On the evening of last Friday, the Tianfu Morning Post Cycling Circle gathered 20 cyclists at an inn in Chengdu to watch a bicycle-themed film.
In 2006, he decided to open an inn to make things easier for riders.
In the past, he used to host about 100 people a year
Now, he hosts about 50,000 people a year
On the evening of last Friday, the cycling circle gathered 20 cyclists at an inn in Chengdu to watch a bicycle-themed film. This inn, located opposite the Yongling Museum, has dozens of mountain bikes in its yard, as well as a pool table, punching bags, and bookshelves stacked with titles like "I'm Off Then" and "The Bicycle Diaries." The walls are covered with graffiti left by cyclists such as "No rides, I'll push to Lhasa if I have to." Without much introduction, one can already feel the strong cycling vibe here. The owner of this inn, Yang Xiaohui, who calls himself "Dengba," started running inns in 2006 and now owns 19 of them. Having hosted countless generations of cyclists, behind his thriving business lies the transformation of cycling from a niche activity to a widespread craze—a rich collection of cycling stories.
In 2006, he decided to open an inn
Dengba is only 35 years old this year. In 2006, Dengba, who was living in Kangding, received a suggestion from a friend: "You should set up an inn so that people coming to Kangding can find it convenient." Thus, with the help of many friends, Dengba Inn was established and became a home base for trekkers in Kangding. "Dengba means 'the people.' The inn is here to help everyone achieve their dreams," he explained.
Although in 2006, cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Highway wasn’t as popular as it is today, Kangding, as a necessary stop on the route, still allowed Dengba to meet some cyclists. "Among them were students, white-collar workers, teachers, and even civil servants. They all shared a common feeling—that their lives were monotonous and nothing felt truly theirs. So, they tried to change their life paths through cycling."
To attract more cyclists, Dengba introduced cheap beds for as low as 20 yuan per night and also set aside plenty of space to store bicycles. He was also among the first to offer free internet, laundry, bike washing, as well as basic outdoor and cycling gear supplies.
However, due to limited publicity and the overall cycling atmosphere at the time, Dengba’s inn only hosted fewer than 100 cyclists a year.
After the 2008 earthquake, he opened branches and even faced a shortage of beds
After a year of careful management and word-of-mouth promotion, by 2007, the number of cyclists visiting the inn had grown steadily, and the small shop had become somewhat cramped. Dengba began to expand his business. By the end of 2008, the second Dengba Inn in Kangding was completed. "The Wenchuan earthquake that year had a significant impact on cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, and it was our most difficult time. But I believed the Sichuan-Tibet route would surely become popular again."
Sure enough, after emerging from the shadow of the earthquake, the number of cyclists on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway in 2009 far exceeded that of 2007, and the two stores in Kangding were fully booked. After that, Dengba’s expansion picked up rapidly like dumplings being dropped into boiling water—one after another. In 2010, Dengba Inn appeared in Newtongzhai, known as the paradise of photographers. In 2011, stores in Luding and Lhasa opened in succession.
Although the inns had developed quite well, Dengba didn’t stop moving forward, which is why he’s often traveling between various places. As a result, cyclists often joke, "Uncle Dengba is elusive—you can run into him anywhere."
In 2012, staying at the inn and making friends made the cycling culture stronger
"Six years ago, for most people, cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Highway was an unthinkable thing. But three years ago, more and more people started cycling. And now, some parents even bring their kids to cycle on the Sichuan-Tibet route." Nowadays, cyclists make up 70% of the guests at Dengba Inns.
According to Dengba’s rough estimate, during the peak cycling season from April to September this year, the five stores in Chengdu, Kangding, Luding, Newtongzhai, and Lhasa hosted over 50,000 cyclist guests. "Many cyclists stay at one or two stores and then continue staying at others."
An important reason for the large number of cyclists is the cycling culture atmosphere of the inns. Wu Xuechao, a university student from Chengdu who cycled the Sichuan-Tibet Highway this year, stayed at two of the inns. He said, "Besides being economical and convenient, the most important thing is that cyclists from all over gather here, allowing you to meet many like-minded friends."
The charm of the inns has even attracted some cyclists to stay on. Xiao Hu, the young manager of the Chengdu store, joined Dengba Inns while cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. "He told me this is a place where dreams can take root and grow, and he taught me how to find balance between ideals and reality," Xiao Hu said.
Accommodation choices for bike travelers
Accommodation comes before travel—without comfortable rest, it’s hard to ensure an enjoyable journey. Dengba introduces, from several perspectives, how travelers should choose their accommodations on the road.
Economical
Although spending levels vary from person to person, many cyclists are students. A bed price between 30 to 50 yuan is considered reasonable.
Convenient internet access
When traveling, it's always necessary to stay in touch with family and friends or upload photos.
Laundry and bike washing
On long cycling trips, bikes inevitably get muddy or dirty every day, affecting performance and increasing danger. It’s best if the inn can provide free bike washing services.
Hot water supply
A comfortable hot shower can help relieve the fatigue of a day's cycling.
Local culture
It’s best if the inn is run by locals or staffed by local people, as this gives you the opportunity to interact with them and learn more about the culture along the way.