Recaps

Reborn in 2022 after a fatal cycling accident, Huang Chong recognized the Tour de France and used his knowledge of the future to explain why Vingegaard would beat Pogačar. After Zhou Ming mocked Huang Chong’s ambitions and advised him to train his weaknesses, a Cycling Optimization System appeared and offered him a beginner’s test.

• Huang Chong realized he had been reborn in 2022 while watching Vingegaard defeat Pogačar in Tour de France Stage 11.
• Huang Chong told Du Wei that Pogačar would not recover and explained how Jumbo–Visma’s tactics and stronger support riders would secure the Tour.
• Huang Chong shared his dream of becoming a world-class professional cyclist, but Du Wei doubted that a Chinese rider could reach the Grand Tours.
• Zhou Ming mocked Huang Chong’s ambitions, and Huang Chong challenged him to give advice on improving his cycling speed.
• Zhou Ming advised Huang Chong to ride a hundred kilometers every day and improve his weaknesses, triggering the Cycling Optimization System’s offer to activate.

After discovering his Cycling Optimization System and its Newbie Test, Huang Chong set out to complete a 10-kilometer ride averaging 20 kilometers per hour. The system tracked his cycling data in real time, and he was already riding faster than the required average.

• Huang Chong activated the system and learned that his Newbie Test required a 10-kilometer ride at an average speed of 20 kilometers per hour for optimization points and a recovery gel.
• Huang Chong assessed his weak cycling statistics and resolved to lose weight and become a Tour de France champion.
• Huang Chong told Du Wei he would eventually beat Zhou Ming, while Du Wei offered him a better bike and joked about his ambitions.
• Huang Chong left for a ride and started the Newbie Test on a nearby cycling greenway.
• The system displayed Huang Chong’s live speed, power, cadence, heart rate, gradient, and distance, showing an average speed of 25 kilometers per hour after 0.5 kilometers.

Huang Chong completed the system’s 10-kilometer cycling test and received multiplied rewards, including optimization points and cycling storage space. He spent all 10 points on Functional Threshold Power, raising it to 170W as the chapter ended.

• Huang Chong struggled against the wind and his poor fitness but pushed through the cycling test despite criticism from other riders.
• Huang Chong completed 10 kilometers at an average speed of 25 km/h, exceeding the system’s target.
• The system awarded Huang Chong 10 Beginner Optimization Points and five Training Recovery Energy Gels, and unlocked Cycling Storage Space.
• Huang Chong considered his weaknesses and chose to put all his optimization points into Functional Threshold Power.
• The system increased Huang Chong’s Functional Threshold Power to 170W and his Power-to-Weight Ratio to 2.26.

After the system rewarded Huang Chong for completing Zone 2 training, he told Du Wei he intended to become a professional rider and began preparing to improve his equipment. The chapter ended as Huang Chong went to install a secondhand carbon wheelset and the system displayed a new message.

• Huang Chong accepted the cyclists’ Zone 2 advice, completed thirty minutes of aerobic training, and earned two Beginner Optimization Points and a Heart-Lung Strengthening Pill.
• Huang Chong refused Du Wei’s Coca-Cola, said he planned to lose weight, and declared that he would become a professional rider.
• Du Wei questioned Huang Chong’s chances but agreed to support his training after hearing that he understood how riders earned attention from teams.
• Du Wei offered Huang Chong a nearly new pair of domestic carbon wheels, and Huang Chong went to install them on his bike.
• The system displayed a new message as Huang Chong hung his bike on the repair stand.

Huang Chong replaced his bike’s wheels and unlocked the Bicycle Installation and Repair Skill Package, gaining extensive bicycle assembly and repair knowledge. He challenged Du Wei to let him service a YETI SB-150 while Du Wei and Master Liu watched.

• Huang Chong transferred the cassette, tubes, and tires to a new carbon-fiber wheelset and installed it on his TCR ADV3.
• The system rewarded Huang Chong with 2 Beginner Optimization Points and unlocked the Bicycle Installation and Repair Skill Package.
• Huang Chong received extensive bicycle assembly and repair knowledge and endured a brief headache from the information overload.
• Du Wei admired the new wheels and advised Huang Chong to adapt to them on flat roads before climbing.
• Huang Chong claimed he could assemble and repair bicycles, then offered to fully service the shop’s YETI SB-150 under Du Wei and Master Liu’s supervision.

Huang Chong serviced a muddy YETI full-suspension bike with remarkable speed and precision, stunning Du Wei and Liu Chaoyang. He clarified that he planned to become a professional rider rather than replace Liu Chaoyang as the shop’s technician, leaving Liu reassured and supportive of his ambitions.

• Du Wei refused to let Huang Chong service the expensive YETI bike, but Huang Chong promised to cover any damaged parts and began taking it apart.
• Huang Chong disassembled, serviced, and reassembled the bike in just over an hour, eliminating its strange noises and making it look brand new.
• Du Wei asked Liu Chaoyang to inspect the bike, and Liu confirmed that Huang Chong’s work was flawless and praised his technical skill.
• Liu Chaoyang hinted that Huang Chong might become the shop’s top technician, but Huang Chong explained that he intended to train as a professional rider, not compete for Liu’s job.
• Liu Chaoyang’s unease faded, and he wished Huang Chong success in future races.

Huang Chong committed to pursuing professional cycling, agreed to work at Du Wei’s bike shop on commission, and began a strict diet. After he prepared his first low-calorie meal, the system prompted him to set a target weight.

• Du Wei praised Huang Chong’s bike-building skills, and Huang Chong claimed he would win prestigious cycling championships.
• Huang Chong chose commission pay so he could focus on training instead of working full-time as a mechanic.
• Huang Chong refused Du Wei’s invitation to eat and drink, saying he was losing weight.
• Huang Chong bought fat-loss ingredients and prepared his first diet meal at home.
• The system detected Huang Chong’s low-calorie meal and asked him to set his desired target weight.

Huang Chong set a target weight of 60 kilograms and received phased fat-loss rewards from the system. After taking a Heart-Lung Strengthening Pill, he found his heart rate dramatically lower on a ride the next day, letting him cross the Newbie Wall far sooner than expected.

• Huang Chong set his ideal body weight to 60 kilograms, activating a three-stage mission that rewarded each five-kilogram loss with optimization points and a Fat-Burning Muscle-Preserving Pill.
• Huang Chong resisted Du Wei's teasing and finished his low-calorie meal before going to bed.
• Huang Chong took the Heart-Lung Strengthening Pill, then slept through the night without checking its effects.
• Huang Chong noticed smoother breathing and a stronger heartbeat the next morning, then confirmed the pill's impact during a ride on his Ninth-Generation TCR.
• Huang Chong rode at 25 km/h with his heart rate steady between 130 and 140, and realized the pill had helped him cross the Newbie Wall overnight.

Huang Chong rode with Du Wei and discussed cycling, fandom, and how they responded to sporting defeats. When Du Wei offered to draft for him, the system set a new ten-kilometer task with a reward.

• Huang Chong maintained a steady Zone 2 ride as Du Wei caught up, exhausted from chasing him.
• Du Wei explained that he planned to keep riding for Zhou Ming's cycling event and was avoiding the Tour de France livestream to spare himself disappointment.
• Huang Chong and Du Wei debated whether fans should value a comeback or simply care about the result.
• Du Wei accelerated ahead and offered to draft for Huang Chong.
• The system instructed Huang Chong to follow Du Wei's pace for at least ten kilometers in exchange for two Beginner Optimization Points and a Fast-acting Recovery Energy Bar.

Huang Chong followed Du Wei through an increasingly demanding ride around West Lake Circuit, completing the system’s 10-kilometer task and continuing well beyond it. Du Wei eventually called off their contest after nearly 40 kilometers of hard riding, and Huang Chong declined his offer of a massage.

• Huang Chong accepted the system task to follow Du Wei for at least 10 kilometers as Du Wei led the ride at about 32 kilometers per hour.
• After Huang Chong completed the task, the system offered to end training and claim a reward, but Huang Chong chose to continue riding.
• Du Wei challenged Huang Chong to keep up around West Lake Circuit and raised the stakes with a Coca-Cola and roast-chicken punishment.
• Huang Chong kept drafting behind Du Wei for nearly 40 kilometers while Du Wei maintained a hard pace, until Du Wei slowed down and admitted he could not continue.
• Du Wei invited Huang Chong for a massage, but Huang Chong declined so he could go home and watch the Tour de France livestream.

After completing a long ride, Huang Chong collected system rewards, raised his cycling power, and discovered he had lost two kilograms in a day. Watching Tom Pidcock win a Tour de France stage rekindled Huang Chong’s dream of racing there, and he left Du Wei imagining they might someday watch him win in person.

• Huang Chong completed 40 kilometers of follow riding, earning eight Beginner Optimization Points and four Fast-acting Recovery Energy Bars.
• Huang Chong spent all 12 of his Beginner Optimization Points on Functional Threshold Power, raising it to 185W.
• Huang Chong weighed himself and found he had dropped from 75 kilograms to 73, astonishing Du Wei.
• Huang Chong and Du Wei watched Tom Pidcock win the Tour de France stage, and Du Wei said he understood Huang Chong’s ambition to become a professional rider.
• Huang Chong told Du Wei he could someday watch him race at a Tour de France mountaintop finish, though Du Wei doubted how far away that goal remained.

Huang Chong trained diligently while Du Wei stayed up gaming, and the bike shop kept busy as cycling season brought in many customers. After work, Huang Chong met three experienced riders on the greenway and agreed to train with them.

• Du Wei stayed up all night playing Elden Ring, and Huang Chong made him a low-fat sandwich before leaving for work.
• Du Wei warned Huang Chong not to overtrain, but Huang Chong said he had recovered from the previous day's ride and headed to the shop.
• Huang Chong and Liu Chaoyang struggled to keep up with the bike shop's heavy summer workload.
• Huang Chong rode his TCR to the greenway after work and ran into the three riders who had advised him before.
• Huang Chong accepted the three riders' invitation to train together.

Huang Chong rode with three more experienced cyclists and surprised them by keeping pace at an average speed of 33 kilometers per hour. As they explained the importance of core strength for cycling, his system offered him a reward for completing a one-minute plank.

• Huang Chong joined the three cyclists on a planned 100-kilometer ride and followed their pace above 30 kilometers per hour.
• After nearly 20 kilometers at an average speed of 33, the riders questioned Huang Chong’s sudden improvement from his earlier ride.
• Huang Chong explained that his heart rate was near the top of Zone 3 while drafting, and the cyclists described their rotating leads and training routines.
• The three cyclists advised Huang Chong to train his abdominal core for stable posture, time trials, and sprinting.
• The system prompted Huang Chong to complete a one-minute plank in exchange for two Beginner Optimization Points and an Ab Enhancer.

Huang Chong completed a 50-kilometer ride while drafting behind three experienced cyclists, who learned he worked as a mechanic at Flying Speed Bicycles. On the return trip, he took the lead and received a new system task to ride 10 kilometers at the current average speed.

• Huang Chong ignored a system task requiring him to hold a plank because he wanted to continue the group ride.
• After 50 kilometers, the three cyclists praised Huang Chong’s pace and questioned whether he was truly a beginner.
• Huang Chong said he had ridden for nearly a year and credited the cyclists’ advice with helping him keep up.
• Huang Chong told the group he worked as a mechanic at Du Wei’s Flying Speed Bicycles, and they expressed interest in visiting the shop.
• When the group started back, one cyclist asked Huang Chong to lead, and Huang Chong agreed to keep the average speed near 30 km/h.
• As Huang Chong took the front position, the system assigned him a 10-kilometer leading task with two Beginner Optimization Points and a Fast-acting Recovery Energy Bar as rewards.

Huang Chong received a task to lead his teammates at an average speed of 32 for 10 kilometers and chose to keep going after completing it, aiming to increase his reward. As fatigue set in, he used a Fast-acting Recovery Energy Bar and insisted he could continue leading.

• Huang Chong saw the new task and committed to holding the required pace, treating it as threshold training.
• After leading for 5 kilometers, Huang Chong refused his teammates’ offer to rotate and continued riding in an aerodynamic position.
• Huang Chong completed the 10-kilometer task and chose to continue, passing 25 kilometers while his teammates marveled at his endurance.
• After nearly an hour of leading, Huang Chong felt fatigue and consumed a Fast-acting Recovery Energy Bar, which quickly restored his energy.
• Huang Chong told his teammates, "No need to rotate. I can still lead!"

Huang Chong completed a 50-kilometer ride pulling the group after using a recovery energy bar, impressing three members of Hangzhou's Headwind Cycling Team. They invited him to join, and Huang Chong agreed to be recommended to their captain, Zhang Yi.

• Huang Chong told the oldest rider that his heart-lung capacity was naturally strong and insisted on leading the group for the remaining 20 kilometers.
• Huang Chong led the three riders back to the city center, completing 50 kilometers without rotating off the front.
• Liu Junjie and Chen Guangming praised Huang Chong's riding and invited him to join Hangzhou's Headwind Cycling Team.
• Wang Qiang explained that the team's captain, Zhang Yi, was a retired former professional rider who could offer training and race opportunities.
• Huang Chong accepted their offer, exchanged WeChat contacts with Wang Qiang, Liu Junjie, and Chen Guangming, and introduced himself.

After completing a 100-kilometer ride, Huang Chong collected system rewards and unlocked two Cycling Honor Medals that improved his weak attributes. He hoped Wang Qiang would help him join Headwind Cycling Team so he could train in varied conditions and develop his remaining cycling skills.

• Huang Chong returned home exhausted after riding 100 kilometers and used a Training Recovery Energy Gel to recover.
• Huang Chong ended the mission and received Beginner Optimization Points and Fast-acting Recovery Energy Bars for exceeding its distance requirement.
• Huang Chong unlocked the Cycling Novice Honor Medal and Amateur Cycling Enthusiast Honor Medal, gaining attribute points, recovery gels, and energy bars.
• Huang Chong checked his updated system panel and recognized that he needed to train his cornering, sprinting, and bike-handling skills.
• Huang Chong finished showering and began preparing a fat-loss meal when Wang Qiang sent him a WeChat message.

Huang Chong agreed to ride with an amateur cycling team on the West Zhejiang Sky Road after meeting its members during a 100-kilometer ride. He ended the chapter checking Wang Qiang’s messages and confirming the team would meet in front of Lin'an District Museum.

• Du Wei read Wang Qiang’s messages on Huang Chong’s phone and mistakenly assumed Huang had completed a professional team tryout.
• Huang Chong explained that he had met amateur team riders on the greenway, accepted their invitation, and planned to ride the West Zhejiang Sky Road the next day.
• Huang Chong asked Du Wei to confirm he was fit to ride and request the team’s meeting point, then told him he would take a comp day from work.
• Du Wei ate Huang Chong’s whole-wheat wrap and urged him to join Zhou Ming’s cycling group, but Huang Chong refused and agreed only to ride with Du Wei at Zhou Ming’s event.
• Huang Chong reviewed Wang Qiang’s chat and found that the team would meet in front of Lin'an District Museum.

Huang Chong prepared to ride the West Zhejiang Sky Road with the Headwind Cycling Team and used his system reward to strengthen his core. He went to sleep eager to test his improved abilities against Wang Qiang and the other riders the next morning.

• Huang Chong learned the team would gather at 5:30 a.m. at the Lin'an District Museum and liked the captain's strict punctuality rules.
• Huang Chong borrowed Du Wei's car to reach the gathering point, and Du Wei said he would stay home gaming.
• Huang Chong completed the system's one-minute plank task and received Basic Optimization Value and an Ab Enhancer.
• Huang Chong drank the Ab Enhancer, which strengthened his abdominal muscles and raised his sprinting explosiveness to 50.
• Huang Chong anticipated using his improved core strength on the climbs at Prince Peak and Horse Roar Ridge and went to sleep before the ride.

Huang Chong joined the Headwind Cycling Team for a demanding ride along the West Zhejiang Sky Road, hoping to prove himself to Captain Zhang Yi. As the group began climbing toward Prince Peak, Huang Chong felt at home on the ascent.

• Huang Chong drove to Lin'an District before dawn and met Wang Qiang, Liu Junjie, Chen Guangming, and the other Headwind Cycling Team riders.
• Zhang Yi arrived, assessed the seventeen-person team, and told Huang Chong to try following the group while riding at his own pace if he fell behind.
• Zhang Yi warned the riders to walk through construction sections, obey traffic laws, and descend safely before leading them west toward Prince Peak.
• Huang Chong stayed at the back as the group cruised across flat roads at about 35 km/h, then felt a surge of excitement when the climb began.

Huang Chong rode a long climb with Zhang Yi’s cycling team, hoping to prove he could keep up well enough to join. He stayed with the group despite many teammates being dropped, leaving Liu Junjie stunned by how well his build suited climbing.

• Chen Guangming advised Huang Chong to manage his gearing, cadence, and energy before the climb to Prince Peak.
• Huang Chong said the gentle gradient felt manageable and explained that his power-to-weight ratio had reached over 2.8.
• As the group climbed 20 kilometers toward Prince Peak, Huang Chong stayed at the back and never took a pull, but did not get dropped.
• Liu Junjie saw that many teammates had fallen behind while Huang Chong remained with the group and wondered how someone with his build could climb so well.

Huang Chong pushed through an HC-class climb after the system offered rewards based on the distance and difficulty he completed. At the foot of Prince Peak’s final hairpin section, Zhang Yi was impressed by Huang Chong’s ability and decided he would recruit him even if he could not reach the summit with the group.

• The system gave Huang Chong a climbing mission that offered greater rewards for completing a longer, harder route, and he decided to ride the full 20-kilometer climb.
• Huang Chong kept pace with the strongest riders as the group approached Prince Peak, despite his fatigue and sustained high effort.
• Three female riders admitted they could not keep up on the coming hairpin climbs, and Zhang Yi told them to ride together at a comfortable pace.
• Zhang Yi noticed Huang Chong was still holding the pace of his strongest riders and was surprised by the newcomer’s climbing ability.
• Zhang Yi decided he would take Huang Chong into his team even if Huang Chong fell behind on the final climb.

Huang Chong impressed Zhang Yi by staying with him on Prince Peak’s steepest climb, despite his limited power and lack of professional training. Zhang Yi reached the summit first, and Huang Chong finished only a little over ten seconds later, while the other riders trailed behind.

• Huang Chong passed Wang Qiang and the other riders on the steep section and continued climbing with Zhang Yi.
• Wang Qiang and the others fell behind as Huang Chong and Zhang Yi opened a gap on the 12% gradient.
• Huang Chong assessed his climbing speed and compared his 200W power with the abilities of top riders.
• Zhang Yi reached Prince Peak first, and Huang Chong arrived a little over ten seconds later.
• Zhang Yi praised Huang Chong’s climbing, and Huang Chong modestly said he was still far behind the captain.

Zhang Yi assessed Huang Chong’s climbing ability and explained the power-to-weight standards for professional cycling. Huang Chong joined Headwind Cycling Team and left Zhang Yi with a confident prediction about China’s future riders.

• Zhang Yi confirmed Huang Chong had ridden for less than a year and praised his climbing power, endurance, and recovery.
• Huang Chong asked Zhang Yi about the power-to-weight ratio required to become a professional rider, and Zhang Yi said riders generally needed to approach 5.0.
• Huang Chong planned to gain race experience through amateur events before working toward a professional career.
• Huang Chong reassured Zhang Yi that Chinese riders would join UCI WorldTour teams, and Zhang Yi welcomed him to Headwind Cycling Team.

Huang Chong joined Zhang Yi’s informal Headwind Cycling Team after impressing the riders with his climbing. Zhang Yi revealed that Huang Chong had stayed with him throughout the climb and was nearly as strong uphill, leaving the team stunned by their new member’s ability.

• Zhang Yi explained the Headwind Cycling Team’s rules and invited Huang Chong into its WeChat group.
• Huang Chong promised to attend team activities on time and considered training with nearby teammates on weekdays.
• Liu Junjie, Wang Qiang, and Chen Guangming reached the summit and teased Huang Chong about dropping them on the climb.
• Huang Chong said Zhang Yi had beaten him after the final bend, so the riders initially relaxed.
• Zhang Yi clarified that he had only gained a small lead on the nearly flat finish and said Huang Chong was nearly as strong as him at climbing.
• Wang Qiang and the others were stunned by Huang Chong’s climbing ability.