It is only a month since Chinese-Russian adventurer Li Jing finished a solo 9,000-km horseback ride from Eurasia to Beijing. But he is already gearing up for another challenge. A more ambitious journey to the West, to the host city of the next Olympics, London.

But this time the 47-year-old will not be alone. He will be accompanied by Megan Lewis, a Welsh equestrian star, and Peng Wenchao, China's first man to travel across all of its mainland provinces on horseback.

The three share not only a love of horse riding but also the dream of promoting the Olympic spirit.

The trio will take off from the foot of the Great Wall this Saturday, and are scheduled to arrive in London in time for the 2012 Games.

The trip is aimed at carrying a message of goodwill from Beijing to London for success at the Olympics, raising money for poor children worldwide and promoting endurance horse riding, says Lewis, organizer and chief financer of the trip.

For Li, it is like a new journey during which he intends to record all that he sees for his future book.

"I like the feeling of traveling on horseback and taking in all the sights in a leisurely way," he says.

From left to right: Megan Lewis, Li Jing and Peng Wenchao. [China Daily]

"We have drawn up a rough route for the long ride. Since it will last more than three years, we can't be very sure of it now," he adds.

But the basic route will not change; they will leave Beijing and head for Gansu province and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. They will then traverse Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, passing north of the Caspian and Black Seas and through Europe.

They will cover China this November and after a whole winter's rest, will resume the journey outside China next spring.

Asia's largest horse farm, Shandan Horse farm in China, has come forward with six horses for the team's rides within the country.

To ensure the health of the horses, the maximum distance each horse will cover is being capped at 50 km per day, says Lewis.

"In my hometown most of the people support and admire me, for I will be doing something they are longing to do, but do not have the time. Of course, still some think I am mad," she says.

Wearing short hair and a pair of frameless glasses, Lewis' energetic appearance makes it hard to believe she is 60.

A former geography teacher from Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire in Wales, she spent most of her childhood on horseback at her father's ranch.

She was already an accomplished rider at 11. She became a geography teacher after graduation but never gave up horse riding.

She began to participate in endurance equestrian competitions when she was 30, and has won a few titles.

"I have represented Wales and was selected for the British Intermediate team - unfortunately my little Arab stallion injured his back just before the international event!" Lewis says. She is now a life member of the British Endurance Riding Association.

Her connection to China began when she spent several years in Malaysia during her father's stint as a headmaster of a local school.

The family happened to live near a big Chinese community where she learnt Chinese history, culture and fell in love with Chinese food.

"The idea of a long ride on horseback from Beijing to London was born two years ago, not only for the Olympics, but also because I have always wanted to do a long ride, and I have always been very interested in China and Central Asia," Lewis says.

In addition, her husband runs a children's charity in Wales and has successfully supported two schools for migrant children in Beijing through China Children and Teenagers' Fund.

"I have already posted my plan on my blog and website and hope to raise more funds to help poor children and schools that I find on the way," she says.

"My husband is very supportive, and is also a sports lover. But my three children who all go to universities now think I am mad," Lewis says.

The planned journey has already generated enthusiastic response from horse lovers both at home and abroad, says Wu Zhala, editor-in-chief of www.horse.org.cn, the Chinese National Equestrian Website.

"Many horse lovers in other countries have already enrolled to join the team when they pass through their countries," he says.

"What the three are going to do is something that most horse lovers would like to do."

As for the trio, the only thing they expect is to face the unexpected.

Says Li Jing: "Anything can happen on such a long ride - we have to see if we are lucky, if the heavens shine down on us."

Peng Wenchao, a Beijing native, says he hopes he will be able to put his experience to some use.

Referring to the potential difficulties, he says food and water for both the riders and horses, pose a definite challenge.

"We need to carry food and water for the whole trip, for in many remote areas it is really hard to find people," Peng says.

Communication will not be too difficult as Li Jing speaks some English and Lewis can speak a little Chinese.

Li Jing's knowledge of Chinese and Russian is an added boon. He will also be helped by the experience accumulated during his just-concluded trip from Russia to China.

"Though we may encounter many difficulties, I am confident that with the help of the experienced Li and Peng and other warm-hearted friends from the China Equestrian Association, we will overcome them," Lewis says.

"Wo shu niu, (My Chinese zodiac sign is the Ox) so hopefully this will be an auspicious year for me and for my long ride!"

(China Daily April 14, 2009)