Taiwan-en Archives - BikingMan https://bikingman.com/en/category/taiwan-en/ BikingMan Ultra Marathon Cycling Races Wed, 02 Apr 2025 09:03:09 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Expert advice: The best bike bag configuration for Taiwan with Axel Carion https://bikingman.com/en/expert-advice-the-best-bike-bag-configuration-for-taiwan-with-axel-carion/ Sun, 18 Dec 2022 10:24:55 +0000 https://bikingman.com/?p=52606 Hello Everyone ! Bikepacking is an exhilarating adventure, blending cycling and exploration, and Taiwan offers a perfect terrain for this discipline. Whether you’re participating in a race like BikingMan Taiwan or planning a personal adventure, the configuration of your bike is crucial for maximizing your comfort and performance. Axel Carion, an endurance cycling expert and […]

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]]> Hello Everyone !

Bikepacking is an exhilarating adventure, blending cycling and exploration, and Taiwan offers a perfect terrain for this discipline. Whether you’re participating in a race like BikingMan Taiwan or planning a personal adventure, the configuration of your bike is crucial for maximizing your comfort and performance. Axel Carion, an endurance cycling expert and founder of BikingMan, shares his tips for the best bikepacking configuration for Taiwan.

The best bike bag configuration for Taiwan with Axel Carion

 

 

 

            1. Handlebars: comfort and aerodynamics
The first step for an optimal setup is choosing the right handlebars. Axel strongly recommends using aero bars. This type of handlebar offers two main advantages:

  • Comfort: On long rides, aero bars allow you to vary hand positions, reducing fatigue.
  • Efficiency: They improve aerodynamics, especially on flat sections, allowing you to ride faster with less effort.

 

 

            2. Tires and wheels: speed and versatility

Choosing the right tires and wheels is crucial for adapting to the diverse terrains you’ll encounter in Taiwan.

  • Tires: Axel suggests using tires between 25 to 28 millimeters. These tires offer a good balance between speed and comfort.
  • Wheels: For wheels, he advises choosing a high profile, around 40 millimeters. These wheels are ideal for flat roads, providing both stability and speed.

 

 

          3. Drivetrain: adaptability to slopes
Taiwan is known for its varied terrain, with climbs that can reach very steep gradients. Therefore, a well-thought-out drivetrain is essential.

  • Gear ratio: Axel recommends a 1:1 gear ratio, for example, a 34-tooth chainring in front and a 34-tooth cog in the rear. This ratio allows for efficient pedaling even on the steepest climbs.
  • Versatility: It’s important not to opt for too aggressive ratios that could make climbing difficult, especially with a loaded bike.

 

 

 

        4. Brakes: safety and performance

Weather conditions in Taiwan can be unpredictable, with sudden rains and slippery roads.

  • Disc brakes: Axel recommends disc brakes for their superior performance in wet conditions. They offer more consistent and reliable braking power than rim brakes, which is crucial for descending safely.

 

 

             5. Bags: lightness and efficiency

One of the keys to bikepacking is traveling light. Axel advises a minimalist approach to bags.

  • Large saddlebag: Prefer a large saddlebag to store essential gear.
  • Additional options: If you need more equipment, you can add a frame bag or a front bag. However, keep in mind that the more weight you add, the harder the climbs will be.
  • Light and aggressive: The idea is to keep the bike as light as possible while being equipped with the necessary gear for the adventure.

 

 

                 6. Preparation and testing

Before embarking on your adventure, it is crucial to prepare and test your configuration thoroughly.

  • Preliminary tests: Do several training rides with your full setup to ensure everything works properly and make adjustments if needed.
  • Technical check: Carefully inspect every component of your bike: brakes, drivetrain, tires, and make sure everything is in perfect working condition.

 

Bikepacking in Taiwan with Axel Carion is a demanding adventure that requires careful preparation and an optimized bike configuration. By following Axel’s advice on handlebars, tires, wheels, drivetrain, brakes, and bags, you will maximize your chances of success and fully enjoy the experience.

Taiwan offers breathtaking landscapes and significant challenges for endurance cyclists. With the right setup, you will be ready to tackle these challenges and embark on an unforgettable adventure. So, prepare your bike, test your equipment, and set off to explore Taiwan on two wheels!

 

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Cet article Expert advice: The best bike bag configuration for Taiwan with Axel Carion est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

]]> It’s primetime for BikingMan on La Chaine L’Equipe https://bikingman.com/en/bikingman-taiwan-primetime-on-la-chaine-lequipe/ Thu, 20 Feb 2020 04:38:49 +0000 https://bikingman.com/?p=10767 We are happy and proud to announce that the french TV La Chaine L’Equipe will air a 75-minute documentary around BikingMan, covering the 2019 edition of Taiwan. Starting in the Primetime slot tonight at 9:05pm (french time), it will be an excellent opportunity to dive into this fantastic adventure on the tropical island and join […]

Cet article It’s primetime for BikingMan on La Chaine L’Equipe est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

]]> We are happy and proud to announce that the french TV La Chaine L’Equipe will air a 75-minute documentary around BikingMan, covering the 2019 edition of Taiwan.
Starting in the Primetime slot tonight at 9:05pm (french time), it will be an excellent opportunity to dive into this fantastic adventure on the tropical island and join the athletes who raced the challenging conditions it can offer.
To refresh memories, 1,150km and 20,000m of elevation were on the menu for the 2019 edition.

So don’t forget to set an alarm to discover it live on the french TV channel or watch it on the live feed on their website: La Chaine L’Equipe – Live Feed

Cet article It’s primetime for BikingMan on La Chaine L’Equipe est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

]]> Tales from the road in Taiwan https://bikingman.com/en/marcus-leach-words-on-taiwan/ Tue, 05 Feb 2019 10:15:09 +0000 https://bikingman.com/?p=8850 2018 series veteran Marcus Leach (@marcusleachglobal), shares his experience on the tropical island as he rode BikingMan Taiwan #1. “words of Marcus Leach on BikingMan Taiwan“

Cet article Tales from the road in Taiwan est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

]]> 2018 series veteran Marcus Leach (@marcusleachglobal), shares his experience on the tropical island as he rode BikingMan Taiwan #1.

“words of Marcus Leach on BikingMan Taiwan“

Cet article Tales from the road in Taiwan est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

]]> Taiwan – Carnet d’exploration https://bikingman.com/en/taiwan-carnet-exploration-en/ Thu, 17 Jan 2019 09:04:38 +0000 https://bikingman.com/?p=8321 Read on the awesome and surprising cycling experience we had in Taiwan during our recon rides! In the foreigners’ mind, little is known about Taiwan, mostly it’s that “Made in Taiwan” label that comes to mind. What we discovered when landing on the island, was both a shock and an amazing surprise, turning the destination as […]

Cet article Taiwan – Carnet d’exploration est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

]]> Read on the awesome and surprising cycling experience we had in Taiwan during our recon rides!

In the foreigners’ mind, little is known about Taiwan, mostly it’s that “Made in Taiwan” label that comes to mind. What we discovered when landing on the island, was both a shock and an amazing surprise, turning the destination as one of our favorite cycling experience.

“Carnet d’exploration Taiwan”

Cet article Taiwan – Carnet d’exploration est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

]]> Experience Taiwan – Robbie Ferri bikepacking kit list https://bikingman.com/en/experience-taiwan-robbie-ferri-bikepacking-kit-list/ Tue, 06 Nov 2018 20:53:35 +0000 https://bikingman.com/?p=8455 Robbie Ferrie, 2x world record breaker and english ultracyclist, shares the kit list he has used during the inaugural BikingMan Taiwan in 2018 ! Make sure to visit and follow the BikingMan_Ultra YouTube channel where you will have other tutorial videos on the race, the bike configuration needed and few tips and advice to attempt […]

Cet article Experience Taiwan – Robbie Ferri bikepacking kit list est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

]]> Robbie Ferrie, 2x world record breaker and english ultracyclist, shares the kit list he has used during the inaugural BikingMan Taiwan in 2018 !

Make sure to visit and follow the BikingMan_Ultra YouTube channel where you will have other tutorial videos on the race, the bike configuration needed and few tips and advice to attempt Taiwan in 2019 !

Cet article Experience Taiwan – Robbie Ferri bikepacking kit list est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

]]> Taiwan bikepacking kit list advice https://bikingman.com/en/taiwan-bikepacking-kit-list-advice/ Sat, 01 Sep 2018 07:55:18 +0000 https://bikingman.com/?p=8208 Cet article Taiwan bikepacking kit list advice est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

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Axel Carion, founder of the series and long distance bikepacking explorer, shares key advice to come well prepared in Taiwan. This is the kit list he has used during the route explorations of Taiwan.

The lightest configuration are recommended. Race course is fully paved, an agressive bike configuration is recommended:

– Road bike / Time trial bike
– Tires: 25/28mm
– Bikepacking bags: pack as light as possible respecting the mandatory kit (see the FAQ sections of the event)

 

« Discover more on BikingMAN Taiwan 2019 »

Cet article Taiwan bikepacking kit list advice est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

]]> Taiwan – Exploration notes https://bikingman.com/en/taiwan-exploration-notes/ Wed, 01 Aug 2018 07:43:51 +0000 https://bikingman.com/?p=58672 Cet article Taiwan – Exploration notes est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

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the word of mouth

So little is known about Taiwan! Most foreigners have in mind the overused “Made in Taiwan” label but very few actually know what Taiwan can unveil as a cycling destination. One of our first motivation to head there was linked to a conversation Axel had in 2017, during IncaDivide first edition, with one of the athlete who was born and raised in Taiwan.

As we were handling the logistics of IncaDivide 2017, Alex Wall who scratched from the race at the border between Ecuador and Peru, shared how wild could be an unsupported race in his home country. We had to go and figure out by ourselves how Taiwan could be more than factories and big crowded cities…

Into the wild

Picture this: two-thirds of Taiwan island is composed of rugged mountains running in five incredible different ranges. You have countless summits above 3,000m (the highest is the Yu-Shan, the Jade mountains, with a summit at 3,952m above sea level), this island is a paradise for climbers! With a subtropical and marine tropical climate (between the Northern and Southern regions), we were stunned by its wildlife and the contrast of the riding conditions you can experience there. From tropical conditions which feel like riding into the Amazon rainforest, to the spectacular shores of the Chinese sea on the Eastern coast, it feels you are riding in different countries within a single day.

As we were climbing to the Sun Moon Lake area, the fauna just gets greener, with numerous lakes, spectacular climbs and curious monkeys! Getting the right cycling kit in Taiwan is a challenge with the constantly changing weather conditions. You can feel the heat in a tropical climb, sweating like crazy and feel cold on top with a chilly rain. Some route choices we’ve made took us in the middle of nowhere, only hearing the sounds you would expect in the jungle with absolutely no cars. A very addictive cycling experience if you are not afraid of the jungle…

Long climbs, great food, great people

What would by cycling without climbing? Every race we build has a climbing challenge in it: Oman with the Jebel Shams, Corsica with its constant mountainous terrain, Peru with the high altitude factor and Taiwan with one of the longest climb in the world, the dreadful Taroko! Before reaching it, there are numerous passes to acclimatize your legs across the Yu-Shan and Alishan national parks. Taiwanese climbs are steady and fast if you’re used to long ascents. The Taroko with its 89 kilometers is one of the highlights of the race. It takes your legs from sea-level up to 3,200m as you ride along marble gorge, alpine mountains and vertical valleys. It is every year the theatre of the KOM challenge, which takes its participants on a sportive race on the entire length of the climb.

On the road we met a lof of respectful supporting drivers with even a coffee offered in a climb with a driver waiting for us on the side of the road! The excellent food you can find in local restaurants is a mix of Chinese typical plates and local derivatives of Hoklo ethnicity dishes. The beef noodle soops, a turkey rice and a good bubble tea and you’re good to hammer on the road. The countless 7-eleven shops available in Taiwan help to find fast fueling snacks and drinks along the route!

Expect the unexpected

The idea you can have if you don’t know Taiwan and the one you can have after riding the entire island is entrusted in Taiwan’s geography. Sometimes it feels you won’t be able to find your way out of the dense jungle and the overwhelming presence of the mountains. Then, you feel blessed once you manage to hit the Eastern coast which unveiled a flattish fast riding section and a direct view on the Chinese sea.

The race course is challenging and full of surprises. The show will be captivating as we will discover the athletes’ strategies. Would you save your legs in the long climbs to feel powerful once you hit the coast? Would you go all-in from race start to the finish and pray for a warm and gentle weather? Let the show in October unveils it all.

Cet article Taiwan – Exploration notes est apparu en premier sur BikingMan.

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