Lao Hu and his recumbent bike, with the tall young man beside him being Xiao Hu from Nanjing.
You may often see people cycling while seated, and occasionally spot someone cycling standing up, but have you ever seen anyone cycling while lying down? A user on the Xici forum, Hu Yang, posted yesterday about witnessing an amusing scene near Nanjing Bridge the day before—where a trendy uncle was seen cycling while lying down. The rider was comfortably lying on a uniquely shaped yellow “bicycle,” pedaling footrests positioned at waist height as he glided along effortlessly. Upon investigation, reporters learned that this 48-year-old rider, Master Hu Zhiyong, had actually lain on the bike and cycled all the way from Guangzhou to Nanjing.
Tried for half a year, successfully DIY’d a recumbent bike
On the 5th, reporters finally spotted this “magical” bicycle at the entrance of the Ming Palace. Unlike ordinary bikes, this one has an unusually long chain and much higher-positioned pedals. Its seat is designed in the shape of a lounge chair, topped with a small pillow.
The bike’s owner is named Hu Zhiyong, nicknamed Lao Hu, a 48-year-old native of Guangdong. Speaking in a thick Cantonese-accented Mandarin, he told reporters that he previously worked in mechanical manufacturing at a factory in northern Guangdong but lost his job after the plant closed a few years ago. In early 2010, while he had always been fond of cycling, he accidentally came across a picture of something called a “recumbent bike” on a cycling forum, and became instantly fascinated by this cool and trendy sport. According to him, this type of cycling originated in Europe and has over a hundred years of history. Compared to conventional bikes, this riding style is gentler on the body. Out of his love for bicycles and mechanics, and because this method offers more comfort and supports consistent fitness efforts, Lao Hu decided to build one himself after carefully studying the concept.
True to his word, Lao Hu spent 2,500 yuan to buy two regular bikes and began the DIY process. With a background in mechanical engineering, he had no trouble with tasks like drafting designs, fabricating parts, and welding. Three months later, he finally cobbled together a “recumbent bike,” but upon testing, found that the chain length and the height of the seat and pedals weren’t quite right. So he went through three more rounds of modifications, spending another three months, before completing the final version of the “recumbent bike.”
To ensure safe road use, Lao Hu also conducted multiple tests on the mountainous roads of his native northern Guangdong, trial-riding the bike for a full year before venturing out further. Currently, the recumbent bike can reach speeds of 70 km/h downhill, and due to the reclined position, experiences less wind resistance, making it fast on flat terrain too—though uphill performance is poor and demands strong back and core strength.
Riding northward to promote his self-made recumbent bike
After finishing the recumbent bike, Lao Hu grew increasingly convinced of its market value—not only does it strengthen the body and back muscles, but it also aids weight loss without sports injuries, especially beneficial for men. Coupled with being out of work and having nothing to do at home, Lao Hu decided to cycle north. This would allow him to promote his recumbent bike and possibly find a job, while also keeping fit and sightseeing along the way. His wife fully supported the idea and helped pack his tent, toiletries, clothes, and repair tools. Carrying her advice and care, he set off on the road.
Since setting off, Lao Hu has been cycling for over 20 days, passing through Guangdong, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu, covering an average of 120 kilometers per day. Each day, he plans his route based on his physical condition and weather. Every time he enters a new city, his bike attracts local attention. In his own words, “The rate of people turning their heads is 100%.” Many ask him what the bike is called, where it was bought, and how it’s made. At these times, Lao Hu proudly promotes his “recumbent bike.” But sometimes it causes misunderstandings too. “Many people ask me if it’s a disabled bike,” to which Lao Hu can only laugh awkwardly. On solitary journeys, Lao Hu listens to the radio on his portable device. When traveling through desolate areas, he pitches a tent to camp. In bad weather, he also worries about the bike’s chain coming off—but thankfully, it's held up well and hasn't broken yet.
In Jiangsu, meeting passionate cyclists
Considering Jiangsu’s developed economy, where manufacturers might be interested in his recumbent bike, Lao Hu marked the province as a key stop on his journey. After entering Jiangsu, what struck Lao Hu most was the warmth of the locals.
“When I was in Jiangyin, some cycling enthusiasts showed me around and treated me warmly. After arriving in Nanjing, I met Xiao Hu, a local young man who was very interested in my bike and my story. He invited me out, acted as my guide, and even took me to the Qinhuai River today,” Lao Hu said cheerfully.
At the entrance of the Ming Palace, reporters also met Xiao Hu—Hu Yang—who is in his 90s, just graduated from high school, and a cycling enthusiast. He was also the poster on Xici Hu. “I thought this type of bike was very rare and intriguing. Plus, I felt that Lao Hu’s experience of cycling all the way north could provide insights for my own coastal cycling trip planned for mid-July.” Due to the recent heat, despite wearing sunglasses, a sun hat, and long sleeves and pants, Lao Hu still got blisters from the sun and had to give up his original plan to go to Anhui, Henan, and Shandong. He had intended to buy a train ticket back to Nanjing, but couldn’t get one either. “Looks like I’ll have to ride back lying down!”
Seeing Lao Hu comfortably cycling on his own recumbent bike, the reporters couldn’t help but get curious and asked to give it a try. Lao Hu immediately advised against it: “This bike isn’t something just anyone can ride well—you need practice to handle it.” Then he patiently explained to the reporters: since the foot position on this kind of bike is higher than on a normal bicycle, the center of gravity is also higher, making it somewhat tricky to control. You really need a good sense of balance—and he trained for a whole year to master it.
Do you know about recumbent bikes?
A recumbent bike is a type of bicycle—just as the name suggests, it’s ridden while lying down. The most common recumbent bikes have either two or three wheels (two front, one rear), feature a much longer frame and drivetrain than regular bikes, and allow the rider to lie back on a saddle while steering with upright, airplane-like handlebars. Recumbent bikes aren’t a new invention—in fact, as early as 100 years ago, the Frenchman Charles Mochet built the first recumbent bicycle.
Compared to standard bicycles, the riding posture on a recumbent bike is undoubtedly quite unusual, but it offers excellent aerodynamic performance. The lower profile reduces wind resistance, saving riders a significant amount of energy. Additionally, with the back and legs well-supported by the saddle, muscle efficiency is improved. Traditional bicycles, on the other hand, waste a fair amount of energy just lifting the body upward.
Of course, you still need some time to adapt to riding one—for example, the turning speed is slower (more prone to tipping but also solving the issue of side-slipping common in regular bikes), and more leg power is needed when going uphill (though braking performance is significantly better when descending).
Despite how odd it looks, the recumbent bike holds speed records among human-powered vehicles and performs distinctly differently from traditional bikes. It’s also a favorite among long-distance cycling enthusiasts. Riders often praise its comfort, noting it avoids common issues like back pain, neck pain, wrist pain, and blisters in friction areas associated with regular bikes. Because the bike sits low, many recumbent models come equipped with a flagpole to increase visibility. Even without one, they usually draw plenty of attention.