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! There’s also Helen Lloyd with Take On Africa who now on her first massive charity expedition!!! More on the tabs, The Hungry Cyclist, Bicycle Touring Pro and Shuutak’s 100,000km cycling expedition (in Japanese, feel free to support him by leaving a message!)

What’s really amazing about cycling and expeditions, 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.