The Penghu National Scenic Area Administration of Tourism Bureau, MOTC extended the popular Penghu Cycling Festival and launched the “Riding Cool through Penghu All Summer Long” event as part of World Bicycle Day on June 3, 2023. On that day, 200 cyclists gathered at Penghu Visitor Center and cycled to Shili Beach before returning to the Suogang bicycle rest area that was only completed last year. The approximately 17 km long route which was logged with the iTaiwan Bike app made for a unique tapestry of the cycling route in Penghu.

The purpose of the event was to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the fun of cycling, cut energy consumption and carbon emissions, get plenty of exercise and show their love for planet Earth on World Bicycle Day. On that day, crowds of cyclists both young and old gathered to set off together from Penghu Visitor Center. From there, they cruised along the Pengnan Route, one of the Penghu’s many cycling routes as they admired the beauty of the landscape after the spring rains and challenge themselves on the uphill stretch.

To ensure the safety of event with the summer holiday season coming up, experienced coaches from the Penghu Water Sports in Jin-an Community hosted a water safety seminar and organized a trivia quiz with prizes for all cyclists. The coaches reminded all cyclists planning summer activities to pay attention to water safety so everyone can “have a fun holiday and return home safely.” A “dried fish tapping” was added to the itinerary to introduce cyclists to the fish drying culture where they tapped dried pilchards with hammers to separate the meat from the bones. This in-depth community experience showed how “going local” was possible even when cycling. The Suogang Bicycle Rest Area, which was completed last year, provided the perfect rest stop for cyclists participating in the event. A series of flash quiz questions on visiting Penghu in fall and autumn were also held along with prize giveaways.

All cyclists who completed the 17km route received a 2023 World Bicycle Day-themed cooling bandanna, and fresh Penghu dried fish. A lottery draw was held on the day as well with great prizes such as Apple Watch, Bluetooth sports headphones, and pro water bottles. The surprises delighted all the participating cyclists.

The “Riding Cool through Penghu All Summer Long” cycling event attracted many cycling enthusiasts. The beautiful scenery along the route and cultural experience created unforgettable memories in everyone. The event format not only promoted individual wellbeing through healthy exercises, it also created fun and heart-warming memories for the participating families. The “2023 Penghu Cycling Festival - 101K Hopping Bike” event being held by the Penghu NSA on September 17, 2023 (Sunday) still has vacancies available for registration. Cyclists who wish to experience Penghu’s beauty and ambiance in fall through a bicycle tour should register before the deadline.