Riding in Kaohsiung, Taiwan by LaRocque
No riding scene where you live? Aaron LaRocque documents the making of a dirt jump scene by the brothers Dunnet in Taiwan.
Chances are that something on your bike started in Taiwan. I can almost guarantee that there is a "made in Taiwan" sticker somewhere on your bike. Compared to Canada, Taiwan is an over populate industrial country that does not place much importance on nature. Beauty and nature can be found here, but it takes a lot more to find it. There are mountains, but there is not much of a mountain biking scene. There is little to no mountain bike community and there is no one trying to organize one. My brother James and I have been trying to spark the mountain bike scene in Taiwan for the past three or four years. Until recently we have not seen much hope, but since late in 2010 several Taiwanese riders have started to ride with us and build their own zones.
James and I spend most of our free time riding and digging in the south of Taiwan. We are the only ones that dig at our trails and it has all been done by hand. As we have progressed as riders our trail has evolved. When we get bored of dirt jumping we start digging berms and gap jumps. When we get bored of berms and gaps we go back to dirt jumping. The riding we do in Taiwan prepares us for the summers we spend riding in Canada.
Breaking my back in the summer of 2010 has not slowed things down. James continues to build and progress, pushing his limits while I push the limits of my sore body.
Since 2003 my only riding partner has been James. We push each other to progress while in Taiwan so that we will be able to ride any trail we find in Canada. Riding with my best friend who is also my brother has been my most rewarding experience on my bike. With a job in the biking industry I meet and talk to riders all day, everyday … but at the end of the day I would rather be riding with James than anyone else.
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
Chances are that something on your bike started in Taiwan. I can almost guarantee that there is a "made in Taiwan" sticker somewhere on your bike. Compared to Canada, Taiwan is an over populate industrial country that does not place much importance on nature. Beauty and nature can be found here, but it takes a lot more to find it. There are mountains, but there is not much of a mountain biking scene. There is little to no mountain bike community and there is no one trying to organize one. My brother James and I have been trying to spark the mountain bike scene in Taiwan for the past three or four years. Until recently we have not seen much hope, but since late in 2010 several Taiwanese riders have started to ride with us and build their own zones.
James and I spend most of our free time riding and digging in the south of Taiwan. We are the only ones that dig at our trails and it has all been done by hand. As we have progressed as riders our trail has evolved. When we get bored of dirt jumping we start digging berms and gap jumps. When we get bored of berms and gaps we go back to dirt jumping. The riding we do in Taiwan prepares us for the summers we spend riding in Canada.
Breaking my back in the summer of 2010 has not slowed things down. James continues to build and progress, pushing his limits while I push the limits of my sore body.
Since 2003 my only riding partner has been James. We push each other to progress while in Taiwan so that we will be able to ride any trail we find in Canada. Riding with my best friend who is also my brother has been my most rewarding experience on my bike. With a job in the biking industry I meet and talk to riders all day, everyday … but at the end of the day I would rather be riding with James than anyone else.
James tipping the table in early 2011.
James' first day on the Banshee Legend, working on his big bike whip.
I broke my back in July 2010, this is how it feels to be back on my bike.
James has his left hand hip tables dialed to flat.
After having a head on collision with a stump in July 2010, doctors cut a bone
out of my hip and used it to repair my back. The helmet I was wearing saved my life.
out of my hip and used it to repair my back. The helmet I was wearing saved my life.
Author Info:
Member since Nov 17, 2007
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
We have plenty of trails up in Taipei if you ever want to take the trip up ..http://heresjonny.com/blog/2007/04/01/stone-deer-trail/
I think painting Taiwan as an "overpopulated and industrial" is a bit unfair - soaring mountain peaks, wilderness, and dense forest cover 90% of the island. It's no wonder the rest is overpopulated :-)
Rob I met you at the Urban race DH riding the Giant Reign. I would love to come down there some time too and hit up your jumps. You guys should come up to Taipei as well and we can go ride Speed Trap in Beitou. We'll rent a blue truck for the day and shuttle it. We had Bike Mag up there last weekend and took them to Wu Zhe Shan (ski lift) as well. Speed Trap is super dialed now and tons of fun. It's the only place I feel like I am progressing as well so hope to hit your jumps some time.
Ride on!
See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edit_%28musician%29 and techno.org/electronic-music-guide if you want to broaden your knowledge.