"Beauty of Mountains: A 100K Challenge," a cycling competition, kicked off amid much fanfare at 8am on Sunday May 15, 2016 at the Saijia Recreation Park, as organized by the Maolin National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Taiwan Super Triathlon Association (TSTA).
More than 500 cyclists from around the country gathered up to take the route acknowledged by Audax Club Parisien (ACP). The TSTA pointed out that this year’s participants came from all walks of life, including medical doctors, engineers and designers, who were excited to explore Taiwan’s nature on a bike.
The Administration said the competition's route meanders through the places which it manages, and therefore the Administration is pleasured to take part. This is in fact the first time this 100K bicycle challenge is conducted since Typhoon Morakot struck Taiwan in 2009. The route starts from Saijia Recreation Park, stopping at Baolai Junior High School before returning to the park. The 3.5-hour route is about 99.19km and its slope is 835.2m. More than 500 people registered for the event. The eldest is 90 years old and the youngest 16. The 90-year-old participant, a granny, tried to go beyond her physical limits as accompanied by her family. On 8am at the Administration Office (located in the Saijia Recreation Park), the contestants took off after the organizer blew whistles. Hulu Valley in Dajin Neighborhood, Liouguei is the path’s highest point at 480m. Water was distributed at Baolai Junior High School and the Shibaluo Mountain Visitor Center. While the weather was scorching hot and the ride was long, the scenery is tranquilizing. The contestants were therefore encouraged to complete the ride. Each of those who completed the challenge was given a badge with a bicycle logo and a purple butterfly logo and a certificate. The ten fastest contestants were each awarded with one glass medal as encouragement. All registrants were given a shirt, a water bottle, an energy pack and sports sun screen.