On March 12, 2016, over 150 parents and students from YK Pao School’s Run-A-Way (RAW) Club took part in a cycling trip around Hengsha Island. The 50-kilometre trip was split into two parts and included two special detours.
In the morning, participants departed from Changxing Island via ferry to Hengsha Island. After familiarising themselves with basic cycling rules and some warm-up exercises, cyclists set off on their journey. The excitement was difficult to contain, especially for students in lower year levels, who were eager to start their first 50-kilometre cycling adventure! In the distance, one could see row after row of cyclists as they gradually took over the landscape.
With the first 20 kilometres completed, everyone gathered for lunch before setting off again, this time for the site of RAW’s first batch of seedlings, where members worked together to plant 10 sweet olive trees.
Cyclists then travelled to the river bank, en route to the East China Sea Maritime Centre Hydrological Station. This sensing station is to provide us with the weather and sea level forecasts as well as marks and signs for maritime navigation. The station’s chief engineer was also on hand to explain the basics of marine weather forecast and maritime navigation.
Although the roads along dykes were flat, the strong level 4 winds proved somewhat challenging for our younger cyclists, making the afternoon stretch of the journey slightly more difficult. It was an eye-opening experience for participants who got a taste of the sheer power of nature.
Although the journey itself was well-suited to beginner cyclists, RAW members had to overcome several obstacles along the way, including fatigue, the elements, gear shifter failure and flat tires. All members encouraged and cheered each other on, and every student chose to continue into the journey’s final stretch, even declining the assistance of rescue vehicles, inspiring many parents to persevere despite exhaustion.
The cycling excursion was yet another fulfilling and rewarding experience for RAW, giving its members a chance to challenge themselves and reach new limits.
Liang Min, Run-A-Way Club volunteer
