42 days, 13,000 kilometers on a motorcycle
Setting off on June 21 and returning to Guiyang on the morning of August 1, the three elderly riders traveled from Guiyang to Qiqihar and then to Russia, covering more than 13,000 kilometers in 42 days. This was their travel itinerary. With an average age of 63, although they didn’t spend much time at each scenic spot, the seniors believe this northbound journey will be the most memorable trip of their lives. “No matter how far the road, no matter how tough the journey, riding ten thousand miles just to see our country’s landscapes and fulfill the dreams of our youth.” This is the life reflection shared by the seniors.
You can still be wild even in old age
“Retirement life is just having breakfast, waiting for lunch, then waiting for dinner,” said 65-year-old Liu Fu’an, describing his post-retirement days. Before retiring, he worked as a civil servant at the Land and Resources Bureau. His wife has suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage for many years and needs care. In 2002, he was injured in a car accident, and his health declined. His son hired a caregiver for the couple and, after his recovery, suggested he start exercising. At first, he just jogged every day, but later bought a motorcycle and began riding around the neighborhood for fun. This lifted his spirits and reminded him of his youthful dream—to see the beautiful landscapes of the motherland.
This trip to Mohe was his idea. It originally started as a plan to attend a motorcycle enthusiasts’ gathering in Qiqihar, but it ended up taking them all the way to Mohe. The trio set off northward from Guizhou, stopping along the way to enjoy the scenery, crossing the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, traversing vast grasslands, reaching the northernmost point of Mohe, staying a few days in Russia, then heading south along the eastern border before going to Jiangxi and finally back to Guiyang.
Marching valiantly across the Yalu River
Chen Liming, 61, worked at a state-owned enterprise before retirement. With his wife still employed, he spent his days at home watching TV. As a young man, he was too busy with work to travel, but in retirement, he developed a passion for photography. The line from his childhood Chinese textbook—“Marching valiantly and mightily across the Yalu River”—was deeply etched in his mind, and he had always wanted to see it with his own eyes, but never found the chance due to work. Carrying that childhood dream, he joined the northbound motorcycle journey.
The senior said, “The scenery along the way was beautiful, especially the ecology of the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains—you could see goats, wild boars, and pheasants, which you don’t see in Guizhou anymore. This trip fulfilled my dream of visiting many places I’d long wanted to see.” Damansky Island, also mentioned in the textbook, was a special stop for the seniors. They visited to learn about its history and took many photos as mementos.
One safety call per day
The seniors told reporters that while their families supported their motorcycle adventures, they were also worried about their safety and insisted on daily check-in calls. Liu Anfu’s son said: “I fully support my father traveling. He used to stay home all the time and didn’t look well. Riding a motorcycle has been good for his health and improved his spirits. But we’re concerned about safety—especially when he rode on highways, which terrified us.” The seniors were also shaken by the incident and pledged to prioritize safety in future trips, only hitting the road when it’s completely safe.
Relying on fellow motorcyclists along the way
Choosing to tour by motorcycle, they met many like-minded “biker friends” along the way, helping and traveling together. The seniors said, “There were many fellow travelers—people from Hunan, Chongqing, and even some around 60 years old who chose this way of traveling. We’re really quite ordinary.” At every stop, they met other bikers and exchanged travel tips. In Dalian, fellow riders helped replace their brake pads, washed their bikes, and checked every part of the motorcycles. This warm gesture deeply moved the seniors. Thanks to everyone’s help, they had a smooth journey with few difficulties. The only issue was a minor motorcycle malfunction midway, which didn’t affect their schedule.
Spending very little along the way
The seniors didn’t have a strict plan—they rode and stopped to enjoy the scenery as they pleased. Sometimes they stayed a few days if the view was great; other times they rode all day, covering 500 to 600 kilometers to reach the next destination. Carrying tents, they sometimes camped outdoors when the weather was nice, but mostly opted for hotels. Along the way, they tasted local delicacies. Chen Liming said, “When we find something delicious, we stop to eat and buy some specialties to take home.” The three spent a little over 10,000 yuan each during the 42-day trip, with half going to fuel costs. Accommodation and meals didn’t cost much.
Riding ten thousand miles to fulfill a dream
The three seniors are passionate about motorcycle road trips. Now that they’re retired and no longer pressed for time, they planned this trip together to realize childhood dreams. In 2009, they rode motorcycles to Xinjiang and circled the region. “Whenever we saw beautiful scenery, we stopped to take photos,” said Chen Liming. Their goal was to stay active, learn about the country’s history, and capture the beauty of the motherland. They’ve traveled to many places, and each trip broadened their horizons and lifted their spirits. Now, life feels far from dull, and they feel there’s still so much to do. They even plan to ride to Tibet next year.