Biking on Bricks
Hong Kong’s most difficult MBA to get working has nothing to do with business administration but everything to do with biking. The HK Mountain Bike Association (HKMBA) was established back in 1992, but the organization has been dead quiet in the past few years. Recently, however, it has pulled itself together again with one basic goal – get back on track. Literally.
One of HKMBA’s main aims – other than the usual business of organizing activities and keeping the community alive – is to solicit a professionally designed network of trails for the thousands of mountain bikers in Hong Kong. The association, judging from the country park cycling permits issued and studies from bike shops, estimates that 12,000 bikers are now active in the city. Chairman of the HKMBA Bob Smith says that of all the trails in local country parks, only 1% is open to mountain biking, and of that only 30% are of any use to the majority of bikers. “What’s going on is you have more and more bikers using trails that are never adequately designed in the first place,” says Smith. “So there are not enough trails for bikers, or the trails they are using are not designed for the best possible use for mountain biking.”
The most popular trails in the SAR are in the Tai Lam and Sai Kung country parks and those on Lantau Island. Two of the problems bikers face are conflicts with hikers and that bikers are often riding illegally. Also, inadequately designed paths make it difficult for mountain biking to flourish in our city – for example, some trails are too steep for beginners, or even experts, to ride on. Smith recalls often hearing of people giving up the sport due to such defects. Now the HKMBA is engaging with government departments such as the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department... and others to stake a claim for some land usage. Smith estimates a trail will take two to three months to build, but it is the long and dragging bureaucracy that hinders the development of the sport. After all, we are struggling in a city that cannot even provide a venue of international standard to cater for China’s Olympic gold medalists visiting last month. “We had a cyclist taking part in the Olympic Games this year [Chan Chun Hing in the men’s cross-country], and he couldn’t train in Hong Kong,” Smith says bitterly. “He had to train in China.”
Nevertheless there are still mountain bike events coming up: -
What: GP ReCyko+ AA MTB Enduro – 3 hours
When: September 21
Where: Tai Lam Chung Reservoir
How Much: Individual/Duos – $210 per person
Enquiries: aae@actionasia.com
Racing Water
Although Michael Phelps won’t be here for the FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup – 10th HK Open Water Swimming Competition, there is still lots to look out for. The 2008 Olympic and world champion of women’s 10km marathon swimming, Larisa Ilchenko, and the defending champion of the Hong Kong leg, Italian swimmer Valerio Cleri, will both be competing. This year, the winner will not only be crowned champion but will walk away with a grand prize of US$20,000. Some 40 swimmers are expected take part in this event.
What: GP FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup – 10th HK Open Water Swimming Competition
When: September 28, 9am
Where: Repulse Bay
How Much: Free to watch
Enquiries: 2572 8594
Walk the Earth
 Walk the Earth
Protect our environment and sweat – a lot. In the coming Asia Miles Eco Action Asia Adventure, a day for the family to promote environmental awareness, adventure seekers and fancy dressers will be having fun in educational activities. The day will be divided into the 4km Eco Walk (from Aberdeen Sports Stadium to Repulse Bay) and 12km Adventure Race with trail runs and rock scrambling across Aberdeen Country Park and kayaking in Deepwater Bay. Participants are welcome to create their own fancy environmental costumes to win prizes. The proceeds of the event will go to Action Asia Foundation to help out disadvantaged youth in Hong Kong and across Asia.
What: Asia Miles Eco Action Asia Adventure
When: October 10, 8:45am
Where: Start location at Aberdeen Sports Stadium opposite Ocean Park
How Much: $100 per person or $300 per family for the Eco Family Walk; $800 per team of two for the Eco Adventure
Enquiries: 3158 0251, aae@actionasia.com
Sign up: www.actionasiaevents.com
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