Shanghai to Rome by Touring Bicycles // Adventure Cycling with Ollie and Anna Yeoman // Round the World Cyclists // Passing That Way //

Adventure cyclists traveling around the world is less uncommon as we look through the lens of the web. For inspiration, it's easy to see the amazing world through the seat of cycles. They chose Surly Long Haul Truckers in 4130 steel lugged framesets, a great choice to comfort and reliability.
Follow Ollie and Anna's adventures on Passing That Way as they round the world.

Mongolia X Journal 13 // Where the pavement ends // Riding Northwest // Microadventure // Brian Peric Expeditions // Lynskey Performance //

I survived some very rough sections of dirt roads. Today, I will try and reflect on what is beautiful about life. Cycle touring only fills a small percentage, or two months of my years in Korea. Family is beautiful in so many of it's compositions: couples, newly weds, one child, or multi-child units. I come from a family of 5 siblings, twin elder sisters (Beth and Chris), a younger brother (Steve) and sister (Nancy). Living in my family unit growing up started my world of adventures. My parents wanted to give us the world through North American road trips. We camped most of the time with the occasional mechanical breakdown, we stayed in Super 8 Motels across the central and eastern United States. Growing up traveling in the summers and winters starting from Canada was a lucky break. Today, I sit and reflect on past travels in America while camping out beside Steppe tracks of Outer Mongolia, which is really - a long way from where I started out.

I've left the Herder hauling dirt's lot, he had a log home build from big northern Mongolian timber adding an addition to the main building, a wooden barn used for his various equipment and welding tools, and he was industrious too - a handyman, jack-of-all-trades and well known to many in his small town. We rolled through the dirt roads between tracks of tall wooden fences, everything was painted maroon as a weather-beater paint on these divisions of permanent Mongolian settlement. It was only possible to see in with an invitation to stay from a local. Since I hitch-hiked into town with the dirt load, we toured first and caught the eye of his local friends, this was great -really rolling cool into a totally different neighborhood in Central Asia with my host. I can appreciate the generosity of being offered sheep head, onions and potatoes -this was a real treat. I ate a tongue cooked tender along with muscles from all around the lower jaw, delicious.

When I left town, I found an ATM and stocked up on Mongolian Turguts and turned out onto 100km of pavement today. What I didn't see ahead of me on that smooth as the Silk Road were swarms of seething flies again. So, today was cut short, some dirt track and about 20km out on blacktop pavement and the heat attracted swarms of flies, big and small and all hungry for cruising sheep on bikes, like me! Since there were no herds in the immediate area, I was game for horse fly bites, and the gnat flies that like to drink my sweat. It's tolerable until they start doing tumbles into your face and eyes, then all hell breaks loose on the side of the road with the Tilley Endurable T3 hat which I normally wear as an all purpose sunscreen and fly hammer to swat and kill as many flies as I can. It's a little insane in the heat to have to stop the cycle and kill, but the other option is being eaten alive, I take what precautions I can without the DEET. Next time, bring mosquito repellent to Mongolia (mental note).

Finally, this early afternoon I have camped with the paved roadside still in sight. I pushed the Lynskey mountain bike up the hillside, grassland is nicely cut by roaming herds of domesticated sheep, goats, horses around here, over the hills are probably Ger camps, as Mongolians are living in many remote pockets of the rolling terrain, you might see them about anywhere here, or none at all for hours on the bike.

Camping out, relaxing, and recording. It's great to wipe away the early days sweat with wet napkins, change clothes, and snuggle into a sleeping bag on the Thermarest mattress:  this is peace - even though it's just past noon and I haven't made enough progress, I am still loaded with 5 liters of water, good for the night.

Little did I know, the Korean trio that I shared my route with (Hak Jun, June and Chris) are now competing with me now to cross Mongolia, Wow, what a wonder since they are pursuing a $9500 book writing contract while I am just riding to support educational non-profit foundations and see more of the world from a mountain bike. They are riding mountain bikes, Korean models with two Chinese carrier racks I modified custom and assembled myself - to help them do it. What's amazing - helping others and having them compete with you immediately afterwards with the route map I shared with them to assist them. Well, it is worth the experience to remember who I helped, why I helped them - and that's important to me right now.

I awoke at 1200 am and decided under moonlight with a cacophony of  flies now departed for their sleeping holes, I put the bicycle back on the road to complete the fastest stage of the entire expedition. 80km more pavement was waiting out there, swiftly I was rolling smooth, probably apart from leaving Ulaanbaatar, the only place I could roll without putting less than 1 horse of human power to get to the next destination, which is another patch of arid, sandy soil Steppe grassland to camp. There isn't 'development' out across here, but I do come across towns that punctuate long paragraphs of roaming landscapes.  I am determined to keep moving, to make more progress to get across Mongolia solo by mountain bike.

Time and pressure, is the trepidation building before taking the expedition.  I have a great deal of freedom to be in this situation, nobody leading the way except me and nobody sent me here - I roam alone supported by my wife on occasional text messages and friend support who have donated their time, interest, equipment (SFC Tim Copeland) and a donation already (Malcolm Wesley Wrest sending me off with money for the bus ride home when I return to Korea) and Don Erwin at Lynskey Performance, USA. These supports are integral to success in Mongolia. It helps if you have a team, it can have implications on how you cope, even if you cannot connect while riding through the unknown. These scattered text messages (Malcolm, James Penlington, Mi Sung) are important, I keep them on the SIM card for moral support.

I rolled for about 4 hours (80 kilometers) and this was amazingly smooth sealed blacktop heaven. At the end of the pavement the road ends, drops off into the dirt tracks which continue across Mongolia. It's crazy to be cycling in two worlds, one mostly undeveloped - just beat down dirt, rocks and Earth soil and sand and the other is one I am familiar to in North America, China or Korea - pavement made from either concrete or stone and tar sealed roadways. If you are looking for pavement, don't come to Outer Mongolia.

I camped wild eyed at a full moon washing over the rolling landscapes, I past the town in a few minutes silently, only a few dogs barked breaking total silence and no flies buzzed in my ears - heavenly. At the end of this pavement, I went to the side of the tracks and pitched the Northface tadpole 2, my home away. After a catnap for a few hours, a golden sun opened the blue horizons. I jumped up about 700 am today and look,   - there were the 3 Korean amigos! It was a surprising coincidence to meet there because they had stealth passed my tent on the side of the paved road without  'hello' while the swarms of flies had driven me into my tent. I was delighted to see them again, they looked - disappointed. I sent June back into town to collect a few liters of water from the store since they have stocked up and stayed in town themselves.

In Korea, my occupation directly involves teaching adolescents in a university - and while on adventure I try and lend a hand of support (4 hours of rack drilling/modification and assembly - done!) and of course, I worked hard to travel overland in Mongolia and saved for this - without return to Canada in over 6.5 years. Supporting my family, my students, my wife and children and then following a road to a big adventure. I will turn 40 in January 2013.  So, this journey is important as it is for others trying to realize the same dream.

Well, I spent a few minutes with the trio and learned about their battle through the flies on pavement (yes, I was there too, I know this!), but they never mentioned seeing a bright orange tent beside the road. They were preoccupied with making their own journey at the expense of their parents - for the Korean guidebook.

I left them behind for the last time today, following the GPS through the sparse grass fields and along the dirt tracks. The Koreans I met faded to grey specks and disappeared into the rough terrain behind me now.

Ahead is a new day. Luckily, after an hour before crossing a river with a checkpoint before the long concrete bridge, I find this amazing diner - brand new place with gleaming glass windows and Art Deco design using concrete for the the structure and wide and tall modern glass as the side of the wall looking out to a miniature desert. It was out of this world, and a good menu too. I had ridden through some of the roughest terrain and up and over the small desert to an oasis today, another Eden. Amazing. Here, I am just writing to relax, unwind and re-hydrate salted goat milk chai tea and fresh water while I sip soup by the bowl and chow these flat, fried noodles mixed with onions and potato, mutton and chunks of fat  in my bowl. I'm lucky to be alive today, I'm lucky to be traveling in Mongolia unlike other travels, there are no tarmac roads pointed in this direction, you need a compass and a GPS to follow these tracks. Life is - something truly unexpected.

Thanks for reading my journals written while traveling overland in Mongolia on a mountain bike. More adventures are coming soon!!!    Later, I will include a equipment report, one reader commented and asked about what equipment I am using and how the Lynskey titanium mountain bike performed this summer. The equipment is listed in the links above, and all details on equipment performance, maintenance and picks (what I liked, what I would leave behind, what I will bring next time) will be shared in the final print/ebook being developed right now away from these pages. Thank you all for visiting the Korean-World blog. (:

WT: Solo, training for expeditions in South Korea // HimalayasX2011-2012

Solo, training for expeditions in South Korea, anyone can join me here, knock and the door will be answered. Amen.

http://korean-world.blogspot.com/ 

 Gangneung, Gangwon-do, South Korea

 Reservoir Lake, Gangneung. My favorite winter location for Ice Bicycling.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/36149415 w=608&h=342]
Gangneung, Gangwon-do, South Korea has a series of small lakes created in a reservoir area. For the first time, I set out to cross all sections of these frozen lakes, the temperatures dropped to -10 Celsius and the sun was out, it was an amazing day to adventure cycle!Music: Kasabian (Club Foot) and Contemporary Chinese.Adventure blog + links to explorers:
http://korean-world.blogspot.comI support IDEAS - Intestinal Disease Education & Awareness Society In partnership with ETE - Education Through ExpeditionsPeace from South Korea!

I completed some sub -20 micro adventures this winter too

Related Link Sub-24 Hour Micro Adventures:  South Korea Micro-Adventures 

Training has gone solo these days, lost my one riding partner in Gangneung

On another S24O (Sub 24-hour Overnight) Micro Adventure in the fall of 2011  I came across two mountain cougars, rare but lucky to be seen near Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Success and failure, triumph and tragedy: all circumstantial parts of our life, learning and human exploration.

My Personal Mantra: 

Prepare for future expeditions, 

one day at a time, it's all you can do. 

Never impossible, you're just trying it out.

Never stop overcoming, challenges are always ahead.

I support several foundations -

IDEAS (Intestinal Disease Education & Awareness Society)

In partnership with ETE (Education Through Expeditions)

Handy: Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook, 2nd Edition: Worldwide Cycling Route & Planning Guide 

RTW Correspondence with Gaston Bonaudi in Buenos Aires, Argentina :: Expeditions

• 
  

  February 15, 2010

  Gaston Bonaudi

  • Hey Brian! nice to meet you! thanks for adding me as a friend. I checked your website, it's great. Are you planning to come to Argentina?
    I think we have a lot of things in common, bikes and travels, lol. If you need help for planning or just for friendship here in Buenos Aires, please write me!
    
    My Best.
    
    Gaston
• 
  

  February 15, 2010

  Brian Perich

  • Hey Gaston,
    
    Very cool to meet you here. Much more to share (of course an introduction helps ^^..) I have many obstacles to overcome to reach that point, but that's the challenge of an expedition -adventure!!! Would be great to speak, I have 0-knowledge of the roads and experiences beyond Northern Mexico. Thanks for checking out the blog, I try to keep it interesting for an outlet to life in general too.
    
    Peace from Korea,
    
    Brian P 
• 
  

  31 minutes ago

  Gaston Bonaudi

  • Hi Brian!
    
    How are you?  How is everything going with your plans to travel across America?
    
    I want to tell you still can count on me if you need help with your trip plans and stay in Argentina. I would really like to host you and talk a lot with you to learn a little more about your experiences traveling by bike.
    Since I last write you I've had the chance to travel all around South and Central America and have lots of tips to share if you need help. BTW I'm enyoing so much following your trip around China!
    
    I hope some day to have the enough power and conviction to start my own ¨around the world trip by bike¨... by now I'm doing it just with a backpack...
    Take care and I look forward hearing from you!.
    
• 
  

  about a minute ago

  Brian Perich

  • Hi Gaston,
    
    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    This is really nice of you to write again. Yes, I am definitely coming to Central and South America with the http://arctic2argentina.com/ but how I will do it, is still a mystery to me (time off work, family are main concerns, everything about cycling is sorted...China was definitely a great experience to build on, anything is possible after that one!).
    
    Backpacking is a free lifestyle, the equipment is light and you can travel well. I have hitch-hiked in the past/present, starting around Vancouver Island, Canada in the 1990's, then in Korea and China. The nice thing about cycling, and bicycle touring - you always have the option to hitch-hike after pedaling 100km in a day. You can travel wider distances and remain self-sufficient for lengths of time.
    
    I think you have amazing experiences to share, and I would learn a lot from you too. Let's try to make some mileage as a team on bikes. You'll learn in my blog, it isn't about expensive equipment (although quality components definitely help), it's about preparing yourself mentally and physically to travel. That much, you have already accomplished!!
    
    I prefer mountain bikes MTBs over touring bikes. They are cheap, easy to repair/replace parts, and they can ride on different terrain. Best tires on the market, I mention in my blog - Schwalbe Marathon (or Marathon Plus Tour if available...there are lighter versions now available in 2011-2012, I haven't tested them yet).
    
    It will be a long way down, if you can join me, it would be a better journey. (:
    
    Peace, I'm here when you need to speak (:
    
    Brian Perich
    Skype: prof.brian.perich
    http://korean-world.blogspot.com/
  • 
    

    ONE - Arctic to Argentina 2012-2013

    arctic2argentina.com
    

    Global Bike from the Arctic Circle

Himalayas X Expedition 2011 - Pre-launch Information, June 2011

It's time. After 5 years of constant cycling and training (cross training in the gym these past 10 weeks, while giving the bike a rest losing 10kg in the process), I am prepared for the Himalayas X Expedition 2011. The route isn't etched in stone, but what I can tell you is the route will include transit from South Korea to Tianjin, China and cycling to Qingdao, China to meet my local host Li Wei, an amazing international student now studying at my university. I hope to share a visit with Li Wei and prepare for an overland train experience to the starting point of the expedition. Special interests, the Taklamakan Desert, Central and Western China, Tibet and the Himalayas.

Actually, it all begins when we leave our house in the morning and go out and explore our world...well, this expedition has a little more formalities including immunizations, visa preparations, familial responsibilities, and preparing to face the physical elements -both the natural world, and in utilizing the self-preparation that came in training, and finally sorting out the equipment lists along with the logistics and coordination/communication with partnering foundations). It all took several months to finalize, but we are finally here - 7 days from the moment I walk out my front door onto an expedition of epic proportions -at least in my book.

It's been 10 years since I had once, bright-eyed and bushy headed, set off as a thrill-seeker (1993-2001), my purposes and calculations are much different now - but I do hope to catch that endless 'spirit of adventure' while out riding, speaking in foreign languages (Mandarin, Tibetan, Uighur) as I roam the urban, rural, inhabited and uninhabited-open landscapes that envelope the people in tiny pockets of cultural perimeters. I hope to cross through geographical (following the topographical curvatures), cultural, linguistic, and national boundaries into open domains with a bicycle. Inside of me there is fear, apprehension, calculation, mental mind-mapping of the route, the experiences expected or unexpected - of course all of this is human nature to find out the -why? -where? -who? what's next? and deal with the uncertainties when they must be dealt with -all these questions will be answered in a rhythm that can follow a route and keep within the limits we set for ourselves, or those imposed upon us and make alternate arrangements to carry on. I look forward all of it. It's a moment of choice, a moment of chance, a moment of freedom, and movement across a great land.

It's an exciting time in my life, I will share the journey with you, and make it more than just my personal lived experience -reporting back and sharing the "now" with all of you -hopefully, to inspire others to live their personal dreams or support an organization you believe in. I've scheduled 60 days to cover the ground, to experience a region of the world I knew existed primarily in books, blogs, or pages on the internet, shared ideas and daydreams. This time around, the experience is real, the risks are calculated and distances are challenging, especially on a bicycle. What could be better than a bicycle expedition into the unknown (giggles)

I am supporting several amazing non-profit foundations led by explorers Robert Hill, Ostomate and Mountaineering expedition veteran of the Seven Summits Series supporting IBD research for a cure  (for more information: IDEAS - Intestinal Disease Education & Awareness Society, Canada); and Antony Jinman, veteran Arctic & Polar Explorer and founder of the innovative non-profit school outreach, ETE - Education Through Expeditions, UK) and I will share more information about the causes, the mission, and the experiences of bicycle touring along the roof of the world on this journey.

Thank you for taking interest in the Himalayas X Expedition 2011 and I hope you enjoy your visits to the Korean-World, an adventure blog running since 2007 (visit the links to friends and adventurers on this site).


An old quote, I will continue to follow in the coming weeks...


"Face your fears to live your dreams."


Brian Perich, Adventurer, Father, Teacher and supporter of non-profit organizations.

@ the office, teaching English as a Foreign language in South Korea

Ben's LAUNCH into Cycling in Korea :: Gangneung to Pohang Tour remarks

Ben's Bike Trip - Reflections of a first cycling tour in South Korea

 1. The idea to go on a cycling trip in Korea came to me somewhat out of the blue. I had previously heard about the experience from friends such as Brian Perich from the Cycling in Korea facebook group but I did not give it much thought over the winter as I did not own a bicycle and had very limited cycling experience.

I rode bikes a fair amount growing up but never over a long distance as I saw biking as little more than a practical way to get to a friends’ house. Two weeks ago, growing tired of running on a treadmill at the gym, I decided to buy a bike and plan a trip to see for myself what the buzz about cycling in Korea is all about.

I had a four-day weekend and planned to leave from Gangneung in Gangwon-do on a Thursday to see how far down the East Coast I could ride. My friend Brian helped me get started by cycling with me to Donghae before sending me off on my own. I had previously hoped to make it to Ulsan but had no idea how far my skinny legs would be able to take me, especially after that tiring first leg through the mountains.

I was proud of the effort I put in to reach Pohang by Saturday afternoon and decided that for a first solitary bike trip in Korea, the coastal city was a very reasonable final destination. I caught a bus back to Gangneung that night, looking out the window during the four hour bus ride at the highway and side roads that took me two and a half days to navigate by bike. It was comforting to know that I would have a full day Sunday to recover from my maiden voyage before heading back to the classroom. It was also nice to think ahead to my next trip knowing that I can push myself further next time and hopefully reach Busan. 

[Ben southbound for Samcheok on Day 1]

[Can't get lost on AH6 -Hwy 7 Eastern coast of South Korea]

[Nice climbs between Gangneung and Donghae, Gangwon-do Province -northeastern coast]

 2. [Ben's remarks on his tour, things to bring on a bike journey in Korea] In no particular order:

- A large water bottle. You can stop at any gas station to fill it up so long as you ask politely.

- Sunscreen. I regret not bringing some along because on the third day of my trip I found myself in the countryside with red arms and a red face.

- Large bag of raisins. As recommended to me by Brian, these dry fruit provide instant energy and knowing that you`ve got some in your gear is can be useful when trying to motivate yourself to get to the top of an uphill section.

- Cash. You will end up spending less than you bring, but having enough cash handy to bail you out of an awkward situation will also give you piece of mind.

- Camping gear. I found Jim-jil-bangs, which are public bathhouse/sauna/accomodations in one! (approx. 7,000 won/night saunas) to stay at both nights of my trip but it is better to be on the safe side and bring a tent and sleeping bag if you have them. You don’t want to be stuck overnight in a town that has no such saunas and have to fork out more money on a hotel.

 [Ben also found some wonderful foam floor padding*]

 [Our bikes on the ride south from Gangneung to Donghae on Hwy 7.]

 [Korean mudding the tiles in a tunnel towards Donghae]

 [Brian in the Donghae 1 tunnel, there are two 500 and 700 meter tunnels outside Gangneung]

 [Ben escaping the jaws of Donghae 2 Tunnel, huge downhill ahead]

 [Brian's Kona Explosif that will be used in China this summer]

 [Hwy AH7 from Goeseong in the north to Busan in the south, best touring in Korea]

 [Ben's got it down and continued for over 240km to Pohang]

 [7% downhill is nice, the climbs become habits -good for conditioning]

 [Bilingual signs in Korea, you can learn Korean by reading them]

 [Brian taking and photo and Ben keeping a steady pace along the line, well done B!]

 [It was one of the most beautiiful days of the year so far, awesome -thanks Ben!]

 [Hmmm...would you like some onions, they are large in Gangwon-do!]

 [Rice fields pre-planted in spring, Korea becomes lush green in summer months]

 [For cycling international, these roads are smooth as silk]

 [What I like about cycling? The clear thoughts, the solitude, the rhythm, the peace]

 3. The highlight of my trip was getting on the road at 6:30 Saturday morning in Pyeonghae knowing that I had a full day of cycling ahead of me and seeing the sun rise in a cloudless sky. By Saturday, my legs had gotten much more used to the distance cycling and I felt a rush as I rode through countryside. By 8:30 am, when I normally wake up for a day of teaching, I had already cycled nearly 40 km, it was a great feeling.


Day 1: Gangneung to Donghae to Samcheok, starting distance 57km

Day 2: Samcheok to Pyeonghae, accumulated 167kms.

Day 3: Pyeonghae to Pohang, accumulated 240kms.

Total: 197.2km (linear distance) -240km (actual) according to http://distancecalculator.himmera.com/find

 4. I slept in a Jim-jil-bang (public sauna house for overnight accommodations) on both nights of my trip. The one in Samcheok cost 7,000 won for the night and I was happy to be able to soak my aching legs. The second night I caught a break when I arrived in Pyeonghae. I asked the local police if they knew where I should set up my tent but instead of answering that question they offered to drive me 15 km up the road to the Hupo beach area where there was a Jim-jil-bang. The kind police officer picked me up in the morning and brought me back to my bike in Pyeonghae. Since this kind of generosity cannot be expected, I think it is best to bring camping gear along regardless if it will be used or not. I would recommend staying in the saunas to anyone who is feeling sore after a day of biking.

[The northeastern coast of South Korea]

 5. Having a rack on your bike with a tent and a sleeping bag on it certainly makes you feel prepared for a longer bike trip. A tire patching kit in case of a flat tire also provides great piece of mind and is very inexpensive. A good map and a nice chunk of change can also come in handy if you find yourself in a tough situation.

6. If I could bring two things that I left behind they would be sunscreen and a light long-sleeved shirt. They would have kept me from burning up in the sun and it was a rookie mistake not to bring them along. I wouldn’t have left much behind but I would have found a way to take some of the weight out of my backpack and onto my bike rack.

 7. I was so beat after the first day that I didn’t know if I would be able to make it to Uljin. There was doubt that crept into my mind as to whether or not I was cut out to be a cyclist. The evening that I reached Uljin, I told myself that I had some more gas left in the tank so I kept pushing, riding into the darkness until I reached Pyeonghae at 9 pm. The self-confidence that I gained by pushing myself just a little bit further that night may be one of the best things that I got out of the trip. As a rookie cyclist, I am now ten times more comfortable riding a bike in Korea than I was two weeks ago.

 [Ben's seatpost rack was great to pack the camping gear]

 [Ben's piece of floor foam is a replacement for a $100 thermarest]

[Ben successfully makes his debut 240km+ ride Cycling in Korea]

8. - Ben's 10 top reasons why Cycling in Korea & Bicycle Touring is a good idea:
- It’s a beautiful country.

- The local people are kind and those I met were more than happy to help along the way.

- It is great exercise (I lost 3.5 kilos in 3 days).

- You will see parts of the country you would miss if you were travelling by bus or car.

- You will not forget the experience (I’ve got loads of pictures and funny stories from along the way).

- It may be easier than you think. My previous longest bike ride was somewhere around 15 km.

- It’s cheaper than going out to a bar all weekend and much more satisfying. (:

- Being on a bike for a few days is a big break for the mind and relieves any stress you may have built up.

- It is an environmentally-friendly form of entertainment.

- You will gain self-confidence and feel proud of yourself for trying something different and achieving a goal.