Yesterday, while promoting the Olympics in London’s Chinatown, Chen Guanming said in an interview, “After riding to the Brazil Olympics, I plan to return home to take care of my parents. I also intend to apply for a Guinness World Record for my tricycle.”
It took two years to reach London
In May 2010, after completing promotional activities for the Shanghai Expo, Chen Guanming began his journey toward London. Over the next few years, he rode a worn-out pedal tricycle, spending less than 20,000 RMB, and passed through more than ten countries and regions including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey. He entered Greece from Turkey on April 2, 2012, local time, then rode for another 20 days to reach Athens, the Greek capital. From there, he traveled through Italy and France before arriving in the UK on July 9.
Chen Guanming said that the language barrier wasn’t a problem because he had a “secret weapon”—a “translation book” made for him by a volunteer friend in Beijing. The book contains all essential Chinese-English words and phrases. Whenever he encountered issues at borders or police stations, he would show them the book: “That way, they understand what I’m doing, where I’m from, and where I’m going.”
Reaching Brazil in four years to fulfill a dream
According to reports, after arriving in London, Chen Guanming is temporarily staying with a local overseas Chinese family. Speaking to a reporter from Modern Express yesterday, Chen said, “After the London Olympics, I’ll ride my tricycle to Canada, then make my way to Brazil—the host of the next Olympics—by 2016.”
Eleven full years on the road have kept Chen Guanming from reuniting with his family. He said, “After the Brazil Olympics, I’ll go home to take care of my parents. I also plan to apply for a Guinness World Record for my hardworking tricycle.”