Special Birthday Gift: 80-Year-Old Liu Jinbiao Challenges 12-Day Cycling Tour Around Taiwan

　　"Though old, I still have aspirations; though in my twilight years, my spirit remains strong." This phrase is often used to describe those with lofty ambitions who, even in old age, remain full of vigor. These individuals with ambitious hearts always deeply inspire us. The elder we are about to introduce will prove his undiminished vitality through his island-wide cycling journey.

　　Liu Jinbiao (Brother Biao), chairman of Giant Company, is organizing another cycling tour around Taiwan with his cycling friends to celebrate his 80th birthday. The event will take place from May 1st to 12th, covering the entire island. Led by the group's CEO Luo Xiang'an (Andy), the journey will start at 7:30 am on May 1st from the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, going counter-clockwise through Taichung, Kaohsiung, Taitung, Hualien, Yilan, and returning to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall on the afternoon of the 12th. The total distance of this cycling tour is 930 kilometers.

　　Seven years ago, at the age of 73, Brother Biao completed his first cycling tour around Taiwan in 15 days, covering 927 kilometers. Since then, Brother Biao has discovered a new self, realizing that his physical condition is not bad and that he is more willing to try new things. For seven years, Brother Biao has consistently cycled, investing in his health. He has become addicted to cycling and found that his physical fitness has not declined with age; many of the diseases common among the elderly have disappeared without treatment. To verify whether this is merely self-perception, he will attempt this tour again, covering the same distance but reducing the number of days from 15 to 12.

　　An aging population is an inevitable trend in Taiwan. How to enable these experienced senior citizens to maintain their physical strength through regular exercise can not only significantly reduce healthcare costs but also allow them to maintain healthy bodies and continue to contribute to society.

　　Brother Biao's bicycle for this tour is the Propel Advanced SL, winner of the 22nd Taiwan Excellence Gold Award. This aerodynamic road bike features a frame tube profile optimized for aerodynamics, achieving the lowest possible wind resistance. Tests in a French wind tunnel showed that it has the lowest resistance among its class, regardless of whether the wind comes from the front or the side. With its extreme lightness, wind tunnel speed, and optimal efficiency, the Propel Advanced SL is considered the fastest in its class of aerodynamic road bikes.

　　Andy's bike, the Anyroad Comax, won the 21st Taiwan Excellence Gold Award. Examples show that bikes with drop handlebars are most beneficial for health, but beginners often have three concerns: the handlebars are too low, braking is ineffective, and the thin tire treads are frightening. The Anyroad Comax completely solves these problems with its ergonomic drop handlebars, intuitive braking system, and puncture-resistant tires suitable for various terrains.

　　A total of 44 people accompanied Brother Biao on the entire tour, with about 30 accompanying him on certain sections, plus hundreds of others joining for single days, forming a large team. This team includes John Burke, CEO of Trek, the leading American brand; Gao Si Xiang, General Manager of Asia Pacific region of SRAM, the giant in speed transmission; Koichi Tsuyama, Chairman of Cat Eye; and domestic parts manufacturers such as Yang Yinming (Chairman of Kenda), Wu Yingjin (Chairman of GME), Lin Wenhua (Chairman of Giant), Zhuang Shiwen (Chairman of JPoint), Kobayashi Hiroyuki (Chairman of ROR), and Yu Caiyun (Chairman of Velo). Also participating are Brother Biao's long-term cycling friends, including Luo Han (Chairman of Meiya Steel), Zhang Zhiguang (Vice President of Dali Renai Hospital), Zhou Xiaoli (Chairman of Weitai Advertising), and media personalities Lan Xuan and Yin Naiqing; and from Giant Group, besides CEO Luo Xiang'an, there are Executive Vice President Du Xiuzhen, Vice Presidents Liu Yongchang and Qiu Dapeng, and Liu Lizhu, CEO of the Bicycle New Culture Foundation.

　　Brother Biao's cycling has received much social and media affirmation and blessings. After this tour, he has participated in many domestic and international cycling events, actively promoting a new cycling culture and building Taiwan into a "Cycling paradise." Many foreign friends have invited Brother Biao to cycle in their countries, and this trip is also Brother Biao's way of expressing gratitude for the support he has received from society for his cycling.

　　 Brother Biao, Andy, and their team's cycling journey record

　　 Brother Biao's personal cycling record (born in 1923)

　　2007 Taiwan 900km Island Tour

　　2009 Beijing to Shanghai 1668km (Beijing to Shanghai Cycling Trip)

　　2010 Netherlands 5 days 500km

　　2010 Kunshan/Zhouzhuang/Chongming Island

　　2012 Japan Shimanami Kaido Cycling

　　 CEO Luo Xiang'an's personal cycling record (born in 1938)

　　2008~2013 Completed five cycling tours around Taiwan

　　2010 Beijing to Shanghai 1668km

　　2010 Netherlands 5 days 500km

　　2011 Qinghai Lake Cycling Tour (6 days 397km)

　　2012 Silk Road Cycling Tour (9 days 742km)

　　2012 Japan Shimanami Kaido Cycling

　　 Executive Vice President Du Xiuzhen's personal cycling record (born in 1938)

　　2008.4 Taiwan 968km Rock Rose Island Tour

　　2011.1 Taiwan 900km Formosa 900 Island Tour

　　2012.10 Japan Shimanami Kaido Cycling

　　2013.11 Participated in the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Relay Race, responsible for the 90km cycling leg

　　 Brother Biao's 80th Birthday Cycling Tour Around Taiwan