What Riding Leaves Behind: Mulin between City Chaos and Riding Peace

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Dalton Peng
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Mulin with Pedaled
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IMAGES
Dalton Peng
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Mulin with Pedaled
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This is his trail.

Every rider carries a place they return to—somewhere that quiets the noise and brings things back into perspective. YAMA: Human Trails is a series about those places and the people shaped by them. For Mulin, founder of the Dirtyboys, that place lies in the forests above Taipei, where dirt trails, old friendships, and the changing rhythm of the mountains have become a way of stepping away from everyday life and reconnecting with what matters most.

For Mulin, one of the founders of the Dirtyboys, riding has never been about performance. Based in Taipei, he spends his weekdays immersed in the pace and pressures of city life. But in Taiwan's forests and mountains, he has found something different: a place to slow down, reconnect, and reset. Through riding, friendship, and the changing rhythm of the trail, he has learned that sometimes stepping away is the shortest path back to yourself. This is his trail.


Dirtyboys started almost as a joke. What did that joke become over time?


“Dirtyboys started as a group of middle-aged cycling enthusiasts who simply enjoyed riding and touring together.


We might not be the fastest, but we're definitely one of the most fun cycling groups. Everyone knows how to give it their all and how to truly enjoy the ride. Ultimately, we're all born cycling lovers.”


The name may have changed over time, and the group no longer exists in the way it once did, but the spirit behind it remains. A shared love of riding. Time spent outdoors. The kind of friendships that survive long after the structure that created them has faded.


What is it about riding that keeps pulling you back?


“There’s a unique tension between control and unpredictability—especially when speed picks up or the terrain becomes more technical.

That moment, when everything demands your attention, is what keeps pulling me back.

It’s not just exercise. It’s a form of reset.”


For Mulin, riding creates a rare kind of attention. A loose rock, a changing line, a split-second decision—suddenly, there is no room for work, deadlines, or tomorrow's worries.

Only the trail ahead.

You often talk about forests and mountains. What do they give you that everyday life doesn't?


“We've always loved the beauty of nature and forests. Lately, exploring the mountains and forests by mountain bike or gravel bike has become my most immersive hobby.


The thrill of speed on forest trails and the sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering different terrains are the main reasons I enjoy this sport so much.”

One of his favourite places to ride is Dan Fong Mountain, near Taiwan's hot springs. The terrain constantly changes—from dirt and rock gardens to dense forests and open volcanic ridgelines. Nothing stays the same for long. Maybe that's part of the attraction.

The mountains ask for your attention, and in return, they offer perspective.


Over time, have you come to value riding alone or riding together more?


“We started with group rides, and they're still a big part of the experience, especially for the energy and the shared moments. But lately, I've come to value solo rides more. They allow me to focus on technique, rhythm, and flow without distraction.


It's a different kind of conversation—more internal.” Riding alone and riding together are not opposites for Mulin. One offers introspection. The other offers connection.

And some of the most meaningful moments still happen after the ride is over. Coffee. Lunch. Stories from the trail. Simple rituals that somehow make a weekend feel complete.


“Weekend rides always help us relax. Immersing ourselves in Taiwan's mountains and abundant natural trails, followed by coffee and a delicious lunch with friends, makes for the perfect weekend getaway.” Even after stepping away from the Dirtyboys as an active team, those moments remain.


“Leaving the Dirtyboys team hasn't had much of an impact on our lives. We remain focused on our love of cycling, even enjoying it more and cherishing our friendships more than before. Now, planning our next route is easier and more flexible.”


What has cycling taught you about life outside the bike?


“Cycling has taught me that progress takes time. As long as you keep showing up and keep trying, your efforts eventually turn into improvement.

The trails have also taught me to clear my mind. When you're riding through the forest, things become simpler, and that often helps me be more decisive when I have to make choices in everyday life.


I think riding has taught me patience, perseverance, and trust in the process.”

Sometimes, stepping away is enough.


The answers tend to follow.

YAMA COLLECTION

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