Black Panther, a post-70s individual, is one of the forum moderators of Qingyuan Cycling Network and has been cycling for about nine years. He owns a mountain bike and a road bike, and his appearance lives up to his online nickname—he’s dark-skinned and muscular.
By day, he’s just an ordinary civil servant commuting between the city and the suburbs, dressed conservatively and leading a typical “nine-to-five” life like everyone else. But come evening, he swaps into his favorite cycling gear, hops on his lightweight wheels, and weaves through the city and countryside, reveling in the natural landscapes.
Black Panther, a post-70s individual, is one of the forum moderators of Qingyuan Cycling Network and has been cycling for about nine years. He owns a mountain bike and a road bike, and his appearance lives up to his online nickname—he’s dark-skinned and muscular. Time seems to have left few traces on his face, and if he didn’t mention his real age, he could easily be mistaken for an earnest, sincere, and simple young man.
He enjoys outdoor activities, cycling trips, and photography—not wanting to live a stressful life, he focuses only on what he loves most and pursues it enthusiastically. He says he simply loves the feeling of being on the road. But it’s this passion that has inspired countless fellow cyclists and sparked a cycling craze in Qingyuan. Every Car-Free Day, he and his cycling friends take to the roads to promote low-carbon living, and the Qingyuan Cycling Network he founded has given cyclists a home in the city.
Knee injury leads to unexpected love for cycling
Black Panther’s connection to cycling began with surgery. Even as a student, he loved playing basketball, a hobby he maintained after starting work—until one fateful day when a collision with another player during a game left his knee injured, effectively ending his days of contact sports. After a year of recovery, Black Panther decided he couldn’t let his body remain inactive, so he dusted off his wife’s unused bicycle tucked away in a corner and started using it to commute, combining transportation with exercise.
That simple act of cycling sparked an unexpected passion in Black Panther, one that quickly became an obsession. He searched online for information about cycling and soon realized that his 200-yuan bike couldn’t satisfy his craving for speed. So he made a trip to Guangzhou and bought two mountain bikes at once, along with a full set of gear: helmet, cycling clothes, gloves, and shoes. Sometimes his wife would join him for rides around the city. In 2003 Qingyuan, cycling was still a novelty to most locals, and passersby would often stare as the couple pedaled by. Black Panther recalls that they looked like “two weirdos” to onlookers.
Even at work, his colleagues didn’t understand his newfound passion. His wife, busy with childcare, also stopped joining him for rides. Yet Black Panther persisted, and over time, he inspired a group of people to fall in love with cycling.
By 2009, as the city developed and more “new migrants” moved to Qingyuan for work, the concept of cycling had gradually gained acceptance. Unknowingly, Black Panther noticed he was no longer alone on the road—his fellow cyclists were growing in number. Why not bring everyone together to share the joy of cycling? The idea of founding a forum website began to take shape.
A lone rider founds a hub for cycling friends
After the launch of the Qingyuan Cycling Network forum, cyclists from the Pearl River Delta region searching for keywords like “Qingyuan cycling” or “Qingyuan bicycle sports” on Baidu no longer faced empty results. Local riders also found like-minded companions here.
Thus, Black Panther transformed from a lone rider on the road into the founder of a cycling community. But this “leader” rarely gave orders—instead, he handled backstage tasks like logistics, finances, and odd jobs: discussing event ideas, organizing photos and experiences, and offering advice to newcomers. Black Panther didn’t dwell on these details; what mattered to him was the friendships he had formed. The group often gathered, recommended great spots, and developed a natural rapport, especially among regular riding buddies. “If there’s someone new to the group, I’ll step up as the leader and help out. I’ve picked up some bike repair skills too, so I can handle minor issues.”
Thanks to the Qingyuan Cycling Network forum, even this third-tier city made its voice heard on international occasions like World Car-Free Day. On that day, cyclists paraded through the city in a grand procession, carrying homemade banners promoting low-carbon living, leaving a deep impression on residents. In recent years, the cycling network has not only attracted more citizens—both young and old—to join the movement but has also caught the attention of Qingyuan’s municipal government. During events like Greenway construction and National Fitness Day, officials actively sought input from cyclists on greenway planning.
Through the efforts of cycling enthusiasts, the Qingyuan Bicycle Association was established last August 8.
Cycling brings him a circle of friends
Among his cycling friends, Black Panther holds Daozi in the highest regard. Daozi, battling a terminal illness, feared his remaining time was too short to fulfill his dream of traveling across China. So he decided to drop everything and embark on a cross-country cycling journey. Enduring wind and sun without rest, he rode northward, then westward, all the way to Tibet. Like everyone who visits Lhasa, Daozi discovered the true meaning of life. Upon returning from Tibet, his health miraculously improved, astonishing both doctors and family. Only Daozi knew that, aside from unwavering support from loved ones, years of cycling had also played a part—his unyielding will to live, like vines climbing upward, had “scared the illness away.”
Black Panther says Daozi’s story strengthened his own resolve to keep cycling. In 2010, he took a solo cycling trip around Hainan Island during a public holiday. Along the way, the scorching heat gave him painful blisters on his buttocks. Stopping to rest would have delayed his journey, so he pushed through the pain and completed the ride. Looking back, he jokes that his injured backside was “horrifying, flesh torn and bloody.”
While staying fit and challenging himself are part of cycling’s rewards, Black Panther believes its true value lies elsewhere: “Cycling has given me a group of like-minded friends.” Now, the cycling community has set up an association at a local bike shop. Since the group operates on a voluntary basis, members organize events and maintain bikes out of goodwill. Often, Black Panther will ride over after dinner for night rides or gather with others on small stools outside the shop, sipping tea and chatting. Curious passersby are often drawn in. Members usually go by their online nicknames, and the atmosphere feels more like a big family.
The experts arrive
A free-spirited vibe
That all cyclists share
After every fresh cycling adventure, Black Panther sits at his computer and types out his thoughts and reflections word by word. He savors the process of reminiscing, feeling as though he’s leaving vivid, conscious marks on his life’s journey. Sometimes, reviewing his first post to his latest ones, he’s amazed at how much he’s accomplished. “At first, cycling was about sightseeing, but later, it became about exploring landscapes or human stories—riding slowly, stopping to take photos, smelling flowers, chatting with locals. You don’t need long routes, just beautiful scenery. Of course, on those stunning asphalt roads, you might just let loose, pedal hard, and enjoy the wind rushing past your ears, the sweat pouring—it’s exhilarating...” When talking about life on the road, Black Panther’s expression softens with pure joy.
In fact, browsing forums shows that cycling tourism is gradually flourishing and maturing across China. There are many cycling enthusiasts nationwide, both well-known and unsung, riding solo or in small groups across the country’s diverse roads. Black Panther says cyclists everywhere share a similar mindset. Many are driven by a desire to explore their country, the world, and the unique sights along the way. “It’s often a spontaneous passion, free from ulterior motives—a kind of wanderer’s spirit, a romantic’s outlook.”