From City Streets to Coastal Rides: My Spontaneous Bike Adventure to Zhuhai
My first question goes out to two types of people: the spontaneous ones and the hobby athletes. You know those heureka moments, when an idea pops into your head out of nowhere, and suddenly you have to do it? That kind of adventure you don’t overthink, just commit to?
For me, it started after I made the leap from pure running to triathlon. Naturally, that meant cycling had to enter the picture. I got myself a proper bike and started riding in the hilly northern districts of Guangzhou. Short 50k rides, just enough to push my legs and enjoy the mountain air.
But one day, no idea when, where, or why, it hit me: Why not ride to Zhuhai? A full-day tour, all the way to the coast. Finish with BBQ and a good night’s rest. The plan formed itself, and once it did, I couldn’t let it go.
The Ride Begins
I gave myself a few more weeks of riding and when I felt ready, I committed. I went to my trusted bike shop for a check-up. The owner, who is even more crazy thought, knew exactly what I needed: the best route, avoiding major highways but not making it a mountain stage of the Tour de France. He knew because he rode there a few times already. Of course he did.
That night, I prepped my ride fuel, bananas, self made pancakes and went to bed early.
Before the sun rose, I was on the road, slipping out while my wife was still asleep. I aimed for road 105, the direct link south. After crossing a massive bridge out of the city, I found it. The ride began in the grey zone, the real outskirts of Guangzhou: half-finished malls, car dealerships, gas stations, warehouses. My first stop was in front of a small mall, grabbing water and snacks at a 7-Eleven, legs still fresh, mood high.
Into the Hills
Not long after, I decided to leave road 105 behind. There were mountains between me and Zhuhai, and instead of circling them, I chose to go through. A shortcut, at least on the map.
It turned out to be a brilliant decision. The road was quiet and scenic. No trucks, no honking, just rolling hills, tropical forest, and the occasional empty mountain park. Most people took the expressway above, which ran silently in the sky. Down below, I had the road to myself.
At one point, I stopped on the roadside, peeled a banana, and had a simple picnic of tea egg and steamed bun. Nothing fancy. But in that moment, it was perfect.
The Final Push into Zhuhai
Eventually, the peaceful ride ended and the outskirts of Zhuhai began. And with it, the traffic. The final 20 kilometers were the toughest. Bumpy roads, chaotic intersections, cars everywhere. My legs were running on fumes, but I kept pedaling.
Finally, I reached our meeting point, a Starbucks on a busy shopping street. Sugar never tasted so good.
We checked into a nearby hotel, ordered fantastic Indian takeout, and I don’t think I’ve ever fallen asleep faster.
Seaside, Macao, and the Ride Home
The next day was not for recovery. We strolled along Zhuhai’s beautiful seaside promenade, breathing in salty air and doing exactly nothing. We then hopped over to Macao for a little digital work and wandering. Thanks to actual Google access, I finally set up my AdSense account from a quiet café. But we didn’t spend all day working, we roamed through small alleys, hills, and local neighborhoods that felt a world apart from the bright casino lights.
That night, we returned to Zhuhai for one final sleep and packed everything, including the bike, the next morning. Back to Guangzhou with the high-speed.
Not Just a Ride
Was it exhausting? Absolutely. Was it one of the best spontaneous decisions I’ve made? Without a doubt.
That trip reminded me why I love movement, why I run, why I ride. Not just for fitness or goals, but for these strange little adventures that start with a simple What if? and end with sore legs, good food, and a story to tell.
