CYCLIST LEGS: SHAVE OR NOT TO SHAVE?

Tiffany signing my leg.

Before departing for my recent Journey the KOM TAiwan Challenge 2013,I have decided to shave only one leg.

The reason behind was that I wanted to try the new born baby feel in my legs.

At first when I was shaving with the razor,I thought it was going to be ok,but afterward I was not happy at all for it.

My legs during the event obviously were noticed, people wanted to take photos of them because they seemed really strange.

My legs.

Therefore I will give a full explanation of the reason why I did this on a later date.But now please fill in the survey that I have created regarding the cyclist legs.

https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/E6BVBz

Thank You

FLABBERGASTED by TAIWAN

Definition of Flabbergasted is "Informal overcome with astonishment". This is what my short Trip to Taiwan (thanks to the Taiwan Cycling Federation) has left in me.

Amused by the immense mountains, by the warmth of the people, the deep blue waters of the coast line, the delicious cuisine, made me think all the way back on a 15 hours journey back to London that I am looking forward to go back to Taiwan. It is strange for me to say this due to the fact I have visited 55 countries around the world and on the way to reach 100 (sometimes in my life time),but this remote Island in the South China Sea has completely deserved the name given by the Portuguese colonies in the past to call it "Formosa", which it means beautiful island.

Night Market.

Yin Chih Wang,Adam Semple,Andy Von Bergen(Cycling Tips Australia),Craig Symons enjoying a game at the night market.

Glasses could be wear with no lenses,it is the new trend in Asia.

In Taiwan you can cycle anywhere,you can use your own bike,or take one of the city bike to move around.They are great and cheap. To all you people, I have discovered that cycling is the best way to see the world starting from the busy cities to the open empty fields.Forget the sticky public transport,the queues and the rucking( rugby terminology,Packed crowd of people) to get on them.

We got lost while training.

From scooters at the front,cycling in the middle,and airplanes at the back.

MTB star Cory Wallace and TK from Japan,next to the red spotted shirts.

Cyclist can ride all this climbs in Europe, Stelvio,Mortirolo,Zoncolan and many others that have made history in cycling, and you felt proud to achieve the top.You felt like the Pro when you reach the summit,but this KOM Taiwan Challenge up the Taroko Gorge is for real the tougher.

Saturday Race Day to the beast Climb...

We all been talking about it behind the stage,first comers and non, about this astonishing event that will take us from the lovely beach of Haulien to the top of Wu Ling via the Taroko Gorge Road. Wu Ling is also known in the past as ski resort where during the climb you can see in the distance remains of the lifts, and also previous to that as military training camp.

The Taroko Gorge road it is considered to be one of the most dangerous road in the world, in fact the safest time to cycle through there it is during the KOM Taiwan Challenge.

2012 Champion John Ebsen having breakfast on the bike,3 jam sandwiches.

Elite and Invited riders on the way from Hotel to the Start,0530am.

Sunrise by the Start Line.

Traditional Aboriginal Dance.

The start was given by the official and as the riders clipped on,the competition atmosphere was growing like a new born baby.The peloton rode together controlled by the race commissaire for the first 18km with average speed of nearly 40km/h.At the turning point from the main road to the infamous continuos 54.7 miles climb the elite riders decide to take the lead with a fast pace,and setting the pace for the rest of us to choose if we wanted to stay in the game.

Views while cycling.

Another one.

The race evolved in different ways at the front,with the predominant power from Iranian Team RTS-Santic which they achieved the first two positions in the podium,with remaining step of the podium taking by the raising Taiwanese Cilmber Yin Chih Wang,considered to be the strongest Asian Climber.

Few more challenges along the route.

Nearly to the top,3200 m.s.l.

The last 500 metres,variety of solutions were taken in consideration to the reach the finish line.

A well deserved support to a finisher by a friend to the amazing achievement.

Amazing views on the other side of the Mountain

It is Movember for Tiffany Cromwell enjoying dinner with a bunch of friends after the race.

The Elite riders and the Invited riders enjoyed the amazing challenge, all agreed to be one of the most toughest challenges in the world.Personally I will come back.

No words to comment about this event,but emotions,feelings and personal achievements can only be remember by those participants.