PERSONALITY: PRETTY CYCLIST IRIS " TEACHER MIOU" LEE
Taiwan – home to top bicycle manufacturers of big brands around the world. It is small wonder that cycling is both a celebrated sport as well as a part of the people's culture in every corner of the island. We applaud the enthusiastic cycling community of Taiwan and its amazing road cycling infrastructures. Whether it is such conducive factors that spawn young budding cyclists or other hidden factors that we have yet to discover, we are glad that we met Iris.
While Iris just picked up cycling not too long ago, she is already very focused and determined to improve herself in the sport. Check out the number of races she joined during this period and what she achieved. All this while looking demure and pretty, yet packed full of strength and energy. Hello Teacher Miou!
Name: Iris Lee
Nickname: 喵老師 “Teacher Miou”, I have 8 lovely cats.
Age: Secret!
Where do you work : I teach at a supplementary School
Favourite Food: Baguette
Year(s) Riding: 1 year
Sponsors: CARVER ( It's a bicycle company from Germany)
Favourite bike and component brands: RAPHA
Team you are with: Team “Happy Cyclists of Beitou”, a local cycling shop and club. (Non-sponsored)
Favourite riding spots/route: Yang-Ming Mountain ( a.k.a. Yang-Ming Shan National Park)
Current Bike: PINARELLO FP3
Frame : Pinarello FP3 / Drivetrain : Campagnolo Chorus / Wheelset : Mavic Ksyrium SR
Cycling Achievements:
中正山第二名(2014) / 2nd Place for Mount ZhongZhen Race
捷安特女子風中劍第二名(2014) / 2nd Place for Giant Bikes "Blade in the Wind" Ladies Race
滿天星羅馬公路分組第三(2014) 3rd Place for Luoma Road Night Sprint
Jhong-Jheng Mountain Climbing Race, 2nd at Woman 30 group. (2014)
Liv/Giant Women’s Challenge Taipei, 2nd place. (2014)
All Star Challenge Series 4 – Rome Road Challenge, 3rd at Woman 30 group. (2014)
Do you have a “dream bike”?
I do not have any dream bike currently. I am very satisfied with the performance and looks of my current Pinarello FP3.
我目前並沒有特別想要的單車。我很滿意我現在這台Pinarello FP3的性能與外觀。
Describe your personality in 5 words.
Passion / Persistence / Sharing / Concentration / Enthusiastic
熱情 / 執著 / 分享 / 專注 / 熱心
Why do you choose to do road cycling? ( as compared to other biking disciplines)
Compared to trail, downhill and cyclocross, road cycling is the most popular riding discipline in Taiwan. You can ride to most part of this island via well-developed road networks. Most public transit systems (Bus, MRT, Railway, High-Speed Railway) accept cyclists with their bikes too. I really love the feeling of speed that road cycling gives me!
When it comes to road cycling, I prefer the climbing route. If you want to climb faster, I have a few tips to offer: (1) Relax your arms and body (2) Keep your back curved (3) Climb with your core muscles, NOT just your legs only. Sufficient energy replenishment and proper riding tempo are also two critical factors for a rewarding and successful climb.
相較於林道越野、下坡車、公路越野車,在台灣大多數人選擇的還是在一般公路上騎車。因為台灣公路建設良好,大眾運輸系統也大多接受單車騎士攜帶單車,所以台灣島上幾乎大部分地方都可以騎單車到。此外我很享受公路車所帶來的速度感,我很愛這種感覺。
我個人偏好爬坡。如果想要在爬坡時爬的更快,有幾點心得可以分享。爬坡時身體手臂都要放輕鬆、背要彎曲、善用你的核心肌群而不是只有你的腿去騎。充分的能量補充與適合你自己的騎乘節奏對於是否能成功的爬坡也是很關鍵的兩個因素。
Ever thought of trying out other riding disciplines? Like downhill, trail or cross-country racing?
So far I am focusing on road cycling only. Bicycle riding is not my career, I have my own social life and need to work to make a living as well. I am open to other cycling discipline but currently, I don't think I have the time.
現階段我只想專注在公路車。我不是以騎車為業,我也跟一般人一樣有正常社交生活與事業工作。我並不排斥其他類型的單車運動,但目前時間上並不允許我去嘗試它們。
Do you have any mentor?
My two teammates do help me a lot at improving my cycling skills:
Mr Hsieh Hsiu-Tsun:He helped me understand how to take advantage of computer figures to figure out my weaknesses and improve from there. He also gave me lots of valuable opinions about bike fitting.
Mr Wu Hu-Chun:He is a good beginner instructor with lots of patience. He deigned many training plans and also rides with me. He is a serious coach and always reminds me to pay attention on my riding postures and attitude (mental aspects of cycling).
我有兩位隊友在增進我的騎車技巧方面幫忙非常多:
小謝:他教我如何利用電腦數據去發現自己的不足之處與修正措施,也對我單車fitting的部分提供了很多寶貴的意見。
小吳:他是一位對於單車初學者非常有耐心的指導者。他幫我制定了許多訓練計畫也陪著我騎車實際指導。他對騎車這件事的態度非常認真,總是要求我注意騎車的姿勢與觀念。
What is a typical ride day like in your area?
Morning rides during working days:At my working, I usually will go for a 60km(37 miles) ride which will take about 3 hours. It will start at 6:00AM or 6:30AM. Accumulated climbing altitude is around 1000 meter(3281 ft.).
Long rides during holidays:The route may varies. I usually join the training rides with my teammates. It usually takes me 5 to 6 hours and the mileage will be extended to 100km(62 miles) or above. Accumulated climbing altitude is around 2000 meter(6562 ft.).
晨騎:在平常工作日,我通常會安排60公里左右的行程,大約3小時內可完成。累計爬升高度大概1000公尺左右,通常早上6點或6點半開始。
假日騎:在假日,路線就不一定了。我通常會參加車隊的團練,100公里左右的行程,大約5-6小時完成。累計爬升高度大概2000公尺左右。
Taiwan is a big country with many riding destinations. Do you travel to other parts of Taiwan to ride?
Hualien County and Taitung County, they are the eastern part of Taiwan and the most beautiful "paradise" of Taiwan as well. They are perfect place for cycling.
台灣東部的花蓮縣跟台東縣,也是台灣騎車最美的地方。
How about riding in another country?
I have no overseas riding experience unfortunately. I would probably arrange a cycle tour to Okinawa next year.
很遺憾目前還沒有海外騎車的經驗。不過有可能在明年安排去沖繩騎車。
What music are you into?
The Carpenters
Does riding and music has any correlation to you?
Actually, no. I don’t like to listen to music when I am riding. It’s dangerous.
其實沒有。我騎車不聽音樂,那很危險。
What is your impression on Taiwan cycling scene? ( is there anything you like and dislike about the scene?)
I am only familiar with the area of Taipei. Taipei is a cycle-friendly place. Anyone can find a proper route to cycle easily, regardless of whether you want to ride as hardcore as a Tour de France racer or just want to have a leisurely sightseeing ride. Many cyclists from other countries love to ride here.
我個人只比較熟悉台北的路線。台北是個對單車騎士友善的環境;無論是想騎的環法選手一樣硬斗或只是想休閒騎,任何人都可以找到適合自己的路線。很多外國車友都很喜歡在台北騎車。
How does the public (non-cycling community) view cyclists in general in Taiwan?
Most Taiwanese support the cycling sport. You can always receive some warm cheers from passers-by when you are riding.
大部分的台灣人都很支持單車運動,當你騎在路上的時候,總有很多不認識的人幫你加油打氣。
Any word of advise for the cycling community of Asia in general?
Taiwan is a good place for cycling! We welcome visitors to Taiwan and experience our unique Taiwanese passion and friendly environment.
Follow Iris at: Facebook:Iris Lee
All photos used with permission from Iris Lee