Frank Gao, G10, RDF International School

During this summer vacation, I took a challenging mountain biking endeavor: conquering a drop platform attempted by fewer than 200 people nationwide.

While a drop platform may seem insignificant in the realm of mountain biking, the uniqueness of this particular one lies in its dimensions – standing at five meters high and spanning 11 meters in length. To put this into perspective, envision a structure as tall as a three-story building with a landing point situated 11 meters away from its take-off point.

The decision to attempt this feat was not one taken lightly. Witnessing numerous severe accidents in the past, with successful attempts typically fulfilled by professional riders or top amateurs, I hesitated. However, upon discovering riders with skills similar to mine who had succeeded, I found the courage to push forward. If they could do it, why couldn’t I? With five years of experience in mountain biking, I felt confident in my abilities.

Determined, I started a solo journey by high-speed rail, carrying a hefty 30kg bag containing my bicycle, towards the mountain bike park housing the daunting drop. The sight of the precipice filled me with nerves when I got there; the sheer height of the drop gave me doubts about the possibility of riding down it. Standing at the edge for half an hour, I continuously reassured myself that I could do it. Despite the looming fear and the mental replay of past crashes, I finally resolved to make the attempt, reasoning that having come this far, I had to give it my best shot.

After meticulously calibrating my approach speed at the starting point, I released the brakes and descended down the platform. To my immense relief and satisfaction, I completed the drop successfully. As I touched down, a brief moment of disbelief enveloped me. Then I started cheering wildly, thrilled to have achieved the biggest goal in my cycling plan this year.

My passion for cycling motivated me to take this risk. This courage is not limited to the realm of sports but can be transferred to all facets of life, enabling us to tackle obstacles and achieve our aspirations.