In Chengdu, there is such an "elderly biker" who has cycled through more than 30 cities across the country, and even rode over a thousand miles from Chengdu to Shanghai to visit Ba Jin. He is Zhou Xiguang, 82 years old this year, cheerful, talkative, and in good health. This year marks the 62nd year of his "cycling career."
1990
Elder Zhou and nine others rode over a thousand miles from Chengdu to Shanghai to visit Mr. Ba Jin.
2003
Elder Zhou led a team to Suzhou to participate in the Samaranch Cup cycling competition. Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Ba Jin’s birth, he and three teammates cycled from Suzhou to Shanghai to celebrate the elder’s birthday.
17 “dedicated bikes” traveling across 30+ cities
Zhou Xiguang still remembers that his first “dedicated bike” was a Diamond-brand “imported item.” In 1951, his second year on the job, his workplace purchased 20 bicycles from Czechoslovakia and distributed them to the staff. That marked the first step in his cycling journey.
Later, Elder Zhou joined the Chengdu Senior Sports Association Cycling Club as a member. In 2003, he simply quit his then-job as a lawyer and began a full-time cycling life. Over the past 62 years, this “biker” has cycled through dozens of cities across the country, reaching as far as Shanghai and Guangzhou. His bikes have broken down and been repaired repeatedly, and by this year, he has gone through 17 sets of gear.
“Rolling wheels” to Shanghai — he visited Ba Jin twice
In 1990, ten members of the Chengdu Senior Association Cycling Club rode over a thousand miles from Chengdu to Shanghai to visit Mr. Ba Jin, and they made an agreement at the time to “meet again at the age of 100.” That “centennial promise” was fulfilled in 2003 by Elder Zhou and his three biking teammates. At the time, Elder Zhou led a team to Suzhou to participate in the Samaranch Cup cycling competition. Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Ba Jin’s birth, he and three teammates cycled from Suzhou to Shanghai to celebrate the elder’s birthday, bringing with them a bamboo-woven “longevity” character and a calligraphy piece for Ba Jin.
The bicycle has been Elder Zhou’s closest friend. He set himself a goal: “My goal is to ride until I’m 90 and live to be 100!”