Vote For Su Chia Chuan 蘇嘉全... He Rides A Salsa La Cruz CX Bike

Of course I am only joking for the reasoning, but I was pleased to see the DPP candidate pictured astride a Salsa La Cruz cyclocross bike. The bike appears to be a 2009 model of the disc only, steel, multi-surface machine, produced for Salsa Cycles by one of Taiwan's top steel frame makers.

I has some friends test one out a while back (and this may very well be the same one) and it was a great bike for a variety of riding in Taiwan.

Now, I don't know if that is really the candidate or a photoshopped head, but for a Taiwan-centered candidate, what better bike than a great Taiwan Bike.

What Is Taiwan's Biggest Bike Market?

You're right if you guessed the United Kingdom.

Europe is big on Taiwanese bikes. Here's the article.

BREAKING!!! Contador Tests Positive

Three-time Tour de France champion, Alberto Contador has tested positive for clenbuterol

OUCH!!!

Travelist: Vote For Taiwan Cycling Route

The Travelist is conducting an online poll for the "Best Cycling Routes", and Taiwan has a couple spots on the list to compete against Arizona and the Paris-Roubaix route.

If you like cycling in Taiwan, vote on it. HERE

Training Notes:

I completed my training loop in record time last night. I usually do this route solo, every Wednesday between 6:00p.m. and 7:30pm. The roads are dark and there are lots of traffic lights and traffic to wait for... with all that in consideration, the effort is pretty good.

The best part was my feeling after I warmed up. I just forgot there was a bicycle under my ass and just was concentrating on my immediate goal in front of me. The tension in my legs melted away and I was just spinning away. Glorious!

Now this performance will be the monkey on my back until I can recreate it.

Caotun Loop:

Distance: 50km/31mi.
Max Speed: 50kph/31mph
Average Speed: 32kph/20mph

Bike route 716556 - powered by Bikemap

Taiwan Tourism and Economic Cycles

Taiwan's central government has recently projected an estimated 5.2 million tourists this year, which would set a new record. The report also eyes bicycle tourism as one of the central targets of the government's tourism push.

The report states:

President Ma Ying-jeou said Saturday that the number of visitors in Taiwan is expected to reach a record 5.2 million this year, mainly because improved cross-strait relations have brought more Chinese tourists.

In the latest edition of his online video journal, Ma defended his administration's policy of allowing more Chinese tourists.

"I think I am doing the right thing, so I will continue to do it and not be afraid of criticism"

To take a more critical look at the government's claims, they have provided only partial and flattering data to support a program that smacks of ideology. I think it is plainly obvious that the Ma administration is hoping to draw speculative conclusions to draw support for its controversial policies that have degraded Taiwan's sovereignty and seek to integrate Taiwan into a political and economic Chinese state as a subordinate member.

It also appears tourism is being targeted to replace the industries in which Taiwan still retains its competitive edge; industries including high-end electronics, semiconductors, sports equipment, and high-end bicycles. It seems Taiwan is slated to become a vassal state of Chinese tourism.

In the report, government representatives also saw a rise in Malaysian visitors and seeks to attract cyclists with more independent modes of travel.

Lai attributed the steep rise to airlines increasing the number of flights between Taiwan and Malaysia. She also said many Malaysian tourists preferred to travel without tour groups, staying in guest houses or riding bicycles.

She said the Tourism Bureau planned to promote the Lantern Festival in the spring, local cuisine in the summer, cycling in the fall and hot springs in the winter.

One alternative source to the increase in tourism may be that the global economic recovery is allowing Asian tourists to seek vacations, but those vacations are less costly and closer to home.

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Taiwan Cycling Festival:

Primavera Cycles has posted a wonderful ride report in its "Newsroom", with some more details regarding the upcoming festival in Hualien next month between October 16 and October 24.

The central government hopes to attract over 10,000 foreign visitors to participate in the event, and I have been hoping to provide a little more information on the activities, but in reading the Chinese language event page from the Tourism Bureau... I am really unsure which events are open to the general public or where exactly to register for the events. Sorry guys. This is really unfortunate as I am aware of several foreign visitors who are interested in attending, but do not have access to the information. Maybe when I have a little time (which I really don't) I can sift through the Chinese information and make an English translation. Maybe not.

I think the aspirations of the central government to be a cycling tourism destination must still overcome some massive hurdles to draw tourists from all over the world and not just from Chinese speaking (reading) countries. Here we can see another event where the vision is wide, but the execution is narrow.

News Cycles:

• Virginia learns the cerebral joys of riding solo: here
• Videos from the Cyclocross USGP: here
• Allen Lim, the sports physiologist for Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis will testify (Oh please let me go to great lengths to give Taiwan ownership of him ala Michael Chang.... Lim's parents fled China at different times and met in the Philippines, then moved to Taiwan, before moving to L.A. where Allen is from. Pride of The Nation... LOL!!!): here
• Just the good ole' boys... and they mean us some harm! Kentucky driver seeks to harm cyclists: here

Cycling's Ultra-Man DEAD: 5 Time RAAM Winner Jure Robic Killed In Tragic Accident

Jure Robic, the Slovenian ultra endurance racer and five-time Race Across America winner is dead following a collision with an automobile on a mountain road just 5km. from his home.

Ride Safe!

Jure Robic

April 10, 1965--September 24, 2010

UCI Road World Championships

The 2010 UCI Road World Championships kick off this Wednesday with a series of events that will lead to the Elite Men's Finale on Sunday, October 3, in and around the Australian city of Geelong.

Unlike the grand tours, the UCI World Championships are organized around teams of competing nationality, and not by riders working for their trade team (i.e. Saxo Bank, Rabobank, Liquigas... etc.). The winner earns a medal and the opportunity to wear the UCI WCC five-color jersey for a year. Often, companies that supply the winning bike will also include the WCC emblem into their paint schemes.

This year there is still an interesting field of competitors still hungry for some kind of victory after a season of disappointment and woe.

Who to watch:

1) Mark Cavendish, the polarizing sprinter from the Isle of Man, has been making some high talk around town about taking another prize to add to his 2005 and 2008 victories. Cav has had a spotty season with several stage wins, and several self-made implosions. He often comes across as a talented, albeit whiney brat, like Luke Skywalker from the 1977 Star Wars film.

2) The Aussie and current WCC defender, Cadel Evans, is looking to earn his stripes on home soil in full view of his countrymen, and to also atone for his failures in both the Giro and the Tour de France, which he rode with a fractured wrist. Evans looked promising early in the season, but the victories never materialized. This would be a good opportunity to make things happen.

3) Andy and Frank Schleck are back to try their luck on gaining the top spot. So far they have either fallen to injuries or been left holding the bouquet.

4) The Mighty Thor Hushovd will be eagerly awaiting a chance to make Cav eat his words. Thor is another top sprinter who revels in making Cav whine.

5) The Spanish Riders are looking for Milan-San Remo winner, Oscar Freire, to add a fourth WCC to his 1999, 2000, and 2004 titles.

6) The Italians will be fielding a team headlining the young 2010 Vuelta champion, Vincenzo Nibali, to bring Italy back into the ranks of 'World's Best". The Italian teams have taken a beating in recent years, which has raised questions of Italy's commitment to a sport they once owned.

7) The Americans are putting their hopes on Tyler Ferrar, who has had some excellent sprinting victories this season, but the big wins have been elusive.

In any sense it appears to be a sprinter's race this year and it should be worth following. Link