Xiong Liang, a resident of Sanhe Subdistrict in Fengdu County, has always had a dream — to cycle to Tibet. On June 9 of this year, 48-year-old Xiong Liang, along with cycling enthusiasts from Shanghai, Zhejiang, and other places, set off from Chengdu, Sichuan. They cycled 2,200 kilometers along National Highway 318 on the Sichuan-Tibet route over 24 days, finally arriving in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet — the "City of Sunshine" — on July 1. The journey was fraught with numerous hardships, even bringing them face to face with death several times. Yesterday, Xiong Liang shared with reporters the many unforgettable experiences he had along the way.
      Meticulous Preparation and Establishing a “Cycling Pact”
      “Cycling to Tibet isn’t an impulsive decision; it requires full preparation,” said Xiong Liang. First, you need a detailed plan — in their professional terminology, it’s called a “cycling pact.” How many days to reach the destination, how many kilometers to ride each day, where to rest — all of this must be clearly written in the “pact.”
      In addition to formulating the “pact,” the most important thing is to strengthen physical training. One month before departure, Xiong Liang began local physical conditioning. He often used weekends to ride alone to towns like Taipingba and Dudu in Fengdu County to train on mountainous terrain. Over that month, he cycled over many mountains within the county.
      Another concern about going to Tibet was altitude sickness. One week before departure, Xiong Liang drank water infused with Rhodiola rosea roots and took Rhodiola capsules in the last few days to enhance his body’s tolerance to oxygen-deficient environments. Additionally, he prepared professional clothing and cycling gear for protection during the trip and for bicycle maintenance. On June 9, he set off from Chengdu.
       Nearly Died in a Mudslide
       The towering mountains and rivers of the Sichuan-Tibet region, the unpredictable weather, dangerous situations like landslides and mudslides, and altitude sickness — every day’s journey left a deep impression on Xiong Liang and his team. On the seventh day of the trip, they faced constant wind, rain, and hail. Along the way, Xiong Liang mostly traveled on national highways, where trucks transporting sand and soil came and went incessantly. The high-speed wheels of those trucks crushed gravel, which then flew up and hit them — the pain was indescribable.
      What terrified Xiong Liang was that on the ninth day of the journey, a major mudslide occurred on the section from Batang to Markham. They risked crossing the mudslide, and upon just arriving in Markham, they heard that the road had been blocked by the mudslide, and two cyclists from other teams had gone missing after being swept away.
      “Since we didn’t bring tents or cold-weather gear, every time we crossed a snow mountain, it felt like a fight for survival,” said Xiong Liang. Throughout the expedition, he crossed 15 snow mountains, the lowest of which was 4,200 meters above sea level, and the highest reached 5,030 meters. “Each snow mountain had to be crossed within the day because to conserve energy while cycling, you have to travel light — items like tents can’t be carried. If you can’t finish crossing during the day, you’ll have no tent to protect you at night, and that means waiting for death.” Reflecting on the experience of crossing the snow mountains, Xiong Liang said that at the time, it felt like mechanical pedaling. Sometimes his legs were numb from the cold, but he had to keep pedaling forward. When facing a snow mountain, it felt like heading to hell for a trial, but once you crossed it, it felt like being reborn.
       24-Day, 2,200-Kilometer Bike Ride Finally Reaches Tibet
       Although the exhaustion and hardship of each day almost made Xiong Liang want to go straight home, the scenery and experiences along the way filled him with joy and awe. Encounters with Tibetan people shouting “Tashi Delek” and greeting them, as well as the thumbs-up gestures from passengers in passing motorcycles and cars, all made Xiong Liang feel especially close and inspired.
      After 24 days and a total distance of 2,200 kilometers, on July 1, Xiong Liang finally arrived in Lhasa by bike. “This was my first time in Tibet. When I saw the Potala Palace, my blood instantly boiled.”
      Speaking of the moment he saw the Potala Palace, Xiong Liang was still very excited. “Cycling to Tibet is a challenge to one’s courage and perseverance. Only after 24 days of hard travel can you truly appreciate the joy of success.”