Notes From China's Spring City: XC Racing

All photos taken by Mao Jie, AKA 'Magic Mike'.

Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan Province in southwest China. Though a bustling city with a population nearing seven million, Kunming's mountain bike trails (and there are many) are never more than a short pedal away from any point in the city. Sitting at an altitude of over 6,000 feet, Kunming, like the rest of Yunnan, is surrounded by mountains: these foothills of the Himalayas are beautifully green and roll through the landscape like waves. Known as the Spring City for its temperament year-round climate, Kunming is an ideal location for cycling of all kinds. In recent years, the mountain bike scene has exploded; ride anywhere in this city, and you are sure to see a number of mountain bikers headed toward the trails.

On January 20th, more than a hundred mountain bike enthusiasts, both from inside and outside the province, participated in an XC race held at the Black Dragon Pool Park in the north of the city. Co-sponsored by Specialized, IWE Sport, and many others, the race featured amateurs and some of the top provincial and national professional racers in China.