Chen Jianmin, who is “crazy” about cycling, and his teammates shuttle along the roads.
“In the new year, I hope every person in Changsha can own a bicycle and ride for two hours every day — it’s good for both fitness and the environment,” said Chen Jianmin, a cycling enthusiast, revealing his New Year wish to reporters yesterday.
“My greatest hobby is cycling around the world.” In 1990, 18-year-old Chen Jianmin won a local cycling competition in Shaoyang City. Since then, the childhood interest in cycling gradually became the main theme of his life.
At that time, the cycling events of the 8th National Games were held in Shanghai. Upon learning this, Chen Jianmin rode his bike alone to Beijing, found the Cycling Association of the General Administration of Sport of China, and hoped the association would allow him to participate as an amateur cyclist. Touched by his determination, the officials agreed to let him compete in the qualifiers. During the race, Chen Jianmin accidentally fell down a slope and injured his neck. But the determined man from Shaoyang, unwilling to give up, completed the race with the injury and made it to the finals. From then on, those who knew him well started calling him the “cycling maniac.” More than 20 years have passed, and Chen can no longer recall exactly how many kilometers he has ridden. “It must be around 200,000 km — almost the equivalent of circling the Earth five times!” In 2004, after obtaining the first intermediate cycling coach certification in Hunan, Chen began a significant chapter in his life. Authorized by the provincial sports bureau, he started preparing for the first-ever Tour of Hunan cycling race. After traveling around and lobbying relentlessly, Chen ultimately failed to secure any cash sponsorships. But to honor his promise and ideals, he resolutely decided to fund the event with his own money and went ahead with organizing the race.
On August 31 of that year, the first Tour of Hunan cycling race kicked off in full swing. The event covered all 14 prefecture-level cities and regions in Hunan Province, spanning over 3,000 kilometers, with more than 300 participants. The Tour of Hunan was a success, but Chen Jianmin himself ended up with a debt of 120,000 yuan.
What pained him even more was that his family also fell apart due to the debt. “I failed to fulfill my responsibilities as a father and husband,” Chen said guiltily to his wife of five years and their 3-year-old son at the time. “I’ve dragged you down.”
To cycling enthusiasts in Hunan, Chen Jianmin needs no introduction. “Cycling maniac,” “founder of the Tour of Hunan,” and “head coach of the Hunan Cycling Club” are just some of the proud titles he carries. Though just a grassroots figure, he is the most passionate about the sport of cycling.
Debts, family issues, and various pressures from the outside world did not stop Chen Jianmin from pursuing his “crazy” dream. Because of his efforts, Huang Junhua, one of the stage winners from the Tour of Hunan, went on to win the men’s national championship at the National Hundred Cities Cycling Race held in Guiyang under Chen’s guidance. Similarly, Tang Zhiqiang, another cyclist trained through the Tour of Hunan, also claimed the national championship at the same event.
In 2008, Chen Jianmin became one of the torchbearers for the Olympic torch relay in Changsha. To promote cycling, after the torch relay, he rode solo around Hunan with the Olympic torch. Along the way, cyclists from different regions joined his riding team.