I Rode 2000km in China — Here’s What Actually Matters

When I first started cycling, I thought speed was everything.

I cared about my average speed, how fast I could go, and whether I could keep up with others. After riding more than 2000 kilometers, I realized I was focusing on the wrong things.

Here are a few things that actually matter — especially if you’re cycling in a Chinese city.

1. Traffic lights matter more than your fitness

In cities like Shenzhen, your average speed has less to do with your legs and more to do with traffic lights.

You can ride at 25 km/h, but if you stop every 500 meters, your average drops to 18 instantly. Learning how to anticipate lights and choose better routes matters more than pushing harder.

2. Cadence is more important than power

At the beginning, I used a heavy gear and low cadence. It felt strong, but it burned me out quickly.

After some time, I realized riding with a higher cadence and lower gear is much more sustainable — especially for commuting.

3. Riding in China is different

Cycling here is not just about fitness. You share the road with:

• e-bikes

• pedestrians

• cars that don’t always follow rules

You need awareness more than speed.

4. Comfort beats performance

I used to ignore small discomforts — saddle pain, hand numbness.

After longer rides, I realized comfort is what keeps you riding consistently.

5. Consistency beats everything

You don’t need to ride fast. You don’t need expensive gear.

If you just keep riding, everything improves naturally.

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I’m still far from being an experienced cyclist. But 2000 km was enough to show me that cycling is less about performance — and more about understanding how to ride smarter.

If you’re just getting started, focus on the basics. It will take you much further than you think.