Going on a road trip during the Spring Festival might sound like fun. But for nearly 200 thousand in southern China, it's a rough ride hundreds of kilometers on a motorcycle. For many migrant workers far from home 50 weeks out of the year, the holiday period is the only chance to spend quality time with family. Mark Fontes shares their stories with us.

It's been said that life is a highway, but navigating it is not always a joyride. Chen Jian and his 12-year-old son face 12 hours of braving the elements and the roads between Guangdong Province, where he works, and Guangxi Province, where his hometown is.

CHEN JIAN HEADING HOME FOR SPRING FESTIVAL "I work in a furniture factory in Foshan and really want to be home for the Spring Festival. My motorcycle is the most viable, affordable option for my son and me."

It's an even bigger family affair for Liu Xiaoying, her husband and their two kids ahead of their all-day journey.

LIU XIAOYING HEADING HOME FOR SPRING FESTIVAL "We wake up at 4 am, get the kids ready, and hit the road. We hope to get home before dark."

These families are among nearly 200,000 hard-working southern Chinese who commute long distance by motorcycle ahead of the Spring Festival. Unable to buy train or bus fares once they sell out, they bundle their belongings and themselves together onto their two-wheelers, risking their lives and much more all for the eventual warm comforts of home.

XU WEIYI LIU'S HUSBAND "I'm a truck driver and the cities like Jiangmen are the best places to get work. The Spring Festival is the only time all year to be home together as a family."

And at this rest stop in Zhaoqing, riders get free food, fuel, even bike repairs thanks to the Chinese government and some selfless volunteers. Lu Lipeng is a high school teacher who helps hand out stickers aiming to improve safety on the roads.

LU LIPENG VOLUNTEER "I feel great being able to help people. Hopefully drivers and even police officers see these stickers on the bikes, and exercise caution and care."

MARK FONTES ZHAOQING, GUANGDONG PROVINCE "Most riders are lucky to complete their journey between the dawn and dusk hours. However, they have to stay off the major highways they are relegate to the much narrower state and provincial roads where watching their speed as well. However the families we spoke to say that's a good part."

XU WEIYI HEADING HOME FOR SPRING FESTIVAL "I like to drive slowly. Even though it means a longer trip, my family's safety is much more important."

CHEN JIAN HEADING HOME FOR SPRING FESTIVAL "I don't mind taking it slow. One way or another we'll get home."

CUI WEIJIANG POLICE OFFICER "We try to promote road education over writing citations. However, if someone is committing a serious offense, like speeding or overloading their bikes, they face fines of at least 200 yuan."

The number of riders has spiraled downward in recent years thanks to improvements in the railway network. Many now opt to put their wives and kids on trains or buses, while they bike home solo. For many of them it's 2-3 weeks of holiday time, then having to look for a brand new job, thus starting the journey all over again in the Chinese New Year. Mark Fontes, CGTN, Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province.