The urban cycle

What could be more enjoyable, then, than a leisurely, safe, and energy-efficient bike ride around West Lake? So, a colleague and I decided to rent two road bicycles and set off at around 5 pm from the vicinity of Leifeng Pagoda, embarking on a clockwise journey around West Lake. As we pedaled swiftly through the lush shadows of the tall sycamore trees lining the road, I noticed that the tree leaves, under the soft afternoon sun, had different shades of green as they swayed gracefully in the light autumn breeze.

My favorite stretch of the West Lake ride was the 3.4-kilometer causeway at Yanggongdi, a scenic spot nestled to the west of the main lake.

There, we ventured across undulating bridges and paths. Going uphill, of course, demanded a fair amount of effort, but when descending, my adrenaline soared abruptly.

The refreshing breeze lightly grazed my skin, while the invigorating scent of osmanthus and grass permeated my senses. A mere turn of the head revealed extensive groves of water fir trees.

Upon reaching the pinnacle of an arched bridge, I noticed many people pausing to take in the view. Their gaze led me to such a sight: in the distance, the contours of mountains are cloaked in a rosy-orange hue from the setting sun, a spectacle mirrored upon the lake's tranquil, glistening surface. Two boats serenely glided by in tandem on the lake, making their way through the bridge's arched passage where I was standing.

It is a moment that has left me grasping at the shortage of vocabulary to truly convey my feelings.