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Elderly Chinese Bike Riders Finish 3-month Tour of Europe

Source:chinadaily.com.cn Published:2018-08-29 09:15

A group of riders led by Lin Heping (3th from L) pose for picture in Europe. [Phote provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]

Four senior cyclists have returned to China after completing an 89-day bike ride around Europe, Yangtze River Daily has reported.

They were among a group of eight riders who set off in April. The average age of the riders — two men and six women — was over 60 years old, with the oldest age 68.

Lin Heping, the team leader, is a retired police officer from Wuhan, Hubei province. He has spent his retirement cycling around the world and was responsible for planning the European adventure.

Dressed in red uniforms and carrying flags, Lin and his fellow riders took a train from Wuhan to Beijing and then flew to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Their routes covered 3,800 kilometers and passed through 26 countries including Belgium, France, Italy, Spain and Denmark.

Two cyclists stop in the bike path with their belongings tied up to the bicycle's rear racks in Europe. [Phote provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]

One rider dropped out after arriving in Amsterdam and finding a bike wheel had been stolen at the airport.

Other challenges including being unable to find accommodation — they were reported to the police in France for sleeping in tents beside the road — and the language barrier.

Although half quit due to health problems or emergencies back home, Lin said the team kept heading forward.

"Smiles, appreciation and help from tourists and officers along the way were encouragements to us," he said. "We'd like people from the world to see the vigor and vitality of Chinese senior cyclists."

  


Editor:Zhao Hanqing