The 27-year-old Tianjin native Wang Zhibo is planning an extraordinary feat: cycling to Oceania. His journey will take him through multiple countries in Oceania and Asia, covering a distance of over 20,000 kilometers, all to fulfill a simple dream: to enrich his youthful experiences, challenge the limits of his willpower, and commemorate his youth in his own way.
On the afternoon of the 15th, the reporter met Wang Zhibo, who was carefully planning a physical training regimen before his “Oceania cycling” trip. “This journey will take me through New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, and eventually back to Tianjin. To prepare myself in advance, I’m going to cycle to Guangxi tomorrow,” Wang said.
After graduating from university, Wang Zhibo worked a stable job at a foreign company. In his spare time, he enjoyed cycling. “‘Cycling to unfamiliar distant places’ has always been my dream. Two years ago, a netizen told me about his cycling trip to London, which really inspired me,” he said.
Last year, Wang Zhibo took a long leave from his company and spent three months completing a 4,500-kilometer cycling journey to Tibet. “At that time, I was under a lot of pressure — my parents and friends didn’t understand,” he said. But the trip to Tibet was immensely rewarding. The breathtaking scenery along the way captivated him, and more importantly, it strengthened his willpower and helped him make many new friends. “Back then, I set off with many other cyclists. We trusted and encouraged one another, stuck together toward a common goal, and became great friends,” he recalled.
Now, his parents have seen the change in Wang Zhibo. The young man is not only stronger but also more mature and determined in what he does. As a result, his plan to quit his job and cycle to Oceania has received support from family and friends, who even helped him raise 30,000 yuan for the trip. “This November, I will set off for Oceania with ten other cyclists from around the country. Along the way, I’ll experience the fantastical natural beauty of New Zealand’s wilderness, admire the romantic wonder of Australia’s desert meeting the sea, and ride through the green ecological cities of Singapore… Just thinking about it gets me very excited. I plan to document my journey every day and inspire more young people to bravely pursue their youthful dreams,” Wang said.