Four university students cycling to Beijing
“What if you get sick?” “Did you encounter any floods?” At the start of this semester, Huang Xiaofan, a sophomore from the College of Water Conservancy and Engineering at Xinjiang Agricultural University, Fan Kai, a freshman, Li Yipeng, a junior from the College of Mechanical and Transportation Engineering, and Bu Yong from the College of Forestry and Horticulture, instantly became campus “legends,” bombarded with questions from fellow students.
During the summer vacation, they cycled to Beijing over 32 days, covering a distance of 3,833 kilometers. On August 31, reporters contacted Huang Xiaofan and Fan Kai, the initiators of the trip, to hear their stories along the way.
Huang Xiaofan told reporters that he is particularly fond of cycling. “When I graduated from high school, I cycled from Beitun to Urumqi, which took a week and covered 800 kilometers. Even then, I hoped I’d have the chance to cycle to the capital, Beijing.”
Toward the end of last semester, Huang Xiaofan posted on campus looking for cycling companions. “Over 60 students came to inquire, but in the end only Fan Kai, Li Yipeng, and Bu Yong were willing to join me.” said Huang Xiaofan.
To ensure a smooth trip to Beijing, they made meticulous preparations: running an hour every day, cycling long distances to places like Wujiaqu once or twice a week; researching the terrain from Urumqi to Beijing via the internet and maps; selecting bicycles and preparing gear. “Tents, sleeping bags, moisture-proof mats and other living essentials. Pump, flashlight, pliers, wrenches and other bike repair tools, as well as instant noodles, compressed biscuits and other rations. Dozens of items in total, with each person carrying at least 5 kilograms of water per day.” said Huang Xiaofan, adding that preparing gear before the trip was the most complicated part.
With everything ready, at 12 noon on July 11, the four set off officially from the gate of Xinjiang Agricultural University. The first day, nature gave them a harsh welcome. “We had just reached Turpan when a strong wind blew. Both Fan Kai and Li Yipeng were blown off their bikes onto the road shoulder. It was already dark, with no houses in sight across the vast Gobi Desert. We simply couldn’t ride any further, so we took shelter under some solar panels by the roadside.” Fan Kai said: “That night, the howling wind was overwhelming. None of us four could sleep. We were all scared, but no one wanted to give up. We just toughed it out until dawn.”
The following 30 days weren’t easy either. In Wushaoling, Gansu, the road was extremely narrow. “Occasionally, fist-sized rocks would fall from the mountainside. I was drenched in both cold sweat and hot sweat.” said Fan Kai. In the morning, the temperature at the foot of the mountain reached 40 degrees Celsius, but after cycling up to an altitude of 3,562 meters, it began to pour rain, dropping the temperature to just 8 degrees. The four, wearing short sleeves, shivered from the cold. Later, they heard that there had been floods that day in the area, with four people killed and a bridge pier washed away, halting all traffic.
“The worst was in Shaanxi, where we were surrounded by bees the whole way. At times nearly a hundred bees swarmed around us. As a result, my right finger and Bu Yong’s right arm got stung. Bu Yong got it especially bad — his entire arm swelled up and took four or five days to go down.” said Huang Xiaofan.
During the 32-day journey, they camped in the wild — with no villages or shops in sight — on 20 of those days.
Reporters saw photos taken during their trip: cycling along narrow mountain roads with cliffs nearby, pushing through the rain, resting by the roadside wrapped in rain ponchos.
On August 12, the four arrived safely in Beijing. After resting half a day, they visited famous attractions such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. They spent two days sightseeing in Beijing before parting ways, each taking a train back home. The entire cycling trip cost each of them an average of 2,000 yuan.
“They’re incredibly determined. I like cycling too, but I’ve never thought about long-distance cycling. I really admire them.” said Chen Suhua, a junior in the School of Management at Xinjiang Agricultural University. Her classmates all admired the courage of the four.
Reflecting on their special holiday experience, the four agreed they “gained a lot.” “Whenever we face difficulties, thinking about this trip makes it feel less hard.”