Cycling toward the northwest coast of Taiwan from Hsinchu City, it was the first time I faced the wrath of the worst winds of the Taiwan Straight. I stopped several times, not so much to rest or take a picture but to brace myself behind something – a concrete railing or a roadsign; the crosswind threatened to blow me right across the pavement and into the passing traffic.
For the very reason typhoons travel south between the China mainland and Taiwan, the locals dubbed the Taiwan Straight the Typhoon Alley; and the nickname nails the meaning.
Large wind farms fed by abundant coastal winds frame the views of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Straight. Powerful winds batter wide river estuaries and coastal inlets south from Toufen City and across the entire Maoli County. Cycling here sure offers a unique experience.
As long as I rode south along the coast, I no longer had to face headwind or crosswind and instead became propelled by a strong tailwind, often reaching speeds over 50 km/hour doing no pedaling at all.
Alas, beware, it’s not easy cycling! As long as the wind blows in the same direction as the road, it’s cyclist’s heaven. But if the road meanders or the wind changes course, watch out as you can’t easily steer the bike accordingly, and slowing down and stopping isn’t too easy either.
Read more: Cycling Taiwan
