



For the past six years, Rian Cope and Dylan Brayshaw have been cycling the world in the pursuit of waves documenting it as they go. In 2009, they cycled across the Indonesian archipelago over three and half months in what they now regard as their coming of age adventure.

"It came around as a result of some serious wanderlust and a small budget," explains Rian. "Motorcycles wouldn’t cut it, but bicycles were possible." Earlier this year, and with a TV series in the pipeline, they were back in the saddle. After deciding on Taiwan, they lined up a trip to sync with swell season, and arrived just in time for a category 5 typhoon. We caught up with the lads to find out how it went.

So why Taiwan?

D: We chose Taiwan because we didn’t know a lot about it. I had seen some great photos from the island on the internet and in some magazines. The more I researched it the more I wanted to go. The size of the island was good for us too, about 1200km north to south. We had one month so the distance would be perfect and there seemed to be lots of interesting things to see and do when the waves are small.

R: It was all Dylan’s idea! I had no idea there was potential for surf in Taiwan. We knew we wanted to hit the road again with a long term series in the making. We decided on Taiwan as a destination not too remote or isolated to kick things off.

What is it about travelling with bikes that you love so much?

D: A few things, one is the exercise and the feeling you get when you ride a bicycle, it's just simple fun. You're also open to new experiences that you wouldn’t get on a surf tour, like locals buying you lunch or inviting you to stay the night. You're in control of your travel experience, you don't have to wait for a bus or work on anyone else's schedule, you're free to go wherever you want to go. Another thing that’s great is the freedom you get. I remember saying to myself after many days on the road, I got myself here, to this very wave, by myself. You're in control of your travel experience, you don't have to wait for a bus or work on anyone else's schedule, you're free to go wherever you want to go.

R: I love the simplicity. A mode of transport that costs nothing to run. It burns fat, not money. You can maintain it with simple mechanics and a few small tools. And you’re exposed to the elements – wind, rain, sun, smoke, smog, dogs, buses, smells, grease, sand, snow. You're totally emerged in your environment, and you come home better for it.

Travelling in such close proximity with someone, testing your bodies and emotions along the way, does it test your friendship?

D: Yes definitely, this trip tested both. We’re both used to each other, but when the waves are small I can get a bit frustrated and that tests the friendship for sure. The physical test came when we climbed Wuling Pass up to 3275m elevation, it took us three days of climbing but totally worth the five hour downhill to the beach.

R: Hell yeah. We've had a few arguments over the years. About how far we should ride tomorrow, or how long we should stay at this surf break before we need to move on so we don’t miss that ferry. Our Indonesian adventure really pushed me, and forced me to think about someone else apart from myself. I had a whole other person to consider when making decisions. I like to think that it's made me a better more patient and understanding person not just with our friendship, but in life.

How do you go about refining your luggage enough so that it fits on your bikes?

D: It's taken a bit of experience to refine our kit but the trick is to just take what you need. Unfortunately we need to film everything so we carried a lot of camera gear and a laptop to backup footage. Everything has its place in the bags and on the bike. I like to think that it's made me a better more patient and understanding person not just with our friendship, but in life.

R: That's taken years of experience. Outside of eat.sleep.surf, I've continued on several more adventure rides and I've really managed to narrow down my packing. Heavy items should be placed at the bottom of your pannier bags to help with balance, everyday items need to be within easy reach, and camera equipment needs to be waterproof. You work out your priorities with what you need for luggage, and pack accordingly. Ultra-light weight is the new way forward with manufacturers creating internal frame bags. It’s mad how little people are starting to travel with.

Any major mechanical issues with the bikes?

D: On this trip nothing, not even a flat tyre the entire trip, I was amazed.

R: I've had broken spokes and burst dozens of tires over the years, but Taiwan was a mechanical free trip. So long as you keep the air in your tires up, the chain greased, and ride the bike within its limits, any bicycle will get you across a country.

How do you manage physical exhaustion between surfing and cycling?

D: Simple, if you're tired you rest if not you cycle or surf.

R: I like to try and do some training at home before we depart. My job allows me to be on the bike fairly regularly which is handy. Eat lots, drink lots and naps in the middle of the day are awesome when travelling – just find a shady tree.

What’s the surf community like over there from what you can tell?

D: We bumped into a few local surfers over there, Taiwan seemed to have the beginnings of a strong surf community. I've had broken spokes and burst dozens of tires over the years, but Taiwan was a mechanical free trip. We saw the Taiwan Open of surfing and also met up with a surf tour operator who showed us the more popular waves.

R: Small but growing. There is a small community of expats from around the world who surf and the local Taiwanese are also involved in a smaller capacity. You need to be able to get around the island within a few hours to pick the right break depending on conditions, so we found we had most spots to ourselves. Very friendly people, like ridiculously friendly. No localism there.

What other trips have you done with the bikes?

D: Indonesia is what started it all, since then we did New Zealand together for two weeks and then I did a solo trip back to Indonesia and travelled east of Bali to Scar Reef on Sumbawa.

R: Indonesia was our first and most exciting adventure, as we had never done anything like it – 3500kms across Sumatra, Nias, Mentawais, Java and Bali. I got hooked however and have done a few each year now, including riding 1600km unsupported across the Gibson and Great Sandy Desert on a Fat Bike, and I rode from Paris to Marrakech over the Atlas mountains into the Sahara Desert. Both epic trips which I enjoyed pushing myself to my limits.

Highlights of the trip?

D: The Toroko Gorge was amazing to cycle through and the rivermouth wave that we camped at for a few nights was a highlight.

R: The rivermouth we found and had to ourselves for most of the time. Just camping on the small hill overlooking the break with a great restaurant down the road. It was the perfect situation. And riding up Wuling Pass which is East Asia’s highest road at 3275m above sea level – it was an incredible accomplishment.

Would you go back?

D: Yes definitely, now that I know where the waves are.

R: In a heartbeat.

Where’s next?

D: I’m thinking about Peru but who knows, there's a lot more to discover on a bike.

R: I'm looking at riding up to Cape York, Australia’s most northern point. But I'd love to get over to South America – Peru and Chile for some cold water surfing and epic mountain climbs on the bike. Think Machu Picchu, the Andes and the Amazon.