My Taiwan Route 1 Experience

Hey yall,

I gained heaps from researching on here before my trip so wanted to give something back.

I've done a few short tours in the UK (where I live), france, and most notably 3 weeks and 1600km in South Korea (4 rivers then east coast)

I chose Taiwan's Route 1 (R1) because i was really keen to head back to Asia for a cycle tour. I'm obsessed with Asian food and wanted to feel far from home without being out in the sticks. I took my own bike because I wanted to guarantee I had easy enough gears for the hills (I had a knee injury I didnt want to aggravate it). I packed the bike in a cardboad bike box, which was a new experience for me but it worked well!

When
I was there between 29 September and 23 October 2025. I was worried about heat, rain and typhoons. It was hot, but bearable (stoping in 7/11s for AC and cold drinks became a pleasant necessity). I was lucky with almost no rain untill my final few days, and no typhoons.

Leaving the airport.
I touched down in Taoyuan with just less than month to play with. I wanted the adventure to start right away, so I'd planned to reassemble my bike in the airport and ride to my hostel in Taipei.

Just as I finished assembling my bike, two friendly security guards approached me and, via google translate, informed me I couldnt leave the aiport by bike. They disposed of my bike box for me and then escorted me to Terminal 1 by skytrain and then onto a bus that took me to a road I could cycle on. Although it wasnt ideal, the guards were so nice and it really set the tone for my pleasant interactions with Taiwanese people.

After a bit of zig zagging through quiet suburban roads, I joined up with R1, on the side of highway following the coast northwards. I did not enjoy my first taste of R1, riding on the hard shoulder of the highway and I hoped that was the worst of it (more on that later).

After about 10km, I joined up with a cycle path that ran all the way into Taipei, which was pleasant, if a little busy with families.

On reflection, I should have taken the taxi to my hostel at a cost of about £40. It would also have been handy to leave my bike box with the hostel, which othe people had done (We Come hostel, if youre wondering). This would have saved me the day I spent at the end of my trip, wondering around Taipei asking for a bike box and materials. But it was fun to start the adventure with adventure, so no regrets.

Taipei
I spent 3 days in Taipei enjoying the sites and wrestling with jet lag. 3 days was good, but I could have done with another day to recover – jet lag is a bitch!

Cycling route 1
I departed from my accomodation on the west side of Taipei and had about an hour riding through the city to the official start of the route, which was sort of fun but also an odd way to start the tour.

I decided to go clockwise because I wanted to take my time on the east coast and then see how I felt about the west coast. I had a gentle tailwind on most of the east coast, which was nice, so I was pretty happy with my decision. However, it did seem like the infrastructure was slightly better on the northbound side of the road, in addition to it being closer to the sea.

I took my time and rode about 50-70km per day (again, due to my knee injury I didnt want to push it). This turned out pretty well and I found there were plenty of places to stay. There were a couple of points on the east coast where accommodation was more limited and I was happy to have something booked.

I skipped the Suhua highway and took the train, which I do slightly regret as I heard from people that the quiter sections of the highway are some of the most spectacular.

I basically ended my ride in Dawu and got the train over to Tainan. I spent a few days in Tainan, got the train to Douliu and rode to Zhushan where I spent the night. I then road up to Sun Moon Lake where I stayed for 3 nights. I rode around the lake whilst I was there which was really spectacular. I then rode to Taichung.

I spent a couple of days in Taichung. For one final adventure, I decided to ride to Houli and get the train to Taipei from there. On my way I detoured via the Houfeng bikeway, which was a pleasant detour.

Getting back on the plane
Having ditched my bike box at the airport I had to find a new one. I'd read that bike shops would often give them away for free, so that was the plan. The first 3 shops I asked said they had nothing, which got me a little worried, but the 4th shop were super helpful and gave me on for free. Thank you to 96 Cycling. I got some bubble wrap and pipe insulation for £5 from a hardware shop near my hostel.

I stayed at We Come hostel again and they were happy for me to pack up my bike in one of the backrooms.

I booked an Uber XXL in advance, which cost about £40 which got me to the airport easily with plenty of time.

Bike lock in carry on luggage
I was worried about the weight of my bike lock in with the bike box, so I kept it in my hand luggage. After a quick Google I thought it would be ok. But when my bag went through the scanner they saw the lock and told me I couldnt take it. I was gutted because it was an expensive lock and my bike box had already been checked in.

I argued a bit too much and the security led me to the door back out to the main departure hall. I checked that they would let me back in then thought I might as well ask the check in desk if theres any way I could take my bike lock. They informed me that as my bike box was under my allowance, I could check the bike lock in as separate luggage for free (shout out to Etihad and the person on the desk). I just needed to buy a small box to put it in, which was available in the airport for £2.50. I was very releived!

Lessons
– Get a taxi from the airport to your accomodation and leave your bike box there.
– Consider hiring a bike. Rental places seemed plentyful and it reduces the faff of taking your own.
– Clockwise was great for me, but if you're short on time consider getting the train to the south and then riding north.
– It is possible to do most of the route in much shorter stages than the official route, but being able to do big miles and long days gives more freedom.
– most of R1 is on the hard shoulde of a highways. The busyness of the highways vary, but there are enough sections with fast cars and lorries for it to feel too busy to enjoy (for me)
– it is super easy to jump on a train to skip various sections, though generally good to get your ticket early on weekends.
– my highlight was riding up sun moon lake, staying there a couple of nights and riding around the lake.
– dont try to take your bike lock in your carry on luggage

Happy to answer questions, so fire away.