Roma Road Cycling Route Introduction
Are you no longer interested in flat riverside cycling paths? As an experienced cyclist, why not boldly conquer the Roma Road (Taiwan County Road 118)? It stretches 33.83 kilometers from the eastern starting point in Ruifang, Taoyuan to Machoudu in Guanxi Township, Hsinchu, featuring a combination of ascents, descents, and hairpin turns that will test your cornering and shifting skills, making it a significant challenge for your endurance! Starting at the Yixing Suspension Bridge, you'll immediately face a 300-meter climb. As you pedal and break a sweat, the beautiful scenery serves as the best reward. From afar, you can see the Ruifang and Fuxing Double Bridges, where the striking structures add a lively charm to the majestic mountains. After completing the first ascent, stop by a scenic café for a cup of mountain pepper coffee, admiring the views of the Dahan River and recharging your energy. Riding down the gentle slope past Jialan and Chaoyang, you'll spot a gigantic rattan basket, indicating your arrival at the Xikou Tribal area, where you can enrich your experience with a taste of mouth harp music and hunting culture. Continuing westward uphill through Kuihui, you will reach the 404-meter-high Meitu Mountain, where the incredible vistas of Amuping and Jiaomu Island await you. There are restaurants and vendors nearby where you can dine and refuel. Heading towards Shimen Reservoir, in spring you’ll be surrounded by cherry blossoms, while summer brings the companionship of tung flowers, creating a leisurely atmosphere throughout this bittersweet journey. Next, you’ll pass through the Gaoya Village composed of Gaoyao Ping, Xia Gaoyao, Zhong Gaoyao, and Shang Gaoyao settlements, where you can experience a century-old Atayal culture. After traversing a hairpin turn near Bashang Café for about 1.9 kilometers, you'll see the Guanxi Township road sign, marking your arrival at the highest point of Roma Road at an elevation of 464 meters! Enjoy the sense of achievement from reaching this peak, and for the next 13 kilometers of downhill, simply embrace the thrill of the wind rushing past you. Along the way, you can visit the ancient glutinous rice bridge in Machoudu and savor the elegance of the Showa era.
