour de East Coast Cycling Race" is the highlight of Taiwan’s spring cycling calendar. Jointly organized by the Hualien County Government, Taitung County Government, and the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration, this year’s race will officially kick off on April 17 and 18. We are now actively recruiting riders of all levels — whether you aim for a personal best or simply to finish, participating makes you a hero, and completing the race makes you a legend!

The "2010 Tour de East Coast Cycling Race" marks its 10th anniversary. From 2001 to 2010, the event has nurtured and witnessed an entire generation of Taiwanese cyclists. Many riders who honed their skills on the Tour de East Coast have since become national and even Asian-level champions. This year’s race is proudly sponsored by AMD, a leading U.S. semiconductor company, and is officially named the "AMD Tour de East Coast International Cycling Race." It represents the past decade of development in Taiwan’s cycling culture — encompassing leisure, sport, and competition — as well as the evolution of cycling as a sport in Taiwan.

This year’s event will see teams from both domestic and international cycling clubs register to compete. Over 2,000 cyclists from around the world are expected to take part in what will be the longest-distance, largest-scale, and most-participated cycling race yet. The event is structured in a "triathlon" format, divided into competitive racing, challenge teams, and leisure rides, covering the three main aspects of cycling: speed, sport, and tourism. The competitive segment consists of the second and third stages of the National Club Cycling League, which also happen to be the longest two stages. On the first day, riders will cover a 130-kilometer coastal route from Hualien to Taitung, finishing at Duli, where awards will be presented at the Zhiben Gaoye Hotel. The second day features a grueling 175-kilometer ride along Provincial Highway 9 in the East Rift Valley, ending at Liyu Tan (Carp Lake) in Hualien, with the awards ceremony held at the Asia Hotel Hualien.

In addition to several local club teams, this year’s participants include numerous municipal and county representative teams, such as the “Kung Fan Temple Hang Yi Cycling Team” based on the Hsinchu County team, the “Taichung County Hao Han Team,” Kaohsiung’s “CKT,” and “Yinuohua Linyuan High School Team” from Kaohsiung County. There are also corporate-sponsored teams like “Chien Pei Cycling Team” and “SPECIALIZED NOVATEC.” International participants include Hong Kong’s “Champion System Hong Kong Champion System Team” and “Fuji Asia Team,” as well as the Japanese national team led by head coach Mitsuru Miura, bringing together national-level athletes. All will compete along the scenic East Coast highways to vie for the title of the new Tour de East Coast champion.

Participants in the Challenge Team will experience the beauty of Eastern Taiwan’s landscapes through long-distance leisure cycling, enjoying the thrill of pushing their physical limits, endurance, perseverance, and achieving self-transcendence. Along the 380-kilometer route, rest and supply stations will be set up every 30 kilometers by the organizing committee. Upon completion, all challengers will receive a finisher’s certificate and a beautifully designed medal as a souvenir. Additionally, the “East Coast Sea & Mountain Cycling Leisure Tour” combines bus travel with bike riding. The event provides bikes and transport services, starting with a bike ride on April 16, including a ride along the Qixingtan Bike Path that afternoon. On the 17th, riders will enjoy the scenic Two Lakes Mountain and Sea Bike Trail, and on the 18th, they’ll traverse the picturesque Route 193 through serene mountain valleys, fully immersing themselves in the stunning landscapes of East Coast mountains, seas, rivers, and valleys.

Those looking to challenge themselves or soak in the breathtaking scenery of the East Rift Valley can visit the website of the Republic of China Cycling Association for registration details and more information about the race.

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Further Reading: Okinawa – Another Paradise for International Cycling Events (Provided by Tripass Attractions)