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Max and Jacqueline document a long cycling journey around Taiwan, covering 1,000 km and describing it as a 19-day adventure. Their route begins in Taipei, includes coastal towns and challenging climbs, and later reaches Taichung, Fengchia Night Market and Sun Moon Lake. They rent bikes from Bike Express and discuss comfort, hills, headwinds and road conditions. Along the way, they stop at Taiwanese convenience stores, explore night markets inside temples and try dumplings, roast duck, sweet potato cakes and bubble tea. Friendly locals encourage them, while the riders adapt to language barriers and book accommodation as they go. The trip combines physical challenges, food and cultural encounters.
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Cycling from Taipei across Taiwan
Max and Jacqueline begin their cycling journey in Taipei, covering 75 km on their first day and following the Route 1 cycleway around the island. They rent bikes from Bike Express and find them comfortable and easy to use. They discuss choosing padded cycling shorts and seats for a better ride. The journey brings steep climbs, headwinds and uncertainty about road conditions, especially in areas where English is less common. They have moments of exhaustion and nervousness but continue riding and adapt as they go.
Convenience-store snacks and drinks help the pair refuel during long days, and rest days give them time to explore museums and cultural heritage parks. Their route takes them through towns and coastal areas, with ocean views and interactions with locals. Construction workers wave and encourage them as they pass. The riders book accommodation on the go and respond to changing needs along the route.
Night markets and food experiences
A night market inside a temple is one of their unexpected discoveries, combining food with a cultural setting. They sample dumplings, roast duck, sweet potato cakes and bubble tea. At food stalls, they observe local customs and avoid lingering in front of vendors so customers can keep moving. They also try Taiwanese soup dumplings and describe the proper way to eat them carefully to enjoy the flavor without burning their mouths.
Their route later includes Taichung, Fengchia Night Market and Sun Moon Lake, as well as Tainan, which they describe as Taiwan's oldest city. They explore historical sites and continue sampling local food. The journey ends back in Taipei, where Max and Jacqueline reflect on the island's scenery, friendly people and varied landscapes. The account mentions both 16 days and 19 days for the trip, and the 1,000 km covered. The riders describe challenging weather, climbs and headwinds alongside the rewarding moments of local hospitality and discovery.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the most challenging part of the trip?
- A: The steep climbs and headwinds were especially difficult, with some days feeling brutal. The riders also dealt with road conditions and changing weather.
- Q: What was your favorite food?
- A: The soup dumplings were a favorite, and the night-market food was always an adventure. They also sample roast duck, sweet potato cakes and bubble tea.
- Q: What was the most surprising thing you found?
- A: They were surprised by a night market inside a temple and by how clean public restrooms were along the route.
- Q: What advice would you give other cyclists?
- A: Rent a good bike, pack light and prepare for different weather. The couple also encourage trying local food during the ride.
- Q: What was your favorite part of the trip?
- A: Sun Moon Lake was a highlight for its scenery, and petting the cybird was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them.
