In the spring of 2012, I will begin pedaling from the Northwest Territories of the Canadian Arctic to the southern end of Patagonia in Argentina, South America. Combined with a continental crossing of Canada coast-to-coast, and a journey across a portion of the United States, it will be the longest [est.48,000Km] continuous cycling adventure of my entire life. Perhaps, this is a stage in life to grow from…it will definitely put me in touch with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) community through a charity mission to help find a cure, since there are only treatments but no cure available for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis affecting human life on every continent on the globe. Life is too short, this is my dream to ride for charity & for expedition, I hope to share this charity-focused expeditionary ride with global communities through 2012-2013. If your interested in joining segments of the 32,000km expedition, or wish to help in fund-raising efforts, web design, or promotions in local areas, please feel free to contact me anytime. Global riders welcome on a cycling marathon that won’t end till we travel from tip of North America to the lands end in the South America, an entire expedition of the Americas. It’s called – “ONE, Arctic to Argentina 2012″ – Come join the adventure!!! Contact for information: tesol2000@gmail.com
1 year ago
2 years ago
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Love the sight of the first snow. In South Korea, it’s the sign of fresh weather, clearer conditions for riding in lower elevations, and far less smog. Winter is the ideal cyclists condition for healthier commuting to work, cycling for fitness training, or just getting around the country. Many have already crossed the country, or are setting off on winter vacation for Jeju-do (Island) in the south of the peninsula, where the milder temperatures and snow covered peaks of Mount Halla (Hallasan) are ever present in the background. Cycle touring is evolving into World Expeditions, and that can be done fast or slow. Take several examples from powerful elites in the Slow Bicycle Movement that have successfully cycled around the world, two recent examples that best exemplify WT (World Touring) are Alastair Humphreys (UK) and now Nicholai Bangsgaard (Denmark) whom have both completed 4-year crossings of entire Earth landmasses on two-wheels. Others that are notable for their dedication to the lifestyle and longevity of WT are Tim & Cindie Travis (USA) making bicycle touring their home since 2002. Additionally, Peter Gostelow is currently on his charity-based Big Africa Cycle and heading into the Sahara shortly. I had the opportunity to speak to Peter from Youssef Boucetta’s house in Demante, Morocco yesterday via Skype. One of the best charity campaigns on 2 in 2009 was definitely Dan Harrison riding his flagship bicycle expedition from London to Capetown delivering (currently) 24,450 GBP (Pounds!!!) to orphanages all along his route. Dan’s Better Life Cycle can be summed up in a huge success already, and his mission statement is already in motion: The Better Life Cycle has one goal; to give some of the worlds most disadvantaged children a better life. “Dan Harrison sets off from London on August 22nd on an epic solo cycle through Europe, the Middle East and Africa; arriving in Cape Town autumn 2010…” Finally, there’s another Adventurer who ready seen the road, cycling from London to Capetown and from Korea to Capetown on his already epic Korea to Capetown: through the Axis of Evil charity campaign, Dan Martin will set out to complete the world’s first World Triathlon. That’s right, he is planning and now seriously training to be the first to swim 1/3, cycle 1/3, and run 1/3 of the way around the world. Watch out for Dan’s grand slam to hit the endurance circuits, or completely blow them out. Beyond the Ironman/RAAM competitions, there is the slow, driven, and hard to the core Martin who will likely accomplish what others believe impossible. I believe he can do it!
What’s really amazing about cycling, are the ways people can use this transportation as a transformation into charity works and missions on expedition. This aspect of bicycle touring has become the center interest in my preparation to cycle from the Arctic 2 Argentina in 2012-2013. With every great dream there comes a great pursuit of realizing it. The work begins today, laying the foundations for tomorrow!
Extra notes: Navigation & GPS
I’ve also been looking at navigation, another example is looking at Seoul through the new program Playstreet that I found on the excellent Korean information site for Navigation called Foundatron. These sites can be incredibly useful for those living and Cycling in South Korea. This a full entry about Expedition Cyclists (links to many of their own stories) and a short piece on Navigation for Cyclists in Korea.
2 years ago
09-01-2009 Charity Mission to Conquer Americas Taking Shape
By Bryan Kay
Staff Reporter, The Korea Times, National English Newspaper.
One man’s mission to conquer the Americas in [2012] in aid of charity is starting to take shape.
- Training for the 30000km Expedition in 2012
Canadian Brian Perich, 36, who lives in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, is bidding to raise thousands of dollars for the Canadian and American branches of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
The journey awaiting him is mammoth: from a standing start in Anchorage, Alaska, onto the Canadian Arctic and all the way down to Argentina and the southernmost portion of the continent.
And now he has secured an event promoter, interest from possible riding companions and the bike to be used for the expedition.
“I now have IDEAS (the Intestinal Disease Awareness and Education Society) going to organize my campaign and do all the management, so things are going well. [Robert Hill], Mountaineer and Crohn’s survivor founded IDEAS and he is leading a team up Kilimanjaro with IBDadventures to raise awareness and charity support for IBD-inflammatory bowel disease research for a cure. Hill started the IBDadventures group and is campaigning as a Crohn’s survivor to climb the world’s seven highest peaks, including a bid for Mount Kilimanjaro in September” said Perich, who is the man behind Korea expat cycling group Cycling International.
“I have had a couple of people approach me (about the possibility of joining in). One said he is really interested and the second guy rode across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
“The other good thing is I have now got a sponsorship donation in the form of the expedition bike from Commuter Bicycles in Santa Barbara in California.”
While donations have yet to start rolling in, Perich said he is delighted with the response there has been to his grand plan, which is dubbed “One Cycle, One Man (+Riders), One Charity, Global Bike from the Arctic.”
He also revealed that he is using the world expedition being undertaken by Danish cyclist Nicolai Bangsgaard and a Canadian coast-to-coast adventure as inspiration for his trek.
“Nicolai Bangsgaard is actually riding the same bike as I am going to be using. He is going around the world until 2010. He isn’t doing his for charity, but I have sponsored him by paying for his wheels,” continued Perich.
“I have also seen the video of the two riders who, with John C. Scott of IDEAS organizing their events (Perich’s campaign manager) ― Vin Heney and Greg Mailloux ― did the coast-to-coast, finishing in September last year, and I’ve only had about two weeks. They raised $68,000 Canadian and that’s before even releasing the video on DVD. Their fund-raising tour is available at http://www.rubbersidedownmovie.com”
As well as his passion for cycling, Perich counts as another plank of his motivation a close family member who suffers from Crohn’s, an inflammatory disease of the intestines.
“I have a strong drive to do this,” he added.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the expedition, donating to the cause or cycling groups in Korea can contact Perich at 010-2657-5126 or e-mail tesol2000@gmail.com.
bk@koreatimes.co.kr
