At around 8 a.m. yesterday, over 400 cyclists from various cycling clubs in the city gathered at the square of the Dingdingmen Relics Museum, dressed in cycling gear to send off 72-year-old cyclist “Veteran” as he prepared to embark on a 3,000-kilometer journey — the “Veteran’s Silk Road Cycling Campaign” was officially launched.
Although the weather was hot, the cyclists’ enthusiasm showed no signs of fading. One cyclist who attended the launch ceremony with his 13-year-old son told reporters that “Veteran,” at such an age and with such determination, is someone every cyclist can learn from.
The “Veteran” is named Li Quanshui, a retired worker from Yituo Group, who began cycling in 2000. As one of the earlier cycling enthusiasts in Luoyang, his bike tires have rolled through revolutionary sites like Yan’an, Beihai in Guangxi, and Lianyungang in Jiangsu.
“Now that Luoyang’s ‘dual UNESCO bid’ (for both the Silk Road and the Grand Canal) is moving full steam ahead, I also want to do my part,” said Li Quanshui. He will be cycling the entire journey alone, traveling westward along national highways all the way to Dunhuang. Along the way, he plans to reach every Silk Road heritage site applying for UNESCO recognition, take photos, and ask relevant staff to stamp his banner as a keepsake. Regarding the potential challenges during the trip, Li Quanshui said he has made ample preparations: “Although I haven’t traveled this route before, I’ve already gathered information in advance. I’m well aware of the possible difficulties regarding weather, road conditions, and even mental challenges. I think I can complete the journey in just over a month.”
After the launch ceremony, many cyclists followed Li Quanshui, accompanying him to one of the city’s first three Silk Road heritage sites — the Han Dynasty Hangu Pass in Xin’an — to see him off.