Cycling into Lhasa, Yu Fuxi strikes a victory pose
A group of 11 people set out together to cycle westward to Tibet, and she was the only woman. During their 26-day cycling journey, she and her companions pedaled their way to unleash unrestrained passion, take in poetic landscapes, and fulfill their youthful dream of cycling to Tibet. A 37-year-old woman from Liuyang, nicknamed “Little Black Rose,” reflected after cycling in Tibet: “If you don’t push yourself, you’ll never know how strong you really are.”
The cyclists spontaneously decided to go to Tibet to see bluer skies
“Little Black Rose’s” real name is Yu Fuxi, an individual business owner at the Liuyang River Market in Liuyang City. In September 2011, she got to know several cycling enthusiasts in downtown Liuyang and gradually fell in love with the sport of cycling.
Once, the group came up with a whimsical idea—what would it be like to cycle in Tibet? “The leisurely urban life makes many people lose some of their passion for life and lack the courage to face challenges,” Yu Fuxi said. Driven by her innate love for challenges, she and the other cyclists quickly agreed: “Let’s go to Tibet to see bluer skies and breathe fresher air!” On the afternoon of September 6, “Little Black Rose” and her group of 11 set off on their westward cycling journey to Tibet. They planned to fly from Changsha to Lijiang and then cycle into Tibet. “At the airport farewell hug, my husband’s eyes were full of worry and reluctance,” she said. Her husband also quietly placed chocolates and food in her backpack.
Conquering a 4,300-meter snow mountain is something I’ll never forget
After entering Tibet, the first high mountain they crossed was Baima Snow Mountain, a 4,300-meter-high snow-capped peak with an 80-kilometer route. She said that because an earthquake had occurred not long ago, the area was dotted with makeshift camps, “and I couldn’t help feeling a bit of panic as I climbed uphill.” Once on the mountain road, many self-driving travelers gave her a thumbs-up to cheer her on. Encouraged by the passersby, she cycled continuously for eight hours and finally reached the summit. During a break, she learned that the day’s ride was far from over—there were still three mountain passes ahead.
Then it was all about pushing forward with sheer willpower. Yu Fuxi said that after crossing a 4,292-meter-high pass, there followed a 30-kilometer downhill stretch, “the wind was bone-chilling, and it numbed my hands and feet.” It wasn’t until after 5 p.m. that she saw the legendary panoramic view of the 13 Peaks of Meili Mountain under the golden sunlight: “This is a natural wonder that some photographers wait half a month to catch a glimpse of!” Yu Fuxi said that the most perilous part of the entire cycling trip was the section of National Highway 318 from Bangda to Baxoi. The legendary “99 Turns of the Nujiang River” refers to this stretch. With cliffs on the left and steep rock faces on the right, and absolutely no guardrails, she had to slow down repeatedly. From Bomi to Nyingchi, not only was the road bumpy, but the entire section was only wide enough for a single bus, “with the Yarlung Tsangpo River right beside you—if you fall, it’s all over!” When she looked back at the layers of mountains she had conquered, Yu Fuxi burst into tears: “I can’t believe I actually did it. I’ll never forget this for the rest of my life!”
Riding together, the journey was warm and heartwarming
Yu Fuxi said that during the cycling trip, there were sections where they had to race against time, and when hungry, they had to forage for wild fruits by the roadside. But no matter where they were, dinner every day was the liveliest time—potatoes, spicy tofu, bits of shredded meat and cabbage were all delicious. Each dish that hit the table was quickly devoured by a dozen pairs of chopsticks. For her, the most interesting part of the cycling trip was the accommodations. She stayed in 8-person rooms, 5-person rooms, and even 6-person rooms with bunk beds. Everyone looked out for and cared for one another, leaving no room for fear or shyness. To ensure she could keep up with the group in the morning, she had her own rule: if there was a first-floor room, she’d never choose the second floor; if there was a lower bunk, she’d never sleep on the upper one. Along the way, as they cycled into villages, they were greeted with calls of “Tashi Delek.” After arriving in Lhasa, the city of eternal sunshine, she breathed in fresh air lazily for three days. “Little Black Rose’s” excited heart finally calmed down: “After experiencing 26 days of cycling life, I realized that if you don’t push yourself, you’ll never know how strong you really are.”