taiwan kom tour

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Latin america, taiwan kom challenge, about this cycle tour.

The Grand Tours have popularized Europe’s highest roads, making them the bucket list of many riders, but there is another iconic climb that is quickly topping rider's bucket lists – the Taiwan KOM Challenge.

The pinnacle of this tour is the 105 km course from sea level up to 3,275 m, all the elements needed to test rider and machine against the mountains - long, twisting ascents, mind-numbing gradients and thinning air, all in the lush green surroundings of the tropics. Starting from Hualien’s Qixingtan, passing through the spectacular Taroko Gorge, then climbing to Taiwan’s highest passable road apex atop Route 14A to Wuling Pass. The route begins at sea level on the eastern coast and climbs up to 3275 metres. This 105 km route has tested even the world’s most elite riders.

You can now be a pro and ride with Team SpiceRoads in the Taiwan KOM to conquer this epic mountain. As part of Team SpiceRoads, you'll be treated to the pro-team life with this exclusive package, including:

• Team SpiceRoads kit (by Cuore of Switzerland)
• All vehicle transfers
• Mechanical Support
• Fully supported race and training days
• Race route recon
• Nutrition, pacing, gearing and race day advice

There are only 600 slots available for this race. As part of Team SpiceRoads we will register you for the race and provide sage advice for completing this challenge. We start with some warm-up rides to acclimatize you to the time zone and the temperatures. We also introduce you to the last kms of the race by climbing them two days prior. After the big event, join SpiceRoads on a tour of the scenic South Taiwan Coast .

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Additional cost details, elevation profiles.

Amazing week, amazing race, fantastic guides and support!

What a week! So well planned and organised. Our guide was outstanding; knowledge of the routes and local customs was excellent. We can't wait to go back to Taiwan again.

Mark, our guide, was outstanding. He is a total credit to making the extra difference to this holiday. We so enjoyed spending time with him and our mechanic Leo. We would certainly go back to Taiwan on the longer tour with Mark.

Great way to ride the KOM with fellow hardcore cyclists.

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Activity Profile

What's included, what's excluded, trip profile.

Our three days of riding before the race are meant to be warm up and familiarization rides that aren't too taxing. We do climb some, but the distances we cover each day are short.

Vincenzo Nibali, the 2017 the winner of the Taiwan KOM Challenge, set a new record for the event with a time of 3:19:54. He was more than a minute ahead of Spain's Oscar Pujol and 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans finished 10th. Britain's Emma Pooley won the women's race in 4:08:40. Nibali said he has “never ridden such a long and hard climb before in my entire life," after posing on the winner's podium.

The KOM is 105 km from sea level up to 3,275 m. Please note that the cut off time is 6 hours 30 minutes to have a recorded time. You are allowed to continue riding but will receive a DNF. In high altitude mountain area, temperature and weather can change very fast. Please prepare warm clothing to be waiting for you at the top in our van. The high altitude of the finish line may cause altitude sickness. If riders feel the onset of the symptoms of altitude sickness or any other unhealthy feeling during the ride, they are strongly advised to stop riding immediately and seek medical attention/support.

Day 1 Arrival in Taipei

Arrive in Taipei and transfer to our hotel in the city. We’ll have a pre-tour meeting over a welcome Taiwanese feast.

Day 2 Taipei - Fuxing

We pick you up from your Taipei hotel in the morning and drive outside the busy city to start our ride to Fuxing. We will just have a short ride, a gentle start through undulating hills to get the legs warmed up before we start the serious climbing. You’ll be riding through thick forest , and the thick moss and huge ferns that line the narrow road give the whole place a Jurassic aura. Depending how much climbing you wish to do, we can drop you off at specific locations to offer between 600 and 900 metres of ascent.

Day 3 Fuxing to Wuling Farm

To avoid wearing out our climbing legs, we will have a transfer to start the day. We start our ridng with a descent then we will engage those quads to power up to 1,900 m. We will be using the North Cross Island Highway that takes us up to the high point of Shih Yuan Pass at 1,900m. The forest will be thick and will change from cedars to bamboo. The scenery is spectacular up here and the air fresh. We overnight at an area that was part of a 1960s government scheme to resettle veterans as farmers and in the 1980s the focus shifted towards developing tourism and agriculture.

Day 4 Wu Ling - Taroko

Again we transfer by vehicle to avoid overdoing it prior to the race. Though the distance is short today it is almost all up! Starting in Lishan at 2,000 metres, we warm up for 20 kilomtres to Da Yu Ling at 2,500 metres. We get our first preview of the race route- cycling up the last 10 km of the KOM to Wu Ling at 3,275m! Depending on the time and the weather, we can either ride of transfer by car down to Hualien. The descent is about 90 km from 3,275 m to sea level. We check in to our Hualien hotel, our base for the next 3 nights.

Day 5 Pre-Race Rest Day or Coastal Spin Around Hualien

Today’s easy ride will be rolling out in the morning, building camaraderie while taking in the smooth tarmac and scenic coastline north of Hualien. Our ride finishes early today to attend the registration event. In the evening, we will talk tactics over a hearty pre-race meal.

Day 6 Race Day

Rise early to fuel up before transfer to the start of the race. Our team will provide full vehicle support during the ride, and transfer back down to Taroko afterwards, so you won't have to ride down after the climb. Rest up after the ride of a lifetime, and regroup to transfer to the Taiwan KOM post-race banquet for dinner. * Race Fee Included

Day 7 Onward Departure

After a final breakfast at the B&B, our local team will transfer you to Hualien rail station for onward travel and departure. We highly recommend you extend your stay with SpiceRoads in Taiwan, to enjoy more of the cycling, scenery, and culture the island has to offer on our South Taiwan Road tour.

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.

Nuts & Bolts

Bike repairs.

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

The Nitty Gritty

Passports and visas.

We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for yellow fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.

The Tropic of Cancer runs straight through the middle of Taiwan resulting in a subtropical climate. Summers can be hot, humid and wet, although rainfall is often limited to short showers. Typhoon season hits in late summer to mid-autumn and tends to strike the east coast particularly hard. Winter temperatures are mild and the only snowfall is on mountain peaks.

The annual average temperature of the northern part is around 21.7C (71F) while it is around 24.1C (75F) in the southern part. The coldest months are from January to March with the lowest temperature to about 10C (50F). The average temperature of the rest of the year is around 25C (77F).

Rain is always a possibility in Taiwan so please come prepared with waterproof jacket and pants. As we also cycle to high altitudes where the weather can be cooler and change quickly it is best to have layers available.

Taiwan is also prone to earthquakes as it sits on the colliding Eurasian and Philippine plates. These grinding plates are also responsible for the beautiful mountains and amazing hot springs that make the trip to Taiwan truly worthwhile. Most of these quakes are small earth tremors.

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are local and feature noodles, rice, and soups. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring drinks while you are riding are included in the tour price. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere but is NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$20 a day, for incidentals.

Taiwan’s currency is the New Taiwanese Dollar (NT). ATMs, which are abundant, are the easiest way to get NT. With more than 4,000 7-Elevens across the country, there are ATMs on the international Plus or Cirrus network and have English-language options. Have a supply of US dollars in cash on hand, just in case your card doesn’t work. Credit cards are accepted in big cities and resort hotels but you’ll need cash for family-run guesthouses or restaurants.

General booking info

Flexible booking conditions, confirming your booking.

Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.

TRIP STATUS

Booking online.

From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).

If you are having any problems please send us an email , or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.

BOOKING OFFLINE

Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS

We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.

The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.

In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.

In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.

The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.

FULL FLEXIBILITY FOR TOUR CANCELATIONS

If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).

If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).

Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.

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International flights.

The information in this document is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we will always do our best to adhere to this original itinerary

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Taiwan KOM Challenge

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• Introduction

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What's Included

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Reviews About This Operator

• Tour Operator SpiceRoads Cycling 4.4
• Eric · 26th March 2023 Great guides Great routes Great food
• Anonymous · 17th March 2023 This was my second ride with spice roads and it was, again, am excellent experience

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• October 2024
• Sunday 20 Oct, 2024 Saturday 26 Oct, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €2,797 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we recommend bringing your own bicycle. However, we have a limited number of bicycles available for hire for the duration of this tour for US$250 per person. If you'd like more information on the types of bicycles we supply, please get in touch with us.

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Good to Know

• Currency $ New Taiwan Dollar Taiwan

As a traveller from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Typhoid - Recommended for Taiwan. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Taiwan. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Tuberculosis - Recommended for Taiwan. Ideally 3 months before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Taiwan. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Taiwan. Ideally 10 days before travel.
• Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for Taiwan. Ideally 1 month before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 30th August 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 30th August 2024, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with SpiceRoads Cycling. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and SpiceRoads Cycling will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "SpiceRoads Cycling" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of SpiceRoads Cycling. Please familiarise yourself with the SpiceRoads Cycling payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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DAYS REMAINING

2024 TAIWAN KOM CHALLENGE

Coming soon , 2023 the road to taiwan kom - summer, 2020 taiwan cycling festival taiwan kom challenge founded in 2012, the taiwan kom challenge has gone from humble beginnings to become one of the most prestigious non-uci events on the international racing calendar, a climbing event that attracts both amateurs and top professionals alike. the route runs a total length of 105km, starting at sea level from qixingtan beach in hualien, passing though the spectacular taroko gorge and finishing at the 3,275m summit of the highest passable road in taiwan, at wuling pass on mt. he huan. the taiwan kom challenge is truly a once in a lifetime cycling event for all cyclists. event information 1 . sanctioned by: ministry of transportation and communication r.o.c., tourism bureau motc r.o.c., hualien county government, nantou county government. 2.  organized by: taiwan cyclist federation (tcf) 3.  date: october 23 rd , 2020 (friday) 4.  route: hualien qixingtan → route 9 → route 8 → tianxiang → xibao → xinbaiyang → bilu sacred tree → guanyuan gas station→dayuling→route 14a→wuling pass. total distance: 105km, altitude from 0, sea level up to 3275 meters. (refer to route map & profile & climb details & last kilometers at appendix) 5.  entry qualifications ： a.  must be 16 years old or above, and capable of finishing the route in 6.5 hours from the official start point (please note this is after the 18.5km neutralized zone). b.  any rider who had a positive result recorded from any doping tests in the past will not be allowed to compete in the taiwan kom challenge. 6.  categories ： elite category: 19 years old and above (born before 2001. note all riders born before 2001 may enter the elite category but must be experienced racing cyclists). age categories: m16: 16 - 19 years old (born 2001-2004) m20: 20 - 29 years old (1991-2000) m30: 30 - 39 years old (1981-1990) m40: 40 - 49 years old (1971-1980) m50: 50 years old and above (born before 1970) women: 16 years old and above (born before 2004) ●   for individuals and rider’s companion(s) not riding the event, a kom spectator tour can be opted. 7.  entry fee: : ntd3,000 per entry (plus another ntd1,000 time chip deposit fee to be prepaid. this chip deposit will be returned when returning the chip at the wuling finish.) entry fee includes: insurance fee, medal & certificate (only for official finishers), souvenir t-shirt /day bag/bottle/supply bag / welcome party / feed zone supply / race day lunch. 8. event schedule ： (exact time will be subject to change based on special circumstance and will be announced beforehand.) oct. 22 nd , 2020 (thursday): 14:00    teams and riders check-in (at hualien qixingtan beachside park) 15:00    welcome party & riders pre-race notice. team car sticker. oct. 23 rd , 2020 (friday): 05:00    riders sign-in/check-in their day bags (at qixingtan beachside park) 05:40    opening ceremony 06:00    race start (the first 18.5kms is a neutral warm-up ride, official timing starts at the flying start.) 11:00    award ceremony of gc men/gc women top 6 (at wuling.) award ceremony of age categories/combative/friendship award (at wuling.) 14:00    wuling finish line closing time. 9. timing chip: a.       japanese j-chip system will be used for official timing. b.       ntd1,000 deposit is required for the sensor chip upon registration and will be refunded after the chip has been returned. in case the chip is lost, the 1,000 ntd deposit will be forfeited until the chip is founded and returned to the organizer. 10. registration notice: a.     the registration is open until september 30 th , 2020, or until the entry numbers reaching 600 riders. b.     a scanned copy of passport is required to be emailed to [email protected], together with the rider’s order number provided by the registration system upon the completion of registration. c.     please input your best ever cycling event result in the “remark” column when registering. d.     riders should be responsible for the correctness of all data provided in his/her registration. e.     upon the announcement of the entry list, request to change category for any reason will not be acceptable. f.      the organizer reserves the right to reject any rider’s registration. 11. awards: a.     the nt dollar prize awards are as below: item/place 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th male/gc 100,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 female/gc 100,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 taiwan/gc 100,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 total/nt d 750,000. l   according to taiwan tax law, a local citizen or resident card holder who wins prize money over nt$ 20,000 must pay 10% tax, foreigners must pay 20% tax. the amount of the tax money will be deducted from prize money. l   a rider who has previously tested positive for doping will not be allowed to compete in the taiwan kom challenge. l   gc top 3 & women top 3 riders doing drug testing will not be awarded prize money until verification of the doping test being completed. b.     if a rider doping tested positive, no prize money will be awarded, and their result will be nullified. furthermore, they will be banned from all future taiwan kom competitions. if a rider's doping test result is positive, his/her placement and prize money will not be awarded to the next placed rider. c.     top 6 placed male/female/taiwan gc riders will be awarded trophies and prize money, and the overall first placed rider will be award with the taiwan kom champion jersey. d.     most combative award: the most combative rider will be awarded with the taiwan kom most combative trophy and jersey. e.     friendship award: national best riders of those countries with no less than 15 rider registrations will be awarded with the friendship trophy and jersey. f.      every age category’s top 6 placed riders will be awarded with trophies. g.     all riders who finish the race within the time limit will be awarded a finisher medal and a finishing record certificate. 1 2 . doping test ： the gc top 3 & women top 3 will undertake a doping test at this event (the method of sampling will be announced in the riders meeting and race handbook.) riders must follow the rule of the doping test with no objection, or the organizer may cancel that rider’s race ranking and all prize money. 1 3 . kom spectator tour: on the race day the kom spectator tour is available for nt$3,000 per person, including transportation hualien-wuling-kunyang-hualien, insurance, kom shirt, race book, and lunch in kunyang. 1 4 . traffic access from taoyuan international airport (tpe) to hualien city by public transportation: a.    upon your arrival at tpe airport, taking the airport mrt or airport bus to taipei main station. it takes around one hour. b.    take tra railway from taipei main station to hualien station. the puyuma express takes around 2~2.5 hours. 1 5 . this event is strictly prohibited participants riding down the hill back to hualien or to puli. the organizer is not responsible for any accident after participants cross the finish line. riders are to use team cars and/or other support vehicles. if riders have no support vehicles for downhill after finish line, must book the downhill transportation services. 1 6 . transportation services: item date route departure time eta start-via-destination fee nt $ 1 oct.2 2 nd from taipei main station to hualien 10:00 14:00 taipei main station west 3 exit to parkview hotel hualien 2,000 2 oct. 23rd downhill from kunyang (east-bound) 13:00 17:00 east-bound: wuling to parkview hotel 2,000 3 oct.23rd downhill from kunyang (west-bound) 13:00 17:00 west-bound: wuling to taipei main station, with mid-way stops at puli, hsr taichung station, and tpe taoyuan airport (please tick your destination) 2,000 4 oct.24 th return to taipei main station from hualien 09:00 14:00 parkview hotel – taipei main station 2,000 ※ transportation service notice: a.       please also tick your destination if you book the oct.23 rd west-bound downhill transportation. b.       if you plan to stay in hualien on oct.23 rd after the event, please leave your bike box in advance in the hotel and do not hand over it to event luggage truck heading for wuling. if you plan to stay in taipei after the event, please leave your bike box in advance in taipei and do not bring it from taipei to hualien. c.        the downhill shuttle bus will depart on a fully-seated-and-go basis upon the traffic condition. eta of each destination is for reference only. please estimate reasonable time for your later trip/flight connections. d.       there is a risk of falling rocks blocking the highway connecting taipei, yilan and hualien, causing road closure and traffic control and thus effect the eta. 17. hotel accommodations : item hotel date room type bed type nt$ 1 parkview hotel (hualien) oct.21 st single 1-person (1 bed) 3,000 twin 2-person (2 beds) 3,000 oct.22 st single 1-person (1 bed) 3,000 twin 2-person (2 beds) 3,000 oct.23 st single 1-person (1 bed) 3,000 twin 2-person (2 beds) 3, 2 00 oct.24 st single 1-person (1 bed) 3, 8 00 twin 2-person (2 beds) 4 ,000 2 kadda hotel (hualien) oct.22 st single 1-person (1 bed) 2,400 twin 2-person (2 beds) 2,400 oct.23 st single 1-person (1 bed) 2,400 twin 2-person (2 beds) 2,400 oct.24 st single 1-person (1 bed) 2,400 twin 2-person (2 beds) 2,400 18. notice ： 1. riders register this event by their own will and fully acknowledged and agree with all event regulations and notices. 2. falling rocks in taroko gorge are a hazard. riders are requested to consider these risks before deciding whether to participate in this event. riders will be required to sign a risk consent form before taking part in the event. 3. there is a certain degree of difficulty involved with this cycling event. attendees should consider the risk of riding this event and evaluate his/her own health condition to decide if entry is appropriate. any rider with any health issues, or history of health issues such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy and asthma, is not allowed to participate in this cycling race/event. the organizer will not be responsible for any accident caused by these health issues. 4. in the mountain area, temperature and weather can change very fast. riders are requested to prepare warm-keeping clothing at the finishing area. the rider backpack with post-event items (food/warm clothing) are required to be handed over at the start line, and these backpacks will be carried to the finish area by the organizer. 5. riders must hand over the day bag to the organizer before the event start. the organizer will convey these bags to the finish area, for riders to take back for immediate use when arriving at the finish point. 6. the organizer has the right to terminate or pause the event if there is deemed to be any risk to the rider’s health and/or route safety. riders and any other attendees must abide by this decision. 7. all riders must ride standard road bikes or flat bar road bike fitted with a full braking system front and rear. both front and rear lights must also be mounted for riding through tunnels and foggy areas. jerseys cannot be sleeveless. cycling helmets are mandatory during riding. 8. riders must ride on the right side of the road at all time. riding against the flow of traffic on the left side is prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification. 9. all riders are responsible for the effective and safe working condition of their bicycles. any rider on a bicycle deemed unsafe by the organizer will not be allowed to start the event. 10.    riders who pass the finish line in wuling must follow the following procedure: (organizer-selected riders will take the doping test immediately), receive finisher medal, retrieve their personal day bags, then ride down the hill 2 kilometers on the western side to kunyang parking lot to return their chip and receive the refund of their chip deposit money, and get lunch/certificate. team cars and official transportation buses will be parked in kunyang parking lot. 11.    male competitors must not offer any sustained unsportsmanlike assistance or support to female competitors in a way that might affect the outcome of the race. this especially includes deliberate pacing by means of drafting and/or riding alongside. if any infringement is spotted by any race staff then both riders will be handed a dnf sanction. in the case of this behavior being reported to race officials by other competitors, the race organizers reserve the right, once a judgement has been made, to impose the dnf penalty. 12.    there will be 3 check points in this event. riders that fail to pass the check points within the designated time limits will be disqualified from the race. l   bilu sacred tree: 11:00 l   dayuling: 12:30 l   wuling: 14:00 13.    there are four feeding zones, at xibao, xinbaiyang, bilu sacred tree and guanyuan gas station. riders should slow down and ride to the side of the road for feeding access. 14.    team cars can feed riders only at two feed zones: bilu sacred tree and guanyuan gas station. dynamic feeding on the course or feeding outside the feed zones is prohibited and could lead to a time penalty or disqualification from the event. 15.    only the men/women gc top 6 riders receive flowers, and must if requested take part in the photo shoot and media interview. all will be held at wuling. all other categories award ceremonies will be held at wuling. 16.    the ‘back markers’: race commissaire has the right to terminate the participation of any racer who has fallen behind the peloton too far. riders in such situation should follow the commissaire’s instruction to stop riding. 17.    riders should carry their health insurance card or travel document/other id during the event. if any rider crashes and is injured whilst riding, please seek medical care immediately and keep the receipt and diagnosis certificate for later insurance claims. 18.    the first insurance for participants of this event is “medical travel insurance”. participants should evaluate his/her own safety regarding their personal health condition when deciding whether to participate in this event. participants may apply for other personal insurance policies at own cost if they consider the organizer's offered insurance as insufficient. please refer to the event insurance policy website ( click here ) of “medical travel insurance”  for the coverage details of the event insurance. the organizer is only responsible for the indemnity amount with the maximum price per person as the insurance policies offers. do not register for the event if you do not agree with the coverage, items, and indemnity amount of insurance policy. 19.    the second insurance for this event (participants) is “public liability insurance” is for accident payments caused by organizer. that means, based on the law, the insurance only covers the event accidents that are caused by the organizer’s, and therefore the organizer is liable. please refer to the event insurance policy website ( click here ) of “public liability insurance” for the coverage details of the event insurance. the organizer is only responsible for the indemnity amount with the maximum price per person as the insurance policies offer. do not entry this event if you do not agree with the coverage, items, and indemnity amount of insurance policy. any personal health issues during the event or any riding injury caused by a personal health problem will not be included in the insurance. riders that have personal health problems should not attend this event. 20.    the entrant is responsible for the correctness of all entry information provided. the rider is responsible for all results caused by incorrect registration information. 21.    if the weather on the event day is bad, the organizer may announce any new event policy at the riders’ meeting/pre-event briefing. for example, the organizer may cut short the riding time limit or shorten the race distance, etc. 22.    in case of typhoons, other extreme weather conditions or a local government suspension of traffic on hehuan mountain, the organizer retains the right to delay, terminate or postpone the event, change the time limit of check points, or to alter the route at any time. in such cases, all information will be forthcoming at the appropriate time. 23.    the organizer has the right to publish or share all event-related videos, photos, event results in media, internet, galleries etc. attendee and riders must agree to the right of the organizer to use all materials for promotion. 24.    respecting the natural environment, riders are forbidden to litter along the route. anyone doing so will be immediately disqualified from the event. 25.    upon the completion of event registration, please continue to visit the tcf website www.cyclist.org.tw for updates. 19 . additional bookings ： transportation & accommodation & souvenir booking service: riders from foreign countries please check the event “transportation / accommodation / souvenir booking” information page, and tick if required. 20. bike shop information in hualien city : (open hours normally on 10:00~21:00.) l   merida hualien – no.9, jie yueh street, hualien city. +886-3-836-1126. l   khs bicycles dealer guo feng – no.1, guo feng street, hualien city. +886-3-833-3560. l   giant bicycles hualien station – no.35, guo xing 1 st street, hualien city (near hualien rail station). +886-3-833-6761. l   giant min jie cycling – no.491, chung hua road, hualien city. +886-3-852-5717. l   giant min jie cycling – 1f, no.1, ming li street, hualien city. +886-3-835-7427. contact ： taiwan cyclist federation/ tel: +886-2-89193595/ fax: +886-2-89193311 website: www.cyclist.org.tw e-mail: [email protected] address: no.17, lane 100, section 2, chungxing road, xindian district, new taipei city, 23146, taiwan. register now route map pr ofile climb details last kms.

Taiwan KOM Challenge

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• Young Adults
• Customizable
• duration 7 days
• tour type Small group Request as private
• age requirement 18-95 yrs
• max group size 12
• guiding method Fully guided
• Tour Code BM-14942

• Starts Taipei, Taiwan
• Ends Taipei, Taiwan
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• English-speaking guide
• Any international flights to/from Taipei are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
• Travel insurance is not included in this Taiwan KOM Challenge tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. World Nomads' travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers.
• Personal Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
• Protected Travel within your own bubble.
• Professional Access our Travel Specialists' insider knowledge.
• Privacy Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
• Best price guaranteed.
• No credit card or booking fees.
• 100% financial protection.
• Carbon neutral tours.
• 25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
• Read more reasons to book with Bookmundi less Read less

No additional cancellation fees apply for this Taiwan KOM Challenge tour. You can cancel the tour up to 63 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 62 days of departure.

For any tour departures within 27 August 2024, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 27 August 2024, a deposit of 30% is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 62 days before trip departure.

Taiwan KOM Challenge tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families.

For this Taiwan KOM Challenge tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.

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Taiwan KOM Wuling Experience Tour

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  Tour Operator   Shangrila Cycling Tours

  4   days   (Bike: 2 days)

  105   km   (~ 53 km  per day)

  Big climbs , On-road

World's Toughest Climb - At Your Own Pace

Taiwan WuLing 3275m, is the highest passable road atop HeHuanShan & Taroko gorge near Hualien county.  Wuling is the end point of the annual KoM Challenge Race organised by the Taiwan Cyclist Federation in October.  It attracts professionals, elites & enthusiasts from more than 50 countries, including former Giro d’Italia and Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali & 2010 Time Trial World Champion Emma Pooley just to named a few. The actual KoM Challenge Race has a strict cut-off time of just 6.5hours (timed section 85km) where competitors need to climb from sea-level near the entrance of Taroko Gorge ear Hualien up to 3275m Wuling.  This might be too tough for many cyclists.   SCT created this Taiwan KoM Experience Tour so that any cyclist could join us to ride the same journey and reach the top of 3275m, At Your Own Pace, to complete it.   Our itinerary split the ride into 1.5 days, with a one night stay up in the mountain lodge near Wuling summit.  This way, you can enjoy the journey, the great mountain view & fresh air, before continuing the most demanding final 15km ascend the next day.  There is a seat to provide that needed support should you need it. 

Highlights: + Experience cycling up one of the Most Iconic Climb in the World + Scenic cycling along the east coast near Taroko gorge

Tour Information

Guided       Please Ask

Single Supplement

3 nights accommodation (1 night in the mountains) 2-way airport transfers (main group arrival/departure) All land transfers / luggage transfer Taipei-Hualien-Taipei Almost full-board: 3 breakfasts + 1 lunch + 1 dinner (on climbing day) water/isotonic drinks & snacks during cycling Very Experienced Cycling guide & Bike Mechanic Support SSV (Support Sweeper Vehicle) during rides Detailed Pre-Departure Briefing & Trip Preparation

• Rental of bike (GIANT road/hybrid)
• Extension to ride the Best of East Taiwan Scenic Coastal Loop

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While great care has been taken to show full and correct tour details, unfortunately transcription errors do occur and, although we continually seek to eliminate these, we apologise for any mistakes. Plans or bookings should not be made exclusively based on information shown on this website but must be confirmed with the tour operator.

Taiwan KOM Challenge: what you need to know

The Taiwan KOM Challenge in Taiwan is an iconic, closed-road hill climbing race that takes place in October each year. The Taiwan KOM route takes riders from sea level to the roof of Taiwan, more than 3,000 metres above sea level.

Taiwan KOM’s course is over the Wuling Pass climb, which is one of the longest bike climbs in the world. This event is most definitely one for the mountain goats!

But it’s not all about the climbing as the route also offers up a visual feast. Think sheer marble walls hundreds of metres high, bright red bridges crossing surging mountain rivers, rocky tunnels hewn by hand and serpentine, switchback laden roads.

In this article, Landy Hsu from the organising team at Taiwan KOM, shares the inside story on the event, including its highlights, the course and profile, how fit you need to be, what to eat and tons more!

This guide provides an overview of the event that is due to take place on 27 October 2023. Please read the rules, entry conditions and information on the official website if you want to take part. In the event of any discrepancy between this guide and information on the official website, please rely on the official website.

As ever, check current travel information and advice. For visitors from the UK, the UK government travel information pages are here.

1. Overview of the Taiwan KOM Challenge

Taiwan KOM is an annual closed-road cycling race held (as you’d expect!) in Taiwan. KOM stands for “King of the Mountain,” and the 105 km race is known for its gruelling climb from sea level at Hualien up the Taroko Gorge to Wuling Pass, which reaches an elevation of 3,275 metres (10,745 feet).

The race attracts both amateur and professional cyclists from around the world. It is considered one of the toughest cycling races in the world, and completing the climb is seen as a major achievement for cyclists.

Taiwan KOM has been running since 2012 (with a few years off for Covid) and is held on the last Friday of every October. In 2023, Taiwan KOM launched a new event: 2023 The Road to Taiwan KOM – Summer, held on 26 June 2023. This event is a more relaxed version of the Taiwan KOM, with an extended 9 hour cut-off. There’s more information on this below.

2. Why was the event created?

Taiwan KOM was originally known as the Taroko Hill Climb, organised by the Taiwan Cyclist Federation (TCF).

The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) quickly realised the beauty of the route and its power to promote Taiwan’s incredible cycling, and partnered with TCF to help promote it.

TTA sees Taiwan KOM as the spotlight in its Taiwan Cycling Festival series .  

TTA and TCF would like to keep aiming to increasing the awareness of “Visiting Taiwan – by cycling” to the world.

3. What are the highlights of Taiwan KOM?

Completing it! There’s nothing like the feeling of making it to the end of the 105 km hill climb cycling challenge from zero (sea level) to 3,275m within the cut off!

The high point on the course is the top of Taiwan’s highest mountain, Mount Wuling, so it’s also satisfying to know that you’ve cycled to Taiwan’s highest point.

The route on the way up is unforgettable: expect towering marble cliffs, deep canyons, crystal-clear rivers, atmospheric hanging cloud and lush green forests. Try to remember to look up and enjoy your spectacular surroundings!

The Taiwan KOM attracts some big names in pro cycling. Falling in October just after the end of the competitive racing season, riders such as Cadel Evans, Vincenzo Nibali, Marianne Vos and Emma Pooley have ridden it. The opportunity to rub shoulders with world-tour level cyclists is pretty special. And even if you don’t get lucky enough to catch sight of a pro, chances are you’ll get to know some Taiwanese riders and leave having made friends with cyclists from all over the world (in 2019 more than 67% entries were from countries around the world).

Finally, if you tack on a few days in Taiwan either side of the race, you’ll also have the opportunity to experience the special local culture and cuisine. More ideas for this below.

4. Explain the profile of the Taiwan KOM route

Below are the route map and route profile and gradients for the Taiwan KOM Challenge route.

The route basically follows Taiwan’s No.8 highway, which is one of the most scenic roads in Taiwan.

It starts at the city of Hualien on the east coast of Taiwan and finishes at the peak of Wuling in the Central Mountain Range. The route starts at sea level and climbs to an elevation of 3,275 metres over a distance of 105 kilometres. Along the way, cyclists tackle steep gradients, hairpin turns, and stunning scenery, including the Taroko Gorge and the Hehuan Mountain Range.

As you can see from the Taiwan KOM challenge profile, when entering the final “Paradise road” (the last 10 kilometres from Dayuling to Wuling, with a maximum steepness of up to 27% gradient!), the real fight for the KOM begins!

5. How long does it take to complete the Taiwan KOM?

The results are on the event website (check the Results tab along the top). You can find the 2021 Taiwan KOM result here and the 2022 Taiwan KOM results here .

As you can see from the Taiwan KOM challenge results, the quickest riders of 2022 completed the event in just over 2 hours! However please note that in 2022, the event was sadly cut short due to typhoon damage which destroyed part of the road

In 2021, the quickest riders completed it in just over 3.5 hours.

The fastest ever man completed the full route in 3:19:54.04 (Vincenzo Nibali in 2017). The fastest ever woman completed it in 3:52:35.51 (Emma Pooley in 2017).

The usual cut off for the event is 6.5 hours (and note that everyone receives the same start time – more details in section 13 below).

6. How fit do you have to be to take part?

Anyone aged 16 or above may register for the Taiwan KOM Challenge event. However, given the Taiwan KOM route profile, good fitness and hill climbing experience is strongly recommended. This is not an event to be undertaken lightly. Do your training and be race fit on the day!

Riders are categorised by age. The male categories are 5 year groupings from 16 to 60 years old. The two female categories are below 30 years old and above 30 years old.

On registration, riders can select the elite category if they would like. The elite category includes professional teams, both local and overseas, competing to finish the race within four hours. It man even include some World Tour pros at the end of their international racing calendar.

However, it’s not just extremely fit racing cyclists that take part.  Many challenge-level cyclists also battle to complete the event within the 6.5 hour cut-off.

At the end of the day, it’s not the speed that matters, it’s completing this unforgettable event.

If you are looking for training programs for the event, Taiwan Cycling Federation also provide different cycling training consultation and programs purposely coordinated for different levels of fitness and outcomes for Taiwan KOM. There’s more information here.

7. Do you have tips for planing your nutrition?

The organisers have feed stations as below. Dayuling is also a checkpoint. All riders who do not pass Dayuling by 12:30 are asked to stop racing. Their time will not be recorded and their event insurance also terminates at this stage.

Water, energy food as well as places to stay warm are available there.

Of course, we also suggest riders bring their own supplies. It’s worth bearing in mind that gels and other on-bike nutrition are not easy to buy in Hualien. Also there are very few shops along the KOM route.

8. What kit choices do you recommend?

Given the high mountains and possibility for low temperatures and changeable conditions, we always recommend that riders bring warm and waterproof clothing for the event.

Bike lighting are obligatory for use in the tunnels. Be aware that there aren’t just one or two tunnels, there are countless tunnels on the route. Some are short (just five metres or so), others are more than 1 kilometre (in these, there will be illumination but you need your own lights too!

9. What support is there on the KOM route?

The food and drink provision is as described above.

The peloton (usually comprised of those targeting overall/category trophies) is followed by a commissaire car and there is one neutral vehicle carrying spare wheels for the peloton.

Other riders need to be self-sufficient in terms of mechanical issues.

Private support cars are not allowed.

There is a broom wagon that follows the last riders.

First aid kits are available at all feeding stations. Ambulances are also stationed on the route.

10. What’s the best place to stay before and after Taiwan KOM?

Registration.

Riders need to arrive at the event help desk at the race hotel on Thursday afternoon for event check-in, pre-event briefing, latest weather conditions and route condition updates. There’s also the opportunity to visit our sponsors’ booths and chat with other participants and the spotlight riders.

The race hotel is usually the Parkview Hotel Hualien , but in 2023 it is still to be confirmed. We expect that participants will be able to easily access the hotel from downtown Hualien.

Event start

Since the event starts early on Friday morning at the start (Qixingtan beachside park), it’s a good idea to spend Thursday night in Hualien City. Hualien’s downtown hotels are within 10-km access to the starting point.

Event finish

On the race day at the mountain top, participants may take either their own vehicles to leave Wuling, or the event transportation service (reservation needed and you can also book transport for non-cycling companions as part of the registration process).

Note that participants are not allowed to cycle back down the KOM route after the race.

11. Can people hire bikes for Taiwan KOM?

Local rental shops cater mostly for leisure cyclists; these bikes are not suitable for this event.

If you need to hire a race bike, feel free to contact us in advance and we will do our best to help.

12. How should cyclists get to the event?

You can either fly to TPE (Taoyuan International Airport) or TSA (Taipei Sungshan Airpot). Direct flights from the UK to Taipei are available with several airlines, including British Airways, China Airlines, and EVA Air.

From the airport, you can then take the train or drive to Hualien. There is also the option of booking event transportation from Taipei Main Station to Hualien. If going by rail, bicycles that are packed in bike boxes should be treated as luggage.

The journey from Taipei to Hualien by train takes around 2-3 hours.

13. What tips would you give someone wanting to enter Taiwan KOM?

More information.

Our official website shares all the information about the event, including all latest updates.

For further requirements like training consultation, technical issues or additional tour program coordination feel free to talk to the Taiwan KOM team at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.

Taiwan KOM Spring and Taiwan KOM Summer

For those riders not able to visit the KOM route in October, or those who are more focused on enjoying the scenery, the Taiwan KOM Challenge has been extended into a series. We’ve added two rides in spring and in summer.

The start/finish points are the same, the route and astonishing scenery are also the same, the difference is that we’ve extended the cut-off time from 6.5 hours (in the October race) to 9 hours.

It is also a good chance for riders as a self-test or training before they really go in October.

All riders start at the same start and ride the warm-up section together. The Taiwan KOM Challenge event always starts from Qixingtan Beachside Park at 06:00.

The first 18 kilometres are a neutral/warm-up section with pace car and chief commissaire car control. After the neutral section, once permission is given from the chief commissaire, the “flying start” flag will be waived, and the office time calculation starts then (normally it will be around 06:38). All riders will be regarded a same time of start being 06:38, whether they pass the flying start point at 06:38 or later.

Consider bringing your climbing wheels and have a think about your gearing (perhaps a 50-34 crankset and possibly a 11-32 cassette?). This is one long hill climb!

Be aware that Taiwan KOM happens at altitude. Do your research beforehand and consider whether you want to take some altitude sickness medication with you in case.

Road closures

The road is only closed for event on the event day, and the traffic control will be finished upon the closure of the event (normally 14:00).

Temperatures

Bring the right kit for both hot weather and cooler weather: average temperatures in October are around 20~25 degree C in Hualien by the beach and 0~5 degree in Wuling. Also, on the mountain top, the weather changes quickly, especially in the afternoon.

Remember to expect these and bring your lights!

Before the start, riders may hand over their day bag with items they need on the mountain top, and the bags will be carried by the organiser to the finish area

Cultural differences

Taiwanese riders are often more expressive than western cyclists. Don’t be surprised if you hear and see riders expressing their pain rather than doing the strong and silent thing!

Travel advisories

Taiwan’s general crime rate is low, and the people are friendly and welcoming to tourists. However, as with any destination, it is important to exercise caution and common sense. Petty theft can occur in crowded areas, so it is recommended to keep an eye on your belongings. Additionally, it is important to stay up-to-date on any travel advisories or warnings issued by your country’s government. It is also important to check for any travel restrictions or visa requirements before planning your trip.

Taiwan lifted Covid restrictions in October 2022 and so international cyclists are welcome to come and cycle around Taiwan and experience its beauty for themselves. Face masks are not required while cycling or doing sports, though they are currently required in other settings; check before you travel.

14. What is there to do before/after the event?

Before or after the event, you may be looking for some more casual road riding.

Taiwan is perfect for this – more than 90% of its area comprises mountains and hills but they are all very accessible – you can may access them  within half a day, from every city in Taiwan. The east of Taiwan, no matter the nature, the culture or the people, provides an incredibly welcoming environment for cyclists.

If this sounds tempting, Taiwan Cycling Federation can provide customised tour package programs for before/after the event. There’s more information, here.

You can also read more about cycling and visiting Taiwan in our overview of Taiwan for cyclists and article on cycling Taiwan’s cycling route 1 .

15. How do you enter?

The detailed event information fort the October Taiwan KOM is usually announced in late May or early June each year, with Taiwan KOM race dates announced in advance of this.

By visiting the official website you can get all necessary information to register and find out more.

If you have any questions, you can check out the Taiwan KOM Facebook page . If you leave a message on the Facebook page, the customer service team will be in touch.

A big thank you to Landy Hsu and the organisers of Taiwan KOM for their support in creating this article. We hope it helps you decide whether Taiwan KOM is for you!

Got a question for Landy?

Fill out this form and we will send it to Landy. We aim to get you an answer within 24 hours wherever possible!

We will use this info to send the enquiry to Landy and/or their team. Our privacy policy explains more and here’s a reminder of our disclosure policy and terms and conditions.

Landy Hsu is the Planning and International Communications Supervisor of Taiwan Cyclist Federation (TCF). Landy says, “I joined TCF in 2015. Since then I have been part of the Taiwan KOM Challenge event organising team, with particular responsibility for international/media communication affairs.”

The contents of this website are provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on it. You should carry out your own due diligence and risk assessments and take professional advice. Views expressed by interviewees or other users of this website do not necessarily represent our views. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our website is accurate, complete or up to date. If you use any information or content on this website, download from, or otherwise obtain content or services through our website, it is entirely at your own discretion and risk. Epic Road Rides Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the information and content on this website. Find out more here .

2 Responses to “Taiwan KOM Challenge: what you need to know”

How are the roads along the Taiwan KOM route? I am contemplating on what type of tires I will use. If it’s paved all the way then maybe I can use racing tires with less puncture resistance.

Hi Vicente, yes, the Taiwan KOM route is paved. Best wishes, Clare

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Taiwan The Cycling Paradise in Asia

The best cycling tour in taiwan,  explore the colourful west pacific island from the saddle of a bicycle..

Our 12 days tour will be cycling all along the most beautiful coastlines in Taiwan, combining the introduction of history and culture when in Taipei and Tainan.

From US$2 ,815                                     12 Days

Taiwan KOM and Splendid Sun Moon Lake

Join us on our cycling trip to challenge the famous Taiwan KOM (King of Mountain). It is the highest mountain road in East Asia (3275m). This tour will also visit the largest lake, Sun Moon Lake, in Taiwan.

F rom US$2,495                                      8  Days

Scenic East

This tour features the most natural eastern Taiwan, which faces the vast Pacific Ocean on the East and leans against the Central Mountain Ridge on the West. 

From U S$2,095                                      9 Days

Challenge and Adventure

Our 13 days trip is no doubt the best choice for people who love to take up challenges and passionate for adventures. The 3275 meters highest mountain trek in East Asia is definitely making this tour different and worth challenging.

F rom US$3,145                                     13 Days

Around the Island

Circling the whole island in less than two weeks is surely an unforgettable experience, and it is definitely one of the must try trip in Panagoe cycling tour.

F rom US$2,855                                     12 Days

Colourful North

The combination of extinct volcanoes, hot spring and extraordinary rock formations along the coast is a must try for those who wish to explore the Northern Taiwan in a short period of time.

F rom US$975                                       5 Days

Customised & private tours.

We provide private tours tailor-made exclusively for your family and friends.

Cycling Support for self-guided tours

If you'd like to ride on your own but would like to have someone carrying your luggage, providing nutritions and mechanical support along the way, Panagoe's here to help!

Customer Reviews

Best bike tour ever! The back country roads, beautiful scenery, amazing food experiences and impeccable service all made for an unforgettable experience. Stephen and Jimmy are wonderful guides who always anticipated our needs, biking and otherwise. Everything was impeccably planned, with much attention to detail. Cycling with my husband and adult children who are strong riders, I appreciated the option of hopping into the van when needed on the final days of the trip. Both Stephen and Jimmy have decades of experience leading tours, and their professionalism, insights and friendly camaraderie were much appreciated. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for anyone looking for a fun adventure interspersed with comfortable accommodations and cultural exchange. We had so much fun that we are already plotting our next trip with Panagoe!

— Yvonne Wu, US

Our cycling trip - Scenic East Tour - was one of our greatest holidays and we would say our best cycling tour. Stephen and Jimmy were exceptional in every aspect of the trip and very accommodating to all our needs including dietary requirements. Our first day in Taiwan was just perfectly organised using the town bikes to explore the city and also the MRT - ideal way of taking in all the atmosphere of the city. The knowledge of Stephen regarding Taiwan is amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed all the local food - ‘light lunches’ are more of a banquet !!!!! The snack breaks were well appreciated and taking care of our bicycles and shoes at the end of the day was well received especially when we were enjoying a beer whilst Stephen and Jimmy were doing the mechanics. All the accommodation was of a high standard and very comfortable. The scenery is magnificent on this trip and we truly recommend this tour.

— Kim and George Legg, UK

Just finished my third trip with Panagoe. Stephen and his team always do a terrific job. Very patient with me as I struggle to get up Wuling mountain. And Taiwan is such a special place to ride-really unique terrain and sights. And very friendly people! If you have a chance to ride with Stephen I highly recommend it!

— Steve Skinner, US

Taiwan KOM Cycling Scenic Tour for 8 days

Total tour days, 8 days, including 7 nights at hotel, destination.

Breakfast：X Lunch：X Dinner：Welcome Party at Hotel

Breakfast: At Hotel Lunch: X Dinner: X

Hualien→Taroko

Breakfast：At Hotel Lunch：Snack from support team Dinner：At Hotel

Accommodation：Taroko Silk Palace Hotel or similar

As the official tour provider for the Taiwan KOM Challenge, we can guarantee entry to the Taiwan KOM Challenge (October) and also the two Road to Taiwan KOM sportifs (March and June), that are held on the same route at the October KOM. 

Taiwan is a paradise for cycling, and with warm and usually sunny weather in the central and southern regions from October through to May, it’s the perfect place to come to escape those winter blues. If you are looking to get in big rides to prepare for the season ahead, Taiwan is an ideal spot for those long days in the saddle.

If you are not in the country for long, let us show you around the beautiful mountains that surround Taipei, which can be reached with ease from the city center, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing later. 

Whatever your level, we have the cycling adventure for you! 

Contact me directly at [email protected], or via the Taiwan KOM Tours contact page. 

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Author: Lee Rodgers

Cycling coach, race organiser, former professional cyclist and the original CrankPunk. View all posts by Lee Rodgers

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