With around 12 weeks to go before avid cyclists from around the globe show up in Hong Kong to soak up the spotlight, you might be wondering whether or not you should join them. Perhaps you’ve never been to Hong Kong and the idea of cycling around the city—even on well-marked routes and with plenty of people eager to help—feels intimidating. Maybe you stand in such awe of the planet’s best cyclists, you wonder if you can possibly compete.

Time to stop that thought thread and think positively about the amount of growth you can enjoy by being part of this exciting world meet. It helps to know a little about the event itself—but what helps even more, is being oriented to the cycling routes before 14th October arrives and the city is packed to capacity with competitors and their bikes. Sit down. Grab a tea. We’ve got you covered.

About the Cyclothon

This will be the fourth time amateur cyclists from around the world show what they’ve got in terms of speed, endurance and stamina and you certainly deserve to be one of them because you may still grab an open slot.

Cycle your way across Hong Kong’s cityscape, peddling along the skyline as you wind your way along a route that takes you from Tsim Sha Tsui to Tsing Yi, through Ma Wan and back to Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s going to be hard to focus on technique when you encounter landmarks like Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge and Stonecutters Bridge.

The Hammer Series

Consider this your Cliff’s Notes on this annual event because it’s just an overview. The Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon, held in concert with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, is just weeks away from hosting the first-time Asian leg of the Hammer Series launched in Stavanger, Norway in May and moving to Limburg, Netherlands in June.

Why is adding a Hong Kong leg such a big deal? Because unlike other prestigious cycling competitions, only a team can win the Hammer. This is a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Asia Tour Class 1.1 Road Race with two segments: The Hammer Sprint and Hammer Chase. In the end, whichever team amasses the greatest number of points at Norway, Netherlands and Hong Kong reigns supreme.

For Singapore cyclists

For those brave enough to have signed up for the 50km race (those slots were all grabbed up on the first day of registration), three tunnels are on their routes, and the public registration slots for both 30km and 50km races have been fully reserved.

No worries if you still haven’t committed thou as Singapore-based cyclists will be accorded the honour of securing the very limited 50km slots through Dream Cruises.

Check out these video guides so you get a taste of what awaits if you are lucky enough to snag one of the few remaining open slots.

An overview of the 50km for 2018

An overview of the 30km for 2018

Chart your own course

Hong Kong cycling trails ideal for beginners and folks seeking an easy ride

Course #1: Nam Sang Wai (Cycle time approx. 2 hours; Distance: 7km)

• Starting point: Nam Sang Wai Ferry Pier
• Check point 1: Red River Gums. Ride amid Australian trees, soft breezes and skim the mirror-like pond.
• Check point 2: The Glade. Stay on the River Red Gum path, traverse the Chinese Banyan-rimmed boulevard.
• Check point 3: Reach Nam Sang Wai Road where urban and suburban meet. Take the Nam Sang Wai River Education Trail.
• Check point 4: Ride alongside the Kam Tin River to the Fishpond Education Kiosk.
• End point: Yuen Long town center.

*Note: Timing is based on walking and not when riding a bike.

Course #2: Sha Tin to Tai Mei Tuk (Cycle time approx. 2.5 hours; Distance: 22 km)

• Starting point: Shing Mun River
• Check point 1: Follow the Shing Mun River through Sha Tin’s residential area along marked cycling tracks.
• Check point 2: Hong Kong Science Park. Skirt state-of-the-art buildings Hong Kong tech industries call home.
• Check point 3: Proceed down Pak Shek Kok Promenade where Sha Tin and Ma Liu Shui connect at Tolo Harbour to enjoy the view of Ma On Shan.
• Check point 4: See Pat Sin Leng vistas across the harbour at Tai Po Waterfront Park.
• Check point 5: Add an 8km ride to the foot of Pat Sin Leng if you still feel energised.
• End point: Tai Mei Tuk.

*Note: Timing is based on walking and not when riding a bike.

Course #3: Sha Tin to Wu Kai Sha (Cycle time 2 hours max.; Distance: 8km).

• Starting point: Shing Mun River
• Check point 1: Cross the Twin Bridge to Ma On Shan Promenade.
• Check point 2: Observe promenade life as you ride and take in Tolo Harbour.
• Check point 3: Incorporate the jogging trail and cycling track with a stop at the fitness station.
• End point: We Kai Sha Public Pier

*Note: Timing is based on walking and not when riding a bike.

Hong Kong Cycling Trails for athletes desirous of being pushed to the limit

Course #4: The Peak (Cycle time: At least 4 hours; Distance: 15.9km)

Starting point: Wong Nai Chung Gap
• Check point 1: Cycle north taking the left branch of Stubbs Road to Wan Chai Gap.
• Check point 2: Pick up Peak Road and travel through Magazine Gap staying on Peak Road.
• Check point 3: Arrive at The Peak. Keep going and be advised: the gradient on May Road is 27-degrees.
• Check point 4: Continue on to Victoria Peak and Peak Tower, around 883m elevation.
• End point: Depends upon your stamina and fighting spirit.

*Note: Timing is based on walking and not when riding a bike.

Course #5: Tai Mo Shan

• Starting point: Kap Lung Forest Trail
• Check point 1: Take Twisk Road downhill for around 500m to the Kap Lung Trail turn off.
• Check point 2: Where Kap Lung Trail and Ho Pui Trail meet, continue on Ho Pui.
• Check point 3: Follow black diamond signs left to hit a steep decline. Slow down to avoid an accident.
• Check point 4: Travel 4km to the widened, red dirt track that gets you to Ho Pui Reservoir.
• End point: Ho Pui Mountain Bike Trail or just stop at the reservoir.

*Note: Timing is based on walking and not when riding a bike.

Even if you’re only participating in your dreams, which trail would you choose to prepare yourself for this daunting competition?

For more information on the Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon, please visit Hong Kong Tourism Board official website.