Beijing Bunker: Reflections of a Cyclist Stuck Indoors

As Beijing enters its second week in self-quarantine, the stories of how people have been dealing with the coronavirus outbreak – by staying, leaving, or watching on from afar – are many and varied. In Beijing Bunker, we quiz Beijingers on what approach they've been taking to stay safe and sane in times of war.

He goes by the name Amerigo, and he is among Beijing's most active cyclists. From organizing long rides to participating in track races, if there's a bicycle involved, he's on it – and that includes bike polo. Who better to tell us how the cycling community is handling the coronavirus outbreak?

Has the outbreak situation affected your cycling habits or plans?
Originally, I had planned a trip to Dalian, but I actually ended up having to move apartments right before the Spring Festival, and I just finished up the moving process. Since I was so busy moving, I rented out my touring bike to a friend. I’ve still been getting around a bit by bike, but now that it’s snowed and I don’t have the wide tires of my touring bike, I haven’t been going out the last few days. Even if I did have it, I would have to be quite careful because it is quite easy to crash on the slippery roads. It’s unfortunate though, because the roads are quite empty, which is quite good for cycling.

I was thinking of taking a long ride out to the suburbs, but the thing is that all the villages have started to barricade themselves in. We can’t really blame them, but man, when you go to a place like Fangshan, there are really no hotels. There are only guesthouses, nongjiayuan. I have a contact out there, but I’ll have to make sure ahead of time that the village hasn’t been sealed off.

The other option would be to camp, but it’s just so damn cold at night! I’ve camped in minus five-degree temperatures and it is not a pleasant experience. And in the mountains, it gets to be more like -10.

Have you had trouble finding people who are willing to bike with you these days?
There are still a few active cycling groups, although one of the most active is comprised of these older expats who wake up entirely too early and do their rides at 5.30 or 6am. It’s way too early for me.

So there are still active cyclists, but the majority of them in Beijing have turned to the home trainer. As for me, I’ve been getting in some rides by myself, mostly.

Are active cyclists taking any specific precautions?
Well, I think most cyclists have a relatively strong immune system. Even though the virus stuff is pretty crazy, I think you’re perfectly safe riding mask-free.

That said, there are some higher-end masks, such as Res-Pro that are designed for sports and let the wearer breathe more easily, but it really depends on the person. Personally, I can’t ride with a mask for more than 20 or 30 minutes, because it gets so built up with condensation.

It sounds like you’re still trying to get out of the house every once and a while. Have you had trouble finding things to do?
Yeah, it’s tough to go hang out with friends when people are not even willing to leave the house. It’s really only my foreign friends who have been willing to go out at all, whereas all of my Chinese friends have basically self-quarantined.

There have been a few things going on at Camera Stylo, for example, but they have been very low-key, so I think it’s nothing to be concerned about since it’s just a handful of people.

How have you been handling all of the time spent at home?
Well, I’ve been pretty much glued to my iPad, playing games and watching movies through the iQiyi and Tengxun apps, but they don’t have great options. Property rights are changing as labels and companies keep winning lawsuits, so the selection is not what it was five years ago, but I’m just covering the spectrum and getting some recommendations from friends. I end up watching two or three movies daily, and playing a ton of games.

You have so much time, so at least this is a great time to get in touch with family more. You should always take advantage of that opportunity when you can.

But it’s really been like solitary confinement sometimes, with my roommate at this new apartment being away. I’m a social animal, so it’s really been driving me out of my mind. I mean, you can play some interactive games online or whatever, but the connection is just not the same. It wears on you.

Is there anything you’ve been looking forward to when this all finally blows over?
I’m really itching to go cycling in the mountains, but I think the biggest thing I’m looking forward to is just to be able to give people the proper motivation to be able to just go outside! We lived through this, so it’s time to get out there.

READ: A Brief History of Quarantines

Image courtesy of LS Lee (lapsunlee.com)