Rain? No Problem — This Cycling Event Took a Wild Turn!

On the afternoon of April 10, the third edition of the "Heart Sets the Direction, Action Leads to Distance" Ring-City Greenway Cycling Event took place as scheduled. Unlike previous editions, however, a spring rain began to fall two hours before the start. Despite the sudden weather change, not a single registered participant was absent — everyone arrived at the Qinglong Lake Park meeting point on time.

At 2:00 PM, at the main gate of Qinglong Lake Park, the staff were already in position, organizing check-ins, distributing bicycles, and handing out sports drinks in an orderly manner. The rain showed no sign of letting up, but the scene remained well-organized. Colleagues from the office, the factory, and those returning from project sites on leave arrived one after another, helping each other put on rain gear and check their bicycles. The lead rider gave a detailed explanation of the cycling rules and route conditions, repeatedly emphasizing safety precautions. Soon after, five teams were ready to roll.

The ride was divided into five groups:

• Mountain bike groups (three groups): Equipped with professional gear and high spirits, they cut dashing figures along the greenway.

• Bike-share groups (two groups): Lighthearted and agile, they embodied the team spirit of "ready to go at any moment."

The convoy set off from Qinglong Lake Park, heading clockwise along the greenway, passing through Huatian Wetland, Bailuwan Wetland, and Zhonghe Wetland, before finally arriving at Jincheng Lake Park. The total distance was 20 kilometers, with flat terrain and moderate undulations. The rain added a unique charm to the greenway: the misty wetlands appeared more serene, the vegetation along the route looked even lusher after being washed by the rain, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Because of the rain, the original judging criteria based on speed were adjusted on the spot, placing greater emphasis on teamwork and team spirit.

• Mountain bike groups: Instead of racing for the fastest time, the winning teams were those with the coolest group photo stops and the most整齐 formation along the way — both received prizes.

• Bike-share groups: The winning criterion was for all members to safely reach the finish line. In the end, the bike-share group that successfully completed the entire journey earned the honor.

This rule adjustment transformed the ride from a "speed race" into a "co-creation" experience, prompting everyone to pay more attention to mutual support and encouragement in the rain.

At 5:00 PM, the teams safely arrived at the Jincheng Lake Park finish line. Though their clothes were slightly damp, smiles of exhilaration and satisfaction shone on every face after overcoming the challenge. During a short rest break, the winning teams received their awards one by one, with applause and cheers ringing especially loud in the clearing air after the rain