The much-anticipated 2020 Bicycle Shangri-La ecological bicycle tourism event organized by Kinmen National Park Headquarters was smoothly held on November 14. Although affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 600 cyclists still took part to tour Kinmen and Lieyu by bike. The finishers received a medal and a certificate as well as taking part in a lucky draw with various prizes up for grabs. Everyone went away happy.
Bicycle Shangri-La was first held by the national park HQ in 2011, this year was the 10th ecological bicycle tourism event. Coming to enjoy Kinmen by bike has become a grand annual occasion for cyclists. The spirit behind the event has always be slow happy cycling, with no competition and no timing, the purpose being to let participants enjoy the beautiful natural environment of Kinmen unhurriedly and experience the beauty of its rich culture, historic sites and ecology.
The weather was cool on the day, just right for cycling. At 6am, riders wearing special commemorative cycling jerseys had already arrived to register on site. On the back of the jerseys were printed the eye-catching words “Otters around, take care” and otter design, highlighting Kinmen’s conservation success and allowing the cute otter to travel around Kinmen with the riders.
Most riders were from Kinmen, 315 in all, with 271 from Taiwan and 14 from other places (two from Europe, 12 overseas compatriot students from Malaysia). Many of the participants have taken part in this event for successive years, showing how the HQ’s Bicycle Shangri-La event has acquired good reputation in cycling circles. After a warmup, the riders set off in batches at 7am. There were two routes, A and B, both departing from Zhongshan Forest’s Kinmen National Park Bicycle Story House. The routes were anticlockwise. Route A circled Kinmen (80 kilometers); Route B turned right at the junction before Shuitou settlement, riders took a ferry to Lieyu from Shuitou wharf, then returned to the Bicycle Story House (100 kilometers).
The routes offered the best scenery of Kinmen, with highway flower gardens, Southern Fujian style buildings, sorghum fields, military historical sites and beautiful coast…. the aim being to get everyone to slow down and fully soak up the irreplaceable beauty of Kinmen. The riders were well supplied on the routes, with bananas, chocolate and water available as well as traditional local cakes and peanut candy. Arriving at the finish, riders were welcomed with freshly cooked Kinmen thin noodles, allowing riders to enjoy both the scenery of Kinmen and the delicious tastes!
The park HQ thanked all those involved for their enthusiastic assistance and participation that allowed the event to smoothly go ahead, in particular the police ,Association of Medical Services at Mass Gatherings and the Kinmen County Vehicle and Ship Administration Department for their close cooperation, the keen cyclists of Kinmen County Cycling Safety Association and Kinmen County Fire Wheel Cycling Club, and the people of the settlement for their support, then especially thank this year’s sponsors KHS Bicycles, Yuanta Bank-Dajia branch, Dr. Wang, Da Fag Food Co.-Bearded Uncle Thin Noodles, Maestro Wu Knives Jin Rui Cheng peanut candy, Tai Shi Studio (Gugang Tower store), Rui Hua Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Meedori Coffee and Coffee KM without whose support this event could not have smoothly gone ahead and give the participants a wonderful cycling experience. Everyone looks forward to the event being held again next year.