For 19-year-old Kylie Leow, seeing a pristine lake six times the size of Singapore was an unforgettable moment — made even more special because she experienced it alongside her parents Leonard and Doris, and younger sister Courtney, 18. The family was part of a Silk Road and Qinghai Lake cycling adventure organised by the Civil Service Club (CSC)’s Cycling and Adventure Club (CAC).

“It was a wow moment,” said Kylie. “It was such an interesting experience to be in a completely new environment, especially after being cooped up studying for my A-Levels last year. It made me fall in love even more with cycling and travelling to places around our region.”

Exploring the highlands on two wheels

The Leows (pictured above) joined a 40-strong contingent that began their journey on 14 June 2025. After flying into China individually, the group met in Xi’an and boarded a high-speed train to Zhangye — the gateway to a five-day cycling adventure through some of China’s most scenic and culturally rich landscapes.

The ride leaders — who came from places as far apart as Hainan, Guangdong and Harbin — were just as excited about the journey as the participants. “I learnt that they took on this assignment just to enjoy the tour!” said CAC member Mr Oei Su Cheok. “They were fantastic guides who ensured each day featured a different site in the Gansu and Qinghai region, with the best scenery on good tarmac roads.”

Mr Oei was especially eager to return to the Chinese highlands, which he last explored in 2018 on a scenic cycling trip in Tibet.

Meanwhile, Mr Leow — who joined the club with his wife last year — saw the trip as a rare opportunity for family bonding. “It’s been difficult for us to find time to cycle together with school and work. This was a chance to go back to the simpler days,” he said.

The family trained together with two to three moderate-paced rides around Singapore before the trip. But nothing quite prepared them for the high-altitude terrain — where the air is thinner and every climb becomes a challenge. “It was like wearing an N95 mask while cycling,” said Mr Leow. Thankfully, the club ensured that riders were well-briefed, equipped with high-altitude medication, and supported by a passenger vehicle in case anyone needed a break from the ride.

Still, even the best-laid plans faced surprises. After an exhausting mountain climb, the group’s support bus broke down. While most members squeezed onto the remaining coach, 12 volunteers had to wait hours at a tea house for a backup vehicle. The rescue journey turned out to be a dramatic ride through dark, rugged terrain.

“The altitude was so high, even the coach couldn’t take it — it spewed black fumes and died,” joked Mr Leow. “The rescue bus had to bash through an unpaved gravel road because a riverbank had collapsed and there was a sinkhole. But we made it in one piece!”

Highland beauty, wildlife and local cuisine

Challenges aside, the trip offered plenty of magical moments. Riders cycled past valleys dotted with grazing yaks and sheep, framed by dramatic mountain backdrops. “On our ride to Tian Mo Gong Lu, we also came up close to wild horses. This was indeed beautiful,” said Mr Oei.

Food was another major highlight — especially for Kylie. “I love eating lamb, so I was happy to be eating lamb every day,” she laughed. “It was great to experience and taste so much halal grilled lamb, along with yak meat and yogurt.”

“I think my girls enjoyed the food more than the cycling,” Mr Leow quipped.

Tired but feeling triumphant, the riders completed their trip with a day’s stopover in Xining, Qinghai’s capital city. Many  of them extended their holidays to explore Xi’an — home to the iconic Terracotta Army.

According to Mr Oei, this Silk Road cycling trip won’t be the last. CAC will seek other cycling options across China. “China offers so much potential, so just join us for the next trip,” he encouraged. “If you have no difficulty riding with us on our local rides, you should be able to ride with us on our overseas rides as well.”

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Smart prep for cycling in challenging terrain like Qinghai

• Dress for extremes: Even in summer, highland temperatures can dip below 10°C. The CSC CAC members recommend layering — base layer, insulation and a windbreaker — plus long cycling pants. In hotter areas like Xi’an, use sunblock, wear light long sleeves and a hat.
• Train beforehand: Build up your stamina before the trip. But as Mr Leow shared, “It’s OK to get on the support bus to rest and recharge. Just enjoy the scenery — there’s no pressure.”
• Stay open-minded: “You need more tenacity to cycle in a different country,” said Kylie. “Be prepared for challenges, but don’t push yourself too hard.”

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Ready to ride? Join the CSC Cycling and Adventure Club on their next journey — visit facebook.com/CSCcycling to get started.