If there are a hundred ways to live life, "karaoke, dining out, and movies" and "working, buying property, and getting married" might be the two most familiar patterns for Hong Kong people; but four youths aged 22 to 26 have chosen a different path, embarking on an 18,000-kilometer "cycling odyssey." Setting off from Hong Kong on Day 1, they will tour 14 countries and arrive in Paris, France in January next year to promote low-carbon travel while fulfilling their dream of long-distance adventure. "Cycling allows you to complete the journey by your own effort, unlike flying or driving—that’s what real travel is all about," said 24-year-old project initiator Law Yip-man. It was this same philosophy that united the four young people on their way to Paris.
The four bicycles will pedal across 18,000 kilometers of land over the next nine months, leaving their footprints and tire tracks in 14 countries including Nepal, India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Germany. Paris will be the final stop of their journey—"as a tribute to Hsieh Te-ruei."
Hsieh Te-ruei is the idol of 23-year-old "dreamer" Chung Tai-loi. In 2007, Taiwanese Hsieh Te-ruei spent five months cycling solo from Beijing to Paris, awakening the hearts of dream-seekers.
Inspired by Hsieh Te-ruei, Law Yip-man, Chung Tai-loi, and 22-year-old Wong Tsz-kin came up with the idea of the "cycling odyssey" last year, and drew up a journey plan in October. In February this year, the "fourth member" of the group, Yu Tin-yu, learned about their plan through news reports and contacted them to join. Apart from Chung Tai-loi, who had just completed his studies, the other three quit their jobs to embrace the uncertainties ahead.
They have a different take on travel. "Cycling lets you complete the journey by your own effort, unlike flying or driving—that’s what real travel is all about," said Law Yip-man, who also believes that cycling is a low-carbon, environmentally friendly way to travel, good for the planet and easier on the wallet. The four have budgeted an average of HK$100 per person per day, with the total cost of touring 14 countries at around HK$50,000 per person. After private sponsorships, each plans to cover HK$30,000.
For most people, a nine-month cycling trip is almost an act of indulgence. "Hong Kong people have very narrow interests—they lead uniform lives," said Wong Tsz-kin, who works as a teaching assistant in landscape architecture. "Do young people have to follow in the footsteps of the previous generation—get a job, save money, buy property, and get married after graduation?" With their actions, they are breaking out of the "thinking box" and telling Hong Kong people that destiny can be chosen. "This isn’t any grand feat—many have tried cycling trips before. But we’re a minority in society, and that alone can make society think," he added. He also hopes to "learn from" Paris, drawing inspiration from the local cycling culture, and bring back knowledge to help develop cycling in Hong Kong.
Yu Tin-yu, who works in quantity surveying, was inspired by this vision and ultimately joined the dream-seeking quartet. "If we follow in the previous generation’s footsteps, we’ll only replicate their unhappiness and stagnate social progress," he said. He hopes to learn from the people they meet along the way and choose his own way of life. Trying something non-mainstream inevitably comes with resistance. Law Yip-man was initially criticized by his parents for being irresponsible, but after he completed the journey plan, their attitudes softened—with his mother even offering to send him money. As Law Yip-man put it, "When you’re serious about doing something, everyone will help you."
The four bicycles will pedal across 18,000 kilometers of land over the next nine months, leaving their footprints and tire tracks in 14 countries including Nepal, India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Germany. Paris will be the final stop of their journey—"as a tribute to Hsieh Te-ruei."
Hsieh Te-ruei is the idol of 23-year-old "dreamer" Chung Tai-loi. In 2007, Taiwanese Hsieh Te-ruei spent five months cycling solo from Beijing to Paris, awakening the hearts of dream-seekers.
Inspired by Hsieh Te-ruei, Law Yip-man, Chung Tai-loi, and 22-year-old Wong Tsz-kin came up with the idea of the "cycling odyssey" last year, and drew up a journey plan in October. In February this year, the "fourth member" of the group, Yu Tin-yu, learned about their plan through news reports and contacted them to join. Apart from Chung Tai-loi, who had just completed his studies, the other three quit their jobs to embrace the uncertainties ahead.
They have a different take on travel. "Cycling lets you complete the journey by your own effort, unlike flying or driving—that’s what real travel is all about," said Law Yip-man, who also believes that cycling is a low-carbon, environmentally friendly way to travel, good for the planet and easier on the wallet. The four have budgeted an average of HK$100 per person per day, with the total cost of touring 14 countries at around HK$50,000 per person. After private sponsorships, each plans to cover HK$30,000.
For most people, a nine-month cycling trip is almost an act of indulgence. "Hong Kong people have very narrow interests—they lead uniform lives," said Wong Tsz-kin, who works as a teaching assistant in landscape architecture. "Do young people have to follow in the footsteps of the previous generation—get a job, save money, buy property, and get married after graduation?" With their actions, they are breaking out of the "thinking box" and telling Hong Kong people that destiny can be chosen. "This isn’t any grand feat—many have tried cycling trips before. But we’re a minority in society, and that alone can make society think," he added. He also hopes to "learn from" Paris, drawing inspiration from the local cycling culture, and bring back knowledge to help develop cycling in Hong Kong.
Yu Tin-yu, who works in quantity surveying, was inspired by this vision and ultimately joined the dream-seeking quartet. "If we follow in the previous generation’s footsteps, we’ll only replicate their unhappiness and stagnate social progress," he said. He hopes to learn from the people they meet along the way and choose his own way of life. Trying something non-mainstream inevitably comes with resistance. Law Yip-man was initially criticized by his parents for being irresponsible, but after he completed the journey plan, their attitudes softened—with his mother even offering to send him money. As Law Yip-man put it, "When you’re serious about doing something, everyone will help you."