Cycling: Racing into the Headwind

Zhou Ming was a man of his word. Not even half an hour after he hung up the phone, he arrived at the bike shop.

As soon as he walked in, he got straight to the point:

"Old Du, I’m here to pick up my bike. Bring me my Bora Team edition SL8!

Everyone online is saying the Lightning SL8 is an amazing ride. I used to look down on these all-rounder frames, preferring aero frames.

I want to see for myself just what’s so great about this bike—"

"Brother Zhou, Lightning bikes are definitely great rides, but I really don’t have any in stock."

Dewey, sitting in his shop, threw up his hands and spoke with an air of complete resignation.

In fact, after Huang Chong was confirmed to be joining the Bora Team, he had stocked up on some of the team edition frames.

He had even rebuilt his own bike to the exact same specs as Huang Chong’s team edition.

After all, his buddy was China’s sole representative in the sport. And while road cycling itself is a niche sport, with the backing of such a massive market, even a niche product would find buyers.

Of course, road bikes are like consumer electronics; the paint jobs and models are updated so quickly that it’s not wise to keep a large inventory.

Furthermore, the Lightning S-works SL8 was a top-of-the-line carbon fiber frame, making its cost very high.

Dewey was no rich kid like Zhou Ming, so he didn’t dare stock too many—only about ten in total, split across several sizes.

The size 51, a golden size suitable for riders between 170-180cm tall, had made up half his stock. But ever since Huang Chong won the Queen Stage in Australia on that very bike yesterday, they had all been sold out instantly.

Zhou Ming showing up today was definitely too late.

"I don’t care. I made it very clear on the phone just now. I want it today.

You have to get me a team edition bike with the exact same specs as Huang Chong’s.

As for the price, just name it. I can afford whatever it is!"

Dewey didn’t doubt Zhou Ming’s words in the slightest. The guy was practically a road bike collector and was truly willing to spend the money.

For example, when Colnago, the brand used by Pogačar, released the limited C68 Gold Edition and C68 Black Gold Collector’s Edition—officially priced at 218,000 and 150,000 yuan respectively—Zhou Ming had called him immediately to get his hands on them without a moment’s hesitation.

So for a bike like the Bora Team’s World Tour machine, which would sell for 110,000 yuan at most even with a markup, Zhou Ming truly didn’t care about paying a little chump change.

’These damn rich people,’ he thought. ’They’re just buying a moment of happiness. They don’t care about value for money at all.’

But Dewey was already swamped with backorders. Even if he were to slice off his own fat—which was growing heavier and had already reached 80kg—and sell it, he wouldn’t be able to get a single Bora Team frame.

Especially with the end of the year approaching, which was considered the off-season for bike releases, all the major manufacturers were limiting production, making it even harder to get one in stock.

He replied helplessly,

"Brother Zhou, my dear Eldest Young Master Zhou, this isn’t about money, okay?

Do you think I don’t know you’ve got money to burn?

The problem is you’re really too late. If you had come yesterday, I might have been able to spare one for you.

But showing up today... Forget getting it today, even if you wait until after the New Year, I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to get one."

Despite what Dewey said, the shop’s senior mechanic, Liu Chaoyang, was right there assembling a brand-new Bora Team edition SL8—in a size 51, which was perfect for Zhou Ming.

Seeing this, Zhou Ming couldn’t be bothered to argue with Dewey anymore. He pointed a finger at the road bike Liu Chaoyang was assembling and shot back,

"Who bought this one?

Just tell me, Old Du.

I don’t want to waste any more words. Go tell the buyer that I’ll pay double for his bike. Tell him to let me have it first!"

Hearing this, Dewey wished he could just give Zhou Ming his own Bora Team edition race bike.

Unfortunately, he’d been riding his for a month, and a rich young master like Zhou Ming would never accept a second-hand bike.

Still, he had to admit, when you timed it right, making money off these rich playboys was incredibly easy.

This was a top-tier road bike worth well over a hundred thousand yuan. Doubling the price meant an easy profit of over a hundred thousand!

But as fate would have it, the owner of the bike currently being assembled in his shop wouldn’t give a damn about Zhou Ming’s money, even if he offered double—

Seeing Zhou Ming fixated on this bike, Dewey’s face was a mask of exasperation. He said bluntly,

"Brother Zhou, please don’t make trouble for me. I’m begging you, have some mercy and let me have a peaceful New Year.

You know my clients. To me, every single one of them is a VIP I can’t afford to offend!

You know I can’t afford to piss anyone off, yet you still pull this stunt.

If you’re really that desperate, you can take my own Bora Team edition bike and ride it for a few days.

I guarantee it’s 99% new. I’ve only ridden it twice, and there isn’t a single scratch on it.

And the specs are absolutely identical to all the hardware on my buddy’s bike that won the championship in Australia, down to the very last screw.

Wait for me to get a frame shipped over from Europe through my international channels, and I’ll get you a new bike then. How does that sound?"

"Of course not!

I wouldn’t be caught dead riding your second-hand bike.

What’s this ’99% new’ nonsense? Do you think I’m shopping on some resale site?"

But that was just Zhou Ming’s personality. He had been spoiled and arrogant since childhood, born with a domineering and forceful nature.

Once he set his mind on something, he was completely incapable of compromise.

However, he paused for a moment before continuing,

"Old Du, I won’t lie to you. The real reason I’m so insistent on getting a new bike from you today is that I thought of a good way to make some money, and I was planning to bring you in on it.

If you’re interested, I’ll let you in on the action.

So, it’s your call.

If you’re serious about making money, then help me get this road bike.

If you can’t, then I’m heading home, and you can just pretend I never said anything about a business opportunity!"