A wheel-y fun day out in Beijing

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.