Many people in Hai Duong have a hobby of playing with luxury sports bicycles. They spend hundreds of millions of dong to own the model they like.
As expensive as a used car
"My Colnago costs 210 million VND. I could use this money to buy a used car or a few tens of millions more to own a brand new VF3. But no, I still prefer bicycles," said Mr. Le Van Duc - a famous sports bicycle "player" in An Luu ward (Kinh Mon).
Taking me to the back of the house, Mr. Duc continued to introduce 3 other sports bikes purchased from 2014 to the present, all priced from about 50 - 100 million VND/bike. Mr. Duc said: "Unlike regular bicycles, sports bikes are a combination of technology, design and quality. Famous brands such as Trek, Specialized, Pinarello or Colnago have produced bicycle lines using super-light carbon fiber, titanium alloy or high-grade aluminum, helping to optimize weight and durability".
With 20 years of experience in cycling, Mr. Duc believes that weight is the most important factor that determines the experience of the cyclist. The Colnago bike he owns weighs less than 8 kg, while popular models weigh up to 13 kg. For sports bikes, a difference in weight of even 100 grams can lead to a price difference of up to tens of millions of dong.
Kinh Mon currently has 4 regularly operating sports cycling clubs. KCC Club has the most members with 48 people, of which 10 people own at least 1 bike worth over 200 million VND.
In Chi Linh City, there is also the Sao Do Bicycle Club. The 40 members of the club have shared this passion for decades. With increasingly better economic conditions, the members have accumulated savings and have invested in high-value bicycles. Mr. Hoang Cao Son, the club's chairman, owns an American Trek sports bicycle worth 170 million VND, not including accessories.
The more expensive the sports bike, the more advanced and modern technology it possesses such as shock absorber system, hydraulic disc brakes, electronic transmission. This not only brings optimal and comfortable riding experience but also ensures safety for users on roads that require speed and physical strength.
No matter how valuable a sports bike is, it still needs regular maintenance and upgrades to get the best experience. Sports bike accessories are diverse in design, brand and price. However, long-time sports bike players consider that there are 3 types of accessories that are indispensable: shoes, glasses and helmets.
There are many good accessories on the market, players have to spend at least 5 million VND to own the above items. "For many people, a sports bike is not simply a means of transport but also a collectible or a mobile work of art," Mr. Son emphasized.
Mutual benefits
Cycling for health has become a widespread movement in many localities in Hai Duong. There are currently no statistics on how many cycling clubs there are in the province. In addition to clubs, there are many small groups or whole families who share this passion. Although the bikes have different values, in general, they all bring them great benefits and experiences in life.
Members of sports cycling clubs are usually people from 50 to 70 years old, not under much pressure from work. They have free time so they often participate in 2 cycling sessions every day, early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Each session, the KCC Club gathers about 20 members to participate in cycling from 20 to 30 km on many routes in Kinh Mon town.
In addition, many club members also participate in exchange activities and compete in grassroots tournaments held in provinces and cities such as Hanoi, Lao Cai, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh... In December 2023, along with the Pinarello F10 car, Mr. Truong Van Hong also represented the KCC Club to Vientiane (Laos) to participate in the Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam Friendship Cycling Race.
"I have been to many places, experienced natural scenery, learned about unique cultures, enjoyed dishes from many regions and had the opportunity to meet many new friends... Those are all great benefits that cycling brings," Hong confided.
For many people, a sports bike is not only a means of exercise but also a way to express personality, passion for discovery, and learning new things around life. Therefore, although the price is high, it is a worthy investment to have memorable experiences on the roads.
Ms. Mai Thi Hai Duong (57 years old, in Cong Hoa ward, Chi Linh city) has only participated in the cycling movement for 2 years. "My bicycle is not as valuable as many people, but that's okay. Because I clearly feel the benefits that cycling brings. That is, my health has changed positively, my spiritual life is getting better and better thanks to being able to travel here and there and making many friendly friends," Ms. Duong shared.
VAN TUAN