Taipei -> Kaohsiung

I had started looking for work again and ended up getting an Software Engineering job with Blue Origin. As excited as I was, I knew this meant my days of doing mostly whatever I wanted were coming to an end. I started work in March and got the offer in late January, how could I enjoy my final stretch of unemployment?

I really wasn't sure what to do and where to go but one of my best friends, Richard said he was going to be in Hong Kong for Chinese New Year, which is mid-February. He was gracious enough to allow me to join him so I knew I would be around Hong Kong, but I had roughly a week before and after Hong Kong to still fill in. Richard recommended I see Taiwan as it's so close to Hong Kong, plus with my travels in China it could be interesting. As I started looking into Taiwan I began to hear about the Huandao, or going around the island by car, motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle. Around this time one of my other best friends, Anthony, happened to send me a voice note tell me about an epic bike trip he had in California (he has a lot of epic bike trips). And so Taiwan became the land I had wanted to see.

The whole thing was incredible. It was my first time doing an international bike trip and a "tour", my previous experience was limited to long one day rides and one 2 day ride in the Ventana Wilderness near Big Sur. Going from town to town, stopping at 7/11's, eating incredible food every day (and being able to eat 1000's of calories of said food), and riding through mountains was magnificent. I was really nervous to start but after a few hours day one it was just a blessing, and by the second to last day I was genuinely sad that it would end. I even tried to book a bike to go from Kaohsiung back to Taipei via the East side of the island to finish the Huandao but Giant had no bikes available.

There were some logistical issues (I biked with a light backpack on my back the whole time and got a flat with no spare tube) but they were my fault in planning. Thankfully I didn't plan a route that demanded strict mileage and was never far from civilization, but that is also one of the best parts of Taiwan. You'd never be too far from someplace, maybe not a huge city but some kind of town with people.

I can't stress enough how beautiful Taiwan was, those first 3 days I was in Central Taiwan with mountains and it was the most beautiful riding I had ever done. I usually don't go to one country twice but I will return to Taiwan to ride the east side, and if you like to bike and are reading this you should go too 😊

Day 1 of hopefully a hong dao. Started flat on Dahan river and after Daxi started on a pretty up and down road into mountain towns as sun came out and it warmed up. Second half definitely harder than first but it’s all been so beautiful. Favorite part was ride along river before Daxi. Missed the first 10 minutes of recording by accident, so distance according to bike computer was 107.8 km / 66.98 miles

Incredibly difficult but really beautiful. All going through mountain towns meaning a lot of climbing and descending. Last 2 climbs were brutal. Should’ve started a bit earlier as I was a bit stressed getting into Puli before sunset but it all worked out. Bike computer is solar powered so missed the last bit.

Was supposed to be a really easy day but got a flat on the way and got into Sun Moon Lake 2 hrs later than anticipated. Still got to do a loop around the lake but on a different bike, bike shop opens tomorrow so will hope to fix touring bike tomorrow.

Got a new tire in the morning and headed out. Wish I could have left earlier and made it to Tainan a day earlier but we’re here. Not as scenic of a ride for most of the day, it was super hazy and seemed more industrial rather than the lush mountains I’ve been used to. Mostly flat or descending so was a super easy ride.

Completely forgot to stop Strava so a bit extra from walking around city lol. Bike computer clocked it at just over 100km. Started on route 1 but didn’t like the lights and traffic so diverted to the west to ride along coast and super happy I did as it was quieter and felt like more of an adventure. Can’t believe tomorrow is the last day, was super sad when it dawned on me. This was supposed to be a way shorter day but the riding is awesome so took a bunch of detours and tomorrow probably will again. A bunch of Giant shops are closed after new year to March so I don’t think I’ll be able to do the East coast next week 😞 legitimately sad it could be over tomorrow but still one more day of adventure!

And so it ends. A bit bummed that I won’t make the east side return next week but super happy with the experience, it’s starting to kick in that we crossed a whole island by bike. Took a lot of detours today and it was beautiful and super quiet compared to main road. Will be back one day to go Kaohsiung -> Taipei via the east coast!!