The Hong Kong Cycling Festival will be held on October 11, with 56-kilometre and 32-kilometre rides offering more than 6,500 places in total. The 56km ride upgrades the previous 50km event and will enter the Central Kowloon Route for the first time.
The expanded course is described as a five-tunnel, three-bridge route. It will include the Tsing Kwai, Nam Wan, Eagle’s Nest and Sha Tin Heights tunnels, as well as Tsing Ma, Ting Kau and Stonecutters bridges, and will pass landmarks including Kai Tak Sports Park.
The 32km ride will retain its two-tunnel, two-bridge course, using the Tsing Kwai and Nam Wan tunnels and crossing Stonecutters and Ting Kau bridges.
Former Hong Kong cycling representative Leung Chi-yin will take part. He described the Central Kowloon Route section as challenging and was reported as saying its gradient is steeper than that of the Eagle’s Nest Tunnel. Leung said the deepest part of the tunnel reaches 50 metres below sea level, while the final kilometre climbs back to the surface at a gradient of 5.5 per cent.
Leung advised riders to increase their training gradually, slow down before entering tunnels to adjust to changes in light, and maintain a steady pace on narrower sections rather than rushing for position.
A UCI 1.1 road race will also be held on the same day. According to reports, its route will extend beyond its previous circuit in Tsim Sha Tsui, passing through Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Kwai Tsing and Kowloon City, and including Nam Wan Tunnel, Stonecutters Bridge and the Central Kowloon Route.
Museum Drive in the West Kowloon Cultural District will serve as the start and finish area for the UCI 1.1 road race. A cycling carnival at the Art Park’s lawn will feature food stalls, sports activities, interactive games and craft workshops.