December 6 – Shimen to Hsinchu – 38 kms – H & M Hotel

December 7 – Hsinchu to Hudong – 45 kms – Pomelo Homestay

Gordon:  A sign on the coastal bike trail told us that we were on The Smile Seaside and we were inclined to agree.  After six days of cloud and rain we finally saw the sun this morning.  And the sun brought with it a Victoria summer: the forecast for the next 10 days is a daily temperature range of 15 to 25 degrees with little chance of rain.

We came out of city of Hsinchu on a busy highway, but once we hit the coast it was bike path for most of the remainder of the day.  And what a path: a smooth eight foot strip of asphalt twisting and turning through a subtropical forest of pandanus, bamboo and hardwoods.  There was lots of great cycling infrastructure, such as washrooms and shady benches and tables.

So far we are finding Taiwan to be an easy, fun and attractive cycling destination.  We were indeed smiling endlessly on The Smile Seaside.