At 6:56, on your left is a pretty famous minsu (AirBnB) with great views from their ceiling to floor windows. Usually curtained up because it will totally heat up the room you are staying in. Stayed there once for 2 nights. Owners are very friendly. You can walk the Eryanping Trail 二延平步道 which offers gorgeous views of the tea plantations and mountains on sunset. Views from the Xi Ding Parking Lot 隙頂停車場 also offers great views. Wonderful ride Johnny.
Another 2 weeks and im back in Taiwan (my 2nd home or maybe my 1st lol) ridden up there many times, traffic is a little bit of a nuisance on the weekends but weekdays it is much lighter. You must ride Taroko gorge up to Wuling, but make sure it is open and also check the times as the certain sections are only open for certain times in the day. I love the riding in taiwan, even southern taiwan, where i am has wondeful mountain roads. Cannot wait to get the miles in when im back and it will be great cooler riding weather too.
Most of the local tea houses are run by tea farm owners; they earn the bulk of their income by selling tea commercially and just run a shop where they live as a side business. They might not even make money from it, but using it as advertisement, or even just so they have something to do during the non-labour-intensive seasons.
Once on the mountains, you will find that the density of major convenience stores plummets dramatically. However, this doesnt mean you're out of luck!! as long as you have cash, you are mostly A-okay! Just look for small stores ran by local mom & pops in those mountain villages/communities. Those usually have "便利商店" signboard out front. The store might look run-down, but most carry refrigerators for drinks and perishable goods. You'll be surprised at what you can find deep in the mountains!
@@JohnnyZeeLee I had the tea and you the view :D back in February. We stayed there for two days. We had foggy weather and did not see that much apart from 1 hour.
of course the coffee shop gave you pineapple cakes :) my parents love them, but I prefer savory dishes. thanks again for sharing. the last time i visited taiwan, i didn't have a chance to ride, but the next time i am definitely going to make time.
Hey Johnny I am looking to get a bike that I can feel comfortable on with gravel and mixed surface touring but also be just a wheelset/tire change away from using as a proper road bike. I imagine your Silex 4000 with road tires and touring gear has been a pleasure to ride around the nicely surfaced tarmac in Taiwan. Do you feel like this gravel bike, with your road tire setup, is going to get you up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at a similar time to your previous road bike (like maybe 30 seconds slower rather than a few minutes)? As I have only ridden road bikes I am trying to digest new info such as 1x VS 2x crank and looking to find the one bike that can do it all (with just a change of wheelset/tires). From what I have read so far the Giant Revolt seems to fit the bill but I am hoping to get your perspective as well on the 2024 Silex as there doesn't seem to be as much info out there regarding its use as a road bike. So far I am debating between 2023 Giant Revolt Advanced 1, 2024 Merida Silex 4000, or 2024 Merida Silex 7000.
I love this question! 😊 So…I really like this bike. Short answer to your question is yes I think this bike is comparable in terms of its climbing ability. If you do a lot of fast paced group rides on flatter/rolling hills type of terrain, I think you will start to feel its limitations. Having said that, I think it’s still quick but in Chiang Mai, there are group rides where guys are attacking at 55-60km/h+ I think this bike won’t be able to keep up. At least not with the gearing setup I have at the moment. With the gearing, this is the first bike ever with 1x for me. I was very apprehensive about it and honestly didn’t like it when I first got it but I got used to it after some time and now I don’t mind it. Still I think 2x is the way to go especially if you’re looking for one bike to do everything. If you do buy the Merida, I recommend purchasing the 4000 and upgrade the components to your liking. Better yet if you can make a pit stop in Taiwan to purchase the bike. It was like $2000 CAD for the complete bike and it’s the exact same frame as the 7000. I used to have a Giant Revolt but I think I can’t compare because mine was the first gen Revolt so the current Revolt could be very different BUT having said that, the handling on the Silex is so much better than my old Revolt. Silex is so much fun on paved road descents. The geometry is very slack. It’s amazing. Hope this helps ✌️
@@JohnnyZeeLee Sounds like I would save almost 1000 CAD by purchasing a Silex 4000 in Taiwan instead of having it shipped to the states via lordgun. Maybe I will have to wait until I can travel again before deciding. I was going to live in Taiwan for 3 months back in April 2019 but the airlines shut down due to covid so its definitely still on the bucket list. Wow a 1st gen revolt - looks like it was started in 2013 so I imagine it has a racier geometry now similar to how the Silex saw a reduction in headtube height between 2023 and 2024 models. I guess I might not know the difference in handling between the Giant and Merida until I try the two. Your high praise of the Silex and the beauty of the 2024 model are going to make this a tough decision for me, especially given there are no Merida dealers in the states so I won't be able to give it a try until I can get abroad again. Thanks for answering my questions and keep enjoying the international life Johnny!
Oh just found your video "I have cycled in 8 countries in 2023. This is the bike I take." where you talk about your 2019 Giant Revolt Advanced. I previously thought you were riding a specialized road bike but I didn't get a close enough look. From your reply I thought you were referring to a 1st gen 2014 Giant Revolt so now I am definitely going to have to try both the latest Giant Revolt and Silex or at the very least see if there were any major changes to the Revolt's geometry between 2019 and 2023. Thanks again for your input!
Can you make a video on the in's and outs of travelling with your bike ? packing, airport procedures, your experiences etc...Most of these videos are great since it shows you the destinations, but the journey there with the bike is often the most complicated part
ruclips.net/video/r4ObSkx--7o/видео.htmlsi=PGY5zlLFPRGR8nfA This is a video I made on one of my earlier trips to Taiwan which includes how to get from the airport to the city. The way I pack my bike would not be relevant for the majority of people. My case is very big and requires very little disassembling to pack. GCN has some good videos on how to pack a bike for air travel.
So Amazing!! Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video!!
Great effort, John! The video was captivating, and the music score was outstanding - elevated the entire experience. Keep up the amazing work!
🙏✨🙌
At 6:56, on your left is a pretty famous minsu (AirBnB) with great views from their ceiling to floor windows. Usually curtained up because it will totally heat up the room you are staying in. Stayed there once for 2 nights. Owners are very friendly. You can walk the Eryanping Trail 二延平步道 which offers gorgeous views of the tea plantations and mountains on sunset. Views from the Xi Ding Parking Lot 隙頂停車場 also offers great views.
Wonderful ride Johnny.
Wow that’s very cool. I can imagine how beautiful that view would be!
Johnny Z drinking black coffee wearing white socks with black shoes. The 2024 bucket list I needed, but don't deserve.😆😆😆😆
White socks/black shoes is the new trend 😂😂
Oh Alishan.. It's good to know this destination. I want to come there for making video.
Another 2 weeks and im back in Taiwan (my 2nd home or maybe my 1st lol) ridden up there many times, traffic is a little bit of a nuisance on the weekends but weekdays it is much lighter. You must ride Taroko gorge up to Wuling, but make sure it is open and also check the times as the certain sections are only open for certain times in the day. I love the riding in taiwan, even southern taiwan, where i am has wondeful mountain roads. Cannot wait to get the miles in when im back and it will be great cooler riding weather too.
Enjoy! And yes I have been to Wuling already but at the moment Taroko is closed. It seems like it’ll be closed for a few more years still 😭
man, that looks amazing. i bet i'd get the most wicked half arm tan after riding all these sunny trips.
I wish there was more sun!! 😅 very cloudy for much of the day
Beautiful, going to be in Taipei in December. Can’t wait to do some cycling there.
Amazing!
Most of the local tea houses are run by tea farm owners; they earn the bulk of their income by selling tea commercially and just run a shop where they live as a side business. They might not even make money from it, but using it as advertisement, or even just so they have something to do during the non-labour-intensive seasons.
Ah that makes sense
Once on the mountains, you will find that the density of major convenience stores plummets dramatically. However, this doesnt mean you're out of luck!! as long as you have cash, you are mostly A-okay! Just look for small stores ran by local mom & pops in those mountain villages/communities. Those usually have "便利商店" signboard out front.
The store might look run-down, but most carry refrigerators for drinks and perishable goods. You'll be surprised at what you can find deep in the mountains!
Yes I found some of the mom and pop shops. Very easy to miss them if you’re not paying close attention
This was one of the best ares to ride on my tour around Taiwan! I love this area and the tea :D- But it was quite hard with bags on the bike
Yes I really enjoyed it too. Will have to go back to try the tea
@@JohnnyZeeLee I had the tea and you the view :D back in February. We stayed there for two days. We had foggy weather and did not see that much apart from 1 hour.
😎❤️🇹🇼‼️nice videos for sure.
🙌🙏✨
Nice and relaxing journey bro.. Well done
of course the coffee shop gave you pineapple cakes :) my parents love them, but I prefer savory dishes. thanks again for sharing. the last time i visited taiwan, i didn't have a chance to ride, but the next time i am definitely going to make time.
Hospitality is top notch
So nice! Thank you^^
Overtaking vehicles flying down the mountain, wheeeeeeeee, boss!
😆🤟
How long do you stay in Taiwan?
Hey Johnny I am looking to get a bike that I can feel comfortable on with gravel and mixed surface touring but also be just a wheelset/tire change away from using as a proper road bike. I imagine your Silex 4000 with road tires and touring gear has been a pleasure to ride around the nicely surfaced tarmac in Taiwan. Do you feel like this gravel bike, with your road tire setup, is going to get you up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at a similar time to your previous road bike (like maybe 30 seconds slower rather than a few minutes)? As I have only ridden road bikes I am trying to digest new info such as 1x VS 2x crank and looking to find the one bike that can do it all (with just a change of wheelset/tires). From what I have read so far the Giant Revolt seems to fit the bill but I am hoping to get your perspective as well on the 2024 Silex as there doesn't seem to be as much info out there regarding its use as a road bike. So far I am debating between 2023 Giant Revolt Advanced 1, 2024 Merida Silex 4000, or 2024 Merida Silex 7000.
I love this question! 😊
So…I really like this bike. Short answer to your question is yes I think this bike is comparable in terms of its climbing ability. If you do a lot of fast paced group rides on flatter/rolling hills type of terrain, I think you will start to feel its limitations. Having said that, I think it’s still quick but in Chiang Mai, there are group rides where guys are attacking at 55-60km/h+ I think this bike won’t be able to keep up. At least not with the gearing setup I have at the moment.
With the gearing, this is the first bike ever with 1x for me. I was very apprehensive about it and honestly didn’t like it when I first got it but I got used to it after some time and now I don’t mind it. Still I think 2x is the way to go especially if you’re looking for one bike to do everything.
If you do buy the Merida, I recommend purchasing the 4000 and upgrade the components to your liking. Better yet if you can make a pit stop in Taiwan to purchase the bike. It was like $2000 CAD for the complete bike and it’s the exact same frame as the 7000.
I used to have a Giant Revolt but I think I can’t compare because mine was the first gen Revolt so the current Revolt could be very different BUT having said that, the handling on the Silex is so much better than my old Revolt. Silex is so much fun on paved road descents. The geometry is very slack. It’s amazing. Hope this helps ✌️
@@JohnnyZeeLee Sounds like I would save almost 1000 CAD by purchasing a Silex 4000 in Taiwan instead of having it shipped to the states via lordgun. Maybe I will have to wait until I can travel again before deciding. I was going to live in Taiwan for 3 months back in April 2019 but the airlines shut down due to covid so its definitely still on the bucket list. Wow a 1st gen revolt - looks like it was started in 2013 so I imagine it has a racier geometry now similar to how the Silex saw a reduction in headtube height between 2023 and 2024 models. I guess I might not know the difference in handling between the Giant and Merida until I try the two. Your high praise of the Silex and the beauty of the 2024 model are going to make this a tough decision for me, especially given there are no Merida dealers in the states so I won't be able to give it a try until I can get abroad again. Thanks for answering my questions and keep enjoying the international life Johnny!
Oh just found your video "I have cycled in 8 countries in 2023. This is the bike I take." where you talk about your 2019 Giant Revolt Advanced. I previously thought you were riding a specialized road bike but I didn't get a close enough look. From your reply I thought you were referring to a 1st gen 2014 Giant Revolt so now I am definitely going to have to try both the latest Giant Revolt and Silex or at the very least see if there were any major changes to the Revolt's geometry between 2019 and 2023. Thanks again for your input!
Beautiful. What drone do you use?
DJI Mini 4 Pro
Awesome descent skill
🤟
Im going back to Taiwan this January, unfortunately I can’t bring my bike with me.
Then rent one instead.
that descend is scary, overtaking cars like that. be careful.
Can you make a video on the in's and outs of travelling with your bike ? packing, airport procedures, your experiences etc...Most of these videos are great since it shows you the destinations, but the journey there with the bike is often the most complicated part
ruclips.net/video/r4ObSkx--7o/видео.htmlsi=PGY5zlLFPRGR8nfA
This is a video I made on one of my earlier trips to Taiwan which includes how to get from the airport to the city. The way I pack my bike would not be relevant for the majority of people. My case is very big and requires very little disassembling to pack. GCN has some good videos on how to pack a bike for air travel.
You ride like a bat out of hell. Be careful.
Always