One week ago today my Taiwan bicycling tour ended prematurely when I was almost ended prematurely by a hit & run driver who smacked me from behind while I was descending a rural mountain road in southern Taiwan.  Final tally was 4 broken ribs, 2 broken vertebrae, partially collapsed lung, whiplash & bruised spine, numb & weak left hand due to the whiplash or spinal bruise, hip contusion (where the car hit me), some small gashes around my eye (where bicycle helmet did its job faithfully but jammed my sunglasses against my eye socket), road rash and a concussion (had no idea where I was and was shocked to learn I was in Taiwan because I didn’t recall having even thought about traveling here). 3 days in ICU, 2 in a regular hospital bed and get to stay in Taiwan an extra couple of weeks because a partially collapsed lung and flying don't play well together.  

Despite the mishap, I highly recommend Taiwan for bike touring. Wonderful people, great food, reasonable prices, and the best biking infrastructure in Asia.  80-90% of the trip was on roads with dedicated bicycle lanes (though not on the rural road where I got hit). 

It's my third time being hit by a car and second time with major injuries.  There's probably a lesson to be learned here but I'm also probably too stubborn to learn it. Looking forward to getting back in the saddle on an HFC ride, but that's going to be at least a few months away.  

ted.stokes.johnson@outlook com