FOLLOWING a remarkable 5-month 11,000-kilometer journey from Pingshan District to Paris, Ming Ge, a cycling influencer from Shenzhen, reached his destination July 24.

Upon arriving, Ming celebrated by posing in front of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, giving a thumbs-up on his bike. “I had imagined this moment during my ride, feeling exhilarated at times, but when I finally arrived, I felt a calm serenity. I came for the Olympics,” he told Dute News.

Ming, 25, graduated from Shenzhen University (SZU) in 2023. After working for a major tech company for six months, he resigned to pursue his dream of cycling to Paris for the Olympics’ opening ceremony.

His passion for cycling began with two previous long-distance trips that he undertook while in university. He rode from Jinan to Hangzhou in the first trip and from Chengdu to Lhasa in the second. “This time, I decided to go to Paris to fulfill my childhood dream and see the world,” Ming said.

In preparation for the journey, Ming underwent rigorous running and cycling training. He even participated in a marathon to test his stamina. Describing the trip as “dreamlike,” he started in Shenzhen and cycled through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, and France, among other countries.

Each day was packed and fulfilling for Ming. He would wake up around 8 a.m., get ready, and start cycling by 9 a.m. He cycled about 150 kilometers per day, usually finding a hostel or campsite before sunset.

“During the journey, I saw different lifestyles and philosophies from various countries,” Ming said. “There’s no need to be so anxious or to compare oneself with others. It’s like cycling — just move at your own pace.”

While the journey had its challenges, Ming noted that the heartwarming experiences far outweighed the difficulties. He said he was nervous about unpredictable dogs and his bike breaking down — problems that were resolved with the help of kind locals. Ming met many cyclists traveling similar routes during his journey, and he often told them that Shenzhen is a modern city worth visiting.

In Italy, he had a serendipitous encounter with Zhu Zhiwen, a well-known cycling influencer with over a million followers, who was also heading to the Paris Olympics. “Being with Zhu is very reassuring. After reaching Paris, we spent time together exploring the city, and I thoroughly enjoyed his company,” Ming said.

Ming purchased a standing ticket for the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Despite heavy rain and an obstructed view, he watched the entire event. “The atmosphere at the ceremony was fantastic. The crowd around me cheered and danced throughout. I was thrilled to see the Chinese team,” he said.

(SD News)