This photo taken on Dec 17, 2022 shows bike trails in the Mui Wo Mountain Bike Practice Ground, which opened the same day. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
HONG KONG – For mountain biking fans, there is now a place where they can practice all their moves and improve their skills.
Hong Kong’s first mountain bike practice ground has been built by the Civil Engineering and Development Department and it officially opened to the public on Saturday.
Located in Lantau South Country Park with an area of 4.5 hectares, Mui Wo Mountain Bike Practice Ground is one of the largest practice grounds in Asia, and together with its associated trails, it becomes 9 kilometers long and covers five difficulty ratings, the government said in a statement.
International Mountain Bicycling Association trail specialist Lim Hui-min, who was assigned to help with the design of the practice ground, said many of the trails in Hong Kong are for advanced riders, but with the opening of the new facility, riders of all levels, including beginners, will be able to enjoy the sport.
"We have various beginners practice areas where you can learn skill sets. We have a whole series of rock gardens from various so-called beginner to advanced rock gardens," he said.
The practice ground and trails are part of the second phase of the Expansion of Mountain Bike Trail Networks. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Michael Fong (third left); Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai (third right); and other officiating guests officiating at the Mui Wo Mountain Bike Practice Ground Opening Ceremony, Dec 17, 2022. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
"There is a lot of progression of various skill sets for mountain biking. These are the exact features that we need for the riders to get their skill sets to the next level.”
The practice ground and trails are part of the second phase of the Expansion of Mountain Bike Trail Networks, and with the expansion of the Chi Ma Wan section, they stretch to about 13km.
Officials hope the riders will make good use of the new practice ground and existing bike trails in South Lantau, and enjoy the fun of mountain biking while appreciating the beautiful, natural scenery of the country park. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
The Mui Wo Mountain Bike Practice Ground and its trails were designed using the sustainable construction principle, with locally available natural materials incorporated into projects such as the rock garden. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
Sustainable biking
The trails were designed with sustainability in mind. Their alignment follows the terrain to avoid tree felling as far as possible so as to retain the original look of the surrounding environment.
Natural, locally-sourced materials were also used. For the rock garden in the practice ground, the rocks were collected from construction sites.
Managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department after the official opening, the practice ground will remain open round-the-clock.