Replica dinosaur skulls, kettles, video game characters, American football helmets and bamboo hats — these playful items were everywhere, repurposed as helmets for a bike race that mixes whimsy with style.

Under the bright sun last weekend, more than 700 riders gathered at the Beijing Workers' Stadium to participate in the Brompton World Championship China bicycle race.

First officially held in England in 2008, the Brompton World Championship has since evolved into a global cycling spectacle, known for its combination of elegance and fun. The Beijing race marked the championship's first appearance in the Chinese mainland.

The course, which looped around the outer ring of the stadium, featured several obstacles and the race began with a Le Mans-style start. The finals were divided into men's and women's categories, with distances of 8.8 and 6.6 kilometers, respectively.

Miao Yuhang, a junior student at Nanjing Sports Institute, took home the men's title. Despite a slow start mounting his bike, Miao quickly found his rhythm, staying with the lead pack throughout the race. In the final lap, as the riders navigated obstacles, he broke away and crossed the finish line first.

At 24, Miao is no stranger to victory. A former professional cyclist, he won the men's Madison event at the 2021 National Games. He has since retired from competitive cycling to focus on his studies, but made a special trip to Beijing to race over the weekend.

"The race was such a new experience," he said. "I had heard about it being held abroad, and the setup here was fantastic. Everyone was cheering as I crossed the line, and it felt amazing."

Miao noted the difference in attitude between this event and more traditional cycling races, which can often feel tense. Here, the atmosphere was relaxed and full of fun.

Dressed in a black shirt, Miao had planned to wear a colorful tie, but in a rush to leave for the race, he forgot it. Seeing how creatively the other riders were dressed, he said he plans to return next year, this time fully embracing the event's playful spirit by decorating both himself and his bike.

"I made so many new friends, including international riders," he said. "The whole experience was lively and full of energy."

Among the competitors in the men's final was Will Butler-Adams OBE, the CEO of Brompton, who also enjoyed the ride. "Our events create lasting memories for participants, and we have positive interactions with the community," he said.

He emphasized the goal of promoting a cycling-centric lifestyle, expressing enthusiasm for the future: "We look forward to enjoying cycling together and advocating for a sustainable way of life."

At this BWCC event, competition took a back seat to pure enjoyment. The Best Dressed Prize, in fact, became the most coveted award, outshining even the race results. A highlight of the day was the abundance of modern Chinese fashion styles on display.

Six participants earned the Best Dressed title. One standout was Guo Hualong, who finished 31st in preliminary round, but stole the show with a helmet shaped like a kettle that was impossible to miss, drawing attention from everyone in attendance.

Off the track, the two-day event featured a lively carnival, part of the Sanlitun Lifestyle Festival. Attendees were treated to performances by Beijing-based bands COSMOS and SummerVapour, as well as traditional shadow puppet shows.

Cai Binghui, who finished first in the women's preliminary round and 13th in the final, is a new mother. With her baby less than a month old, she made the trip from Shanghai to Beijing just to compete.

"I felt a bit tired after having the baby, but the atmosphere here was incredible — so lively," she said. "The women in my group were full of energy and sunshine. I made so many new friends. It was such a happy experience."

Working in the cycling industry, Cai regularly spends her weekends biking in the mountains, commutes by bike and even rides to meet friends for meals.

She made sure to take full advantage of the event's carnival-like atmosphere.

"The interactive activities were so much fun," she added. "I tried them all."

liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn