66-Year-Old Chinese Grandmother Sets Out to See the World by Bicycle
When a group of cyclists sped past her on the streets of Zhengzhou, 66-year-old Li Dongju felt something she didn’t expect a sharp “surge of envy.” It wasn’t the speed or the athleticism that struck her most, but the freedom. In that moment, the grandmother of several decided she wanted that same sense of possibility for herself.
Li made a simple but life-changing vow: she would explore the world by bicycle.
What began as a quiet personal promise has since turned into a remarkable journey. Li has taken to long-distance cycling with determination, riding across cities, countryside roads, and scenic routes many people half her age would hesitate to attempt. Her story has quickly inspired audiences across social media in China, where she’s become a symbol of courage, reinvention, and late-life adventure.
Her family initially worried for her safety, but Li says staying active and curious is exactly what keeps her going. For her, the bicycle isn’t just a mode of transport it’s a doorway to a bigger life.
“I don’t want to just watch the world pass me by,” she says. “I want to ride through it.”
Li’s story continues to encourage older adults everywhere to rethink what is possible at any age and to embrace the idea that it’s never too late to start something new.