Retired teacher finds new passion: Cycling

When Ben Cheng, 63, finished a bicycle journey along the ancient Silk Road in June, she immediately began planning her next trip — a ride along the route of the Long March.

A teacher from Changchun, Jilin province, Ben has cycled more than 100,000 kilometers over the last eight years.

"I have kept up various sports, such as swimming and mountain climbing, for many years," she said. "After retirement, I had more time to expand my interests, and I found cycling to be a good choice."

She began riding in the Changchun suburbs in 2013, after her retirement from Jilin Police College. In May 2015, she started her first long-distance journey — a trip around Bohai Bay. It took her 24 days to complete the 2,655-kilometer route, and the success encouraged her to do more.