A wheel-y fun day out in Beijing
Whimsical race attracts hundreds of cyclists
Miao Yuhang, a junior student at Nanjing Sports Institute, took home the men's title. Despite a slow start mounting his bike, Miao quickly found his rhythm, staying with the lead pack throughout the race. In the final lap, as the riders navigated obstacles, he broke away and crossed the finish line first.
At 24, Miao is no stranger to victory. A former professional cyclist, he won the men's Madison event at the 2021 National Games. He has since retired from competitive cycling to focus on his studies, but made a special trip to Beijing to race over the weekend.
"The race was such a new experience," he said. "I had heard about it being held abroad, and the setup here was fantastic. Everyone was cheering as I crossed the line, and it felt amazing."
Miao noted the difference in attitude between this event and more traditional cycling races, which can often feel tense. Here, the atmosphere was relaxed and full of fun.
Dressed in a black shirt, Miao had planned to wear a colorful tie, but in a rush to leave for the race, he forgot it. Seeing how creatively the other riders were dressed, he said he plans to return next year, this time fully embracing the event's playful spirit by decorating both himself and his bike.