Taiwan: The Beautiful Island

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW: This is a new tour for 2015, and is fully supported by Asian bike specialists Grasshopper Adventures (www.grasshopperadventures.com) who have been operating cycle tours in Taiwan for 8 years. The tour begins and ends in Taipei. Airport pick-up is included on Wednesday, Dec. 2nd. We  meet at Happy Hour that night at 5 PM followed by our first group dinner .

RIDE DESCRI{TION:  Most people’s first thoughts of Taiwan might be of factories, like Giant Bicycles for example, and a troubled relationship with China, but this really is La Ilha Formosa (The Beautiful Island), and our ride takes us through majestic scenery, from breathtaking Taroko, the world’s deepest marble gorge, to the lush East Rift Valley and the spectacularly rugged Pacific East Coast. Punctuated with beaches, aboriginal villages and hot springs, the route then winds its way down to the island’s southernmost point near Kenting before rounding the coast and heading north through Taiwan’s banana-belt on the way to the island’s biggest monastery, Foguangshan and its historic capital, Tainan.

The trip starts in Taipei, the island’s capital and home to one of the world’s tallest building,s and arguably its greatest collection of Chinese arts. The following day we’ll make the scenic drive south to spectacular Taroko Gorge where we’ll hike into a beautiful tributary valley before proceeding to our hotel in the gorge itself. Our route commences with the unbelievable 20km ride out through Taroko, from where we work our way down into the lush East Rift Valley, a land of rice paddies and sleepy aboriginal villages nestled between two mountain ranges. After overnighting in the aboriginal settlement of Ruisui, the following day we’ll cross the Coastal Mountain Range to emerge on the rugged Pacific East Coast. There’ll be a chance to rest and recuperate in the therapeutic hot springs at Zhiben before we continue south along this dramatic coastline, heading inland to cross the mountains on our way to Kenting. After a free day to explore Taiwan’s tropical beaches we’ll head up the western coastal plains to the incredible monastery at Foguangshan before taking one last foray into the mountains, and yet more well-deserved hot springs at Baolai and Guanziling. Our final day’s ride takes us down from the coastal hills into Tainan, the colonial capital of Taiwan. From Tainan it’s just 90 minutes on the bullet train back to Taipei where the tour ends.

RIDE RATING: The quick-look rating for this trip is 2C. We'll cycle a distance of about 770 kilometres (480 miles; excluding optional cycling) over the 9 cycling days of this 15-day trip. The longest cycling day is approximately 110km (70 miles); the shortest is 60km (40 miles). There aren’t many flat roads in Taiwan and our route takes in several lengthy hill climbs (maximum 10% gradient for very short stretches), the longest of which is 20km/12 miles (5-7%). While there is a support vehicle on hand all riders are expected to make these climbs without assistance. Wherever possible the climbs will be in the early part of the day, and there are hot springs and scheduled rest days following some of the harder days for recovery and sightseeing off the bikes. The riding starts on Day 3 from Taroko to Rueisuei (70 miles, 1000 ft), Day 4, Rueisuei to Chenggong (50 miles, 900 ft), Day 5, Chenggong to Zhiben (37 miles, 900 ft), Day 6, Hot Springs and National Park hike (no cycling), Day 7, Zhiben to Shangwu (37 miles, 600 ft), Day 8, Shangwu to Kenting (62 miles, 2450 ft), Day 9, Beaches and a National Park (no cycling), Day 10, Kenting to Foguangshan (70 miles, 1000 ft), Day 11, Foguangshan to Baolai (50 miles, 1800 ft, also our highest point; 1850 ft above sea level), Day 12, Baoliai to Guanziling (57 miles, 2650 ft), Day 13, Guanziling to Tainan (51 miles, 600 ft), Day 14, Walking Tour of Taipei (no more cycling), Day 15, Tour ends after breakfast in Taipei.

WEATHER: Taiwan has an incredibly diverse climate for such a small island, due to its location, and the vast Central Mountain Range. Away from Taipei (which is often wet in winter), the weather in December is generally mild (60 -80 F) and dry, although there is always the chance of rain on the East Coast, particularly the north part around Hualien. The southwest and deep south are slightly warmer (65 -85 F) and experience very little rain from November to March. Temperatures can be several degrees cooler in the mountains (Baolai & Guanziling).

LODGING: Accommodation varies from simple lodges to hot spring resorts and beachside cottages. All have been carefully selected by Simon Foster at Grasshopper Adventures, guidebook author to more than 10 countries. Full details are available at Grasshopper's website.

LOGISTICS: Grasshopper Adventures will arrange for safe stowage of bike boxes in Taipei, and can also arrange bike hire (on request and at additional cost). Bikes will be transported by road from Taipei to Taroko at the start of the trip and from Tainan to Taipei at the end of the trip, and will arrive before we return in order that there is plenty of time for packing before departure the following day. Participants may wish to extend their time in Taipei at the beginning or end of the trip, in which case Grasshopper Adventures can assist with hotel bookings and sightseeing trips.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: The tour cost is per person, twin occupancy. We welcome singles and will make every effort to help them find a roommate. If space allows, a limited number of solo rooms may be available for an additional charge of $1100. The price includes 14 nights lodging with breakfast, 10 lunches and 12 dinners, arrival transfer, private a/c transfers as per itinerary, Tainan-Taipei high-speed rail, cycling support vehicles and drivers, cycling leader, cycling snacks, drinks and water, maps and route notes and social hour expenses (featuring local snacks and Taiwan beer) and one cycling jersey per person. The price does not include airfare to Taipei, entry fees to optional activities, alcoholic drinks at included dinners or everyday gratuities. The remainder of the balance after the initial deposit of US$1700 will be due by July 1, 2015.   To register use the sign-up links above. You will be contacted by the Ride Coordinator to help determine your ability to complete the ride. Members with questions may contact the coordinator by clicking his name at the top of the page. 

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $100 Overseas BAC ride fee is nonrefundable. If a ride participant cancels, any refund will be determined on the basis that the remaining participants will not incur additional costs. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report is completed.  If a single sharing a room  is forced to cancel, he/she may still be liable for the amount of the single supplement for the remaining roommate.