Eighteen days, over 2,000 kilometers, and one unstoppable dream. That's the journey of 52-year-old Lü Shengqiang from Dongguan, who rode his bicycle all the way to Lanzhou this summer, and captured the hearts of thousands along the way. 

What made his story go viral wasn't fancy editing or dramatic effects. It was his simple video logs, narrated in his hometown dialect of Dongguan, that resonated with both locals and strangers alike. Viewers saw more than a man on a bike, they saw determination, joy, and a love for life that refuses to fade with age. 

01 Riding alone, but never lonely     

Lü set off in August with six fellow cyclists, hoping to reach Lanzhou in 20 days. But as the ride wore on, one by one, his companions dropped out, some from fatigue, others due to family obligations. By the fourth day, he was on the road alone. 

"Everyone has their own rhythm," Lü said. "I've grown used to cycling solo. In fact, I enjoy it." 

His daily routine was simple: check the route each morning, ride until noon before refueling at a roadside shop, and end the day at a small inn. Day after day, he pressed forward, and after 18 days of heat, wind, and countless hills, he rolled into Lanzhou, beaming with pride. 

"This was never just a physical challenge," he reflected. "It was a dialogue with mountains, rivers, and history itself." 

02 A passion born from a book      

Lü's cycling odyssey began back in 2014, when he worked at a shoe factory in Dongguan. Inspired by Taiwanese writer Hsieh Wang-lin's travelogue Turning the Mountain, which chronicled a grueling bike journey to Tibet, he decided to give cycling a try. 

With no experience but plenty of determination, he bought his first mountain bike and trained around Dongguan’s Shuilian Reservoir after work. That summer, he embarked on a 20-day solo ride from Lijiang to Lhasa. Battling thin air at 4,000 meters, shivering through icy winds, he nearly gave up. But standing on a mountain pass, with clouds below and snow peaks glowing in the distance, he felt reborn. 

"That was when I learned what it means to conquer yourself," Lü said. 

Since then, cycling has become a way of life. Over the past 11 years, Lü has changed bikes six times, from sturdy mountain frames to sleek road bikes, each carrying memories of epic rides: the snow mountains of Sichuan, the canyons of Xinjiang's Duku Highway, the beaches of Hainan. 

His phone is full of videos he shot and narrated, often edited late at night in roadside inns. At first, they were just souvenirs. Now, they inspire thousands of cycling enthusiasts online. 

Back home in Dongguan, Lü rides weekly with a cycling group of nearly 300 members. On weekends, they gather in parks or head out for longer trips, while weekdays often see him pedaling alone along greenways at dawn. 

03 A way of living

"Cycling is more than exercise," Lü said. "It's a lifestyle. It's brought me beauty, friends, and a deeper understanding of myself." 

His story also mirrors the spirit of his city. Dongguan has become a hub of sports culture, with cycling paths, gyms, hiking trails, and a growing community of fitness lovers. From sunrise rides to evening games, the city encourages everyone to find joy in movement. 

Lü's wheels carry not just his dreams, but also the spirit of Dongguan: a spirit of daring and resilience. His story reminds us that youth is not defined by age, but by the courage to keep moving forward.