Why are cyclists coming to Taiwan? Let's Ride Taiwan!

Why are people from all over the world flocking to Taiwan to bike? Is it because of the gorgeous and steep mountains or the incredible sunset? Simply put, it’s a unique paradise like no other. The night markets are everywhere— packed with incredible options that you’ll have a hard time deciding what to eat! You can easily lose track of time wandering around, tempted by scallion pancakes, savory dumplings, stinky tofu, uhh maybe, fried chicken, mochi, BOBA tea, local fruits, and oh mind, so many desserts. I honestly can’t decide what to eat first... and the best part? Everything is so affordable! Today we will cycle only 35 miles with an elevation gain of 3,500 ft, starting from Songshan District to Lengshukeng in the Yao Ming Shan mountains, which is a popular place with hikers and cyclists. Taipei is packed with bike paths, but there’s no easy shortcut to the mountains. Even with a GPS computer, the overlapping streets and trails are easy to confuse. Luckily, Laura is familiar with the city's layout. She guided us through the spiderweb network of bike paths, finding the fastest route out of the urban jungle. The November air is crisp and cool The humidity has lost its hold No longer the droplets trace a sweaty path across my face. The scent of the street foods Those dumplings call But my heart is climbing elsewhere. The mountains wait, the summit nears, While hunger fades and focus clears. A hundred dumplings? Hmm… Let them stay; I'll claim my prize another day. Taipei’s charm is hard to name The more I see, the more I find I cannot leave this place behind.