Really enjoying your journal Betsy. I was meant to be in Taiwan myself, setting off on the same day as you but I'm at home in the UK tending for a partner with a broken leg. So it's a vicarious pleasure to follow you and get tips for a trip next year. Love all the food details as well as the route.
Thank you!

I have cycled around Miali a few times. Those journals are not on Cycleblaze and you can find the routes and snaps here...

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3d2&page_id=524586&v=6C

and

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3d2&page_id=503600&v=42

and

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3d2&page_id=401604&v=5S

this one is south of Taichung - up to Ali Mountain (a big climb)...

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3d2&page_id=493441&v=2O

I'm sure the road (Highway 8) has been opened, but the hiking trails are still closed.

It would be possible to go south-ish from Lishan where the 7 merges with Highway 8.

I’m not sure if route 7 is open - it might be. But it looks like a very big climb! Route 8 is definitely closed.

I read that Taroko Gorge is closed? Can you get to the east coast via route 7 now?

I thought these were ice cream trucks at first too. I’ve never seen this model of trash collection before, which depends on people being home at the right time.

These are Taiwan dogs, or Formosan mountain dogs. We know because Willie Weir and his partner (friends of Bruce and Andrea) adopted one.

We are feeling very lucky to be here. The cycling has been great, and the Taiwanese people have made us feel very welcome. And some day I will get to the beautiful German roads you’ve shown me in your journals.

How great to be cycling in Taiwan! I wish I could join you.

Thanks Graham! We are heading south on quite a hilly route towards Sun Moon Lake. Today’s goal is Nanzhuang.

I may be in touch if we have questions about recommended routes, or things we can’t figure out. 😀

My wife and I cycled to Daxi last week - there are a few garden centres there ( We live in Zhongli - not too far away).

It seems you have a route mapped out. There's a strong wind again today, but it should be blowing you south.

Or are you heading over Route 7 to the east coast? It starts in Daxi and is a route I love. The road tends to be busy until you reach Fuxing, but then there's usually little traffic. There are a couple of places to stay in Baling, or close to the high point called Mingchi.

It’s definitely made me not want to go back home.

4 is "shi', which is also death. In Vancouver you'll see a mild price drop on houses with the number 4 in the addresses. In some developments there's an odd absence of street numbering around the number 4.

I can’t wait to read about your adventures! I really like Taipei.

You’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful place!