Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [159]
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CYCLING
There are bicycle paths in the New Territories, mostly around Tolo Harbour. The paths run from Sha Tin to Tai Po and continue to Tai Mei Tuk. You can rent bikes in these places, but the paths get crowded on weekends. Rentals are also available at Shek O on Hong Kong Island and on Lamma, Cheung Chau and Lantau.
Although the Hong Kong Cycling Association (www.cycling.org.hk) mainly organises races, you can try it for information.
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HONG KONG FOR ADRENALINE JUNKIES
It may not threaten the world’s great adrenaline sports centres just yet, but thrills and spills are there to be found if you know where to look. So, if going for a jog or racquet sports just don’t do it for you, here are some ideas for getting into the zone. If you’re living in Hong Kong and looking for adventure options in the wider region the Action Asia (www.actionasia.com) website is a good place to go for information and inspiration.
Adventure Racing
Fitness junkies: what better way to test yourself than outdoor action events combining several sports in a day’s racing in teams of two or more, such as kayaking, running, swimming, climbing and mountain biking? Action Asia Events (www.actionasiaevents.com) publishes an events calendar.
Climbing
Hong Kong is peppered with excellent granite faces and volcanic rocks in some striking wilderness areas. The Hong Kong Climbing (www.hongkongclimbing.com) website is the best resource for climbers; it has some excellent and detailed downloadable PDF guides. According to these guys, Tung Lung Chau Click here has the highest concentration of quality sport climbs in Hong Kong.
Fight Club
Spend a day with your mates and DEF Boxing (www.def.com.hk) learning how to punch and how to avoid being punched before being let loose on each other for some real live sparring. Prices start at about $1200 per person.
Flight Club
Wanna know what it was like landing at Hong Kong’s old Kai Tak airport, when pilots had to squeeze between the washing lines of Kowloon’s tenement blocks before chucking a hard right for the final approach? Then trying flying a virtual Boeing 737 on the route or hundreds of others with Flight Experience ( Map 2359 0000; www.flightexperience.com.hk; Shop G20, Megabox, 38 Wang Chiu Rd, Kowloon Bay). Sweaty palms guaranteed.
Paintball
From around $250 you don camo gear, get a gun and 100 rounds of paint, and are let loose in a range of team games to splatter or get splattered in secluded parts of the Hong Kong countryside. Try Paintball Headquarters ( Map; 3106 0220; www.paintballhq.com.hk; Ground fl, Po Lung Centre; 11 Wang Chui Rd, Kowloon Bay) or YSO War Games ( Map; 9837 5764; www.ysowargames.com; Yung Shue O, Sai Kung) for more information.
Virtual speeding
Fancy yourself as the new Vin Diesel drifting your hot wheels around the streets? Then head to the Sideways Driving Club ( Map; 2523 0983; 1-2 Chancery Lane, Central; www.sideways-driving-club.com) and its 13 advanced, hyper-realistic F1 racing simulators to see if you’ve got what it takes. Prices start at $550 per hour.
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Mountain biking is no longer banned in Hong Kong’s country parks and there is a fine, ever-growing network of trails available in 10 of them, including Sai Kung and Lantau South Country Parks. You must apply for a permit in writing, in person or by fax through the Country & Marine Parks Authority ( Map; 2150 6868; 6th fl, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Rd; MTR Sham Shui Po, exit D2). For information check out the website of the Hong Kong Mountain Bike Association (www.hkmba.org); for equipment (and first-hand advice) talk to the helpful staff at the Flying Ball Bicycle Co ( Map; 2381 3661; Ground fl, 478 Castle Peak Rd, Cheung Sha Wan; 11am-8pm Mon-Sat; MTR Lai Chi Kok, exit B1).
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FISHING
While there are almost no restrictions on deep-sea fishing, it’s a different story at Hong Kong’s 17 freshwater reservoirs, where the season runs from September to