Just wanted to challenge myself, had nothing to do with crowded春运
Wanted to challenge myself — had nothing to do with crowded春运
“It’s no big deal, I just wanted to challenge myself, not because the春运 was too crowded as some netizens said,” Sun Shaogang said. Only in completely unfamiliar and lonely environments is there enough space for reflection. In previous years, he took the train home, but this year during his senior year winter break, he decided to cycle back.
The bicycle, medicine, and dry rations were all purchased just three days before departure. When he set off, he had less than 400 yuan in cash. On January 15, he departed from the South China Agricultural University campus and posted a photo on his Weibo account “@Saul likes winter sunshine.” In the photo, he gives a thumbs-up: “Setting off, to find myself, chasing dreams in the sky, traveling with heart.”
Along the way, Sun Shaogang cycled an average of 10 hours a day, covering about 100 km, with his longest day reaching 130 km. At each stop, he posted updates on Weibo. When tired, he’d complain about “aching buttocks,” and when encountering beautiful scenery, he’d share photos. Aside from one or two occasions where he encountered young motorcyclists “hassling” him and opted to stay at a hostel for safety, he mostly camped out at gas stations or squares.
Classmates inspired, netizens praise his bravery
Before setting off, he worried about safety, especially about his bike being stolen. Flat tires were common, and Sun Shaogang used tire-repair skills he learned from his father as a child to handle them “on the fly.” Fortunately, he wasn’t injured and never thought of giving up. “This is something I’ve looked forward to for a long time, so I was mentally prepared for anything.”
“Choosing this way means putting up with dirt and discomfort. So I arrived in Kunming looking pretty beat-up.” Sun Shaogang said that the first thing he did after getting home was take a shower and change clothes. On the evening of January 26, he posted on Weibo to say he had arrived safely: “I’m home, safe and sound, everyone don’t worry.” The entire trip cost just 500 yuan.
When classmates in his English International Trade major learned that Sun Shaogang had cycled 1,500 km home, they were greatly inspired. A classmate, Xiao Huang, said she initially thought he was joking, but realized he was serious once he set off — perhaps it was his last bit of madness before graduation. Many netizens on Weibo praised his courage and perseverance. One user, “Xiao Cai Cai,” commented: “If it were me, halfway through, I’d probably have ditched the bike and just taken the train home.”