Taiwanese Cyclist Plods Around The World: 600 Days and Counting

For months I have been wondering what ever happened to Wu Shih-chang, the Taiwanese man who set out to travel the globe by bike on $10 a day.

Wu left Taiwan in June 2010 to begin his journey in Alaska, before heading southward to Argentina. Along his journey the young Taiwanese man miscalculated food supplies, negotiated wild bears in Alaska and finally arrived in Seattle where he was taken in by some of my friends from the Seattle Taiwan Center.

Now, after 20 months on the road, the 30 year-old resurfaces in Paris, where his bike was stolen and he was forced to wait for a replacement.

Here is an excerpt from Focus Taiwan:

He cycled across Alaska, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Belize and Central America before pedaling south to Peru, Chile and Argentina. He flew or traveled by boat when necessary.

He met a snowstorm on a mountain road in Argentina, experienced acute altitude sickness in Peru, and had diarrhea for a week.

Despite all this, he said that after witnessing the beauty of plateaus, experiencing desert weather, and feeling coastal breezes, all the discomfort went away.

Money was a big issue for him and visa fees accounted for the largest expenses on his trip. As Taiwan lacks formal diplomatic ties with many countries, entering other countries can be expensive.

He was due to fly from Argentina to South Africa but was unable to as the South Africa Embassy in Argentina denied him a visa.

He traveled to Europe instead and spent his 30th birthday at an airport in Madrid. His travel turned for the worse Feb 3 when his bicycle, donated by Taiwanese bike maker Giant, was stolen in Paris.

Wu was forced to contact his friends in Taiwan and ask them to send another bike for him so that he could continue his trip.

He said he did not know when he will finish traveling, but said the trip has made him realize the importance of family.

Taiwan's problematic diplomatic situation, combined with a weakening push for international space seems to be taking its toll on Taiwanese travelers who are often misidentified as Chinese.

I hope Wu keeps going, but 600 days is a long time to be on the road.

Also:

The Accell Group has fortified its Taiwan branch with some top talent to better get into the scrum of the growing Asian bicycle market.

In Other News:

• The Dope: What an exciting week it has been off the tarmac. First, the seven time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong is let go by the feds, who have decided not to bring the retired cyclist and accused doper to trial on a list of charges. Lance is still not off the hook. The Wold Anti Doping Agency would still like to look at some of the evidence gathered during the Armstrong case. Meanwhile, Alberto "El Pistolero" Contador, possibly the world's top grand tour specialist, is handed a mathematical 2 year sentence for traces of clenbuterol in his blood. Contador blamed the positive test on "tainted beef". Although the Spanish rider has his victories since the positive test wiped from the records, creative accounting allows him to resume competition in only 6 months.

• Why cycling will make you happy...and not gay as many Americans believe.

• 17,000 Londoners sign up for safe cycling.

• Commute By Bike on The Cycling Opponent.

• Going green gets a little complicated. Crushed glass causing flats?

Taiwan Cycling Travel Association Plans To Conquer The World

The Taiwan Cycling Travel Association, in conjunction with the Taiwan Asia Cycling Association, have developed a comprehensive plan to promote world cycling travel. According to a report from the Taipei Times, the plan aims to offer limited support to riders who wish to travel around the world by bicycle.

In plans drawn up by these groups, a trip will be planned every year for four years to limit the strain on participants family and financial resources. They also hope this strategy will entice younger riders to participate.

“There are a lot of people wanting to go around the world, but they can’t find the time or lack the ability and partners to do so,” said TACA deputy director Chen Shou-chung , who went around the world in 400 days in 1998.

It was the reason why TACA was dividing the round-the-world trip up into sections, with 20 people to a group, hoping to ride around the world in four years.

Those cyclists who couldn’t cycle the entire length may choose which parts of the journeys to join, he said.

The first leg of the Grand Tour, scheduled to begin in July, will cross the Silk Road, from Beijing to the Hassock borders. The second year will take riders from Central Asia to the Europe-Asia borders in Turkey.

The third year crosses the European stretch and the fourth year goes across North America, Chang said.

According to the report, the group plans to use the slogan:

“Experience the vastness of the world with your own body!”

I feel this is an apt description of any form of bicycle travel. When you remove the framing of a window, the world becomes an entirely different place.

The first leg of the journey kicks off in July when riders will be expected to pedal the Silk Road.

This type of activity is an excellent opportunity for Taiwanese to experience the world. If you have the time and money... it could be a great time.

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In related news: Check out the Silk Road adventures of Kate Harris and Mel Yule. Here