From the 2016 Taiwan Kom Challenge Website (which took place on 28 Oct): "For cyclists all over the world, climbing high altitudes into the mountains represent the greatest of challenges, which not only represents a destination to be reached, but also the very spirit of this wonderful sport – reaching the top. Here in Taiwan, we have one of the world’s greatest epic climbs, the Taiwan King of Mountain Challenge. This year we already held two non-elite “Road to the Taiwan KOM” Challenges to meet the growing numbers of riders who want to meet this epic challenge. The Taiwan KOM Challenge starts from Hualien’s Qixingtan passing through the spectacular Taroko Gorge, then climbing to Taiwan’s highest passable road apex atop Route 14A to Wuling Pass. The route begins at sea level on the eastern coast then up to 3275 meters. This 105 km route will be a test even for the world’s most elite riders. The route takes riders through several different climate zones from torrid to subtropical to temperate, then finishing in possible frigid temperatures around 5-10˚C. The gradient starts at a simple 0-2% for the first 20kms and then turns into a steady 6% average gradient until the final 9.5kms, and then the real challenge begins. Riders will traverse gradients from 10-22% as they pitch hurricane sea hairpin curves to the finish line. Stunning views await the rider as they climb through the Taroko Gorge and as the riders enter into the Hehuan Mountain scenic area there is a vista that opens up to offer a birds-eye view of the surrounding landscape in the closing kilometers. It truly is exceptional race making the Taiwan KOM Challenge one of the greatest climbs anywhere in the world. British rider, Lee Rodgers, writing in 2011 after completing the race in 4th place, had this to say about his experiences of the Taiwan KOM Challenge: “Riding to the top is like a pilgrimage. It was, in the end, breathtakingly beautiful and yet incredibly tough. Everyone who finished that day is a hero. Plain and simple, this is a race that more people should know about, because it is absolutely unique. To those thinking of taking a trip to Hualien and the Taroko Gorge: this area is astonishingly beautiful and I thoroughly recommend a trip there. Breathtaking, in every sense!”" Images from previous events as well as the 2016 Challenge. http://www.crankpunk.com/media/k2/items/cache/81d7959d6ac82061e9b059ba05e22fc8_XL.jpg http://www.crankpunk.com/cache/a20_images_thumb_other734_0.png http://www.crankpunk.com/cache/a15_images_thumb_other734_0.png http://www.crankpunk.com/cache/a18_images_thumb_other734_0.png http://cfa834d73bc99712aa5b-8b9c80d2d1030f91d61dcdb0995bdfd2.r66.cf1.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Taiwan5-1500x580.jpg http://images.cyclingtips.com/content/uploads/2014/11/Cycling-Tips-2.jpg http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/TaiwanKOM2016-1-1.jpg http://www.cxmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Taroko-Gorge-2.jpg
