Nowadays, “playing” with bicycles is all the rage — but be aware that passion comes with risks.
In Haikou, an activity known as “extreme cycling” has gained immense popularity among travelers, with more and more enthusiasts joining in the thrill-seeking sport. However, what seems like a fashionable pastime can sometimes take an unexpected turn, becoming a dangerous “weapon” that threatens riders themselves.
Highest price: 200,000 yuan
“I recently saw someone pushing a bicycle into a pawnshop, saying they wanted to pawn it. My friend at the shop told me the bike was worth tens of thousands of yuan.” Mr. Qin, a local resident, was astonished by such a price tag. “It was the first time I’d seen a bicycle worth so much.”
According to information from several bicycle clubs in Haikou, the price of a typical fixed-gear bike generally ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 yuan, while the so-called “extreme bicycle” can cost up to 200,000 yuan. The expensive bicycle Mr. Qin saw was exactly this kind of “extreme bicycle.”
Zhao, an experienced member of a local bicycle club, said that assembling a regular “extreme bicycle” costs around 2,000 yuan, but if you opt for the most expensive parts, the total can easily exceed 100,000 yuan.
Riding a bicycle to travel
Zhang Xu, 53, originally from Xinjiang, later moved to Haikou to run businesses in gemstones and collect rare stones. His ventures in Haikou have been quite successful. After over a decade in the business world, he earned 5 to 6 million yuan and lived a comfortable life.
“I’ve loved sports and reading since childhood. The beautiful landscapes described in books deeply fascinated me, sparking my dream of seeing China’s famous mountains and rivers from a young age. At first, I traveled around the country by plane, but later, that wasn’t enough for me, so I started driving to explore major cities across the nation,” Zhang Xu said.
A chance encounter changed the way Zhang Xu explored China. In June 2008, while traveling in Tibet, he met a female university student from Beijing who had taken a leave of absence to cycle to Lhasa. He was deeply moved, feeling that as a man, he was less courageous than this seemingly fragile woman. That’s when he decided to cycle around the world.
After returning to Haikou, Zhang Xu closed his once-thriving gemstone store and joined the “extreme cycling” community.
Zhang Xu said that after buying an “extreme bicycle,” and without any professional guidance, he attempted to cycle around Hainan Island. It took him nine days, and by the end, his legs were so swollen he couldn’t even pull his pants on. Later, under the guidance of professional trainers from the cycling association, he participated in amateur races organized nationally, achieving his best result — 8th place in a stage race.
Riding Beyond Borders to Challenge Limits
Zhang Xu told reporters that his journeys inspired his dreams to grow wings, leading him to decide to “ride” beyond China’s borders to challenge his limits.
From June to September 2011, Zhang Xu set out of the country for the first time, departing from Dali, Yunnan, with his 27-year-old son. Their route took them through Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, and then to Nepal — covering a total distance of over 6,000 kilometers. Zhang Xu said he was luckier than many fellow travelers during this trip; although many had visited the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan numerous times, none had ever witnessed the golden sunrise over the snow-capped peaks. He was fortunate enough to see this breathtaking view, which filled him with immense joy — it was simply spectacular.
In early March 2012, Zhang Xu set off from Youyi Pass in Guangxi Province, embarking on a solo “bicycle adventurer” journey through four Southeast Asian countries (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia). His entire budget for the trip was $10,000. Due to the language barrier, he was once detained in Vietnam for 18 days because his visa had expired. Even so, he remained undeterred and eventually completed the challenge in 80 days, covering over 5,000 kilometers.
Zhang Xu said that his next plan is to sell a rare piece of rock he has collected and spend two to three years cycling from east to west, traveling through every country along the way.
Compared to cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, there aren’t many “extreme cycling” enthusiasts in Haikou yet, but the number has grown significantly compared to a few years ago.
Mr. Liang, an “extreme cycling” enthusiast, said that currently, there isn’t a large community of extreme cyclists in the city, but there are many small groups — “seven or eight people with four or five bikes.”
Extreme cycling is typically a young person’s game. How long can someone like Zhang Xu, who almost treats it as a profession, keep it up? Zhang Xu said that no matter what he does in the future, he’ll never forget this experience. Extreme sports have become an indispensable part of his life and a lifelong dream he continues to chase.
Outdoor Exploration: Know Your Limits
In recent years, sports that combine outdoor adventure, travel, and fitness — such as wingsuit flying, car rallies, skateboarding, skiing, mountaineering, parkour, and bike climbing — have gradually become fashionable pursuits among Chinese people. However, the high risks associated with these extreme outdoor activities, coupled with a lack of professional knowledge among participants, have also led to an increasing number of injuries and fatalities.
In European and American countries, extreme explorers are required to undergo a series of professional trainings — including geographical knowledge and self-rescue skills in dangerous environments — before embarking on expeditions. In contrast, some amateur “enthusiasts” in China often act impulsively, driven by a desire to conquer nature, without any professional training.
“In some economically developed countries, professional organizations provide repeated safety guidance to enthusiasts, and there are well-established rescue agencies staffed with professionals from various fields who can quickly respond to accidents. Their emergency response mechanisms are worth learning from,” said Mr. Chen, head of a bicycle club. He believes China urgently needs to strengthen the guidance and regulation of the extreme outdoor sports industry and establish industry safety standards as soon as possible.
Mr. Chen also warned that “extreme cycling” combines elements of sport, fashion, health, leisure, and entertainment, making it very popular among young people. However, some of its high-difficulty maneuvers are dangerous, and those without professional training should not attempt to imitate them. If you’re interested in learning, make sure to use a professional bicycle and seek guidance from a qualified instructor.
Additionally, when participating in “extreme cycling,” it’s essential to carry items such as tents, sleeping bags, moisture-proof mats, maps, phones, bike repair tools, laptops, as well as sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and medications to prevent illness.
Moreover, when engaging in outdoor sports, one should understand their own limits. “When joining an extreme sports group, it’s important to sign necessary contracts with the organizers, especially when paying to participate in extreme outdoor activities — the rights and obligations of both parties must be clearly defined.”