The summer in Beijing had finally come. Winds that were very cold from the morning to night are no longer here but it has become more soothing in the hot summer. Now, the city is in its new look with fresh energy that comes from the sun. The weather is great for a bike trip, so I chose to take the Jing Mi Highway from Huairou District to the Miyun City area to see what it had to offer.
It was too tempting to say no to the open roads and fresh air. I got my normal bike ready and filled up my water bottles before setting off around 3:45 pm. I chose this time of day on purpose to avoid the hottest part of the day. In no time, when I was crossing my living place Huairou city, nature gave way surrounded by an amazing view of green trees full of leaves everywhere I saw. The trees along the road, are now dressed for summer with their green leaves that protect them from the extreme sun's glare.
The weather was warm, but not too hot. The weather was around 30 degrees Celsius. Along the whole ride, there was a strong wind that made the journey comfortable. It was a symphony of feelings: the steady spinning of the bike wheels, the sun shining through the leaves, and the cool touch of the wind on my face. With each bike stroke, I got farther away from the noise of the city and closer to the peace and quiet of nature as Miyun city is much quieter than Huairou as it is far from Beijing city more than Huairou city.
The smooth road spread out in front of me, cutting through the green scenery like a line of gray. There wasn't much traffic, so I could keep a steady speed and really enjoy the view. I would sometimes catch a glimpse of the mountains far away. The sharp peaks of the mountains reminded me of the wild beauty that lay beyond the city boundary which always attracted me.
Even though it seems nice at first, the Beijing summer sun could be dangerous. I made sure to stop often, finding shade under the trees along the road and drinking enough water. I have also bought more water from some roadside shops. It is necessary to know the dangerous consequences of dehydration, and staying refreshed is key for me to keep my energy up and avoid getting tired. Every sip of cool water was a treat that made me feel better and a lesson of how important it is to pay attention to my body.
It took me about 35 kilometers to cover the whole distance that afternoon from my institute to get back to the institute. The Jing Mi Highway made me want to come back, discover more, and make new memories on two wheels. The trip was not only beautiful to look at, but also wonderful to hear. Cicada singing filled the air, and the wind moving the leaves made a steady background noise.
I felt excellent about what a challenge I had completed on the way back to Huairou. The fact that my legs were becoming lethargic as a good sign of how physically challenging it had been. More importantly, I had a new way of looking at things. The open road was a way to get away from the stress of everyday life and enjoy the simple beauty of nature again.
This experience of cycling on the Jing Mi Highway was just the start. I wanted more of this kind of experience with new discoveries, and a sense of achievement. The roads that went beyond the city lines made me want to go out and discover more, to find secret gems and make new memories on two wheels.
Thanks for your time and attention, I hope to catch you at the next.
Have a nice day!