Groove Korea Magazine - A Special Edition on Cycling in Korea 2011

When I ride, I like to do this...ride it all day long!

Riding in the sky, Hwy 7 (Goeseong-Busan) unfinished in 2009

Sin Hyup near Samcheok, Gangwon-do, 2009

Everyone can ride and it isn't always pretty but it still feels good!

Do you enjoy cycling on rocks? I do.

Dozens of MTB clubs in Korea, but MTBK group is English on Facebook

1 Day of Cycling in Korea

Cycling in Gangwon Province of Korea

Fueled on fruit, thanks to my friend Murray DP!

Reclaimed tidal flats on Daebudo Island (near Siheung/Incheon)

Surisan, Ansan, Korea

Ulsan airport, Korea (I ride so I don't fly)

Hammering out a storm on Daebudo Island, 2009

Bicycle touring on Daebudo Island, 2009

Freedom in a bike. Escape from the daily life of stress and commitments

This feels good. You should try it today!

Bike-lite camping near Wonju-Chiaksan, Gangwon-do, Korea

Cycling around Surisan, Ansan, South Korea

Cycling in Korea - With Sun-hee at Surisan

This is more addictive than smoking -and healthy too!

Sunrise over Chiaksan Mountains, Wonju, Korea

Koreans find the way to make a path, Sun-hee on Surisan

Brian Sullivan takes on Cycling in Korea!

You should always wear a helmet, I gave mine to a friend (:

Cycling builds strength, character, endurance and friendship

Passing a group of Korean MTB riders in Ansan

Tunnels are interesting in Korea, they are everywhere too!

Ben takes to Cycling in Korea. Touring 240km on Hwy 7 (Eastern coast Korea)

My 1994 Kona Explosif. Used Cycling in Korea.

South of Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Korea

Bicycle touring requires patience, skills in packing and determination to reach the destination

Ben exits Donghae 1 tunnel, South bound for Pohang, Gyeongsannamdo Province

Riding through mountains is a unique experience in Korea

My lucky number is "7" and I like this highway in Korea.

Free parking for bicycles in Korea

What goes up, must come down. Hwy 7 offers it all to Cycle tourists in Korea

Passing bridges on the free ride across Korea

Those mountains in the distance can be crossed using intersecting highways (Hwy 35 & Hwy 59) to Taebaek

This is my Nirvava while living and teaching in South Korea 2001-2002, 2006-2011

Donghae Grand Hotel, with Asian architectural influences (entirely concrete)

Matt Lamers, Groove Korea Magazine

Hi Brian, I'm the editor of Groove Korea magazine and I am arranging a special sports issue. Would you be a good person to talk to to answer a few questions on the facebook group Cycling in Korea?


If so, the Qs are below. I came across this group quite late in the month and we are nearing the end of production, so if you have time to fill me in as soon as you can, I would appreciate it.

1. When is the registration period?

2. How much does it cost?

3. Where do you ride? How often?

4. Who should people contact if they’re interested?

5. What’s your name/age/how long in Korea/ are you both a cycler and organizer?

6. Can you also give me a few paragraphs on what either cycling in general or your group does for the your community? How does it help expats form a community? What does it do for the people involved? (coping, making friends, networking, keeping fit, interacting with Koreans, etc.)..


Hi Matt,

Excellent, would be glad to support this group. Cycling in Korea was originally formed by Duncan Davidson of New Zealand and this Cycle-friendly Kiwi has since returned to his homeland, but the group has continued to live on, connecting riders all over Korea, and there are now several administrators that announce group rides. All members are welcome to post their rides (upcoming and past experiences in Korea) and this helps connect riders.

1. When is the registration period?

Open, just join the group and leave a message on the board. Someone will usually answer your question (about sourcing a new bike in Korea, Where to ride, What kind of bike to use in urban, rural, offroad or touring conditions). There are a variety of conditions in Korea, the landscape, topography and routes are quite diverse, I suggest trying them all. There is another great group to join, MTBK (Mountain Biking in Korea) on Facebook and Jerry leads many weekend rides for all levels in different areas of Korea, if you want to ride hard or easy, enjoy company of bike-friendly people, make friends and connections in cycling, and enjoy some BBQ's and refreshments, they have it all.

There are also 645 current members in the Cycling in Korea group, 115 current members in the new Han River Riders group! One member (Eddie Glayzer, Administrator) is now cycling across China, Tibet into Nepal and India...he was fueled on Cycling in Korea, now he's riding the World. You can follow-up on his adventures @ http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/thecyclingvagabondcrazyguyonabike.com  Bicycle Touring: The Cycling Vagabond, by Edward Glayzer

Topic: Bicycle Touring Categories: Tour diaries, Equipment lists, Expedition touring bikes, Offroad, 6-12 months, WorldLocales: Asia, South Korea, China, Tibet, Nepal, India Year: 2011


2. How much does it cost?...The cost of joining is free. If the event is staged (12 hour Han Endurance Classic HECC last year hosted by several members and myself, was a paid-event where entrants rode their top mileage along the Han River, it was a challenging event to host too! Myself, Tim Travis and Arden John worked together to organize the 2010 HECC event. They have planned both a 6-hour and 12-hour endurance for 2011 (Contact either Tim or Arden). Anyways, I will still promote events with the Han River Riders, as it is most active in the Korean cycling community.

The Han River Riders group was created to bring every rider within Korea together.
The Han River Endurance 2011 is a paid-for event, this year is the same as last with 25,000won entrance free for adult riders, 10,000won just for barbeque. Event invitation now open: 

" River Romp" 6 Hour Endurance Cycling Challenge
Location: Han River Bike Path next to the Ichon 7-11
Time: ‎8:00AM Saturday, May 28th


4. Where do you ride? How often?

I personally ride mostly urban, rural and long-distance routes across Korea. I consider myself an adventure cyclist now, accumulating over 10,000km over the past two years -you can read about journeys here (mine and many others, Korean-World is dedicated to Cycling in Korea and Adventure Cycling Expeditions: http://korean-world.blogspot.com/

5. Who should people contact if they’re interested?

If anyone is interested in starting to ride, or joining group rides (on and offroad or touring) post messages to the wall, contact Han River Rivers, or me directly for more information: Brian Perich @ 010.3037.5126 - tesol2000@gmail.com

I'm proud to support support Cycling in Korea (& Global) and Han River Riders communities in Korea.

6. What’s your name/age/how long in Korea/ are you both a cycler and organizer?

Brian Perich, 38, Father, Teacher, dedicated supporter of Cycling in Korea, living in Korea for 7 years, starting expeditions this summer in western China and Tibet (autonomous region). I have really enjoyed and immersed myself into Cycling in Korea since returning in 2007-2011. My blog chronicles that transformative experience on two-wheels, I'd love to share it with you!

7. Can you also give me a few paragraphs on what either cycling in general or your group does for the your community? How does it help expats form a community? What does it do for the people involved? (coping, making friends, networking, keeping fit, interacting with Koreans, etc.)

I think the two groups support the general idea of i love Cycling community, Cycling International and the locally-grown, long-standing group  Cycling in Korea and the new ultra-mileage event group Han River Riders can support members of the Expat & Korean community share in amazing cycling experiences either independently (regionally as we are located all over the country) and collectively with group rides organized by dedicated and supportive people who love bicycles and the things we can do with them. Cycling in Korea is a great way to make new friends, learn more about the incredible riding across the country and finally best -experiencing it for yourself! I use Cycling in Korea to fuel my preparation for future expeditions around the world and while living in Korea, it's definitely one of the greatest experiences of my entire life. Get fit, stay positive, reduce stress, and help others get on their road to success and stay on it while living overseas. Dreams come true, when you learn to face your fears and live your dreams! Everyone is welcome to join the group, and I would personally like to welcome everyone to Cycling in Korea -and remember to visit the Korean-World, where I talk all about it in a blog running since 2007. If you need to find a bike to get started, don't hesitate to contact me, you will be riding around the country in no time. Peace and enjoy your time in Korea, it is an amazing place. ^^

Regards,

Brian Perich

Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea

010.3037.5126 or tesol2000@gmail.com

http://korean-world.blogspot.com/  Brian's Adventures in the world of Cycling & teaching English