National mountain cycling open races away in Gaoping

More than 400 cyclists in 46 teams from 23 provinces in China peddled hard for victory, as they raced away on Taihang Mountain during the third National Mountain Cycling Open in Gaoping, Shanxi province, on April 13-14. 

Sponsored by the Shanxi Bicycle Association and government of Yechuan town in Gaoping, the mountain cycling competition was part of the fourth Cross-Straits Yan Emperor Economic, Trade, Cultural and Tourism promotions series which opened in Gaoping on April 11.

Organizers said that along with its beautiful accompanying scenery, the tack is winding and has a maximum elevation drop of 352 meters and a maximum gradient of 22 percent.

In recent years, Yechuan town has been staging a variety of sports-featured projects -- in accordance with the national development initiative for rural tourism -- and built 5 to 40 kilometers of mountain cycling tracks and roads for sports events and sightseeing.