Cecilia Tan

    cicitan2011@gmail.com

    ONCE when I was cycling on the green lane of Shenzhen Bay Park on a mild autumn morning, the quote from Albert Einstein, “Life is like riding a bicycle, in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving,” echoed in my mind. Indeed, there is no better way to maintain your balance than pushing the pedals when sitting on a bicycle. The wise way to deal with life’s ups and downs is to do what cyclists do — stay positive and keep moving forward.

    Modern life is full of distractions, as Alvin Toffler, author of the 1970 book “Future Shock,” illustrated when he popularized the phrase “information overload.” We rarely get to experience the pure joy our forefathers enjoyed after the earliest bicycles were molded and started to pervade among trendsetters around a century ago. Are you tired of choking on Shenzhen’s air and walking in the shadows of skyscrapers? Do you ever feel jealous of the cyclists you see when you commute, calmly sliding between traffic? If so, take a ride to the south of the city to rent a bike at Shenzhen Bay Park, and let the early winter breeze blow your troubles away.

    Boasting a coastline of around 11 kilometers, the park offers countless stunning views. At the end of its north coast, mangroves and egrets occupy a large portion of the wetland; at the center of the park, bikers watch roller-skaters race among the bushes and green patches; along the south beach, various small parks, small islands, and the grand Shenzhen Bay Sports Center are highlights of the landscape. The sidewalks and bike lanes are well-arranged in the area.

    Just bring your ID card or passport and a few hundred yuan as a deposit, and rent whichever type of bike you need. As the rental shop is located at the center of the park, you can begin your adventure heading in any direction.

    All you need for cycling is enthusiasm and perseverance. It is highly recommended that you bring a helmet and knee caps. A bottle of water and some calorie bars should be enough to keep you going. If you think it’s necessary, go with a coach.

    If you like beaches, you can cycle on the wide lane from which you can hear the waves. There are fewer feelings comparable to reaching a high speed, lifting your feet from the pedals, and then gliding as the ocean breeze washes over you. There is one spot on the coastline from which you can see three districts of Shenzhen, Bao’an, Nanshan, and Luohu. You will also see the huge bridge at Shenzhen Bay linking the city with Hong Kong.

    For people who are looking for a more rigorous physical challenge, there are also mountain biking opportunities. There are plenty of quiet spots with wild flowers and well-trimmed grass that form evocative scenery. A variety of tropical plants grow on the back of the hills. As long as you keep cycling on the path, you do not need to worry about potholes or other obstacles. Make sure your brakes are fully functional and your speed is under control because there are some steep slopes.

    Although it’s great to work out a sweat (riding a bicycle burns more than 200 calories an hour on average), there are also many places along the way where you can have a good rest. You can bring a picnic basket and sit on one of the marble benches which face the sea, or you can simply lean against your bike on the stretched platform of the sidewalks.

    If possible, make the trip during a weekday when the path is less crowded. Meilin Greenway is also a popular destination for cyclists.

    Enjoy cycling and keep moving.