Li Zhaohui is on the road.
The distance from Chongqing to Shijiazhuang is 2,200 km. It takes two hours by plane or a full day and night by train, but Li Zhaohui, a third-year student at Chongqing Normal University’s College of International Business and Trade, has chosen to cycle home — a trip that will take him over 20 days.
I want to cycle home
For 22-year-old Li Zhaohui, cycling has already become a part of his life. In the second semester of his junior year, he came up with a bold idea: I want to cycle home during the summer vacation. He drew up a route map, calculated the time needed and planned rest stops along the way. He also collected online cycling codes of conduct and safety tips, and prepared ample medicine, food, and bike repair tools.
At 6 a.m. on the 18th, Li Zhaohui set off on a mountain bike loaded with 30 kilograms of luggage. Unexpectedly, he encountered high temperatures right from the start.
Starting from the College of International Business and Trade in Hechuan, he got on National Highway 212 and headed north, cycling through Beibei and Yubei.
If you’re going to do it, do it now
The weather was hot, and after sweating profusely through 60 km, Li Zhaohui arrived in Yubei District. Feeling unbearably hot, he stopped at a small house near a fish pond. An elderly couple warmly welcomed him, offered him cool water, and kindly treated him to a bowl of congee. After lunch, a short nap, and some rest, Li Zhaohui set off again. “To avoid the heat, I try to set out as soon as it gets light in the morning and only rest after it’s completely dark at night. That way, I can protect my health without delaying my journey.”
The next day he reached Fuling, the following day Wanzhou, then Yunyang, Fengjie, and Wushan. Li Zhaohui estimates it will take about 10 days to reach Yichang in Hubei, another seven days to Luoyang, and after that, he’ll almost be home.
Li Zhaohui loves the movie "Kora" and is also a fan of the book "On the Road." “Let today be the beginning, kid. Once you start, you can’t stop — and you shouldn’t. Take it slow, walk slowly, and gradually become a traveler. Sunsets are always beautiful, but don’t wait until you’re old to do what you wanted to do in your youth. Do it now.”
Li Zhaohui said this is the first time in his life that he’s carrying out a plan of his own, and he’ll learn as he goes along the journey.