Huilin and Gary went on an epic journey cycling from China to England in 1992. They travelled ten thousand kilometres over nine countries in one year from Huilin’s home, the bustling city of Beijing to Gary’s home town, the sleepy holiday destination of Paignton.

They traversed over the highest pass in the world. They climbed from the saltiest lake to the holiest city. They slept in bomb craters and washed in glacier waters. The experiences, not the mileage or the altitude, that made the trip interesting. They were escorted by the police and strolled down streets with only ammunition shops in sight. They were woken up by poachers in the night and stoned by naughty children by the road side. They carried their bikes over land slides and cleaned swimming pools with a hose pipe. Above all, the people they meet made the trip most unforgettable. Everyday encounters allowing them to gain insights into other worlds and experience the minutiae of life.

Huilin will tell the stories of a life-changing trip three decades ago. Some of which are as vivid as yesterday, many of which are still changing her life.