Got a long weekend in Taiwan but missed planning a getaway? Why not collect commemorative coins from historic old streets while completing cycling challenges on Strava?
Day 1: North Coast
Strava Challenge: Grand Fondo, or add to 400-min/Ten Days Active challenges
Commemorative Coin Locations:
- Yehliu Ocean World
- Tamsui Heritage Museum
- Tamsui Old Street (in front of Sunrise Tea House)
Cycling Route:
- Meetup: Songshan MRT Station
- Ride to Raohe Night Market/Rainbow Bridge area where the riverside cycling route begins
- Choose either the riverside path or mountain road to reach Keelung Harbor
- Follow the coastline and visit the UFO House in the ghost town of Wanli (翡翠灣太空玲瓏屋)
- Stop at Yehliu Ocean World for your first commemorative coin
- Coffee Break: Refuel at Young Door Coffee Shop (洋荳子咖啡館)
- Collect more coins at Tamsui Heritage Museum and Old Street
- Get your late lunch or early dinner at Sukiya in Tamsui MRT Station
From Tamsui, you can either ride all the way home or take the train from Hongshulin Station.
To learn more of the commemorative coins in Taiwan, click here.
Day 2: Wulai Falls
Strava Challenge: Add to 400-min or Ten Days Active challenges
Commemorative Coin Location:
- Wulai Tangzai Store
Cycling Route:
- Meetup: Xindian MRT Station
- Warm-up Options: Take the uphill road for a challenge, or start at Bitan riverside for a gentler pace
- First Stop! Viewing platform near the tunnel entrance bus station (隧道口)
- Ride to the old street and purchase your commemorative coin
- Continue uphill to Wulai Waterfalls
- Coffee Break: Grab a drink at Wulai Three Café (瀑布3号) – note that it’s pricey, so consider heading back to Wulai Old Street for more budget-friendly options
Since there’s no train station back to Xindian, you’ll need to cycle the return journey.
Day 3: Northwest Coast
Strava Challenge: Grand Fondo, or add to 400-min/Ten Days Active challenges
Cycling Route:
- Meetup: Xiaonanmen MRT Station (We’re supposed to take the TRA from Wanhua to Suao, Yilan and ride to Keelung but I didn’t make it in time so we went with Plan B)
- Ride to riverside and cross Zhongxiao Bridge (忠孝橋) to access Erchong Bikeway
- Follow riverside path to Bali Old Street
- From Bali, ride to Taoyuan via the coastline
- Coffee Break: First break at Zhuwei Fishing Harbor (竹圍漁港)
- Lunch: Stop at Yongan 61 Garden Coffee (永安61庭園咖啡生態農場)
- Restock Supau or Pocari at Yongan Fishing Harbor (永安漁港)
- Continue along the coast through Xinwu Green Corridor (新屋綠色走廊) until you reach Fengshan Creek at Bazaiku No. 1 Embankment (鳳山溪拔仔窟一號堤防)
- Final Stretch: Cross Shuiyue Bridge (水月橋) and ride inland to Hsinchu TRA Station
Take the TRA back to Taipei, then connect via MRT to your final destination.
These routes combine Taiwan’s stunning coastal and mountain scenery with cultural exploration, making for an unforgettable cycling weekend. Remember to check weather conditions and train schedules before departure!
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That’s it for now! Stay tuned for more adventures and tips on balancing work and travel!
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