First Time Conquering Wuling: The Complete Mental Journey from Shaking Legs to Standing on the Roof of Taiwan

Introduction

Every cyclist who has ridden up Wuling has their own story. That story contains pain, sweat, tears, and the indescribable shock of standing at 3,275 meters—a moment no amount of words can fully capture.

I first attempted Wuling in my second year of getting into cycling. At the time, I was still inexperienced, knowing only that Wuling was the highest point on Taiwan’s roads. I thought to myself, “My legs are about ready; let’s go check it out.” That “about ready” would later cost me dearly, but it also gave me a gift I’ll never forget.

Preparation Before Departure—Seriously Inadequate

The plan was to ride it over two days: Day one from Puli to a homestay in Cingjing Farm, and Day two to the summit. Here’s my gear checklist:

One week before departure, I scoured senior riders’ route logs on Strava and memorized every supply point: the 7-Eleven in Puli, the small stall by the gas station in Wushe, and the convenience store before Lushan Hot Spring. These spots later became my mental lifelines.

Day One: Puli to Cingjing, the Body’s Overture

At 6:30 in the morning, a light mist still hung over Puli. I set off near Guoxing Bridge and climbed along Provincial Highway 14. The early gradients were gentle, and I rode easily, feeling cheerful—I even stopped in Wushe to take photos.

The real test began after the Lushan tribe area. The gradient suddenly turned steep, the road narrowed with heavy traffic, and large tour buses roared past, their downwash pushing me toward the shoulder. I learned to hug the edge line tightly, and even dismounted early before blind corners to walk through them.

By the time I reached Cingjing Farm, my legs were already stiff. The homestay owner was an old rider. He took one look at me and said, “Young man, tomorrow’s section is the real deal.” I smiled and nodded, thinking it was just an old-timer’s token remark.

For dinner, I had two bowls of dry noodles, a plate of stir-fried vegetables, and a sports drink to load up on carbs. Before bed, my legs felt a bit off, so I applied lotion and massaged them, thinking it would be fine.

Day Two: Cingjing to Wuling, the Battle of the Soul

I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to 8°C. I put on every piece of clothing I had. It was still dark, and my bike light turned the asphalt into a narrow yellow ribbon.

After Hehuanshan Lodge, the gradient officially entered “swear-word territory.” I shifted to my easiest gear, spun at 55 rpm, and my speed dropped to just 8 km/h. Wooden posts along the roadside told you the elevation every few hundred meters—2,600, 2,700, 2,800… each 100-meter gain took an eternity.

Around 2,900 meters, I seriously thought about quitting for the first time. The lactic acid in my legs was no longer a burning sensation but a dull, wooden heaviness—like pedaling with two waterlogged logs. I stopped, leaned on my bike, and stared at the road ahead disappearing into the fog, thinking, “There’s no shame in going down. No one would even know.”

But right then, an uncle in his sixties slowly rode past me, gave me a nod, and said, “Take it easy. It’s beautiful up there.”

I don’t know why, but my eyes suddenly welled up. I got back on the bike and kept pedaling.

The final 1.5 kilometers were the steepest of the entire climb, but by then I had entered some strange state—the pain was still there, yet it felt distant, as if separated by a pane of glass. My vision narrowed to just the 30 meters of road ahead.

Finally, the Wuling signpost appeared.

I leaned my bike against the sign, hands trembling as I took a photo. The wind was fierce, and clouds rolled up from the valley below, shrouding the entire peak. I stood there, speechless, just laughing and crying at the same time.

Practical Advice

• Bring twice as much food as you think you need: Wuling involves nearly 3,000 meters of climbing, and hourly calorie burn far exceeds flat riding. Carry at least 10 energy gels and force yourself to eat at every supply point.
• Layering is key: Temperatures on the mountain are 15°C or more lower than at the base. Bring a light down vest, thick gloves, and a windproof ear warmer—you’ll absolutely need them on the descent.
• Pace by heart rate, not feel: The early gradients are gentle, making it easy to ride too hard and burn out. Keep your heart rate in Z2–Z3 (130–155 bpm) and save energy for the later section.
• Set the right mental expectation: It’s not about “whether you can finish” but “how long it takes to finish.” As long as you can still pedal, you can make it.

Conclusion

After that ride up Wuling, my relationship with cycling changed completely. It was no longer just a sport or a challenge—it became a door that let me see who I am at the edge of my limits.

Sometimes I think back to what that uncle said: “Take it easy. It’s beautiful up there.”

Indeed, it is beautiful. But that beauty is something only truly understood by those who have been there.

Related Reading

• First Time Conquering Wuling: A Transformative Journey from Sea Level to 3,275 Meters
• First Wuling Challenge Reflections: Conquering the Highest Point of the Highway at 3,275 Meters
• Taiwan Cycling’s Hundred Peaks Challenge: A Complete Preparation Guide for Conquering Wuling
• First Time Conquering Wuling: A Beginner’s Race Preparation Journey and On-Site Report