Smooth ride

Related:Growing industry needs regulation

Selling their only asset, a second-hand pickup truck to raise a startup funds of about 40,000 yuan, the couple opened the club with 15 bikes. Their annual rent is 20,000 yuan.

Despite the scant facilities, the club provides many free additional services to customers when they hire a bike, including route design, hotel booking, riding guidance and logistic support. The cost of renting bikes varies from 50 yuan to 100 yuan per day depending on the standard of the bike.

"Our key to compete against others is to offer the best service. We control the scale (of the club) as we have to make sure every guest is well taken care of," says 43-year-old Wu, who still repairs bikes despite his poor health.

The hard work soon paid off and the couple started turning a profit and enjoying recommendations from happy customers.

The club served almost 2,000 cycling enthusiasts during peak season (from June to August) and totaled net benefits of 50,000 yuan last year. Its bicycle fleet has expanded to 140, and the club has eight accommodation partners that offer discounts to its guests even in busy months.

"221 (club) is very famous among the grassroots riding groups," says Liu Kefu, a cycling enthusiast from Sichuan province who stopped by for assistance.

Battered by rains and strong winds, Liu's friends halted their cycling trip midway, and the club sent a minivan to bring them back in two hours.

"Its service and support stood out. That's why 221 can lure guests back," Liu adds.

Still, Wu remains extremely rigorous about maintaining his bikes, examining every bolt and gear before and after use.

"I was born with an interest in fixing things and I am proud that none of our bikes has ever been stuck by mechanical breakdowns during tours."

An says it's tough to see her husband working overtime in spite of his illness so she tries to take on more of the field operations like organizing activities and tour guiding.

"In our family, the woman works outside while the man stays at home, which is opposite of the Chinese tradition," An jokes.

With more than 20 clubs established in recent years, the market in Xihai is becoming saturated. Wu and An decided to expand by opening a branch in Guide county earlier this year but business is sluggish with a shortage of funds and local protectionism.

Zhang Jianmin, vice-governor of Qinghai province visited their club last November and helped work out policies to offer two-year subsidized loans of 100,000 yuan to the couple.

"It's such timely help," Wu says. "The government's support boosted our confidence to further develop the business."

With 400,000 yuan in hand, the couple opened another club and a hostel in Guide county in May, hoping to trigger another boom.

"Our ultimate goal is making the area the home for amateur cyclists worldwide," An says.

Related:

Tour brings cycle of success to Qinghai

The wheel deal