INSPIRATIONAL CYCLING > Last Year Paul Watt offered his brother this #bespoke print of one of the most interesting cycling events at the moment. ⠀ ⠀ The Taiwan KOM Challenge (King of the Mountains) starts from Hualien’s Qixingtan, passing through the spectacular Taroko Gorge, then climbing to Taiwan’s highest passable road apex atop Route 14A to Wuling Pass. ⠀ The route begins at sea level on the eastern coast then up to 3275 meters. This 105 km route will be a test even for the world’s most elite riders. The route takes riders through several different climate zones from torrid to subtropical to temperate, then finishing in possible frigid temperatures around 5-10˚C. The gradient starts at a simple 0-2% for the first 20kms and then turns into a steady 6% average gradient until the final 9.5kms, where the real challenge begins. Riders will traverse gradients from 10-22% as they pitch hurricane sea hairpin curves to the finish line.⠀ Stunning views await the riders as they climb through the Taroko Gorge and as the riders enter into the Hehuan Mountain scenic area there is a vista that opens up to offer a birds-eye view of the surrounding landscape in the closing kilometers. It truly is exceptional race making the Taiwan KOM Challenge one of the greatest climbs anywhere in the world.⠀ .⠀ . ⠀ . ⠀ #mapmyrun #strava #garmin #infographics #swim #run #cycle #ironman #wymtm #sportinspiration #Mace #swimbikerun #otefuelled #cycling #triathlon #fitspo #toned #fast #runner #lift #race #training #fit #inspire #strongcore #KOM #natureexplorer #massif #taiwan
