about us
addoil Publishing – our name derives from the wonderful Taiwan tradition of shouting “jiā yóu!” at passing cyclists. This endearing term translates in English to ‘add oil’. The Feeling of encouraging the rider, adding fire to their journey. This sentiment is what drives us and sits at the heart of everything we do. We hope our books can add a bit of fire to your own adventures. So get out there, and pass it on, 加油!
Our Books
Our books are produced and printed in Taiwan aw well as printed in the UK and the USA. We try to minimise the costs where possible and pass these savings onto you. Whilst we also sell on third party sites the best way to support us is to buy direct with us so we can cover costs and produce more titles.
Even though we are a small team we always try to stay connected with our readers.
We strive to respond to all queries as fast as possible, if you are not happy with our products or have a problem with any downloads or purchases please do get in touch, we will be more than happy to help you out.
Warmshowers.org
We love Warmshowers.org and want to take the opportunity to wax lyrical about the community. If you are thinking of cycle touring for the first time, or perhaps you are an experienced tourer who has never used Warmshowers then give this truly wonderful cycling community a chance.
Author of Roads above the Clouds
Mark Tovell is the author behind Bicycle Touring Taiwan, Roads above the Clouds. A writer, artist, illustrator and designer Mark holds a post graduate from Chelsea college of Arts, London. But all of those self-aggrandising titles don’t compare to the title Mark holds most dear, cyclist.
After years of travelling the world Mark gave up backpacking picked up his bicycle and started to cycle tour, he never looked back.
Years later, he came across a book, Wu, Ming-Yi’s The Stolen Bicycle. Transported by this wonderful text Mark landed on the Island of Taiwan where the seeds of writing a new route to touring the heart of Asia grew.
Bicycle Touring Taiwan, Roads above the Clouds is Mark’s first book and is the culmination of years of exploring, writing and drawing on this wonderful island, as he still does today.
Mark currently lives in Tainan, south Taiwan with his bicycle, Jimmy. Mark happily helps any cyclist in need and is a host on warmshowers.org, so be sure to contact him if you happen to be riding through, the door is always open.
You can contact Mark at info@addoilgo.com or on instagram: addoil_go.