The club was founded in 2001 and has now 70 members who are all retired veterans and share the same passion for cycling. This is one of the oldest sports cycling clubs in Hanoi.
Dinh Xuan Cam, 66, the club’s president, said that the club would arrange appropriate activities for members depending on their health and age. "Our aim is not to abandon anyone. Everyone can have fun and be healthy," Cam said.
A group of seniors over 70 years old cycle around the West Lake with a short distance. The under-70s group cycle along the Vo Nguyen Giap - Noi Bai Boulevard for 40-50 kilometres. For those over 90 they must have family members to accompany them to avoid danger.
On stormy days where the temperature drops below 14 degrees Celsius, members will take a break from cycling to ensure safety.
Every Sunday morning, members of the cycling club sit together to share experiences.
Last March, Pham Ngoc Thua, 78, from Thanh Xuan District conquered the Vietnam- Thailand - Laos - Cambodia route with a 2,600-kilometre-long journey in 25 days. "This was the longest distance I’ve ever done and a 800-1000-kilometre route is normal for me," he said.
Before starting his journey, Thua told himself that he had to have faith to conquer the journey.
Meeting him on this special journey, many people expressed surprise and didn’t think that a 78-year-old man could still ride a long-distance bike.
Every time Thua received a question, he confidently replied: "Practice every day, you will definitely succeed.”
Participating for 16 years, Pham Ba Dong, 82, from Long Bien District, rides his bike every day. In previous years, he rode a bicycle to Haiphong and Hai Duong with a journey of more than 100 kilometres a day. After having abdominal surgery in 2019, he only rode 40 kilometres on average a day and increased to 60 kilometres.
"I cycle every day as a habit. When I wake up late, my wife and children remind me. Thanks to cycling, I improve my health and feel refreshed," said Dong.
Dao Thi Dinh, 76, in Ba Dinh District, has joined the club since 2011. She has cycled in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, China, Laos and Cambodia. "I ride every day, including Tet holidays and I only take a break except for emergency situations or bad weather," Dinh said.
Luu Van Khang, 66, has joined the club since its inception. Even though he was a heavily wounded soldier, he still spent two hours cycling every day. "Cycling helps me improve my health," said Khang who didn’t forget to show off his achievement while cycling from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan Province for a journey of more than 220 kilometres.
