Life
Taiwan couple to complete round-the-world cycling trip
Cyclist Lin Xiao-kai poses in front of the Great Wall in mainland China. (CNA)- Publication Date：09/21/2012
- Source： Taiwan Today
- By Rachel Chan
Lin Xiao-kai and his girlfriend Yan Yi-hui told Taipei City-based Central News Agency Sept. 17 in Los Angeles that the journey has been a bittersweet but once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“This faded cycling jersey is a proof of what we have been through over the past 900 days,” Lin said. “We have taken more than 400,000 pictures and 1,000 video clips to keep track of every place visited.”
According to Lin, he has kept a blog of the couple’s trip and is planning to publish a book on their odyssey at some point in the future.
The couple embarked on their journey April 7, 2010, from Taipei with US$1,000 in the kitty and a goal of accomplishing the greatest trip of their lives while raising Taiwan’s international profile.
With ROC national flags hoisted on poles at the rear of their Taiwan-made titanium bikes, the couple racked up more than 20,000 kilometers in pedaling across 20 countries and regions, including Australia, Central Asia, Europe, New Zealand, Russia, Thailand, the U.S. and mainland China.
“Our bikes’ ROC flags and Taiwan stickers let the world know who we are,” Lin said, adding that he often hands out travel brochures introducing Taiwan’s culture and gourmet food, as well as inviting new friends to visit him at home.
ROC Representative to Ireland Harry H.J. Tseng, who received Lin and Yan Dec. 28, 2011, in Dublin, described the couple’s trip as “admirable” and said they demonstrated great determination in achieving their goal.
“Traveling around the world is the dream of many, but few get to make this a reality as it takes an iron will and true grit.”
With Los Angeles the second last stop on their itinerary, the couple is gearing up to depart for Japan before returning to Taiwan at the end of next month. (JSM)
Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw
