Customer Reivew

Best bike tour ever! The back country roads, beautiful scenery, amazing food experiences and impeccable service all made for an unforgettable experience. Stephen and Jimmy are wonderful guides who always anticipated our needs, biking and otherwise.  Everything was impeccably planned, with much attention to detail. Cycling with my husband and adult children who are strong riders, I appreciated the option of hopping into the van when needed on the final days of the trip. Both Stephen and Jimmy have decades of experience leading tours, and their professionalism, insights and friendly camaraderie were much appreciated.  HIGHLY RECOMMEND for anyone looking for a fun adventure interspersed with comfortable accommodations and cultural exchange. We had so much fun that we are already plotting our next trip with Panagoe!

There is a strange absence the day after the tour. Was it the absence of the camaraderie from the cycling group having battled through climbs, distances and the elements? Or was it the consistent propelling past Taiwan's magnificent mountain ranges, paddy fields and pacific ocean? Or was it Stephen's firm instruction to pedal forth, "Rolling!" ensuring we're all relinquished from our stationary states?

In was in fact more than the culmination of them.

It was the comfort knowing that Jimmy is nearby, a steady-handed mechanic, vigilantly manning the helm of our support vehicle. It was the anticipation of curated exploratory cuisines interspersed through the days. It was the wonder experiencing Taiwan's best kept secrets on nothing more than two wheels and a pair of legs.

It's clear that Stephen has tailored his tours with a masterful precision derived from his years of experience, deep knowledge and personal appreciation. Such diversity included urban commuter cycling, quiet back roads banned from public vehicles and adrenaline-pumping ascends to idyllic hot springs. The result is a tour that's equal parts sightseeing, cycling enthusiasm and cultural immersion.

Today, my legs ache for more action, as I promised myself to conquer more hills and distances after having achieved multiple PBs with the gang.
With a newfound confidence, I will overcome my withdrawal, go back to daily life and look forward to one day hearing Stephen announce again, "Rolling!"

Travelling by car is too fast..... Walking is too slow.... The best way to see the country is to cycle.... When you cycle, you are able to explore more things....
The Scenic East Coast Tour with Panagoe led by Stephen and Jimmy in November 2023 offer a well balance of cycling, adventure through the scenic East Coast and mountains of Taiwan. It was challenging with beautiful sceneries along the way. Cycling through the villages offers a spectacles view of the golden rice fields and fruits plantations which was only possible by cycling. We got a chance to learn cultures of the indigenous people and taste its food too.
It also includes a city tour on town bike to explore the city of Taipei and some sightseeing.
Accommodations were mixed of good hotel, hot spring resort and home stay which is very nice.
After every trip, bicycles were cleaned and checked before the next ride by Stephen and Jimmy to ensure we are ready for the next day's ride.
It is a great way to travel by bicycle and Panagoe can offer this with excellent professionalism. HGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone who want to tour Taiwan by bicycle....

Our family just took a Scenic East tour with Panagoe (Stephen and Jimmy). Our hope for the trip was to experience a new part of Taiwan by bike, spend lots of time together as a family, and all the while, enjoy great food.

All boxes checked and then some! The varied accommodations (from higher tier hotels to family-run B and B's) allowed us to experience all different kinds of hospitality and reach places off the beaten path. The food was similarly amazing with Stephen curating family-run restaurants to highlight different types of food each afternoon and evening.

The cycling, itself, was incredible with many country lanes and incredible views all the way down the coast. The East Rift valley was a particular highlight with Stephen taking us onto less traveled (and less trafficked) roads. Taiwan really is a road cyclist's dream.

Most importantly, Stephen and Jimmy took incredible care of us. Getting to know them was a treat, and they have a very well-run outfit. Their kindness and patience abounded, and they went out of their way to make our experience extra memorable!

We can't wait to return to Taiwan and hook up with Stephen and Jimmy again!

My wife, two adult daughters and I had the pleasure of a five-day, four-night Panagoe fully supported cycling tour from December 19, 2022 to December 23, 2022. The 265 mile (426 km) trip was unforgettable and amazing in so many ways. As an avid cyclist (7000 miles each year for the last 3 COVID years, gravel and road), I offer my thoughts regarding the trip, Panagoe and Jimmy Huang and Stephen Chen, who together are the owners and hand’s on tour leaders.

The Cycling Tour: Brief itinerary: (i) Day 1: (a) meet at hotel in Kaohsiung and install of our pedals, lights and Wahoo bike computers; (b) drive in van to Hualien; and (c) final bike fitting and “getting to know you” short ride from Hualien to An Tong of 32 miles; (ii) Day 2: to Taitung 66 miles; (iii) Day 3: to Hengchun with the best part along route 199-- 77 miles; (iv) Day 4: to Kenting 41 miles; and (v) Last day 5: touring Kenting to Fangliao 47 miles. All meals, drinks, snacks (including stops at 7-11) and lodging included! Stephen’s favorite line at a local 7-11, “Your money is no good here.”

The Equipment: We were lucky to use Panagoe’s brand new Giant TCR road bikes: all carbon frame, 105 components with 28mm tires and aluminum rims. Each night, after joining us for dinner, Stephen and Jimmy would clean and make sure each of the bikes remain in tip-top condition. The following morning, the bikes would be presented to us perfectly set up along with our other equipment (helmets, shoes, snacks, etc.). What a luxury!

Stephen and Jimmy: We literally spent almost waking hour and every meal with Jimmy and/or Stephen during the five-day tour. Stephen led the biking and Jimmy followed along as the caboose with the van (ready to pickup any cyclist who wants a breather). No need to carry any supplies as Jimmy was always there with snacks, more hydration, or to carry or return cycling jacket. Despite the maze of roads, Stephen never had a misstep on directions. He also was careful to give us excellent “head’s up” of the route as to what was in store. Safety is Stephen’s primary concern and this was appreciated since I was riding with my family. We very much enjoyed learning about the local environs and culture from Stephen and Jimmy who were there every step of the way.

The Secret Sauce: That’s simple: Jimmy and Stephen. We are conversationally proficient in Mandarin so within the realm of possibility that we could have done on our own. I now know that without Jimmy and Stephen, this trip would be a planning nightmare, with much time wasted finding the best place to eat and snack. Most importantly, if you do this trip on your own, you will likely take the normally traveled cycling roads, often with traffic (watch out for scooters), headwinds, and other hazards. Stephen’s knowledge of the roads and paths, places to eat and lodge, and local knowledge are the big value adds. Having Jimmy and Stephen there to handle every detail allowed us to focus on what we came for: cycling.

We are already planning our return in 2024!

We did the 12 day Coastline Tour in November 2018, and the worst thing we can say is that it ended. Based on our experience, we recommend Panagoe 100%. It was a delight to tour with local cyclists who know the roads, and the food and language and history and culture. To find a cycling tour operator who has both the passion for road riding and decades of service experience in the tourism industry is a rare treat. Touring with Panagoe was a genuinely full service experience. They had every detail sorted, even shoe bags to save your cleats. We saw them deftly juggle the very different needs of people in our group, and nothing was too much hassle. We are telling all our cycling friends that Taiwan is a superb cycling destination, with great roads and delicious food, and to go with Panagoe. 

Starting November 17, I did the Coastline 12 days tour with two kiwis from Christchurch, Michele and Simon, and two Indians from Bombay or Mombai, Preety and Shiraz. It was great and Stephen and David were incredibly accomodating. Next time I'll abuse their good will. Weather was great, roads excellent, drivers were perfect. Too bad it takes 16 hr to get there from Geneva. After the tour I seized the opportunity to climb Wuling pass from Taroko Park entrance so as to make the most of my trip, but there is so much more yet to see in Taiwan, with or without bicycle and the people there are so incredibly nice! If you have a chance to go, don't hesitate, it's perfect.

Just finished my third trip with Panagoe. Stephen and his team always do a terrific job. Very patient with me as I struggle to get up Wuling mountain. And Taiwan is such a special place to ride-really unique terrain and sights. And very friendly people! If you have a chance to ride with Stephen I highly recommend it!

I spent 4 days with Stephen and David on the Scenic East tour with three of my friends, and it was a SPECTACTULAR experience. Stephen was so accommodating of all of our requests, from scheduling to dietary restrictions. Although the tour typically takes 9 days, we were able to pick and choose which segments to cycle given our time constraints. With the price we paid for the trip, we expected to be staying in hostels, but all of our lodging was in very nice hotels with spectacular views. We even stayed in a hot springs hotel one night! There was SO MUCH delicious food (don't believe Stephen when he says "light lunch"...he means 14 dumplings per person!), and there were plenty of snacks and cold beverages in the van for breaks while biking. Stephen was very knowledgeable about the history of all the areas we biked through, and David is a great mechanic who could fix any issues with the Giant road bikes.

I hope to come back soon to finish cycling the rest of the tour. For anyone else interested in exploring Taiwan by bike, I STRONGLY recommend Panagoe!

If you’re reading this, you probably already know that cycling is absolutely the best way to see and experience a country. My wife and I have completed many cycling tours all over the world and we’ve learned to appreciate what makes a standout tour. Taiwan offers some of the best and varied cycling opportunities out there: forested mountains, challenging passes, turquoise oceans and river gorges, all accessible via generally quiet and well maintained roads. Couple this with a unique cultural heritage and a diverse and enticing cuisine, and you’ll find that Taiwan has it all. But where the tour really shone was with the tour organizers. From the moment we touched down in Taipei until the moment we departed, we were treated to the highest levels of customer service that we have ever received (anywhere in the world). Both Stephen and David truly went above and beyond in every department! Not only was the tour planned to perfection, from the bike routes, to the hotels, to the hand picked restaurants, their enthusiasm about every facet of trip was contagious. Stephen is a very experienced guide, and fortunately for us, he’s also a history buff, never tiring of explaining the history and culture of Taiwan along with it’s current challenges. David on the other hand can only be described as a magnanimous comedian that happens to double as a guide! Their organization skills are second to none and nothing was ever left to chance. Both possess a passion for cycling (rarely seen in the larger tour operators) and their excellence in guiding really set them apart. Do not hesitate in trusting Panagoe Tours to take you on a magnificent tour of their beautiful country!

Our cycling trip - Scenic East Tour - was one of our greatest holidays and we would say our best cycling tour.  Stephen and Jimmy were exceptional in every aspect of the trip and very accommodating to all our needs including dietary requirements.  Our first day in Taiwan was just perfectly organised using the town bikes to explore the city and also the MRT - ideal way of taking in all the atmosphere of the city.  The knowledge of Stephen regarding Taiwan is amazing.  We thoroughly enjoyed all the local food - ‘light lunches’ are more of a banquet !!!!!  The snack breaks were well appreciated and taking care of our bicycles and shoes at the end of the day was well received especially when we were enjoying a beer whilst Stephen and Jimmy were doing the mechanics. All the accommodation was of a high standard and very comfortable. The scenery is magnificent on this trip and we truly recommend this tour.

Went biking in Taiwan with my family, this is a great experience, would strongly recommend to anyone! We had basically no biking experience but the crew was super kind and patient. They were took the time to teach us and by the end of the week, we were doing well! Taiwan is a beautiful place and by biking around it, you will definitely experience this country in a way that is very unique. I've been to Taiwan countless times but this trip has taken me to spectacular views and landmarks that I've never heard of. Definitely encourage everyone to bike with this crew - this will be the best trip of your life!!

Our group of 6 good friends just completed an amazing cycling tour down the east coast of Taiwan. Stephen and David went above and beyond in organizing the trip and looking after us all. The cycling itinerary was perfect for mixed levels of fitness, the accommodation sensational and the food and local culture excellent. If you would like to try a taste of the great cycling here drop Panagoe a call or email and get a conversation started! You will be delighted.

My cycling trip in Taiwan was an incredible journey. I still have friends tell me that it was the best trip they’d ever taken. Some even want to do it again. Maybe we will all ride again after we’ve all retired. Who knows,we may make a round trip of Taiwan next time. I encourage anyone who is passionate about cycling and about Taiwan to consider participating in a similar trip. It was a pilgrimage to pay respect to the country that gave me life and to the sport I’ve fallen in love with.

I done the 12 days east coast tour and it was a fantastic tour. A life time trip to remember. Stephen and David were awesome. Accommodations and foods were memorable and bike path very impressive.

My trip around the island was amazing and wonderful, I couldn't have enjoyed it more! You are friendly and professional, and the bike and crew at the Bike Shop were fantastic.

I just wanted to give feedback on our tour. Your leader Stephen was brilliant. He was thoughtful and took great care of us all both in and off the bikes. A great route, wonderful weather and tremendous fun to be part of this.
Keep up the good work and I will definitely be recommending you as a business to others.

Michelangelo could not have sculpted a better experience. Stephen and his incredibly skillful team tailored a trip that went above and beyond. The route was both challenging and elegant. The hotels and food were absolutely fantastic. Stephen's incredible passion for cycling made this short journey a trip that my friend and I will never forget. My only regret was not being able to take an even longer trip!

It was a great experience to meet you and ride with you in Taiwan. The routes were interesting and challenging. The hotels comfortable and the food was excellent - even the 7-11s !

I will be sure and tell my cycling friends about my trip and the good riding in Taiwan.

Let me know your plans for next year !

The cycling with you and your team was the highlight of my recreation for 2013. It would be fun to do a repeat tour of your island in the future.

A big thanks for the most fabulous tour in Taiwan.

The best tour I have ever done! Thank you.

Thank you for helping me fall in love with Taiwan.