Cycling to Tibet can be described as the dream of every cycling enthusiast. For many young and physically fit people, it’s already a challenge, yet Chen Shaogui from Qinghua Community, Qingyang Street, Jinjiang, was not afraid at all. On June 2, the 64-year-old embarked on his journey to cycle to Tibet, taking on the challenge he had long wanted to conquer—the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. After 23 days and a 2,000-kilometer trek, he finally arrived safely in Tibet. “I’m in great health, feeling good, and have no discomfort at all,” Chen said with a smile.
Once made a “bold statement”
Now it has finally come true
Last year, many readers learned about this elderly man’s cycling adventures across the country through our newspaper. His bold statement—“Next year, I plan to go to Tibet by bike with two or three cycling friends”—left a deep impression on many. While many admired his courage, some still thought it was too risky for a man over 60 to cycle to Tibet, leaving them wondering, “Can he really do it?” However, Chen Shaogui’s safe return proved that he did it—and succeeded.
When reporters recently met Chen Shaogui again, they noticed he had become even thinner than before, and his skin was a bit darker. But his spirit remained high, and his sunny, confident smile always conveyed his vitality and joy. “Cycling to Tibet has always been my dream, and now it’s finally come true,” the elderly man said, his happiness and satisfaction evident.
To ensure the trip went smoothly, Chen Shaogui exercised every day and even bought a well-equipped, high-quality bicycle in Hong Kong. With full preparation, on June 2, Chen and three cycling friends took a bus to Chengdu, then started cycling into Tibet. “Many people didn’t believe I could cycle to Tibet at my age,” Chen said. He has always been someone who refuses to accept defeat and is willing to take on challenges, so even though there was a lot of opposition around him, he stayed true to himself. “Besides, I had already made the promise, so I definitely had to give it a try!” he said with a laugh.
Almost no altitude sickness
The only challenge was the weather
With just a thick coat, a mobile phone, some cash, and a bit of dry food, Chen Shaogui set off lightly equipped. Covering an average of 80 km per day over 23 days, this was a piece of cake for someone with years of cycling experience.
“It felt like I had no trouble adapting at all—I almost had no altitude sickness,” Chen said proudly. The only thing that slightly bothered him was the unpredictable weather and huge temperature fluctuations.
He explained that often in the morning he would wear short sleeves, but by the afternoon it would start raining, with temperatures dropping by over ten degrees Celsius. “When it rains, I’d shiver from the cold, and getting wet made me feel miserable, so I had to ride carefully,” he said. But being well-prepared, he wore a thick coat and donned a DIY raincoat he had made—cutting the front part of a regular raincoat into two flaps to wrap around the bike’s handlebars, securing them with clips so the raincoat wouldn’t easily blow up. This kept him both dry and warm.
How did he overcome the obstacles?
Good physical condition and a positive mindset were key
Unlike many other cyclists who traveled to Tibet, Chen Shaogui didn’t have any particularly dramatic or inspiring stories of battling harsh roads, terrible weather, or altitude sickness.
Along the way, several of his cycling companions experienced dizziness, insomnia, constipation, and other adverse reactions. However, he breezed through all the challenges without suffering from dizziness or fatigue, ensuring he had sufficient sleep every day. It turns out, all this was thanks to Chen’s habit of regular exercise and his positive attitude.
“I make it a point to ride up Luoshang Mountain every morning, going back and forth for about 20 km,” he said. Morning exercise had become an essential part of his routine, and after each workout, he felt refreshed and energized. In terms of diet, he mostly ate simple, wholesome meals while keeping regular meal times and portions. Moreover, you might not expect that Elder Chen has taken cold showers every day for over 20 years and continues to do so. “So I’m never afraid of the cold in winter. Unlike other seniors who bundle up, I rarely get sick,” Chen said proudly.
Speaking with Chen Shaogui, his optimism and positive outlook always rub off on those around him. One phrase he often shares is: “Fame and wealth don’t matter; what matters most is your health.” Being content and indifferent to material desires has always been his secret to staying forever young and living a carefree, fulfilling life.