How Many Kilometers from Taipei to Taichung? A 150K One-Day Ride Route, Time, and Nutrition Plan

Why Choose Taipei to Taichung

Once, while taking the high-speed rail through Taichung, I idly watched the scenery outside the window, and a thought suddenly popped into my head: “How long would it take to ride this stretch by bike?”

I looked it up—riding from downtown Taipei to Taichung, depending on the route, is roughly 140 to 160 kilometers. My longest single-day ride at the time was 110 kilometers, so pushing to 150 was a significant leap.

But once that thought took root, it stayed.

I prepared for about six weeks, pushing my long-distance rides from 110 to 130 kilometers to confirm how my body adapted to extended time in the saddle. I planned the route: taking Provincial Highway 3 to avoid the heavy traffic on Provincial Highway 1, passing through Zhunan and the Miaoli hill section before entering downtown Taichung.

Departing at 4:30 AM

I chose to depart in the early morning for several reasons: to avoid Taipei’s morning rush-hour traffic, to cover most of the mileage before the hottest part of midday, and simply because I love the feeling of riding in the early morning.

At 4:30 AM, there were almost no cars on the road toward Xindian–Wulai. Streetlights bathed the pavement in orange-yellow, and occasionally a truck would roar past—other than that, only silence. I turned on my rear light and front light, setting off into the darkness.

This feeling of “the world hasn’t woken up yet, but I’m already on the road” is one of my favorite moments in long-distance riding.

0–50 km: Establishing a Rhythm

Leaving the Taipei Basin, I entered the Taoyuan plains. The sky gradually brightened, and more vehicles began to appear on the road. This stretch of Provincial Highway 3 isn’t particularly exciting, but the steady road conditions let me focus on establishing my riding rhythm.

I kept my power output in the mid-aerobic zone—not too fast, not too slow—conserving energy as much as possible. My fueling strategy was to replenish every 45 minutes; when I ran out of water, I’d stop at a convenience store, use the restroom, and stretch.

At the 50-kilometer mark, I felt surprisingly good. My legs weren’t heavy, my heart rate was stable, and my mood was relaxed.

50–100 km: The Test of the Miaoli Hills

Once Provincial Highway 3 entered Miaoli, the terrain began to roll. There were no particularly steep climbs on this stretch, but the continuous gentle grades drained my energy much faster. Combined with rising temperatures as the sun climbed higher, by the 80-kilometer mark I had already changed clothes once (in a convenience store restroom) and taken extra electrolytes.

It was on this stretch that I hit my first psychological low point.

Around the 85-kilometer mark, on an uphill section, I suddenly felt an overwhelming fatigue—not just in my legs, but my whole body, even my mind felt heavy. I pulled over, took a sip of water, popped a salt tablet, closed my eyes, and took a few deep breaths.

After about three minutes, I wasn’t fully recovered, but I felt a bit better. I told myself: “Just keep pedaling. Don’t think about anything else.” Then I got back on the bike.

100–130 km: Finding the Zone

After crossing the 100-kilometer mark, something strange happened: my legs actually felt less tired.

I only understood this phenomenon later—it’s called “second wind.” Once the body fully switches to fat-burning mode, some people experience a relatively easier stretch. Between 100 and 130 kilometers, my speed was actually about 2 km/h faster than between 75 and 100 kilometers.

On the section where Miaoli approaches Taichung, the views opened up. The hills gradually receded, and the plains spread out before me. The sky had a thin layer of high clouds, so the sun wasn’t beating down directly—good riding weather.

I started thinking: Taichung is just ahead.

130–150 km: The Final Ritual

In the last 20 kilometers, my legs were heavy and my backside was uncomfortable, but there was a clear sense of purpose in my mind. The skyline of Taichung appeared in the distance, growing closer and more familiar.

I entered downtown Taichung at 2:30 PM—about 9 hours from departure, including all stops. I found a park, parked my bike in the shade of a tree, sat on a bench, and finished the last half-bottle of electrolyte water.

The cycling computer read: 151.4 kilometers.

At that moment, there was no particularly dramatic feeling. Just a very deep exhaustion and an equally deep sense of satisfaction, quietly coexisting.

Practical Advice for First-Time Long-Distance Challengers

Departing in the early morning is well worth it—you avoid traffic and the hottest afternoon hours
Beyond 100 kilometers, mental factors matter more than physical strength
Pace yourself conservatively on the Miaoli hill section; don’t use up your legs in the first 50 kilometers
Carry two spare inner tubes and thoroughly check your repair tools
Fuel up earlier than you think you need to; don’t wait until you’re starving to eat