Student cycles 15,000 km from China to UK
A University of Liverpool student has started a 15,000 km cycling journey from XJTLU in China to Liverpool, traversing 15 countries along the ancient Silk Road.
Luke Rimmer, an exchange student at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in Suzhou, China, embarked on a challenging 15,000-kilometer cycling expedition on July 21, 2026. The journey is set to span approximately 150 days and pass through 15 countries.
The expedition retraces the historic Silk Road westward, aiming for Rimmer to arrive in Liverpool, UK, in time for his graduation ceremony in December.
The concept for this extensive trip originated during XJTLU's 20th-anniversary celebrations, where Rimmer participated in a university cycling event. Following the event, the idea to cycle home took shape.
Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University held a send-off for Rimmer. Executive President Professor Youmin Xi presented him with a bicycle, stating the feat "truly embodies XJTLU's spirit."
Rimmer cited a desire to "do hard things" and to "see the world as much as I can" as his primary motivations. His travel preparations include first-aid supplies, repair equipment, and a solar panel, along with a university-flagged map to collect signatures along his route.