Female Japanese cyclist Emiko Seal embarked on a postoperative rehabilitation tour of Taiwan on Sunday.
She suspended her round-the-world bicycle journey more than a year ago after being diagnosed with cancer. Seal, 37, and her Australian husband, Steve, 43, arrived in Taipei late Thursday for the 10-day cycling journey from Taipei to Kenting.
Due to her fragile condition, however, Seal will only be bicycling about 100 km of the 826-km course.
She said at the starting point in Taipei that she felt somewhat nervous as it was the first time for her to attempt such a tour since January 2001, when she was forced to return to Japan from Pakistan to undergo surgery.
She hopes that by making the trip she can inspire and encourage cancer victims in Taiwan and elsewhere.
While riding with her husband through Pakistan, Seal had a medical exam and was diagnosed as having cervical cancer. She underwent surgery in April and has since been in rehabilitation.
Seal has ridden more than 180,000 km through 77 countries since late 1989. She plans to return to Pakistan around autumn next year to continue her round-the-world attempt. Her husband has accompanied her on the journey in recent years.