Chinadaily.com.cn
By Zhang Jun

If, at night, you pass by the tunnel in front of Beijing's Grand Hotel, you will catch a glimpse of many young men racing DOWNHILL bikes, among them our protagonist-Chanchan.

Chanchan, 24, has been taking part in professional DOWNHILL games for nearly 8 years. He won a series of National titles as a member of China's first generation of Dher's. In the latest 2002 National Championship, he once again took first place.

Chanchan runs a bicycle store and a DH club. If you are a DH enthusiast, you can find all the equipment you need in his store, from professional XC/DH bikes, helmets to racing jerseys and gear.

Chanchan takes pride in his merchandise because it is high-quality and professional. He never sells amateur equipment and uses only top-quality fittings on his own bike. Chanchan said his own self-interest made him open the store, making money was only a secondary consideration.

When asking why they like the tunnel in front of Grand Hotel so much, he said it is really suitable for the sport. DH enthusiasts can be found there almost every night, especially during summer.

There are around 30 members in Chanchan's DH club. They organize regular outdoor practice and races during June and October and take weekend rides to Beijing's rural mountains almost every week. All of them are young boys, in their teens and early twenties, and are captivated by the high speed of the sport.

Chanchan said, when he bikes down from a high mountain, he is always exhilarated, but at the same time, keeps his mind on what he is doing. At such high speeds, careless accidents can be quite serious.

As the organizer, Chanchan himself revels in the sport and longs for the opportunity to take part in international competitions. He believes that Chinese DHers have enough skills and professionalism but lack competitive experience.

Another problem facing Chinese DHers is lack of money, Chanchan said. In developed countries where extreme sports are popular, such as America, Germany and Japan, players can get sponsorship and don't have to worry about the cost of equipment.

But in China, since the sport has yet to achieve widespread popularity, few companies can provide such sponsorship. In addition, the equipment is always very expensive. Luckily Chanchan has the store, making his equipment affordable. For most DHers, the better the bike, the better score they will achieve.

He hopes that more and more Chinese young people will become interested in the sport and help popularize the sport in China. So, if you love the game and enjoy high speeds as much as Chanchan and his friends, visit the tiny store, you may end up not only with new DH equipment but some new DH friends.

Location: Chanchan's Store, No.58 Di An Men East Street
Tel: 64022566
Email: wsccdh@163.net