How long have you been mountain biking?

　　When I was younger I used to BMX and ride motorbikes on my parents' farm. As I got older I played a lot of rugby so did not have much time for anything else, but I still mountain biked for training and transport purposes. After 17 years of rugby in New Zealand and another six years of playing touch rugby in China, organizing teams and competition, I decided I wanted to do something where I didn't have to worry about other people turning up. Having done BMX when I was younger, mountain biking seemed like something fun to do.

　　How did you get involved?

　　Karen Fleming [Fitness Manager at Evolution Fitness, Beijing] started doing it and told me about the fun she was having. I wanted a change so I got a bike and started riding with the MOB (Mountain Bikers of Beijing). After a working week spent inside it's a great way to get out and get some fresh air. The exercise is great and the change of environment is motivating.

　　Is it easy to find mountains to ride in Beijing?

　　Beijing is surrounded by hills even though it is very flat itself. Thirty kilometers from China World, you have the Fragrant Hills, which provide some great riding. Further out there are Pinggu, Ming Tombs, Changping and probably the most beautiful place, Shidu. As there are lots of small farms all around Beijing, there is almost always a dirt track you can ride, although from time to time we have to carry our bikes.

　　What are the greatest obstacles you've faced mountain biking in China?

　　Most of the time you can go on tracks anywhere you want, as mountain bikers are usually something of interest to the local villages with our colorful bikes, bike shorts and helmets. The only time we get stopped is if we're near military bases. The only obstacle is getting to some of the places we ride. Often we have to spend a couple of hours on a bus getting out of Beijing, but once there, the long bus ride is well worth it.

　　In your opinion, is the sport growing in China?

　　It is growing slowly; there are not many organized races in China, which means not much promotion for the sport and no dedicated magazines. Without it being promoted or in the media it will not grow very fast. With mountain biking an Olympic sport hopefully the popularity will grow in the coming years.

　　What's the attraction?

　　The attraction is three-fold: The challenge, the fresh air and the quiet. Sometimes the mountains have 20km climbs and we go up around 1000+ vertical meters, so it is challenging. Getting out of day-to-day work and Beijing's large population is great for the mind and body. Coming from New Zealand and a farm with its low population and the quiet, it is nice to get away from all the people. Next year I will go to South Africa for the Cape Epic Mountain Bike race. It will encompass a big challenge with eight days of riding 800+kms and 11,000 vertical meters of climbing. Friends who did it this year said it was an amazing race and scenery. I have already started training for that, so I can enjoy and finish the race.

　　Name: Matt Lewis

　　Age: 33

　　Occupation: General Manager of Evolution Fitness, Beijing

　　Nationality: New Zealand

　　Lives: Beijing