Elder Shi and his bicycle.
According to Weifang Evening News, on October 30, a report titled "Spontaneous Cycling Expeditions: They Just Go" featured a group of young long-distance cyclists, which garnered strong public response. Recently, reporters learned that Weifang also has a 70-year-old cycling enthusiast, Elder Shi Xide, who once undertook a thousand-mile journey. Even more impressive is that he suffers from heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions, yet he still had to administer his own insulin injections during the ride.
On the 30th, reporters met Elder Shi Xide. He was wearing a red jacket, riding a red bicycle, and sporting a baseball cap. Had he not taken out his newly issued senior citizen free bus pass, the reporters would have found it hard to believe he was already 70 years old.
"I set off from Weifang on May 8, passing through Binzhou, Tangshan, Shanhaiguan, Huludao, Yingkou, and other places, and finally arrived in Dalian on May 21, taking 13 days," Elder Shi said lightly when talking about that trip to Dalian. He then took a ferry from Dalian to Yantai and cycled back to Weifang from Yantai, taking two days in total. The entire journey covered 1,700 kilometers. The reporters calculated that Elder Shi averaged 110 kilometers per day — a distance that even young people would find challenging.
"Every morning at 7:30, I pack up and set off on time, usually finding a place to rest by 5:30 in the evening." Compared to younger cyclists, Elder Shi is more persistent and diligent. "Sometimes I go cycling with some young people, but they can’t take more than a few dozen kilometers before saying they can’t handle it. A positive and determined mindset makes a big difference," said Elder Shi.
In October, Elder Shi just completed a trip around Shandong. "This time I went to Tai’an, Jinan, Binzhou, Dongying, and other places. I just got back a couple of days ago and even celebrated my 70th birthday on the road," Elder Shi told reporters. Wherever he goes, he tries to take a photo of himself with his bike. In addition, Elder Shi often takes "short rides" to places like Yantai and Binzhou.
When reporters asked why he chooses to travel in spring and autumn, Elder Shi smiled mysteriously and lifted his shirt to reveal his abdomen. The reporters saw it was covered with densely packed needle marks. "My health isn’t very good. In 2005, I almost didn’t make it — I had a close call with death," Elder Shi said. He explained that he still needs to take regular insulin injections and medication for his diabetes, and must carry insulin with him even on the road. "Insulin can’t be exposed to high temperatures for long or it becomes ineffective. 'Food and daily necessities can be bought anywhere, but insulin is hard to come by even in county-level cities, so I have to carry it with me,' said Elder Shi.
Elder Shi has also learned to find joy amid hardship. He pulled out a small cloth bag and said it contained all his treasures. The reporters saw that, aside from stacks of cycling photos, there was also a "passport." "This was issued in Shanhaiguan. As long as you show this, you’ll be allowed through anywhere," Elder Shi said with a sly smile.
Elder Shi lives in Dongshengjian Residential Community, Kuiwen District. He used to be a driver, and since retiring, he has kept up daily exercise. In earlier years, he mainly flew kites, but later took up cycling — and has been cycling for six years now.
As for the future, Elder Shi has an even bigger dream: to cycle to Shanghai or even farther next year. At the same time, he also expressed hope that more elderly people will join the cycling community.