On city asphalt roads and winding mountain paths, a beautiful sight often flashes by - road cycling enthusiasts. They ride their light and agile “steel steeds”, like wind-riding sprites, painting a passionate poem of road cycling between heaven and earth.
A road bicycle has a slender frame seemingly sketched with the lines of wind. Every curve embodies the design philosophy of an ultimate pursuit of speed. The wide use of carbon fiber makes the frame extremely tough yet amazingly light. It seems that with a gentle pedal stroke by the rider, it can break through the wind barrier. The narrow and smooth tires cling tightly to the ground, minimizing rolling resistance, like sharp arrows speeding on the road, unstoppable once set in motion. The carefully designed gear shifting system is like a magic wand for riders to control the rhythm. From high-speed cruising on flat roads to strenuous climbing before steep slopes, with a light flick of the fingers, the most suitable gear ratio can be instantly switched to for perfect power transmission.
In the early morning, when the first ray of sunlight shines on the road, road cyclists have already mounted their beloved bikes and set off. They wear brightly colored, tight-fitting cycling suits with aerodynamic designs and streamlined helmets, looking like professional athletes ready to dash onto the track. Riding on the city's main roads, the wheels spin rapidly, the airflow whooshing by, and cars and pedestrians flash past like a slideshow. At this moment, the cyclist is immersed in their own speed world, feeling the powerful beating of the heart and the expansion and contraction of muscles. Each pedal stroke is a battle with oneself, and every meter of progress is a challenge to physical limits. Traffic lights are like stage markers on the track. After a brief stop, there is an even fiercer sprint, heading towards the outskirts of the city to greet the morning light on the open roads.
On weekends or holidays, mountainous areas become the natural playground for road bicycles. Winding up the mountain roads, the resistance brought by the slope tests the rider's endurance and perseverance. Leaning forward, almost merging with the handlebars, the legs rhythmically exert force, and the lungs gulp in the fresh yet thin mountain air. Sweat soaks the back and drips down the cheeks onto the hot frame, evaporating instantly. But when reaching the top, all the fatigue turns into the boldness of overlooking the mountains and the billowing sea of clouds. The downhill ride back is a feast of speed. The wind screams in the ears, the hands steadily control the brakes, and the body tilts precisely at the bends, feeling the thrilling balance between centrifugal force and control, as if soaring in the sky. The road bicycle becomes wings, carrying the soul to experience the joy of flying.
A road bicycle is not just a means of transportation but a symbol of an attitude towards life. It represents a persistent pursuit of a healthy and energetic life. With each breath and pedal stroke, it shakes off life's stress and laziness. It carries the courage to explore the unknown, leading riders to places they've never been, encountering the most beautiful scenery hidden at the end of the journey. It interprets a free-spirited essence, unrestrained, not caring about the destination. As long as there is a road and a bike, one can start a conversation with the wind, the sky, and the earth at any time. No matter how time passes, the road bicycle will always be that passionate light, dashing through the veins of the land, chasing light and dreams.