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Taipei City, Taiwan

With its varied terrain, beautiful scenery and friendly culture, Taiwan has become a popular destination for cyclists from all over the world. In this postcard, we will explore the vibrant cycling scene in Taiwan through the eyes of two local cyclists, Shao Long and Zoe.

Shao Long, who was born in Taipei's Beitou District, was introduced to cycling by her husband ten years ago. “He was riding and thought it would be a good way to spend more time together.” While her first ride was a challenging uphill climb through a cemetery, she eventually grew to love cycling and now finds it therapeutic. “I secretly hated it for weeks, but eventually you start to feel better and even begin to crave riding.”

Zoe, a cycling mom, was born and raised in Taiwan and spent two years living and cycling in Thailand. She has been cycling since 2014 and fell in love with the freedom and speed that comes with riding. “I started with fixed gear for the commute but later fell in love with this sport for the freedom on the bike and the feeling of speed. It was fun and challenging to control the speed only with your legs without the brakes.” Since 2015, she has been a road rider who finds cycling is a self-challenge and an enjoyable way to live life.

There is a diverse cycling culture in Taiwan, with niches for all kinds of riders, from Brompton enthusiasts to downhill mountain bikers. The road cycling scene in Taiwan is also thriving, with more and more people getting into the sport every year. “Here in Taipei, you can be climbing in the mountains from the centre of the city in minutes. The diversity of the terrain is incredible, and if you enjoy climbing, Taiwan is the place for you.”

The island is surrounded by oceans and dotted with mountains, making for many routes with incredible views. One such route is the Taiwan KOM, one of the most challenging and beautiful routes on the island. It starts at the harbour and goes all the way up to 3,275 metres in altitude. In most towns, there are many short mountain routes that you can go up to 600 metres altitude and back home within 25 kilometres in total. Cycling has not been part of Taiwan's culture, but it has gained popularity in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when people started looking for new hobbies.

Shao Long and Zoe both have their favourite routes in Taipei and Bangkok. Shao Long lives on the south side of Taipei and can leave her house and be climbing up to tea fields in Maokong in less than 5 minutes. Zoe usually rides nearby her place both with friends and alone, and she has a few go-to routes in Bangkok and Taipei. In Bangkok, they usually start near BKK airport and ride around the outskirts, stopping for a coffee break in the middle. In Taipei, Zoe usually rides the southern part of Taipei in the mountains.

Taiwan is home to many local breakfast shops and coffee houses, making it a perfect destination for cyclists who like to stop and refuel. “I love to ride with friends and stop together for a simple breakfast sandwich and coffee before heading home.” There is a thriving coffee scene in Taiwan, with many shops that cater to different tastes. Zoe's favourite coffee shops in Bangkok are Voodoo, Hidden Holme, Rosetta, and Kingkong. In Taipei, people stop by Nabiis Cycles & Coffee and Slope often.

Shao Long also bakes bread and sweets, which she finds therapeutic, and she donates the proceeds to animal shelters. You can find her baked treats here@dragon_baobaooo. She is also a huge Clemson Tigers football fan. As for Zoe, she loves doing bodyweight workouts, yoga and hiking.

For those visiting Taipei for the first time, Shao Long recommends wandering around and following your instincts and going with the flow. “You are bound to discover something interesting, something good to eat, and this will give you a good feel for the vibe of the city which is friendly and laid back.”

For Zoe, food is the number one thing on her recommendation list. Taiwanese and Japanese food is both delicious and affordable, and night markets and temples offer a unique experience that you don't see often in Western culture. “For scenery, if there is only one place you can go, I would recommend Taroko Gorge. It's a great place to visit with or without a bike.”

Before we end this postcard, Zoe would like to share - “Being a newbie mom, my time is very limited just like most grownups with full-time jobs. After a long day, I understand people get lazy or exhausted. It is important that we can still squeeze in some time for our hobby so we can stay healthy both mentally and physically. In my case it's cycling and it works very well for me. If you haven't found a hobby, join me and I'll see you in the mountains!”

We would like to thank Shao Long and Zoe for taking the time to share what it’s like to live, ride and explore in and around Taiwan. If you are interested in discovering more about Shao Long and Zoe and following their story beyond this postcard, you can connect via the link below. 

If you would like to get involved and send us your Postcard this year, drop us a DM on Instagram - @universal.colours