"We will surely return laden with the most breathtaking scenery from the easternmost part of our motherland—let’s go!" Five "senior cyclists," as they are called, shouted this slogan as they said goodbye to their teammates who couldn’t join. At around 12:00 yesterday, five "senior" members of the Dalian Laohutan Cycling Team officially began their "Easternmost" cycling tour, starting from Dalian Railway Station and heading...
Before departure, the cyclists had their bikes shipped and took a group photo in front of Dalian Railway Station.
Senior Cyclists Cycle to the "Easternmost" Point
At the station entrance, reporters met these five cyclists. They’re referred to as "senior" because the group’s average age is 73, with the oldest, Wang Zhengxiang, over 80 years old, and the "youngest," Zhao Guocheng, already 64. Despite their age, the elders appeared full of vigor and enthusiasm. Especially 70-year-old team leader Qu Shitai, who was bustling about energetically. "Our luggage has been shipped ahead of time, and we plan to start from Jiamusi," explained Captain Qu. Since the team had previously cycled the Dalian-to-Jiamusi route, they chose to take the train directly to Jiamusi this time and begin their ride from there. The journey will take them through Tangwanghe, Fuyuan, Raohe, and the Changbai Mountains, ending in Meihekou at the junction of the Changbai Mountain area and the Songliao Plain. They’ll then return to Dalian by train from Meihekou.
Captain Qu noted that this cycling trip will traverse the borders between China and Russia, and China and North Korea, hence the name "Easternmost" cycling tour. They’re especially keen to ride across the newly completed bridge to Heixiazi Island if possible. "We plan to visit 23 famous scenic spots along the way, but we might come across other worthwhile places and choose to explore them too. So this originally planned 45-day journey may end up taking longer. We’ve made full physical and mental preparations," said Captain Qu. In preparation for this trip, the cyclists began intensive training a month in advance. In addition to their regular twice-weekly group activities, the five members incorporated extra physical exercises to ensure they’d be in the best shape for the challenge.
Cycling Team Marks 10th Anniversary with Special Edition
The Laohutan Cycling Team was established in June 2003, growing from just a few members to more than twenty. The team mainly consists of retirees from the Hutan community, "though many cyclists from other communities have also heard about us and insisted on joining," said veteran member Shen Baochun proudly. Some team members had already traveled to Lhasa and Xishuangbanna as early as 2005, reached "the Arctic" in Mohe Village, and traveled to "the Antarctic" in Sanya. Among the five cyclists heading to the "Easternmost" point this time, two have been to Tibet, and two others have cycled from Dalian to Hainan Island—so their experience is top-notch. Recently, the team also released a special edition publication to celebrate its 10th anniversary. According to the team’s internal magazine, many passionate cyclists documented their journey memories through photos, travelogues, and poems.
"We obtained quite a bit of material from the environmental protection department and made banners as well," said Captain Qu. Along the route, the cyclists will promote environmental awareness and showcase the beauty of their hometown, Dalian. "We hope our team will continue to grow. After returning from this trip, we plan to hold a photo exhibition to introduce this healthy way of traveling to more retired seniors," Captain Qu added.
Synced to youmezz's Weibo