Wuling is the saddle between the east peak and the main peak of Hehuan Mountain, with an altitude of 3,275 metres. It is not only the highest point of Taiwan's highway, but also the highest point of the highway in the whole of Southeast Asia, and it is difficult and skillful to cycle to the top, however, because of the good view of the mountain, and the scenery along the way, it is still attracting a lot of cyclists from all over the world, and regarded it as the holy mountain of the cycling world that must be challenged in one's life. Recently, I joined the Taichung Cycling Carnival and took on this challenge with a group of friends. Let me share with you my experience and what to pay attention to when you go up Wuling.
Select a route.
You can choose a suitable route according to your physical strength. Usually, cyclists start from the geographical centre of Nantou, Puli Township, and cover a distance of 55 kilometres. We chose an easier route, starting from the mid-mountain of Qingjing, which is about 2,000 metres above sea level, and the whole journey is about 20 kilometres long.
Prepare in advance.
Gear and clothing.
In terms of equipment, since the weather in high mountains fluctuates a lot, it is best to dress onion style, bring a windproof, waterproof and warm jacket and pay attention to hand warmth, a cycling helmet, sunglasses, sunscreen, enough water or sports drinks, and snacks with high calorie content. Of course, there will be a number of rest stops, so you don't need to bring too many items. Don't forget to grease your bike chain and check your bike's mechanical parts, tyres are fully inflated and free of hard objects to prevent a flat tyre, and whether the braking system is normal. It is best to have a proper breakfast one to two hours beforehand, warm up well, stretch and get ready to go.
There are a lot of sloping roads in Cuifeng, Yanfeng, Kunyang and Wuling, be careful of oncoming traffic.
Mobile phone reception may not be good in the mountains, so it's best to cycle with a friend to avoid falling out of the group, as it's dangerous to cycle alone in the mountains and there are no dedicated cycle paths, plus there are a number of roundabouts, so you have to be especially careful of vehicles on the highway.
Qingjing→ Cuifeng(9.5km)In the first half of the course, the average gradient is 8.2%, and there are some long uphill slopes with high gradient. It takes a long time before there is a relatively flat section to rest. It is recommended to take your time, follow the rhythm and let your body adapt to it slowly, don't rush at the beginning to make up for your physical strength. When descending the slope, you should pay more attention to controlling the speed to avoid accidents.Cuifeng→Firefly(6.8km)The average gradient is 7.6%, the air is getting thinner and thinner, and your heart is racing.Iris→Kunyang(7.5km)With an average gradient of 7.51 TP3T, it became increasingly difficult to breathe and consumed a lot of energy. LastlyKunyang→ WulingAlso known as the "Paradise Road", this straight uphill road is a test of willpower. Although you are almost out of energy, the end is in sight, and some people will choose to lead a car to finish the road.
A fulfilling cycling journey.
Although it is hard work, you will find it worthwhile to enjoy the beautiful scenery while cycling. The whole 20-kilometre journey took five to six hours to complete. There is a viewing platform at the top of the hill for everyone to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the mountain peaks after the hard work, and most importantly, to take a photo at the stone monument engraved with "Wuling 3275 metres" to prove that you have successfully reached your goal and completed the challenge.
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