Laoshan Mountain Bike Course

　　The Chinese Cycling Association is located at the foot of Laoshan Mountain. Before becoming the Olympic Laoshan Mountain Bike Course, Laoshan had already been the training base for the national cycling team. To meet the functional requirements of the Olympic mountain bike competition, the Laoshan Mountain Bike project included the construction of two new competition service buildings, the renovation of a 4.6-kilometer course, and the arrangement of the start and finish areas. Both the competition service buildings and the start and finish areas are situated at the foot of Laoshan Mountain, having no impact on the mountain’s vegetation. As for the 4.6-kilometer mountain bike course, except for a 165-meter section of asphalt at the start, the rest of the route is based on existing mountain trails, which were widened and renovated as needed.

　　To enhance the spectator appeal and intensity of the race, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) technically proposed shortening the course length and appropriately increasing the difficulty for these Olympic Games. In response to this requirement, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games shortened the initial 6.8-kilometer course in Laoshan to 4.6 kilometers. The originally planned flat sections were almost entirely removed, leaving mostly steep slopes and sharp turns.

　　The renovation and expansion of the Laoshan Mountain Bike Course was carried out under the principle of maintaining the mountain’s terrain and vegetation as much as possible, reflecting the spirit of the "People's Olympics" and "Green Olympics" where mountain biking is close to nature. The Shijingshan District Gardening Bureau made great efforts in landscaping the entire course environment, selecting trees and flowers suitable for mountainous areas to transform the landscape. These plants are drought-resistant, cold-resistant, and can thrive in poor soil, yet they bloom beautifully, adding even more charm to the mountain. The construction of the course largely followed the original mountain terrain and natural contours. Even the slope reinforcement work mostly avoided using cement and steel, relying instead on soil-filled woven grass bags for slope stabilization.

　　After the Olympics, the 4.6-kilometer Laoshan Mountain Bike Course will be fully open to the public, serving as an excellent recreational and fitness spot for residents.