As Cyclelicious readers might have noticed, a few of us went to Taiwan to check out the cycling there.  And now we just can’t stop talking about it.  As one of my travelmates noted, the cycling itself is amazing, and we could (and I will) go on for days about it.  But what I can also go on about is what makes that possible – the underlying infrastructure that is critical to making any area cyclist-friendly.  Facilities like bike lanes and signage aren’t an automatic part of the transportation landscape – someone has to care enough to do it, and do it right.  So that’s why I was looking forward to the official kick-off of the 2010 Taiwan Cycling Festival.  Not only would I get a chance to chat with Taiwan’s top transportation and tourism officials, but I’d learn just how much they’re putting into making Taiwan a cyclist-friendly place.  As a result, I’ve got a short summary of the main projects being funded by a four-year US$25 million commitment from Taiwan’s government.  Future pieces will touch on how these efforts translate on the ground, but I think it’s worth checking out the goals that they’ve set for themselves.

TAIWAN, where I unexpectedly I got my cycling groove back!

That bicycles can be a means of bringing strangers together was never truer than on this trip. An unlikely rag-tag group of 5, plus our guide, spent 12 days touring this beautiful paradise. We went from clean bustling cities like Taipei, to rice field-lined bike paths in Hualien and Taitung on the east coast.  Join me on the other side of the jump to hear a little more about our trip.

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For those of us who live in the US, the hardest part of any trip to Taiwan isn’t just the the long flight there – but also settling in to Taiwan’s rhythms once we arrive.  Coming from DC, it was a 12 hour shift for me.  Unlike some trips, where it’s not unreasonable to ride the same day you arrive, Taiwan demands a bit of a transition, which is what I talk about in this post at Blacknell.net.  It’s a photo illustration of our arrival in Taipei and flight out to Taitung, where the riding begins.  It’s also, on the other side of the break, a quick introduction to the others on the trip:

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Made it into Taipei last night, and after a 14 hour flight here, I didn’t have enough cogency to put the words in order.  I did, however, have the energy for a bit of a walk.  Today’s agenda includes a brief look at Taipei (more time for that later), a flight to Taitung*, and a bit of recreation.**

But mostly, I want to ride my bicycle.

*Airport code “TTT”.  Alas, I was hoping for a team time trial.  I’d make Bev drag us all to the finish.

**and also, waiting for my soul to catch up.