2005 Great Wall Bicycle Festival set for September

China very well could be the cycling capital of the world and they want you to come and see why for yourselves.

According to Nordic Ways, promoter of the 2005 Great Wall Bicycle Festival (held September 25-26 in and around China’s 2008 Olympic bicycle venues in Beijing’s Laoshan suburb) over 300 million Chinese ride their bikes on a daily basis and cycling is transforming from a mere means of transportation into the lifestyle and fashion statement it is in the West. Even now, in the early stage of development, China has over 200 official bicycle clubs and associations, with millions of active members.

The Festival hopes that these facts, and the opportunity to take in Beijing in an unusual way, are enough of a draw to bring international athletes and hobby-cyclists to China.

The 2004 event featured Olympic Cross-Country Gold Medalist Gunn Rita-Dahle (Multivan Merida) and U.S. National Champion Sue Haywood (Trek/VW) among the 500-strong field, making it China’s biggest amateur/professional bicycling event.

More information can be found at www.greatwallbike.com