Cycling activities have become quite popular at Cheng Kung University in recent years and are even an essential mode of transportation for students. The inherent conditions have also provided fertile ground for the university’s cycling club to thrive on campus. In the 104th academic year Intercollegiate Cycling Championships, in addition to winning a silver medal in the mountain cross-country race, the team also earned awards in the road time trial and individual road race, making it the only national university club to secure any accolades.
The Cheng Kung University cycling team is part of a student-run club. Team captain Wang Xi stated that in the early days, the Cheng Kung cycling club was more focused on leisure, but as cycling gained popularity in society, it evolved from just being a trendy recreational activity to one that also includes various large and small competitions. Members joining the cycling club now generally possess high-quality bicycles and related gear, and their willingness to form teams to compete and learn from others has significantly increased.
Zhang Xunhe, president of the Cheng Kung University cycling club, said that the team has participated in numerous competitions over the past two to three years, greatly increasing its visibility and attracting attention. The team has also received sponsorship for uniforms from manufacturers, adding a more professional touch.
Zhang Xunhe said that club members have shown great enthusiasm for cycling. Throughout 2015, members participated in 14 various events, including triathlons. Everyone came to realize the importance of group practice, so starting in September last year, they began organizing “morning rides,” conducting regular training rides three to four days a week. This helped build strong teamwork, physical fitness, and speed. Starting this year, the morning rides were changed to weekend sessions, offering more flexible timing while achieving even better results.
Zhang Xunhe pointed out that the biggest concerns during bicycle races are flat tires or mechanical failures. To address this, the team had devised a comprehensive strategy to prevent flats well before the competition, showing that they were fully prepared. Therefore, the team was not surprised to achieve such good results at the 104th academic year Intercollegiate Cycling Championships.
(China Times)