Just noticed a review my tours got a few months ago. My tour guest is a well to do lawyer / kick-boxer from England. The closest I've ever come to meeting a real life James Bond. An amazingly cool guy. This is the review he gave :
A Great Gonzo Tour of Taiwan
I had the pleasure of riding with M in June 2019. I spent about 8 days on the road with him. It was just the two of us since I had contacted him only a week prior to arriving in Taiwan to arrange the tour. Despite not running a planned tour on my dates, M was very helpful and arranged at late notice a fantastic ride.
The experience overall was excellent, not only because of the staggeringly beautiful Taiwanese scenery and twisty, engaging roads, but also because M is a thoroughly knowledgeable guide and riding partner.
The Bike
I was riding a Yamaha Force 155cc twist-and-go moped - described by M as 'the best scooter on planet earth'. I have no reason to disagree. I come from a big-bike background and do not have much scooter experience, but the little bike is incredibly easy to ride and does all that you need on the Taiwanese roads. It doesn't have manually operated gears (good for beginners) and the brakes are both on the bars (again, confidence-inspiring for beginners). I was initially unsure about riding a small moped, being used to 750cc plus bikes back at home, but I found the bike entirely satisfactory for the kinds of riding that we were doing. It has a lot of storage, is easy to get on and off quickly, and is pretty comfortable even over long distance.
I should add that the tyres were in good condition, the brakes fine and the overall mechanical state of the bike good. M definitely looks after the mopeds and keeps them safe and roadworthy.
The Accommodation
The accommodation was always pleasant. Some nights were spent in smaller, less fancy rooms, others in world-class high end rooms. Overall the rooms were clean, comfortable and safe. I shared with M throughout, and I understand that this is usual on his larger tours too.
The Food
We ate well, from the odd 7-11 lunchtime (which in Taiwan is more or less a roadside restaurant where many people eat their afternoon meal) to delicious seafood hotpots to night markets.
I have lived in China before so I have no problems with Asian food. Even if you aren't an adventurous eater I'm sure in Taiwan you can find more Western fare. In any event Taiwanese food is generally prepared in much cleaner environments and less intensely spiced that other Asian cuisines, so I think most tour participants wouldn't have any issues.
The Riding
The riding was absolutely fantastic and mind blowing. We rode cities, twisties in the jungle, mountain highlands, gorges - reaching at one stage a pass at 3,275 metres above sea level. I have never been to a country in which the scenery is so varied over short geographical distances. On the same day you can be above the clouds and then on a coastal road.
M takes a lot of time to show you the less well-known areas of Taiwan. For example, he'll frequently take a detour to show you an aboriginal village (of which there are many in Taiwan) and talk you through its history and significance.
He also suits riding speed to client - I am an experienced rider and we both set a pace to match.
M takes you to a number of sites each day, ranging from temples to suspension bridges to caves to coastal vistas. You will go to all of the famous landmarks, e.g. Taroko Gorge etc.
This has the added advantage of M being your tour guide for these sites as well as on the road.
The Man
M13 is a very colourful character. His 20 years in Taiwan makes him a local expert. His Mandarin is excellent and his understanding of Taiwanese culture rich and deep.
When you tour with M, who is of course famous for his very successful YouTube channel, you embark upon a Gonzo experience which brings with it the articulate, far-ranging and sometimes downright hilarious conversations of which M is capable. He is a unique man whose idiosyncrasies are set upon a bedrock of kindness and good intent. Travelling with him was great fun. He is genuinely enthusiastic about his work and his passions, and that makes him a pleasure to be around.
Unusually for a tour participant, I was not aware of his YouTube celebrity until just before I joined him in Taoyuan. I can see why he has over 200,000 subscribers on that platform as he is engaging on many levels.
Overall
Overall I would wholeheartedly recommend M's tours. He is honest, knowledgeable and interesting. His bikes are good and the roads excellent. Taiwan is an incredible country with diverse scenery, food and climates. It is also less well-known than most Asian destinations, and that makes touring through it on a bike all the more exciting.
I would definitely come back! Thanks M and Xiao Mei (his charming dog who accompanied us on tour).
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