Hey everyone, I thought I would post some cycling challenge events for those of you may be interested in participating.
The challenge events are kind of like sportivs, where you pay for registration (which includes insurance, some souvenirs and water/food stations) and everyone that finishes gets a participation medal. Placement for overall and age group are posted, but those are mostly for bragging rights. Most events do not give out any kinds of prizes for top finishers.
Just to be clear, I will NOT be taking sign ups. This thread will be purely informational.
Feel free to have a discussion or questions about any cycling events as well.
The route takes you through Danshui and some parts of the North Coast, into the sakura tree area north of Shimen and back towards Danshui.
Personally, it’s quite an annoying route due to the fact you go through the busy No.2 coastal highway that has a lot of traffic lights. However, a nice first race of the season to participate in.
Race date: March 11, 2017 Registration period: January 17 to February 8 Total Distance: 73KM Total Elevation Gain: 900m Registration fee: 1200NT
::EDIT::
We had a discussion about this race/route last year. Here’s the thread:
Thanks for starting this thread. I’ve been looking into rides such as these, but have had trouble knowing where to find information about them, especially rides near Taichung. Any suggestions on where to look?
If you think having to decipher the website and registration pages another way to keep up to date with the events is to join a local club or maybe just join a cycling FB group. I know riding in groups is not for everyone, but at least they will keep you informed and if you want to participate, someone does sign ups for you.
Sign up deadline: February 20, 2017 (Max Limit 4000 participants) Event date: March 19, 2017 From Bali Route 1: 100KM - Bali to Hsinchu (and back to Bali) From Bali Route 2: 200KM - Bali to Miaoli (and back to Bali) From Miaoli Route 1: 100KM - Miaoli to Hsinchu (and back to Miaoli) From Miaoli Route 2: 200KM - Miaoli to Bali (and back to Miaoli) Registration Fee: 200K group is 850NTD and 100K group is 700NTD (You get a event tshirt with registration)
ranlee, please keep going with those recommendations. Sakura is out this year for me because I’m just in poor cycling shape right now. I would consider the West Coast Challenge Race, but I’ll be in Taidong the day before for a triathlon. Man, I’m in bad shape this year! I’m going to swim tonight and then make it out there for cycling rain or shine from here on out.
I’m very glad you guys are getting something out of the thread. Trying to get some more discussion to the cycling section of this forum and I thought, this might help.
Even more fun if you join the organized events as a group!
Sakura Challenge isn’t for another 2 months! Race day is March 11 and sign ups end Feb 8th. Plenty of time to think about it, sign up and get back into shape.
There’s some other races coming up that are similar to the Sakura challenge, but a lot of them take place down south. Might want to consider Sakura again this year!
I will consider it. Let me get a ride in this weekend and see how I feel. I’ve got several tri races going on in the next several months (March - June). Cycling is great for overall shape without risking injury.
I have done both the challenges I have posted. Actually, the challenge schedule is already out for a few of the organizations. Check the links above for more the calendar. I’m just translating the main details from the website(s) for everyone’s convenience.
Bali Hsinchu Bali should take approximately 5 hours if you’re taking it slow and stopping at water stations. Last year, the first bunch came in at exactly 3 hours. They averaged around 35kph over the 3 hours and max speeds were 60-65kph.
4,000 participants is total for all four routes that I listed. So it could be around 1,000 participants per start point and distance.
1,000 people still sounds like a hella lot of people on the road at the same time. Sounds cool.
I haven’t biked for that long or that far before, but it certainly is a goal for me. I struggle to stay above 20kph, so I would be in that approx 5 hour cohort.
The start will be staggered. Which means, they’ll let people cross the start line for 2-4 minutes. Wait 5 minutes. Let the next group go. So on and so forth.
However, yes, still lots of people on the road. The numbers continue to increase every year. So might think about getting out there before it turns into full capacity.
Sign up deadline: March 10, 2017 (Max 300 participants) Event date: March 26, 2017 Route: Jinshan to Xiao You Keng Distance: 18km Registration Fee: 350NT
Date: July 30th, 2017. Location: Taidong Route: Seems flat, judging by the name of the event using “East Coast” (someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong) Distances: 30k, 100k, 130k Miscellaneous: Chips only for 100k and 130k; Prizes only for 130k (again, let me know if I’m wrong); can check in the day before, or early on the day of
It’s flat (and fast) until the final climb, which is fairly short, but a bit of a pig with 120km in yer legs. I did the elite race last year with my team (Hanlin). It was pretty conservative, and all the younger/lighter/faster climbers just sat in all the way, then smashed it on the climb. If you are bigger and older, like yours truly, try to get away early doors. I think I lost 6 minutes to the winner on the climb, having arrived at the base in the bunch.
Thanks for that info. I’ve only entered one cycling event so I wouldn’t be doing this with any goal to place well in the race. Also, while I might be in good shape for about 90 minutes of intense effort by the time of the race, I’m not sure about an event that will take very easily over twice that time (at least for me). Finally, I’m also definitely in the bigger and older category! So if I enter, it would be for fun and a way to get in a little vacation.
Okay. In that case I’d suggest go for the 100 or the non-elite 130. Full chat, the elite race took around 2hrs 50, I think, (after neutralisation at the start, which seemed to go on forever!) so I reckon you are safe to work on 4hrs+… depending on the wind… ha ha. Can be a bugger, especially if you are not getting protection in a bunch
