The first Kunming Cycling Carnival of 2012 kicked off on July 7
With the starting whistle yet to blow, everything was set
To foster a low-carbon, eco-friendly cycling culture and allow cycling enthusiasts to better understand modern biking concepts and experience the charm of bicycle brands, the “2012 Kunming First Cycling Carnival,” co-organized by the Kunming Municipal Sports Bureau, the Kunming Ronghui Cycling Club, and the Kunming Fat Tire Mountain Bike Club, commenced on July 7 by the picturesque Dianchi Lake. The competition featured six categories: Men’s Elite Road Race, Men’s Open Road Race, Men’s Youth Mountain Bike, Men’s Adult Mountain Bike, Women’s Mountain Bike, and Small Wheel Category. A total of 600 cycling enthusiasts from five provinces and municipalities—Guangdong, Guizhou, Shenzhen, Sichuan, and Yunnan—competed over the course of two days.
“After the carnival’s registration notice was issued on June 16, it attracted participants from all over the country. Within just a few days, hundreds had signed up. Even today at the event site, there were citizens who came rushing over with full gear hoping to register,” said the person in charge of the Kunming Ronghui Cycling Club. “Over 600 cycling enthusiasts took part in this carnival. The oldest participant was 50 years old, and the youngest was 7. Compared to the high-profile ‘Lake Loop Race,’ Yunnan’s first cycling carnival still has significant gaps in terms of market operation, competitiveness, scale, audience size, and social impact. However, we believe that as the event matures and through standardized market operations, the ‘Cycling Carnival’ will become increasingly valuable.”
It is reported that the race started at East Huandao Road and finished at the east gate of Kunming Haigeng Park, passing through East Huandao Road – Hubin Road – Xingtai Road – Hongta East Road, with a single lap of 8.6 kilometers. The race utilized unified electronic timing devices, with each athlete carrying an electronic chip that started timing simultaneously with the race. Participants were required to follow the designated route and ride safely; those who did not complete the course as regulated or exceeded the time limit would not be scored. The event also invited several bicycle manufacturers from other provinces and Taiwan to exhibit their products. Cycling fans could participate in a variety of activities during the race, including photo contests, lectures on world-renowned bicycle brands, and test rides.