By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported
To promote energy conservation and carbon reduction, and to encourage the public to travel the East Coast by bike in a low-carbon way, this year (2012) on April 1st, the East Coast Management Office held the “2012 Brave the East Coast $uper Rider Self-Challenge” cycling event at the Jialulan Recreation Area in Taitung. To encourage more cyclists to challenge themselves, the event introduced for the first time the “100K Gold Rush Competition Category,” with the top prize of 30,000 NTD and total prize money reaching 220,000 NTD.
This year's East Coast cycling race offers a total prize pool of 220,000 NTD to attract participants. (Photo provided by East Coast National Scenic Area Administration)
The 2012 Brave the East Coast event will start from Jialulan, a renowned driftwood art destination, and challenge the winding and beautiful Coastal Highway No. 11 against the wind, turning back at Sanxiantai, covering a total of 100 kilometers through mountains and sea. The newly launched 100K Gold Rush Competition Category includes individual age-group divisions and an elite group, with prizes ranging from 30,000 NTD to 1,000 NTD. Renowned Taiwanese cyclist Hsieh Yen, who has won multiple championship titles, as well as other athletes, will also participate in this event. Hsieh Yen, who studied in Taitung for a year, pointed out that compared to triathlon events, cycling competitions require more attention to team strategy. He noted that this route features significant elevation changes and unpredictable winds, presenting a considerable challenge that will definitely require intensified training.
The “2012 Brave the East Coast $uper Rider Self-Challenge” is now open for public registration. (Photo by ScenicSpots.com Li Xinyi)
The East Coast is a biking route highly recommended by the internationally renowned travel guide Lonely Planet and is also voted by cyclists worldwide as one of the green corridors they most want to visit. In addition to the 100K Gold Rush Competition Category, the event also includes a 100K Chase the Wind Fun Challenge open to the general public, with routes of both 100 kilometers and 200 kilometers. Registration is open from now until March 23rd, with a limit of 600 participants for each event. For more details, please visit the official website of the East Coast Management Office: www.eastcoast-nsa.gov.tw.