Saddle up for mountain biking
By Xu Xiaomin (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-06 09:55
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Three hours, 18 km, 633 calories, a climbing height of 400 meters. These are the statistics from my first experience of cycling in a mountainous area.
Before I went to Mogan Mountains with Prodigy Outdoor Club during a weekend at the end of March, I thought cycling was a piece of cake. But I was wrong. Cycling in mountainous areas is interesting and challenging.
Xiwulu, in Deqing county, Zhejiang province, has a perfect route for beginners, with comparatively smooth paths and nice views; with bamboo groves, lakes and fields of rape seed for the more advanced classes.
Before the tour, A Yuan, our team leader, taught us some basic know-how and told a couple of stories about how some member or another had broken their wrist or legs because they didn't pay sufficient attention to safety.
The first two kilometers was on a flat path through the countryside, which was fairly easy, but when we rode into the hills, the bike became heavy and the going became tough.
Stones of various sizes, slots and mud made my bike bump around like a crazy rabbit. After 10 minutes I was finding it hard to catch my breath, but the coach encouraged me.
The downhill path was even harder, and sometimes, a little dangerous, and I recalled A Yuan's advice to tie the helmet tight as protecting the head is vital.
Facing a stream or a wide gap, we got off our bikes and carried them across.
When I returned to the club base, a boutique-style farmer's house with a lovely courtyard and balcony, I lay down on the rooftop and couldn't move. My legs and buttocks ached so much.
I felt like I would never want to try the sport again, but the next day I tried and made some progress, which encouraged me.
As A Yuan said: "Everyone can be a prodigy, if only you have the courage."