World's largest recreational bicycle race to stop in Yunnan next month
Tuesday, 18th August 2009 ~ Chris ~ Link ~ Comments (0)
After two years in Jilin province's Changbai mountain, the Vätternrundan recreational bicycle race will be held in the small city of Yuxi in Yunnan province next month.
Vätternrundan China will start in downtown Yuxi – 90 kilometers south of Kunming – from where it will head toward Fuxian Lake. The race will circle Fuxian Lake and then return to Yuxi for a total of 175.5 kilometers.
Vätternrundan started in Sweden as a recreational ride around Lake Vättern in 1965 and has since become the largest recreational bicycle race in the world. It is brought to China by sporting event company Nordic Ways.
As it is not a competitive race, there is no official ranking of race finishers according to time. The ride, known in Swedish as a motionslopp "recreational ride", does keep official times of all riders. Results are posted in no particular order afterward.
Until recently, the ride around Fuxian Lake was difficult to complete due to poor road surface on the eastern portion of the loop. The completion of the road combined with next month's Vätternrundan are likely to raise Fuxian Lake's profile as an international sporting event destination ideal for cycling races as well as marathons and triathlons.
For more information on registering for the upcoming Vätternrundan China, check out the race's registration page. For other information about the race, contact Ellinor Axner Yin at ellinor.axner[at]nordicways[dot]com or call (010) 5203 6968 extension 121.
Fuxian Lake image: nordicways.com
Tags: bicycling, cycling, Fuxian Lake, Kunming, Nordic Ways, Vätternrundan, Yunnan, Yuxi