御風而駕

您当前的位置:首页 >> 御風而駕 >> 浏览文章

She Traveled Across No-Man’s Zone Riding a Harley,
浏览次数:2206次 更新时间:2018-12-10


By: Erbai


 When we talk about Harley, the first thing come to our mind is a giant man with leather cloth and leather boots. It seems like you can only drive a heavy motorcycle if you have a strong-built body. Our protagonist today is a female who likes to wear leather cloth and leather boots but also has excellent body-shape and a soft heart. She did not only travel across China riding her beloved motorcycle, but she also finished multiple classic routes around the world riding motorcycle. She went to the border of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan alone. She was surrounded by armed force and stopped by people who were caring guns. So who is this extraordinary girl?

 

Han Yan—— A girl who is true to herself and looks forward to tomorrow.



Erbai: Why do you want to ride a heavy motorcycle in the first place?

Han Yan: I like outdoor sports a lot, such as cross-road, shooting guns, ride horses, cue sport, photograph, travel. Wild things attract me. How can I not like the iron-steel structure and venting sound wave of Harley?

 

Erbai: When did you purchase your first Harley?

Han Yan: Around 2013. I did not even know to ride bikes. I just go straight to Harley. My first Harley is Harley 883L.

 

Erbai: We went to a lot of troubles to learn how to balance when we were learning how to ride a bike. Was it challenging to start straightly with a heavy motorcycle?

Han Yan: It was not really difficult, probably because I am tall. But I was really nervous, and I had to play it cool. I was inconsistent for quite some time. The motorcycle is heavy too. 883 is over 250 kilograms.



Erbai: Falling must have been unavoidable in the beginning. Did you ever pin by the motorcycle?

Han Yan: I treated the motorcycle extremely careful in the beginning. Once the motorcycle almost rolled over, I supported it with my leg and refused to let go because I did not want the motorcycles paint got scratched. Thankfully, there was a boy who came to help steady the motorcycle. I did not let go when he told me so, and I waited until he entirely cached the motorcycle. I realized later that I should put myself first.

 

Erbai: Is riding motorcycle like drive other transportation that you can go on the road once you can make it move? Or you still need to improve continually?

Han Yan: You have to improve continuously. You start with coordinate gas and clutch, put into gear and set off, and shift gear and park. Once you know the basics, you can choose an easy route to gain riding experience. The latter part is difficult, and you have to practice at highways and twisted mountain roads. You also have to learn how to handle various situations.

 

Erbai: I think use motorcycle as travel transportation is super cool. Most people go out via airplane, train or car which has an enclosed environment. This confined environment can provide a sense of security and comfort. You have to expose your whole body to the outside while riding at a fast speed. And you have to drive your motorcycle back once you set off. You can not quit halfway.

Han Yan: Yes, there are troubles when you ride a motorcycle on the road. It is not even close to comfort. There were no hotels on the way to no-mans zone, and I had to sleep in the service zone, open parking lot, bathroom and on the bike. I could not find gas because the gas station was closed. I lost my motorcycle's key, and the motorcycle broke down and could not move. There were many problems. I wanted to quit halfway and just come home, but the thoughts of quitting were chased away by the first sound wave of venting and the first ray of sun. When I looked at the road afar at moments like this, all I wanted to do is to keep going.




Erbai: How did you feel along the road when you ride to Xinjiang?

Han Yan: I experienced four seasons in the same day every day. When I set off in the morning, the sun was warm like spring. The temperature could arrive 40 or 50 degrees in the noon. In the afternoon, the wind was so huge, that pushed my motorcycle to a different drive lane. There was cloud and rain at night, my body was soaked and I did not know it was because of the rain or sweat.

 

Erbai: Was there a supply car following you?

Han Yan: Some people would bring a drive and a backup car if they can, but I just go on the road by myself. I would bring clothes for four seasons, boots, medicines, toiletry and some simple tools for fixing the motorcycle. I would stop at every car repair shop and let my motorcycle get checked.



Erbai: Where have you gone by riding a motorcycle?

Han Yan: I just went to Xinjiang and Tibet which were the last two places I had never been to in China. I also went abroad such as Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, America, Australia, and New Zealand. I have been to some of the places multiple times because the scenery is gorgeous.

 

Erbai: Was there any experience that left a deep impression?

Han Yan: I just wanted to go out at one of the new years. I checked, and the only place visa-free and I had never been to was the Middle East. So I decided to go to Jordan and take pictures of the triangle border. Jordan is peaceful, but countries near it were not, such as Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. I rode the motorcycle to the border which was 20 kilometers away from Syria and Iraq. Suddenly, five army vehicles surrounded me, and a lot of armed soldiers jumped out from the cars. I was thrilled, probably because the borderline was like the Gobi which was a desert that covered in yellow sand. And it felt like a movie scene because of their clothes. It was super cool, and my first reaction was to take a picture of them. I was questioned for a long time because they think I was a spy or an agent. They did not believe that a girl like me would go near a special borderline just to take pictures. I explained for quite some time and showed them pictures of me traveling around the world riding motorcycles. I also mentioned the king of Jordan rode in China once and invited Chinese who shared the same interest to come. They finally believed my intention was pure and they would let me go as long as I deleted all the pictures of them. I learned later that they could shoot me on site. I was lucky that I did not become a hornets nest.



Erbai: You rode for five years, and you have been to so many places. Dont you have to work?

Han Yan: My job is interior design and event planning. I opened a small company when I was in college and named Yishida Creative Design Studio. It has opened for 13 years. My income is not high, but I can support myself. I am not greedy, I just want enough money to eat and drink. I like being busy and enjoy life at the same time. I do not want to be a workaholic. So I will be busy for a while when there is work, and ride motorcycles to broaden my horizon and find inspiration when I am free.

 

Erbai: So are you a freedom chaser?

Han Yan: I think freedom is to chase your heart and soul, and do things you want to do and can do. Surfing in your heart and soul, and wander on earth. I always look forward to and desire tomorrow. I am always getting nearer to a better self.

 

Erbai: I heard that you declined the invitation to join Miss Tourism International as the representative of Heilongjiang Province to go to Xinjiang. Why did you make that choice?

Han Yan: This is actually a question of choice. Everyone will face choices, every time you choose, you lose and gain something. You can not have it both ways. I chose a lifestyle like this, means I have to give up something such as the halo of Miss Tourism International. You have to lose something to gain something.



Erbai: I met a lot of people who misunderstand and have a stereotype about outdoor sports. What do you think about it

Han Yan: Many young people like outdoor sports and extreme sports. There is some misunderstanding. People think it is expensive and far away. But play outdoor sports does not require a high beginning nor specific environment. You can easily find a way to start within your limits. The most important thing is to find something you interest in and devote your time and effort to achieve it. The process is a happy thing and you will receive many positive inspirations and quality such as insistence, positiveness, aim, and hope. You will stay away from people who have qualities that people should not have such as laziness, cowardliness, and greediness. I met a lot of people say we are rich people. What I really want to say is that is not true. I gave up a lot of opportunities and things when I chose freedom. Many young people may choose a steady life with things like houses, cars, savings, and steady jobs before they could figure out what kind of life they really want. The part you gave up, is the part I get. So what I want to say to the young people is do not give up the opportunity to try new things. Unless you tried, otherwise, how can you know you can not do it?

 

  Many people must think Han Yan is willful. Both being wilful and being free are following your heart. Being willful is to follow your heart instinctively which is a perceptual thing. But being free is based on a broad horizon and mind. Chasing will is definitely a free and fulfilling thing once your will is hardened and refilled by knowledge. Apparently, Han Yan is free, not wilful.

联系电话:852-53714296  E-mail:oneoutside@qq.com
公司地址:香港九龙旺角通菜街1A-1L威达达商业大厦10/F1003室
版权所有:one tv 京ICP备09094458号-5