The China Post
Date: July 18, 2016
By: Seamus Boyle, Special to The China Post

With the Tour de France, the world’s biggest and most famous professional cycling race,

Though small in scale, Taiwan’s own cycling festival remains highly anticipated by cyclists.
(Courtesy of Taiwan Cycling Festival)

underway at the moment, Taiwan’s own competition seems small in terms of scale. But any experienced cyclist knows that taking to the road for the Taiwan Cycling Festival (2016臺灣自行車節) is no small task. This year’s event features four challenges that require commitment, hard work and necessary preparations, starting today.

The Taiwan 2016 King of the Hill Challenge (KOM臺灣自行車登山王挑戰) poses maybe the most grueling challenge of the event. The 105-kilometer race features 87 kilometers of sheer uphill climbing. Starting Oct. 28, only the toughest of bikers will be able to master the mountain. With a capacity of 600 participants — 300 domestic and 300 foreign — bikers from all parts of the world are welcome to come stake their claim atop Taiwan’s famous Hehuan Mountain (合歡山).

From a sprint to a marathon, the Formosa 900 (騎遇福爾摩沙900) will see participants circle the island in a 900-kilometer-long, nine-day, eight-night excursion. Based very much around finding one’s pace and enjoying the island’s scenery, the 900 will award successful participants with an official certificate upon completion. Participants may travel alone or sign up to join a group, but all will experience the full range of Taiwan’s culture as they go.     [FULL  STORY]