I Love Cycling Which Brings Me Joy Anytime

Riding with great agility in the alleys, P. E. junior Huang Yi-tsai shared his passion for cycling with a bright smile. “All I can think of is where am I going to ride today and searching for new cycling routes.” In addition to cycling for training purposes and pushing his limits, he also enjoys just riding with friends and exploring.

After cycling in the countryside on a borrowed bike during 9th grade, he became enamored with the activity. This led him to acquire a second-hand bike from his mother's colleague and join cycling teams, ultimately leading to him participating in competitions. “All I want to do is to cycle faster and faster. If I want to be even faster, I needed to learn from others.”

While listening to music through his earphones, he repeatedly practices climbing and descending to perfect his speed and intensity. Whole-hearted training is his “Me Time” and cycling changed his life. “I used to push for speed. Now when I drop out of the group, I can relax and enjoy the scenery.” One of the toughest part of his training routes is the Wuling Pass (3275 m/10750 ft), where he has to push through the very challenging ascent to the top. However, he has since learned to relax and appreciate the breathtaking scenery that he previously overlooked.

Huang's relentless pursuit of pushing his limits has resulted in tremendous pressure on his training routine. He confesses “Abusive over-training is depressing because when I feel exhausted in the middle of a long-distance training day, I can’t stop and be fully rest there.” However, when he finishes the journey with grit, he is already planning his next route. Through cycling, he has had the opportunity to meet people of all ages and professions. With his deep passion for the sport, he aspires to discover his life's path while cycling.

Being Alone Made Me Realize My Own Power

“I used to bike to school” might sound ordinary, but it was actually a 150 km 8-hour ride from Taichung to Taoyuan! Without any formal training, Wu Yihua was determined to ride his bike to his university after the summer of his sophomore year and winter vacations. He accomplished this feat and rode along the breathtaking Provincial Highway 3, making unforgettable memories along the way.

As a former influencer in bike cyber marketing, he gets excited when discussing his experiences with cycling. Cycling is the perfect activity for him because he has complete control over the time, location, and number of participants. Furthermore, cycling does not require a fixed venue, and he can appreciate the stunning scenery while staying active. “Maybe this is why we called bicycles “ free vehicles” in Taiwan,” he ponders.

Wu has met a lot of great friends by training with the team. Nonetheless, his preference has been riding solo. “It certainly is great to join cycling teams. But if you want to train for cycling, then solo riding is better because all elements like time, intensity, locations, and routes can be tailored to individual needs.” The introspective process that challenges physical limitations is the “Me Time” that he enjoys the most.

Wu’s favorite time to ride is at the crack of dawn before everyone is up. When asked about his preferred route, Wu stated, "I cherish all of the solo cycling sessions, the cooldown periods post-training, and the chance to ride and converse with friends equally. The most crucial factor is your mental state. All of these delightful experiences allow your heart to appreciate the incredible scenery along the way."