Cycling West - Daebudo Island on the Yellow Sea, South Korea - Virgin Tour on the Blackcat, Gunshot flats, & 5 hours of riding...

Sometimes we should expect the unexpected, and it will happen on a Virgin Ride! I've changed rides again this year, now riding a Blackcat MTB which is Korean-branded but Made in China. The Shimano is Made in Malaysia, it does it's part without complaint (a few burps and missed indexed shifts, to be tweaked out). Funny part of this this ride was taking the 5km ride through Siheung Gongdan (factory zone, or Hell, same place if your a human) and took the Shiwa Tide Embankment, a causeway connecting Ansan/Siheung with neighboring Daebudo Island. It's a highly recommended ride in Korea. From factory Hell, to wetlands and marsh estuaries, it's a stark contrast on both sides of the ride, the latter taking in nature and open roads around the island itself. Two options here, you can choose straight through the Fish Restaurant Zone once you reach the actual island (12km bridge, or you can cross the bridge, take a sharp left, 20 meters right, and 20 meters turn left at the main intersection, that is the bypass route, which traverses amazing wetlands and offers plenty of miles uninterrupted. No traffic lights, just travel to the end of the road (distance uncalculated), turn right when it forks, the right leading to a newly paved roadway, turn left at the river, continue to the Harbour. From that intersection (the first and only to have a traffic light) you turn left to ride towards Suwon City, you turn right to cross rolling terrain back into Daebudo Island and around the countryside towards the Shiwa Tide Embankment bridge. Either way is a winner, I've done both directions. Plan B, is to ride directly through Daebudo Island passing many fish restaurants and circle around the island, crossing a few mountains and tunnels towards Suwon or Hwaseong City, those options are good for more hills, fossilized dinosaur egg exhibit if you track back towards Hwaseong City and finally pitch the bike towards Ansan Gongdan area. There is a bridge under construction, traffic is restricted, but you can go for it, as I have done several times and make it back to the mainland. It's a great ride and relief from the smog in this area, you've never seen a factory until you've lived and survived here!!! We're moving in 4 months, I'll hold my breath and keep pedaling into Daebudo Island.

Cycling West - Daebudo Island on the Yellow Sea, South Korea - Virgin Tour on the Blackcat, Gunshot flats, & 5 hours of riding...

Sometimes we should expect the unexpected, and it will happen on a Virgin Ride! I've changed rides again this year, now riding a Blackcat MTB which is Korean-branded but Made in China. The Shimano is Made in Malaysia, it does it's part without complaint (a few burps and missed indexed shifts, to be tweaked out). Funny part of this this ride was taking the 5km ride through Siheung Gongdan (factory zone, or Hell, same place if your a human) and took the Shiwa Tide Embankment, a causeway connecting Ansan/Siheung with neighboring Daebudo Island. It's a highly recommended ride in Korea. From factory Hell, to wetlands and marsh estuaries, it's a stark contrast on both sides of the ride, the latter taking in nature and open roads around the island itself. Two options here, you can choose straight through the Fish Restaurant Zone once you reach the actual island (12km bridge, or you can cross the bridge, take a sharp left, 20 meters right, and 20 meters turn left at the main intersection, that is the bypass route, which traverses amazing wetlands and offers plenty of miles uninterrupted. No traffic lights, just travel to the end of the road (distance uncalculated), turn right when it forks, the right leading to a newly paved roadway, turn left at the river, continue to the Harbour. From that intersection (the first and only to have a traffic light) you turn left to ride towards Suwon City, you turn right to cross rolling terrain back into Daebudo Island and around the countryside towards the Shiwa Tide Embankment bridge. Either way is a winner, I've done both directions. Plan B, is to ride directly through Daebudo Island passing many fish restaurants and circle around the island, crossing a few mountains and tunnels towards Suwon or Hwaseong City, those options are good for more hills, fossilized dinosaur egg exhibit if you track back towards Hwaseong City and finally pitch the bike towards Ansan Gongdan area. There is a bridge under construction, traffic is restricted, but you can go for it, as I have done several times and make it back to the mainland. It's a great ride and relief from the smog in this area, you've never seen a factory until you've lived and survived here!!! We're moving in 4 months, I'll hold my breath and keep pedaling into Daebudo Island.

Cycling West - Daebudo Island on the Yellow Sea, South Korea - Virgin Tour on the Blackcat, Gunshot flats, & 5 hours of riding...

Sometimes we should expect the unexpected, and it will happen on a Virgin Ride! I've changed rides again this year, now riding a Blackcat MTB which is Korean-branded but Made in China. The Shimano is Made in Malaysia, it does it's part without complaint (a few burps and missed indexed shifts, to be tweaked out). Funny part of this this ride was taking the 5km ride through Siheung Gongdan (factory zone, or Hell, same place if your a human) and took the Shiwa Tide Embankment, a causeway connecting Ansan/Siheung with neighboring Daebudo Island. It's a highly recommended ride in Korea. From factory Hell, to wetlands and marsh estuaries, it's a stark contrast on both sides of the ride, the latter taking in nature and open roads around the island itself. Two options here, you can choose straight through the Fish Restaurant Zone once you reach the actual island (12km bridge, or you can cross the bridge, take a sharp left, 20 meters right, and 20 meters turn left at the main intersection, that is the bypass route, which traverses amazing wetlands and offers plenty of miles uninterrupted. No traffic lights, just travel to the end of the road (distance uncalculated), turn right when it forks, the right leading to a newly paved roadway, turn left at the river, continue to the Harbour. From that intersection (the first and only to have a traffic light) you turn left to ride towards Suwon City, you turn right to cross rolling terrain back into Daebudo Island and around the countryside towards the Shiwa Tide Embankment bridge. Either way is a winner, I've done both directions. Plan B, is to ride directly through Daebudo Island passing many fish restaurants and circle around the island, crossing a few mountains and tunnels towards Suwon or Hwaseong City, those options are good for more hills, fossilized dinosaur egg exhibit if you track back towards Hwaseong City and finally pitch the bike towards Ansan Gongdan area. There is a bridge under construction, traffic is restricted, but you can go for it, as I have done several times and make it back to the mainland. It's a great ride and relief from the smog in this area, you've never seen a factory until you've lived and survived here!!! We're moving in 4 months, I'll hold my breath and keep pedaling into Daebudo Island.

Cycling West - Daebudo Island on the Yellow Sea, South Korea - Virgin Tour on the Blackcat, Gunshot flats, & 5 hours of riding...

Sometimes we should expect the unexpected, and it will happen on a Virgin Ride! I've changed rides again this year, now riding a Blackcat MTB which is Korean-branded but Made in China. The Shimano is Made in Malaysia, it does it's part without complaint (a few burps and missed indexed shifts, to be tweaked out). Funny part of this this ride was taking the 5km ride through Siheung Gongdan (factory zone, or Hell, same place if your a human) and took the Shiwa Tide Embankment, a causeway connecting Ansan/Siheung with neighboring Daebudo Island. It's a highly recommended ride in Korea. From factory Hell, to wetlands and marsh estuaries, it's a stark contrast on both sides of the ride, the latter taking in nature and open roads around the island itself. Two options here, you can choose straight through the Fish Restaurant Zone once you reach the actual island (12km bridge, or you can cross the bridge, take a sharp left, 20 meters right, and 20 meters turn left at the main intersection, that is the bypass route, which traverses amazing wetlands and offers plenty of miles uninterrupted. No traffic lights, just travel to the end of the road (distance uncalculated), turn right when it forks, the right leading to a newly paved roadway, turn left at the river, continue to the Harbour. From that intersection (the first and only to have a traffic light) you turn left to ride towards Suwon City, you turn right to cross rolling terrain back into Daebudo Island and around the countryside towards the Shiwa Tide Embankment bridge. Either way is a winner, I've done both directions. Plan B, is to ride directly through Daebudo Island passing many fish restaurants and circle around the island, crossing a few mountains and tunnels towards Suwon or Hwaseong City, those options are good for more hills, fossilized dinosaur egg exhibit if you track back towards Hwaseong City and finally pitch the bike towards Ansan Gongdan area. There is a bridge under construction, traffic is restricted, but you can go for it, as I have done several times and make it back to the mainland. It's a great ride and relief from the smog in this area, you've never seen a factory until you've lived and survived here!!! We're moving in 4 months, I'll hold my breath and keep pedaling into Daebudo Island.

WT: KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW - BACKGROUND IN MY ADVENTURE TOURING

KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW - ADVENTURE TOURING, CANOEING, CYCLING, MOTORCYCLING & THE MAMMOTH 25,000KM EXPEDITION IN 2012. -Click this link to listen in for more on the story!!!
KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW THROUGH VIDEO STUDIO STREAM, ADVENTURE CYCLING, MOTORCYCLING, TOUR GUIDING, LISTEN IN HERE...[LINK]

WT: KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW - BACKGROUND IN MY ADVENTURE TOURING

KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW - ADVENTURE TOURING, CANOEING, CYCLING, MOTORCYCLING & THE MAMMOTH 25,000KM EXPEDITION IN 2012. -Click this link to listen in for more on the story!!!
KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW THROUGH VIDEO STUDIO STREAM, ADVENTURE CYCLING, MOTORCYCLING, TOUR GUIDING, LISTEN IN HERE...[LINK]

WT: KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW - BACKGROUND IN MY ADVENTURE TOURING

KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW - ADVENTURE TOURING, CANOEING, CYCLING, MOTORCYCLING & THE MAMMOTH 25,000KM EXPEDITION IN 2012. -Click this link to listen in for more on the story!!!
KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW THROUGH VIDEO STUDIO STREAM, ADVENTURE CYCLING, MOTORCYCLING, TOUR GUIDING, LISTEN IN HERE...[LINK]

WT: KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW - BACKGROUND IN MY ADVENTURE TOURING

KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW - ADVENTURE TOURING, CANOEING, CYCLING, MOTORCYCLING & THE MAMMOTH 25,000KM EXPEDITION IN 2012. -Click this link to listen in for more on the story!!!
KBS WORLD RADIO INTERVIEW THROUGH VIDEO STUDIO STREAM, ADVENTURE CYCLING, MOTORCYCLING, TOUR GUIDING, LISTEN IN HERE...[LINK]

Expat Cyclist Plans Mammoth Journey -Korean Times, Wednesday July 15, 2009

Brian Perich heads out onto the open road in a recent cycling trip in Korea. The 36-year-old Canadian, who organizes the informal local cycling club Cycling International, is planning a mammoth journey from the Canadian Arctic to South America in aid of two North American charities. / Courtesy of Brian Perich By Bryan Kay Staff Reporter Canadian Lays Groundwork to Recruit for Trans-American Charity Effort From Alaska When Brian Perich arrived back in Korea late in 2006, it was perhaps only a matter of time before he bought a mountain bike and started to pound the tarmac snaking around the country. Indeed, it wasn't long before the 36-year-old Canadian, who lives in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, picked up a bargain basement set of spoked wheels to help quench his thirst for the open road. The founder of Cycling International, an informal group of Korean and expat cyclists set up in February 2007, has a goal of seismic proportions: to bike from the Canadian Arctic, as far south as he can possibly go ― and he wants fellow enthusiasts to join him for the ride. Perich, originally from Windsor, Ontario, can trace his love for cycling back to the 1980s when he was part of several road-racing clubs [Caboto & Maple Leaf Cycling Clubs, Windsor, Ontario]*. ``(Back then) I was not really into it. But it must have been about 1990, though, when I came across touring," he explained. ``So, I took a few friends, we got up early, and in 10 hours we did 240 kilometers. And we cycled back.'' [Grand Bend, Ontario] There began a love story that has spiraled 19 years ― taking in Canada, the United States and Korea ― involved a flirtation with motor-biking thousands of kilometers, and now has the English teacher aiming to head for Anchorage, Alaska, in 2012 to embark upon his mammoth journey across the Americas. The grand plan has the dual aims of raising cash for charity and as an outlet for his energies. And Perich hopes to encourage others to join him on the trip ― or at the very least join one of Korea's cycling groups. ``I started out around Ansan, then Suwon, then toward Pyeongtaek,'' he said. ``From there I started to go out to the east coast… and eventually all the way down to Busan. ``Over the course of the last two years, I have been meeting random people. That's what brought about Cycling International, through a Facebook group. It is just about trying to get like-minded people together.'' But the ultimate goal is his trans-Americas mission, which he has dubbed ``One Cycle, One Man (+Riders), One Charity, Global Bike from the Arctic.'' ``What this is ultimately about is training and preparing for the ride to the Arctic all the way down, perhaps all the way to the bottom of South America,'' Perich continued. ``I want to get people inspired. I've already got a company ready to give me a discount for a bike.'' The charities he has earmarked as the beneficiaries of his fund-raising effort ― the Canadian and American branches of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation ― are to act as a guiding network for the arduous journey. The non-profit organization Get Your Guts in Gear would be the spur, helping organize presentations at key locations [several US locations, 200 miles rides]* on his route, where he says he could stage motivational presentations that could lead to donations to the cause. ``The cycling is more a means of survival for me here. The teaching thing is done for me. I want to pour myself into this. After motorcycling for so many years and with the emphasis on the environment and being green, this seems like the right thing,'' said Perich. ``There are so many people who have accumulated thousands of kilometers doing things like this, and there are more organized cycling groups here in Korea worth looking into.'' Anyone interested in finding out more about cycling groups in Korea or Perich's Arctic mission can contact him at 010-2657-5126 or email tesol2000@gmail.com. bk@koreatimes.co.kr Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/07/177_48460.html

Expat Cyclist Plans Mammoth Journey -Korean Times, Wednesday July 15, 2009

Brian Perich heads out onto the open road in a recent cycling trip in Korea. The 36-year-old Canadian, who organizes the informal local cycling club Cycling International, is planning a mammoth journey from the Canadian Arctic to South America in aid of two North American charities. / Courtesy of Brian Perich By Bryan Kay Staff Reporter Canadian Lays Groundwork to Recruit for Trans-American Charity Effort From Alaska When Brian Perich arrived back in Korea late in 2006, it was perhaps only a matter of time before he bought a mountain bike and started to pound the tarmac snaking around the country. Indeed, it wasn't long before the 36-year-old Canadian, who lives in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, picked up a bargain basement set of spoked wheels to help quench his thirst for the open road. The founder of Cycling International, an informal group of Korean and expat cyclists set up in February 2007, has a goal of seismic proportions: to bike from the Canadian Arctic, as far south as he can possibly go ― and he wants fellow enthusiasts to join him for the ride. Perich, originally from Windsor, Ontario, can trace his love for cycling back to the 1980s when he was part of several road-racing clubs [Caboto & Maple Leaf Cycling Clubs, Windsor, Ontario]*. ``(Back then) I was not really into it. But it must have been about 1990, though, when I came across touring," he explained. ``So, I took a few friends, we got up early, and in 10 hours we did 240 kilometers. And we cycled back.'' [Grand Bend, Ontario] There began a love story that has spiraled 19 years ― taking in Canada, the United States and Korea ― involved a flirtation with motor-biking thousands of kilometers, and now has the English teacher aiming to head for Anchorage, Alaska, in 2012 to embark upon his mammoth journey across the Americas. The grand plan has the dual aims of raising cash for charity and as an outlet for his energies. And Perich hopes to encourage others to join him on the trip ― or at the very least join one of Korea's cycling groups. ``I started out around Ansan, then Suwon, then toward Pyeongtaek,'' he said. ``From there I started to go out to the east coast… and eventually all the way down to Busan. ``Over the course of the last two years, I have been meeting random people. That's what brought about Cycling International, through a Facebook group. It is just about trying to get like-minded people together.'' But the ultimate goal is his trans-Americas mission, which he has dubbed ``One Cycle, One Man (+Riders), One Charity, Global Bike from the Arctic.'' ``What this is ultimately about is training and preparing for the ride to the Arctic all the way down, perhaps all the way to the bottom of South America,'' Perich continued. ``I want to get people inspired. I've already got a company ready to give me a discount for a bike.'' The charities he has earmarked as the beneficiaries of his fund-raising effort ― the Canadian and American branches of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation ― are to act as a guiding network for the arduous journey. The non-profit organization Get Your Guts in Gear would be the spur, helping organize presentations at key locations [several US locations, 200 miles rides]* on his route, where he says he could stage motivational presentations that could lead to donations to the cause. ``The cycling is more a means of survival for me here. The teaching thing is done for me. I want to pour myself into this. After motorcycling for so many years and with the emphasis on the environment and being green, this seems like the right thing,'' said Perich. ``There are so many people who have accumulated thousands of kilometers doing things like this, and there are more organized cycling groups here in Korea worth looking into.'' Anyone interested in finding out more about cycling groups in Korea or Perich's Arctic mission can contact him at 010-2657-5126 or email tesol2000@gmail.com. bk@koreatimes.co.kr Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/07/177_48460.html

Expat Cyclist Plans Mammoth Journey -Korean Times, Wednesday July 15, 2009

Brian Perich heads out onto the open road in a recent cycling trip in Korea. The 36-year-old Canadian, who organizes the informal local cycling club Cycling International, is planning a mammoth journey from the Canadian Arctic to South America in aid of two North American charities. / Courtesy of Brian Perich By Bryan Kay Staff Reporter Canadian Lays Groundwork to Recruit for Trans-American Charity Effort From Alaska When Brian Perich arrived back in Korea late in 2006, it was perhaps only a matter of time before he bought a mountain bike and started to pound the tarmac snaking around the country. Indeed, it wasn't long before the 36-year-old Canadian, who lives in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, picked up a bargain basement set of spoked wheels to help quench his thirst for the open road. The founder of Cycling International, an informal group of Korean and expat cyclists set up in February 2007, has a goal of seismic proportions: to bike from the Canadian Arctic, as far south as he can possibly go ― and he wants fellow enthusiasts to join him for the ride. Perich, originally from Windsor, Ontario, can trace his love for cycling back to the 1980s when he was part of several road-racing clubs [Caboto & Maple Leaf Cycling Clubs, Windsor, Ontario]*. ``(Back then) I was not really into it. But it must have been about 1990, though, when I came across touring," he explained. ``So, I took a few friends, we got up early, and in 10 hours we did 240 kilometers. And we cycled back.'' [Grand Bend, Ontario] There began a love story that has spiraled 19 years ― taking in Canada, the United States and Korea ― involved a flirtation with motor-biking thousands of kilometers, and now has the English teacher aiming to head for Anchorage, Alaska, in 2012 to embark upon his mammoth journey across the Americas. The grand plan has the dual aims of raising cash for charity and as an outlet for his energies. And Perich hopes to encourage others to join him on the trip ― or at the very least join one of Korea's cycling groups. ``I started out around Ansan, then Suwon, then toward Pyeongtaek,'' he said. ``From there I started to go out to the east coast… and eventually all the way down to Busan. ``Over the course of the last two years, I have been meeting random people. That's what brought about Cycling International, through a Facebook group. It is just about trying to get like-minded people together.'' But the ultimate goal is his trans-Americas mission, which he has dubbed ``One Cycle, One Man (+Riders), One Charity, Global Bike from the Arctic.'' ``What this is ultimately about is training and preparing for the ride to the Arctic all the way down, perhaps all the way to the bottom of South America,'' Perich continued. ``I want to get people inspired. I've already got a company ready to give me a discount for a bike.'' The charities he has earmarked as the beneficiaries of his fund-raising effort ― the Canadian and American branches of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation ― are to act as a guiding network for the arduous journey. The non-profit organization Get Your Guts in Gear would be the spur, helping organize presentations at key locations [several US locations, 200 miles rides]* on his route, where he says he could stage motivational presentations that could lead to donations to the cause. ``The cycling is more a means of survival for me here. The teaching thing is done for me. I want to pour myself into this. After motorcycling for so many years and with the emphasis on the environment and being green, this seems like the right thing,'' said Perich. ``There are so many people who have accumulated thousands of kilometers doing things like this, and there are more organized cycling groups here in Korea worth looking into.'' Anyone interested in finding out more about cycling groups in Korea or Perich's Arctic mission can contact him at 010-2657-5126 or email tesol2000@gmail.com. bk@koreatimes.co.kr Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/07/177_48460.html

Expat Cyclist Plans Mammoth Journey -Korean Times, Wednesday July 15, 2009

Brian Perich heads out onto the open road in a recent cycling trip in Korea. The 36-year-old Canadian, who organizes the informal local cycling club Cycling International, is planning a mammoth journey from the Canadian Arctic to South America in aid of two North American charities. / Courtesy of Brian Perich By Bryan Kay Staff Reporter Canadian Lays Groundwork to Recruit for Trans-American Charity Effort From Alaska When Brian Perich arrived back in Korea late in 2006, it was perhaps only a matter of time before he bought a mountain bike and started to pound the tarmac snaking around the country. Indeed, it wasn't long before the 36-year-old Canadian, who lives in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, picked up a bargain basement set of spoked wheels to help quench his thirst for the open road. The founder of Cycling International, an informal group of Korean and expat cyclists set up in February 2007, has a goal of seismic proportions: to bike from the Canadian Arctic, as far south as he can possibly go ― and he wants fellow enthusiasts to join him for the ride. Perich, originally from Windsor, Ontario, can trace his love for cycling back to the 1980s when he was part of several road-racing clubs [Caboto & Maple Leaf Cycling Clubs, Windsor, Ontario]*. ``(Back then) I was not really into it. But it must have been about 1990, though, when I came across touring," he explained. ``So, I took a few friends, we got up early, and in 10 hours we did 240 kilometers. And we cycled back.'' [Grand Bend, Ontario] There began a love story that has spiraled 19 years ― taking in Canada, the United States and Korea ― involved a flirtation with motor-biking thousands of kilometers, and now has the English teacher aiming to head for Anchorage, Alaska, in 2012 to embark upon his mammoth journey across the Americas. The grand plan has the dual aims of raising cash for charity and as an outlet for his energies. And Perich hopes to encourage others to join him on the trip ― or at the very least join one of Korea's cycling groups. ``I started out around Ansan, then Suwon, then toward Pyeongtaek,'' he said. ``From there I started to go out to the east coast… and eventually all the way down to Busan. ``Over the course of the last two years, I have been meeting random people. That's what brought about Cycling International, through a Facebook group. It is just about trying to get like-minded people together.'' But the ultimate goal is his trans-Americas mission, which he has dubbed ``One Cycle, One Man (+Riders), One Charity, Global Bike from the Arctic.'' ``What this is ultimately about is training and preparing for the ride to the Arctic all the way down, perhaps all the way to the bottom of South America,'' Perich continued. ``I want to get people inspired. I've already got a company ready to give me a discount for a bike.'' The charities he has earmarked as the beneficiaries of his fund-raising effort ― the Canadian and American branches of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation ― are to act as a guiding network for the arduous journey. The non-profit organization Get Your Guts in Gear would be the spur, helping organize presentations at key locations [several US locations, 200 miles rides]* on his route, where he says he could stage motivational presentations that could lead to donations to the cause. ``The cycling is more a means of survival for me here. The teaching thing is done for me. I want to pour myself into this. After motorcycling for so many years and with the emphasis on the environment and being green, this seems like the right thing,'' said Perich. ``There are so many people who have accumulated thousands of kilometers doing things like this, and there are more organized cycling groups here in Korea worth looking into.'' Anyone interested in finding out more about cycling groups in Korea or Perich's Arctic mission can contact him at 010-2657-5126 or email tesol2000@gmail.com. bk@koreatimes.co.kr Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/07/177_48460.html