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Eight senior cycling enthusiasts
On the 22nd, they took a train from Hefei to Chengdu, after which they began cycling, traveling through Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and other areas on their way to Tibet, covering an estimated distance of around 6,000 kilometers over approximately fifty days, cycling about 100 kilometers per day.
For many young people, cycling to Tibet is a dream and a challenge. But for 65-year-old Liu Datong and his seven companions, it has become a reality. At 3 pm on June 22, they set off from Hefei and, upon arriving in Chengdu, began cycling toward Tibet.
Liu Datong and the other seven seniors are all cycling enthusiasts from a bicycle club in Hefei. Their decision to go to Tibet this time was a personal challenge. “We want to show others that even though we’re old, our hearts are still young,” said Liu Datong with a smile. Among the eight participants, the only female cyclist is the youngest, at 57 years old, while the oldest is Liu Datong. The group’s average age is over 60, but all are in good health.
Cycling to Tibet is no easy feat. Starting from April of this year, more than ten senior cycling enthusiasts, including Liu Datong, began preliminary selection and training exercises. “We cycled back and forth in the Dabie Mountains, and in the end, we selected eight members,” said Liu Datong.
To ensure the success of their journey, the seniors also sought advice from friends who had previously been to Tibet, learning about key precautions and taking corresponding preventive and preparatory measures against altitude sickness. In Liu Datong’s view, mindset is the most important factor. With enough confidence, they can have the courage and stamina to persevere and complete the activity. “Everything is ready—we’re just waiting to set off from Chengdu!” The group of seniors is filled with anticipation for the upcoming trip to Tibet.
It is reported that before heading to Tibet, these riders had already cycled to many places across China. “Last year, we spent 46 days going to Mohe,” recalled Liu Datong. The journey covered about 8,000 kilometers, often with stretches of 80 to 90 kilometers through completely uninhabited areas. They had to rely on the water and dry food they carried to sustain themselves, but they also gained many unusual joys along the way.
Liu Datong stated that this trip to Tibet is not the end of their cycling journey. “We’re still young and can keep riding,” he said. Previously, they had cycled through northeastern China, and their future plan is to head to the southwestern region. These seniors share a dream: to cycle across the entire country before they turn 70.