Team members who came to see them off signed the team flag as a keepsake. Photo by Chen Shumei.
On the morning of the 8th, at the entrance of the Chengde Grand Theater in Hebei, three senior cycling enthusiasts, now in their sixties, were all set to depart on their journey to Xinjiang.
"I've completed cycling trips to 22 provinces across China, and my dream is to travel all over the country." Ma Jingxian, who is participating in this cycling trip to Xinjiang, told reporters while packing his backpack.
Ma Jingxian is from the "Mountain Eagle Cycling Team" in Chengde City and serves as the team captain. Among the nearly 100 members of the cycling team, 66-year-old Ma Jingxian is the oldest and also one of the earliest to take up cycling.
In 2008, after retiring, Ma Jingxian officially joined the ranks of outdoor cycling. That same year, he began to dream of cycling across China. His first long-distance cycling trip was in 2009 when he set off alone on his bicycle to Xi'an. He cycled for five years, covering a total of 35,000 kilometers and traversing most of China.
Ma Jingxian admitted that he is someone who enjoys being around people. "I can't sit still, I love the excitement and traveling around." Reflecting on last year’s 82-day round-trip cycling journey to Tibet with five teammates, he said, "It was like the Journey to the West—we went through almost 81 trials and tribulations."
Joining Ma Jingxian on this cycling trip to Xinjiang are his teammates, 59-year-old Zhou Zhenxing and 63-year-old Yang Shuanglu. "Cycling not only helps keep you fit but can also serve as a means of green transportation," said Zhou Zhenxing. Traveling across the country to admire its beautiful landscapes not only broadens your horizons but also enriches your spirit.
The reporter saw in Zhou Zhenxing’s diary the details he recorded during last year’s cycling trip to Tibet with Ma Jingxian and four others. One entry read: "I'm the youngest in the group, but I still struggled. If it weren’t for the other veterans, I would have given up...". But when the Potala Palace finally came into view after a tough trek, all the hardships faded away.
"In our travels, hardship is also a kind of joy. We never thought about giving up. Just like the eagle at the Mountain Resort, we soar across the country," the three seniors said.
The planned route for Ma Jingxian, Zhou Zhenxing, and Yang Shuanglu's trip to Xinjiang is to start from the Chengde Grand Theater, enter Inner Mongolia via Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province, then pass through Ningxia and Gansu, with the final destination being Urumqi in Xinjiang. The round trip is tentatively scheduled to take three months.
"After returning from Xinjiang, my next stops will be Fujian, the three northeastern provinces, and Taiwan. Once I’ve visited these places, I’ll have achieved my dream of cycling across China," Ma Jingxian said, planning his next cycling adventure.
"Who says the setting sun is beautiful only because it’s near dusk? We’re going to pedal our way into a second youth!" Ma Jingxian said excitedly.