Updates from the road in South Korea

 Spinning near Gangneung, Gangwon province, Korea

Just passed the rain burst while looping the lower mountain ranges (17km loop), 234km the past month.

The bike blog has taken a rest for quite a while. Over the past few months, there have been big ups and downs in my life (family, cycling events/misadventures, MA studies, and work). With the 12-Hour Han River Endurance Classic (HECC abbreviated) behind us now, having taken place on November 17-18, I will remember one of the coldest nights outdoors without the right gear. I didn't set the lap record (they were 11km) as I hit a wet section of painted surface (dodging rain) in the park and slammed the pavement, sliding to a final stop. As a contributing organizer, I took a supportive backseat in this event and punched cards and supported other riders. The 12-hour event itself was largely a success (albeit the grey t-shirts with cartoon logos) and many riders came out from across Korea to join us. The top endurance riders (Jon 275km, Eddie Glayzer 230km finishing in 12 hours) with many teams made up of individuals from various provinces (Chuncheon riders all finished top), and other riders new to the sport of cycling bagged over 100Km, impressive showing from all who gathered for the epic/unusual endurance event in Seoul, South Korea.

Other notes: Arctic 2 Argentina 2012-2013

The expedition kit has finally arrived (another story, to be told another time). The good news is, there is enough equipment to prepare for the next stages of winter training in Korea (and camping year-round too).

• Equipment list (ordered/received):

1. REI -20 Expedition mummy bag *(liner undecided. I liked the old polyester blanket I sewn into 1)
2. Lightweight REI compression sack (for mummy), 20L size fits perfect.
3. Smart Wool complete base layer (expedition tube socks, long underwear top/bottoms, balaclava)
4. Titanium cookset (very light weight pieces, not robust like MEC stainless -where 1 pot does it all)
5. Northface tent (tentative for 2012), 3-season Tadpole, also footprint accessory. Might replace this.
6. Ortlieb Front-Roller, Ortlieb back-Roller Classic panniers (black) 
7. Thermarest Prolite self-inflatable sleeping mat. (comfortable, tacks sleeping bag, good length/width)
8. 2009 Koga-Miyata World Traveller complete with Tubus racks and accessories for expedition.

• Needs list (to be determined): 

1. Headlights (D.I.Y.) ***dyno-regenerated power supply for electronics/lighting (notes)
2. Trailer (BOB or Xtrawheel)
3. Cook stove (Coleman Exponent Feather 442 Dual-Fuel Backpacking stove, or similar white gas/auto)
4. Footwear for cold climate cycling (to be determined after further research)
5. GoPro HD Hero Camera (modified battery kit*)
6. Macbook computer
7. SPOT device, GPS tracking only.
8. Maps, paper or GPS

Hoping everyone (around-the-world) visiting this blog is either enjoying life as you make it, or preparing for festivities for a wonderful holiday season. It's cold in South Korea -still cycling with more layers. Hard to get away from studies now...so just a brief update. My family is healthy and that's all I could ever ask for.

My Baba (grandmother) passed away this month in Canada, she was 101 and the soul connection in my life. She is now resting in peace, I will miss her dearly. She will remain my rock, my inspiration to live out my remaining days, to the fullest possible extent. It's what she would have wanted for me, I love you Baba.

Brian in Korea