My Taiwan Cycling Trip - 2015 (6th April)

        It has always been my dream to cycle in the cycling capital of Asia, which in my humble opinion, belongs to Taiwan. From friends's posts and experiences cycling in Taiwan , I knew that it would be a great experience, provided you do some prior homework or networking with some Taiwanese friends,whom are always so welcoming and warm towards visiting guests. I am glad to have arranged boarding with a Google Plus friend, Ms Maggie using her AirBnB service, and not only does she provide great lodging, but also a spare bicycle during the trying times when my dearest Red Brompton (broke down again) after a day of cycling. More will be posted on my lovely encounter with a local Brompton bike shop in Taipei, but here, I would like to provide some of my sights and scenes and locations for any new cycling friends who are keen to explore Taipei on two wheels. For friends keen to engage Maggie's AirBnB services, I will be providing a link at the end of the post.

I had the map of my cycling trip , collated over two days of my light traveling on wheels. While non-exhaustive, in the eyes of my more experienced cycling friends, it definitely was a lovely start and introduction to cycling in Taipei. 

The map of cycling along the Tamsui and keelung river down stream to Taipei City area-
First stop- up towards Tamsui Old street and Fisherman's Wharf

I had split up the areas of cycling from the Tamsui river upstream, along the Tamsui (淡水)old street area and Fisherman's Wharf, and the opposite bank of Ba Li (八里)  , then downwards from the Guan Du (關渡) Jetty towards the little islet point (making a longer roundabout route on the Park connectors before reaching the city area of Da Dao Cheng Wharf (大稻埕碼頭) to experience some sights and food places before returning on the Kee Lung river upstream. The whole trip on the lower banks minus Fisherman's Wharf and Ba Li took us around 40+ km of a very enjoyable ride and if we had added in the northern stream as well, that would take us another additional 20+km. For a leisure cyclist visiting Taipei, this would be a great tour on wheels to explore this city's sights and tastes.

On the first day, I had explored the northern upstream of Tamsui area, since this is where I resided in my host, Maggie's apartment. Her apartment has a lovely view of sunset overlooking the Tamsui river, and it leads along the park connectors to the Fisherman's Wharf(渔人码头) ,

Below is a map of the areas along Tamsui and the opposite bank of Ba Li, which is also a fantastic place for cycling and very good coffee and street food as well.

Map along the northern river bank of Tamsui and opposite Ba Li

The northern river banks really has a feel of relaxed atmosphere and old charm with romanticism, and its expansive reach on park connectors. My first starting point was from the Hong Shu Lin MRT station upwards, along the Tamsui PCN, where there was a group of students doing their life sketching along the riverbank. It was a strangely warm day in early April, reminding me of the tropical temperature of Singapore at 30 degrees Celsius. However, in the later part of my trip, I would be grateful for this sunny weather. 

young artists sketching in the morning along the river bank

the park connectors serving cyclists as well as joggers

I love what this bike rental container says "Ride Life"

Tamsui Jetty landmark

Cycling along the Tamsui PCN , you can see sights of shophouses of eateries, selling souvenirs and cafes. Most of these shops would be bustling with night life along the Tamsui Old street (淡水老街) popular with the tourists and locals alike. Further upstream, I saw more students having a field day sketching,  and more scenery of the intersecting point between the river and the sea. 

young artist sketching along the jetty

my brommie facing the "Guanyin" hill. 

These kids found a good spot

Exploring further upstream, after passing the Tamsui Jetty, I met some fellow cyclists in more professional gear, and realized they were Filipinos and an Indonesian working here in Taipei, and having a 4 day QingMing holiday in Taiwan, they were actually riding to Yilan. With my new found friends we chatted and cycled further upstream till we reached the Fisherman's Wharf. 

As a keepsake, all of us took a photo with the Lover's bridge linking to the other side of the river before parting ways. 

ASEANs re-unite! Singapore/Philippines/Indonesia

At Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman Wharf Jetty

 

Vanity shot with my Brommie 

After exploring the northern tip of the Taipei waterfront area, the later part of the day was spent turning back to visit the opposite bank Ba Li,  where more cycling track and discovery awaits me. Back on the PCN downstream now from Hong Shu Lin MRT, there are mangrove swamps full of greenery and even "art pieces" along the riverside walls. 

a great idea we can adopt in SG

A very "shakkyyyy" ride along the wooden planks path...unfortunately, this will be the last pic of my Brommie riding in Taipei as it was out of action after that

Later part of the day, with Maggie guiding the path downstream, reaching the late afternoon we saw more of the views along this river of life and more of Guanyin Hill before finally reaching the Guan Du (關渡) Bridge. The best part is the PCN extends up the bridge towards the opposite bank to Ba Li (八里). 

on top of the Guan Du Bridge

Resuming the rest of my cycling journey without my Brompton but instead on Maggie's kindness to let me use her StepDragon Foldie bike, we reached Ba Li PCN tracks. Greeted us along the way was a small garden of Sakuras as well as more mangroves. It was a cool evening riding along Ba Li. 

another picturesque view of the opposite bank of Tamsui and mangrove in the background

beautiful sakuras still in bloom

Our pit stop along this pcn track is the MoM Mouth Cafe (妈妈嘴)，a hugely popular cafe , which roast their own coffee beans. We had to queue for their specialty Ma Ma coffee, and their Frankfurters tastes awesome too! 

They are Bike Friendly

It is easy  to just relax with a cuppa coffee and overlooking the opposite bank while the sun sets..

As the sun was setting over, we saw the "Bloody" moon rising over the opposite bank. I did not have a good camera to capture this unique phenomenon, but it was still a very beautiful night scene.

the "bloody" moon overlooking the Tamsui waterfront

As the night falls, we decided to ride upstream till we reached Ba Li Jetty, where the the boats can take us opposite back to Tamsui Old street area. For a small fare added to the boat fares across, we brought our bicycles on the ferry service. It took just a couple of minutes to reach the Tamsui Old Street Jetty, and an end to my first day riding in Taipei. Stay tuned for Part 2.... 

Maggie's AirBnB stay at Tamsui 

Mom Mouth Cafe