It's one hell of a ride
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Cyclists ride during their 10-day trip from Sichuan province's Kangding to the Tibet autonomous region in October 2015.[Photo provided to China Daily] |
The snow-capped peaks and fickle weather show you how frail humanity is.
The vast expanses of green and the snow-capped mountains left a big impression on the cyclists.
During the ride, the cyclists spent five days in the wilderness, where the temperatures are sometimes-11C.
"We saw a thick layer of ice over our camp one morning," says Cheng.
A film documenting the event was launched in Beijing on April 16.
It is meant to record the thrills and spills of the event, and the organizer hopes it will attract more cyclists to take part.
During the ride, some contestants fell, some passed out and some encountered altitude stress, says Cheng.
Only nine riders completed the challenge.
Cheng says: "It is the experience people will remember for the rest of their lives."
Meanwhile, more such cycling routes will be launched soon.
Cheng's company is now working on the development of cycling routes from Sichuan's Chengdu, Qinghai province's Xining, Kashgar in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Yunnan province's Kunming to Tibet's capital Lhasa.
For the upcoming October event, contestants will be divided into two groups.
While both groups will be allowed to cycle together, the professional riders will cover a longer distance daily, says the organizer.
The route for this year's ride will be the same as last year.
For those planning to take part in this year's event, Cheng suggests that they carry special cycling and camping equipment meant for high altitudes, and train for cycling in extreme environments.
"The equipment should be light, help you keep warm and shield you from the wind," she says.
"It's also necessary to carry energy supplements," she adds.
Wang says he wants to continue taking part in similar cycling events as the organizer has announced plans for new routes.
Last year's bittersweet experience has changed his view of life.
"It was so worth it," says Wang.
"More importantly, I overcame my inner fear, self-consciousness and anxiety, and the experience woke me up to the fact that nothing matters, except life and death."
