THE GARDEN OF TAIWAN
THIS TOUR WILL FEATURE ROLLING ROADS THAT CUT THROUGH VALLEYS, AROUND LAKES AND OVER SMALLER HILLS
ESSENTIAL STATS YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Total Days:
4
Total Nights:
3
Total Distance:
365km (227miles))
Total Elevation Gain:
5843m (19170ft)
Difficulty Level:
★★★☆☆
THE FULL ROUTE MAP
THE PACKAGE
*US$1479
All accommodation will be based on two riders sharing a twin room. If you prefer to have a room to yourself, then we can arrange it for a supplementary cost.
Bike rental: US$170
Single Room Option: US$273
Deposit: US$300
Difficulty Level explained: CLICK HERE
*(SELF-GUIDED starting from US$519)
*Above prices based on groups of 4 or more riders.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Enjoy the rollercoaster roads between Hsinchu and Miaoli.
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Pass through the strawberry fields in the lush Miaoli County.
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Enjoy the scenery surrounding the stunning Sun Moon Lake.
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Enjoy a day of relaxing lakeside at Sun Moon Lake.
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Stop for a cup of Oolong tea in one of Chaiyi's many tea gardens.
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Take on the climb overlooking Tsengwen reservoir, then the flowing descent down to the water side.
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Speed up and down the rolling roads on Yujing, passing mango and pineapple farms.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
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3 Nights accommodation.
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Breakfast, lunch and riding snacks but not Dinner which, from experience, is best left to personal choice.
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All your hydration requirements, including water, sports drinks, sodas, tea and coffee.
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Rider/Guide ratio of 6/1.
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Full vehicle support.
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Bike and kit wash service.
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Epic Ride Taiwan jersey, socks and cap.
ITINERARY
A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF EACH DAY OF THE TOUR
Day 1 - Hsinchu to Taichung
Distance - 97km. Elevation Gain 1552m. Estimated Riding Time - 5-6hrs
Day 1 will be a fun day in the saddle. The opening 30km in particular are like riding on a rollercoaster, as we make our way around several reservoirs. The road is never flat here, but you will be able to get up most of the short climbs using momentum from the previous descent. The area is full of ridge roads too, so you can feast your eyes on the higher mountains to the east, or the coastal plains to the west.
About halfway through the ride, we'll meet national road number 3, which is actually Taiwan's longest, stretching from Taipei all the way to Tainan, a good 350km away.
This stretch of the road is lovely, with hills both sides and wide scooter and bike lanes to keep you safe from motorised vehicles. Stop to pick some strawberries if they are in season, and they will fuel the rest of your day before we stay the night around Taichung.
Day 2 - Taichung to Sun Moon Lake
Distance - 70km. Elevation Gain 1145m. Estimated Riding Time - 5-6hrs
The second day of the tour will begin with a steady climb to the highest point of the day, at 850m in elevation. We will face a 6km climb with an average gradient of 5%, so not too challenging. But still, we get the hardest part of the day done while we are fresh!
Enjoy the fresher air as we descend for much of the next 20km. It's not long before we are back at lower levels again, after which we will make a very long gradual climb towards the west of Puli, keeping away from the town which is the geographical centre of Taiwan.
Shortly after, we will arrive at the beautiful Sun Moon Lake. Take your time and enjoy a leisurely afternoon here in one of Taiwan's most famous locations.
Day 3 - Sun Moon Lake to Chiayi
Distance - 100km. Elevation Gain 1452m. Estimated Riding Time - 5-6hrs
Day 3 will begin with the descent from Sun Moon Lake, into the the town of Shuili, the confluence of several rivers. We'll head westward from here, following the train line to Jiji, from where we'll take a picturesque shortcut through to the river valley that sources up in Alishan, high in the central mountains.
After about 50km, we'll take on the big challenge of the day which is the climb up to the tea growing area of Meishan. This climb is in two parts, 15km in total at 5.5%. Take your time, and you will be rewarded with a fine cup of local coffee or oolong at the top.
From the top, we will roll down one of the most famous roads in Taiwan, called the Meishan 36 switchbacks. This is a long sweeping descent and fabulous for downhill fans.
After the fun of the descent, it'll be a nice short ride down back on the rolling road number 3 to Chiayi, where we'll rest up for the night.
Day 4 - Chiayi to Tainan
Distance - 98km. Elevation Gain 1694m. Estimated Riding Time - 5-6hrs
The final day of our tour, and once again, we begin with a climb whilst we are at our freshest.
This particular climb really is a beauty. It's long, at 16km but with an average gradient of 3.9%, it's not too frightening. It's an open climb with views aplenty of the distant high mountains.
Take a well earned break at the top, savouring the views of the distant Tsengwen reservoir, before we plunge down to it, on a road that is a pure joy to ride. Sweeping bends through the jungle on a road that was made for cyclists. Bliss.
The last part of the tour will be on enjoyable undulating roads past the reservoir, and then into the hills and fruit plantations around Yujing and Nanhua, the location of some great local bike races and you'll understand why on these fast, flowing roads.
