By Liu Jiawen | Compiled and Reported
Now in its fifth year, the Mazu Cycling Festival has consistently drawn large numbers of passionate cyclists. This year, the event features dual main rides in Hsinchu and Taichung, kicking off on February 18. The activity is divided into three main categories. In addition to the 27-kilometer “Blessed Peace Ride” and the 115-kilometer “Blessed Challenge Ride,” a new “Blessed Wind Rider Group” has been added. This group will span six counties and cities — Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi — cycling past major temples visited during the Mazu procession, and taking on the challenge of completing an 185-kilometer route in a single day. There’s also a creative bike decoration competition for teams, encouraging cyclists to dress up together. The winning team will receive a NT$10,000 travel reward.
This year’s Mazu Cycling Festival will kick off on February 18, with simultaneous rides in Hsinchu and Taichung. (Photo provided by the Republic of China Sports & Leisure Promotion Association)
The Blessed Wind Rider Group, starting from Hsinchu City Hall, 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 Mazu’s procession through key temples including Dajia Tianhou Temple in Dadu, Nanyao Temple in Changhua, Fuxing Temple in Xiluo, and the final stop, Xingang Tianhou Temple. The “Blessed Peace Ride,” ideal for families, will take cyclists through Hsinchu Chenghuang Temple, Xiangshan Tianhou Temple, along the coastal cycling path, and back to Hsinchu City Hall Square. The “Blessed Challenge Ride” begins at the Dajia Stadium in Taichung and ends at Xingang Township Office in Chiayi. All participants who reach the finish line within the designated time will receive a certificate, lottery tickets, and gifts.
A creative bike decoration competition will also be held at the event, inviting cyclists to showcase their imagination and give their bikes and themselves a unique makeover. (Photo provided by the Republic of China Sports & Leisure Promotion Association)
Registration is open now until February 6. Participants can sign up online via the official website (www.mazu-bike.com.tw) or at designated Giant stores across Taiwan. The registration fee is NT$500 per person for the “Blessed Challenge Ride” and “Blessed Wind Rider Group,” and NT$200 per person for the “Blessed Peace Ride.” Paid shuttle bus services are also available: outbound routes include Taipei–Hsinchu, Taipei–Dajia, and Kaohsiung–Dajia, while return routes cover Xingang–Taipei, Xingang–Taichung, Xingang–Kaohsiung, Xingang–Dajia, Xingang–Hsinchu, and Hsinchu–Taipei. For shuttle schedules and service details, please check the official website or call 02-5591-5658.