FLABBERGASTED by TAIWAN

Definition of Flabbergasted is "Informal overcome with astonishment". This is what my short Trip to Taiwan (thanks to the Taiwan Cycling Federation) has left in me.

Amused by the immense mountains, by the warmth of the people, the deep blue waters of the coast line, the delicious cuisine, made me think all the way back on a 15 hours journey back to London that I am looking forward to go back to Taiwan. It is strange for me to say this due to the fact I have visited 55 countries around the world and on the way to reach 100 (sometimes in my life time),but this remote Island in the South China Sea has completely deserved the name given by the Portuguese colonies in the past to call it "Formosa", which it means beautiful island.

Night Market.

Yin Chih Wang,Adam Semple,Andy Von Bergen(Cycling Tips Australia),Craig Symons enjoying a game at the night market.

Glasses could be wear with no lenses,it is the new trend in Asia.

In Taiwan you can cycle anywhere,you can use your own bike,or take one of the city bike to move around.They are great and cheap. To all you people, I have discovered that cycling is the best way to see the world starting from the busy cities to the open empty fields.Forget the sticky public transport,the queues and the rucking( rugby terminology,Packed crowd of people) to get on them.

We got lost while training.

From scooters at the front,cycling in the middle,and airplanes at the back.

MTB star Cory Wallace and TK from Japan,next to the red spotted shirts.

Cyclist can ride all this climbs in Europe, Stelvio,Mortirolo,Zoncolan and many others that have made history in cycling, and you felt proud to achieve the top.You felt like the Pro when you reach the summit,but this KOM Taiwan Challenge up the Taroko Gorge is for real the tougher.

Day 2 KOM Taiwan Challenge

Today it has been a day which all of us manage to warm up the legs for tomorrow morning with an early start at 0630 from the grid. The KOM event staff arranged a press conference at the start line for the race,which it is about 5km from the hotel by the beach.

We all fully kitted up and rode to the beach in a big peloton.We all took pictures with each others,wearing lycra, and chatting away to make the time pass under the sun rays with an amazing temperature of nearly 30 degrees Celsius.

Again with Tiffany Cromwell

David Mc Cann 3 Times Irish Olympian.

 Chatting in Italian with Simon Clarke, and discovering little secrets.

Elite RIders.

After the presentation we all decided to go for a ride,in groups we took different directions to discover this amazing country side.We rode through down town,hills,and open fields,motorways and much more astonishing scenery.

Cycling Tips Australia also with us.

In the middle of nowhere.

Ordering a Bubble Plum Ice Tea with Pearls with Adam Semple and Craig Symons.

Finally we were back at the hotel, after chasing and racing each others on the road like kids with new toys to be able to attend the riders meeting inclusive of a local dance from aborigine women from Taiwan.

To finish off the afternoon, it was nice to catch and talk with a great MTB rider and friend Cory Wallace,two times Mongolia Bike Challenge Champion,and various podium finishers at the most hardest MTB races in the world.Cory has been invited by the Taiwan Cycling Federation to take part at the event and to challenge the Elite riders.I can see Cory placing himself very well in tomorrow race.

Cory Wallace.

Good Night