Sprocketry

Taiwan Day 1 – Taipei to Keelung

Songshan Ciyou Temple, in Taipei city, near Songshang MRT. 16 Apr 2026.

Our first riding day took us from central Taiwan to the north coast, mostly along a riverside bicycle path.

Ride details

2026-04-16_Taipei_to_Keelung  GPX

50 100 150 200 5 10 15 Distance (km) (m)
No elevation data
Name: No data
Distance: No data
Minimum elevation: No data
Maximum elevation: No data
Elevation gain: No data
Elevation loss: No data
Duration: No data

The map controls let you zoom in and out, see a full-screen view, and download the GPS trace for the ride. Hover over the elevation map to see the corresponding point on the map.

Date: 16 April 2026

Start: Taipei, from Songshang MRT station

Finish: Central Keelung

Distance: 31 km

Elevation gain: 90 m

GPS Trace: Use the button on the map above to download the GPX file for the ride

Meals:

  • Dinner: At the Keelung night market

Weather:

Weather at the destination of our ride on 2026-04-16 from Taipei to Keelung.
Weather at the destination of our ride on 2026-04-16 from Taipei to Keelung.

Post-ride accommodation: Harbor View Hotel, Keelung

Bike: Brompton C-Line 12-speed, 2025 model

Navigation computer: Coospo CS-500

Observations

  • The ride from the river front (near Songshang MRT station) to the edge of town was on dedicated cycle paths, with just a few road crossings
  • There was a snake on the bicycle path on the edge of Taipei
  • The traffic between Badu Station (at the 28 km point) and central Keelung was heavy. Perhaps it wasn’t unusually heavy for Taiwan, but it was our first day of cycling in the country, and seemed heavy to us then.
  • The dedicated bike path had traffic calming devices near road intersections. Some were a difficult to squeeze through, or a a bit hazardous to cyclists.

Scenery

Here are some photos from the ride.

Songshan Ciyou Temple, in Taipei city, near Songshang MRT. 16 Apr 2026.
Songshan Ciyou Temple, in Taipei city, near Songshang MRT. 16 Apr 2026.
Cycle path along Keelung river, central Taipei. 16 Apr 2026.
Cycle path along Keelung river, central Taipei. 16 Apr 2026.
Cycle path along Keelung river, Taipei. 16 Apr 2026.
Cycle path along Keelung river, Taipei. 16 Apr 2026.
Cycle path along Keelung river, Taipei. The cycle path is runs across the photo. 16 Apr 2026.
Cycle path along Keelung river, Taipei. The cycle path is runs across the photo. 16 Apr 2026.
Cycle path along Keelung river, Taipei. 16 Apr 2026.
Cycle path along Keelung river, Taipei. 16 Apr 2026.
This snake slithered off the cycle path the moment I got my camera out. Taipei, 16 Apr 2026.
This snake slithered off the cycle path the moment I got my camera out. Taipei, 16 Apr 2026.
Some of the traffic calming measures on the cycle path. Taipei, 16 Apr 2026.
Some of the traffic calming measures on the cycle path. Taipei, 16 Apr 2026.
More of the traffic calming measures on the cycle path. Taipei, 16 Apr 2026.
More of the traffic calming measures on the cycle path. Taipei, 16 Apr 2026.

About

This ride was part of a multi-day cycling adventure in Taiwan, in April 2026.

Filed under:
Tagged: