Local residents sell oranges by the roadside and offer a kind hand to passing cyclists. [Photo by Xing Wen/China Daily]

After having breakfast in Anyang and replenishing my energy, my mood lifted, allowing me to immerse myself more deeply in the scenic views.

During one downhill segment around 2 km in length, the wind was howling past me, and I was cruising at speeds exceeding 40 km per hour. As I gazed at the lush mountains, I felt like I was careening through a painting.

Looking down, I noticed fallen leaves accumulating on the red track. It was the first time I realized that leaves could be so rich in palette, a low-saturation yet brilliantly diverse array of colors. In that instant, I came to understand that the true beauty of autumn is found in these subtle, often overlooked, details and was appreciative of having noticed them this time.

Of course, this journey wasn't just a feast for my eyes. It was also a significant physical challenge.

When we approached the 60-km mark, we arrived at the tunnel in Xiajiang village. Inside was pitch black, and we faced an exceptionally long uphill stretch. Our focus had to be on cycling safely through the dimly lit tunnel, so our speed was agonizingly slow, making it a strenuous effort.

I kept my eyes fixed on the light at the exit, watching as it grew brighter, signifying the end of this difficult section.

The moment we exited, I looked up and saw an eagle soaring high above. As the road began to slope downhill again, I relished the cool breeze, and, gazing at the eagle, I felt a sense of freedom.

I realized that to conquer this challenging journey, I needed to shift my mindset.