Rapha RIDES Taipei

[@mistyj2h]

In Rapha ride movie, I think this is the best! Taipei is versatile and beautiful city! Symbolic mountain named Yangmingsan looks really great. I really envy the cyclist in Taipei.

[@gerhardwanninger4531]

As a German living in Taiwan for nearly 30 years I would like to give some comments to this video. “Taipei is not a huge city!” Taipei has an estimated 2,700,000 (!) Citizens, from one side of the city to the other side I need at least ½ by bike one way. I live on the other side of Taipei in Xindian, would spend at least one hour (one way) to ride to the foot of Yangmingshan, later mentioned in the same video. This is a huge city for bike riders! “Riverside Cycling Path” was a great addition but on weekends for sports riders due to very high frequency of families, children, elderly and inexperienced riders on bikes next to useless until you want to practice your breaking and balance skills. “You can escape the traffic by climbing hilly roads of the suburbs” is a nice comment but the video is titled ‘Rapha Rides Taipei’ (City). There is a difference between Taipei City and New Taipei City, the latter is the 'suburbs of Taipei City'. “The traffic is often congested by scooters and vehicles” is only part of the problem. The more serious problem is the Diesel-old oil mixture which they call Eco-Diesel and is burned and blown uncleaned into the atmosphere by buses and trucks. Ever noticed the black smoke when buses and trucks start from a standstill? These are the Diesel-recycled oil particles you inhale riding bike in Taipei City! The other point is the lack of respect for bicycle riders from all other parties (trucks, cars, scooters and even pedestrians) and the lack of obeying traffic rules from fellow bike riders using clearly seen clipless pedals. One visual example @1:18. Once I had to remind a Dad running a red traffic light that he is teaching his son, a Junior High School student, to run red lights from a very young age by following this father! “The roads of Yangmingshan” are not in the Taipei City but on the outskirts. The car numbers are restricted and the restriction is enforced, that’s why the hills near Yangmingshan are great for cycling. I live on the other side of Taipei in Xindian and would spend at least one hour (one way) just to reach the Yangmingshan area. “The traffic, while busy, has its own unwritten laws that keep it smoothly” I get permanently cut, blocked by turning cars on the road or cars leaving gas stations, get passed in dangerous close distance and shaken up by horns of egoistic truck drivers. I suppose, these are the ‘unwritten laws.’ One visual example @ 1:12. “I know that Taipei has plenty of room for improvement compared to other cities” is hopefully a good start in the right direction. Don’t get me wrong, I rode since the beginning of May until today (mid of November) 3.700 km on Taiwan roads happily but only ride in or to Taipei City for buying parts for my bike. And every time I am happy to leave…

[@pevenq]

big shout out

[@markstocker164]

Gerhard, buddy, it's clearly time for you to return to Germany. As somebody who has lived in Taipei for just as long as you, I have the complete opposite experience to you when it comes to riding here. Taipei has some of the best cycling in the world! No matter which direction you take, within less than half an hour you are in the hills, away from the bustle of the city. Don't like riding across the city to Yangminshan, outside your back door (Xindian) are some amazing roads, freshly paved, and with few cars and people. The bike paths along the rivers (300+ km) are a perfect way to get around the city. I don't own a car, because cycling is the best way to get from meeting to meeting. Sure, if you ride the bike paths on a Saturday afternoon on nice sunny day, you need to share with others, but 90% of the time they are essentially devoid of people. If you had complained about the weather in summer (too hot for serious midday riding) I would need to agree, but there is no reason to claim that Taipei is not a great city for the cycling. Let go of your pretensions. Go with the flow, like any good cyclist will. For me, I would take Taipei over any other major capital city, any day of the year!

[@gerhardw.933]

@@markstocker164 Did you actually read a n d understand my comments? I live in Taiwan for 30 years, my experience comes from around 7.000 km/year on different Taiwan roads incl. Taipei City traffic. I commented on the contents of this video (Taipei), not on the general condition in Taiwan. In my riding experience, Taipei City traffic (busses, trucks, cars, and motorcycles) plus the pollution is not (!) is not recommended for inexperienced cyclists; the video shows this actually quite clearly. There might be some freshly paved roads somewhere, but they are patchworks. I am experiencing that even main roads (incl. No. 9 to Yilan) are more suitable for gravel than road bikes. And I do not even mention that not only this road serves as a car and motorcycle racetrack on weekends! Definitely not recommended for bicycle riders! To ride to Wulai I need a little over 1 hour (return) but only on weekdays. During the weekend and fine weather, the road is very busy and dangerous. Until recently they repaired damage from the last Typhoon, truck after truck is not funny but dangerous. Small gravel falls from the truck, together with falling leaves you should ride carefully... Taiwan is on the way to becoming a cycling (not only a bicycle) kingdom. As long as the Taiwanese do not follow traffic rules, speed even in cities, park on Taipei City bike lanes, and all sorts of road users oversee and cut bicycles, there is still a way to go. I've visited Belgium and the Netherlands, it is different there. They respect cyclists... I stand by my comments even after 3 (!) years I wrote them initially! Taiwan is still a free country; I am allowed to express my opinion/s freely and I am quite capable to decide whenever I (!) want to return to Germany. Take care!

[@dtcarthy]

Some really great shots in this video! Bravo Rapha, yet again bringing the quality

[@IanHuang1984]

David Carthy I actually felt this particular one does not share the same aesthetic they shown in other city rides videos. Felt like it lacks of an unique perspective.

[@吳致華]

棘輪聲，風吹聲，呼吸聲，滑行聲，這部影片表達得真的很有感覺~!!

[@costasmandylor1565]

Now THAT was a great little vid!

[@vanm27]

Beautiful!

[@Rochellecyclinglife]

I love Taipei City

[@Pedalareversoilcielo]

Uno dei video Rapha più belli. Quando tornerete a farli ancora ? Cos'è cambiato ?

[@andres3725]

Beatiful video!

[@howeichi]

終於來台灣了！

[@ernestberlot8289]

I came with my road bike to taipeh on 31.1.19. Where makes sense to stay, in witch area? greetings.

[@alexgrytsenko85]

Can someone suggest me some local web sites or forums where I can look up the local races? I really appreciate it guys. Thx.

[@rkshox]

Can give Taipei Clubhouse FB a quick message. There's also some cyclists over at the Forumosa forum with lots of info to share.

[@Angie_4738]

好棒

[@k11g30]

拍的真棒

[@effandimahmud9700]

Merckx!!!

[@myphotomylife]

不管你信不信反正我是信了

[@플라네테스]

Beautiful Real China~!!! Beautiful bicycle land~!

[@CALee-zn9ch]

Someone will call it a city in Republic of China, and others will call it a city in Taiwan. But no one will call it a city of China because it's not a city of People's Republic of China. Sorry to confuse you but that's our wired history.

[@Mani_Matter]

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