Taiwanese seniors set example with marathon cycling trip to Vancouver, Burnaby, and the USA

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      Taiwan is known as a centre for bicycle manufacturing, with brands like Giant, Merida, and Tern being exported around the world.

      But today, it was a group of elderly Taiwanese cyclists who took centre-stage on the south side of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

      Among them was 93-year-old Lieh Chiang.

      Chiang, who's experienced heart disease and was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, is part of the 2014 Golden Generation Cycling Tour, which began today in downtown Vancouver.

      Organized by the Taipei-based Concern and Care Society eight years ago, the 41-member team includes 19 riders in their 70s, 80s, and 90s. There are 14 others in their 60s.

      The group will cycle 2,000 kilometres in cities and towns from Vancouver to San Francisco between now and April 22.

      "I don't think every elderly person can do this," Concern and Care Society CEO David Lee told the Straight. "But we select the healthy ones. We try to convince the families that it's a safe trip."

      Lee led them in some stretching exercises, supplemented by Taiwanese pop songs, before the group headed on the first leg through Stanley Park.

      Sure enough, Lee emphasized the importance of safety to all of the seniors in attendance.

      "We inspire the elderly people to work out—and tell them don't just wait to eat, wait to sleep, and wait to die," Lee quipped to the Straight.

      Taiwanese cyclists do calisthenics before embarking on their trip.

      He added that if some of the seniors can't complete the full route, they're allowed to stop part way through the day's journey.

      Chiang, the oldest cyclist, told the Straight through an interpreter that he's been cycling for 13 years.

      "This is a lovely city," he said. "It's very warm. People are so kind. I enjoy it very much."

      Today, they're scheduled to ride 80 kilometres in Vancouver, followed by a 90-kilometre ride tomorrow in Burnaby.

      Burnaby councillor Richard Chang, who's originally from Taipei, told the Straight that he's acting as a volunteer driver for the group. 

      He said that Mayor Derek Corrigan has proclaimed April 1 as "Golden Generation Day".

      The cyclists arrived in Vancouver on different flights on March 26 and March 27. They brought their bicycles from Taiwan.

      William Heng-sheng Chuang, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, told the Straight that a Taiwanese film director, Jerry Fan, is making a movie about the cyclists.

      "They just want to show how healthy they are and how happy they are," Chuang said. "And they have a very fulfilling, brilliant life in Taiwan."

      The so-called Grand Riders serve as an inspiration to seniors, having cycled around the island of Taiwan three times as well as on the Chinese mainland and around Singapore.

      There is one Taiwanese senior for every seven who are employed. However, that ratio is expected to reach one-to-one by 2035.

      "I"m the leader," Lee said with a smile. "They follow me. If I don't ride, they will complain that it's just talk and no action."

      On a more serious note, he added that the volunteers in the group have made new friends and renewed their life through these cycling adventures.

      "These elderly people can do anything," Lee declared.

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