Category Archives: brian perich

Apr6

Arctic2Argentina 2012 – Interview with Bob Stewart.

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Arctic2Argentina 2012 – Interview with Bob Stewart.

Reblogged from ONE - Arctic to Argentina A2A:

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Perich to pedal from the Arctic to Argentina in 2012 awareness ride

by Brian 브라이안 Perich on Monday, September 6, 2010 at 12:04am

LaSalle adventurer set to trek for IBD

MARATHON RIDER: Brian Perich takes a self-portrait while on a recent training ride in South Korea. Perich, a LaSalle native, currently lives in Seoul, South Korea, but will be returning toCanada for a massive Arctic Circle to South America ride for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada in 2012.

Read more… 1,222 more words

Perich to pedal from the Arctic to Argentina in 2012 awareness ride

Brian 브라이안 Perich on Monday, September 6, 2010 at 12:04am
LaSalle adventurer set to trek for IBD

MARATHON RIDER: Brian Perich takes a self-portrait while on a recent training ride in South Korea. Perich, a LaSalle native, currently lives in Seoul, South Korea, but will be returning toCanada for a massive Arctic Circle to South America ride for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada in 2012.

By Bob Stewart

Brian Perich’s adventures have seen him crisscross North America on a motorcycle, accumulating 24,000 km in 60 days; lead groups of teens and adults on 10-day canoe trips through Quetico Provincial Park near Atikokan, Ont.; and fully restore a Jeep in 22 days and drive it from Windsor to Victoria, BC, and eventually San Diego, Calif., before taking up surfing and mediation.

Following a 1998 motorcycle accident in Vancouver, in which he crashed broadside into a car that slid into his lane, causing extensive damage to his sciatic nerve, Perich, 36, a LaSalle native and graduate of St. Anne’s Secondary in Tecumseh, was described by paramedics at the scene as a “wandering nomad.” But his biggest adventure is yet to come.

In 2013, Perich will cycle northeast from Anchorage, Alaska, towards Inuvik, NWT, before turning southwest and traversing Canada from the Arctic Circle through the Yukon and British Columbia before cutting down through Texas and into Mexico, through Cental and South America before ending in Argentina.

The globe-pedalling tour is all part of raising money and awareness for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation through the IDEAS foundation of Canada. The expedition is also built on a partnership with school outreach and innovations at Education Through Expeditions, Plymouth, United Kingdom.

 

See Cycle, page 12.Perich is calling his Arctic leg of the race, simply, One—Arctic to Argentina 2012.

 

IBD is a group of disorders that cause the sections of the gastrointestinal tract to become inflamed and ulcerated through an abnormal response of the body’s immune system. There are two main forms of IBD: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). “It’s all about raising social awareness for those suffering with IBD and living to their fullest with a chronic illness for which there is no cure,” said Perich from his current home in his wife’s

native South Korea, where he teaches English when not cycling throughout the country with the informal cycling group he founded, Cycling International.

 

“They need our support, so I am riding for them, and asking for community or charity donations to fund research for a cure, supporting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundations of Canada and America, to continue their research to help improve the quality of life for those suffering from IBD.”

Currently, there are approximately 200,000 Canadians and 1.4 million Americans suffering from IBD-related illnesses. Although there is currently no cure for IBD, The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada is a not-for-profit organization that believes a cure can be found.

Cycling chronicles

Perich’s cycling adventures across the Korean peninsula have become something of an Internet sensation through his blog and on the social networking site Facebook, where the almost daily updates and photo essays of his site-seeing, training and good will-spreading. Perich’s One adventure has received media coverage for his cycling endeavors on he Korean Broadcasting System’s KBS radio, and in the Korean Times national newspaper.

“Anyone joining this ride can support another charity of their choosing and we can ride supporting each other,” Perich explained. “Also, anyone that is interested is welcome to join segments of this bicycle expedition for fun, adventure and a load of cycling on the road. There’s no barriers or attitudes. It’s about moving in a new direction."

You can follow Perich’s cycling adventures through his blog at http://korean-world.blogspot.com/

INTERNATIONAL PEDALLER: Brian Perich in South Korea, following a cycling trip from Gangneung, Gangwondo province to Busan, Gyeongsannamdo Province on the Korean peninsula’s east coast earlier in 2009.

[Since this article was written:  I have teamed with Education Through Expeditions, ETE founder, Polar Explorer - Antony Jinman. Since the new launch of this non-profit, global green educational programme, there will be regular updates from the expedition directly linked to school educational programs in the UK and other participating countries. It's truly rewarding working with Antony's non-profit organization raising environmental, cultural and health awareness while pursuing the dreams on a 32,000km marathon.]*

Other Media collections on Brian Perich:
Early days of Adventure cycling & MTB touring around Gangneung, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Cycling in Korea, Bicycle Adventure Touring
Get fit, Ride. 830m peak ahead. Gangneung -Pyeongchang-gun-Jinbu to Jeonseong to Donghae and Gangneung again! 257km loop with 7+ 700m mountains to ascend. Good training ground for global rides.
Bike captured in nature

Blackcat, backpack with tools, pump, patches, double water bottles
Fueled on fruit!

Dragon flies -nature is beautiful
Cycling in Korea: http://korean-world.blogspot.com
Essential ingredients to 24hour cycling missions...^^Peace Grillo!

PyeongChang County (PyeongChang-gun) is a county in Gangwon province, South Korea and the third largest county in the country. It is located in the Taebaek Mountains region, and is home to a number of Buddhist temples, including Woljeongsa. The county is around 180 km to the east of Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
GeographyThe altitude of PyeongChang is wide-ranging. Its best known place, Daegwallyeong-myeon, averages between 700 m to 800 m above sea level, with some areas over 1,000 m high.[1] Daegwallyeong-myeon has a humid continental climate (Koppen climate classification Dwb) with warm, humid summers and long, cold winters.

 

Jinbu -Camp!!
Cycling in Korea: http://korean-world.blogspot.com 
Hwy 59, Gangwon-do Province, Korea (Northeastern passage...see Sokcho/Gangneung 
Small town of Jinbu, 40km from Gangneung City, Gangwon-do .

 

 

 

Bike Camping and hanging the clothes on the line to dry 
A little camp fire to keep cozy
Mountain Bike/Bicycle Camp-Lite Micro Adventure 2010

 

 

Waking up in the morning to a view of my camping location. 
Sandals ready to flop around the camp.
Loading tent onto the crossbar, the handlebar bag has tomatoes today!
Rear seat-clamp rack with backpack for my clothes and sleeping bag, accessories
Notice the rear view mirror, headlights, tent, bike computer, bell, tripod.
Bike-Ultra Camp 2010, South Korea
Fully loaded "vegetarian" touring, fueled on veggies, raw tomatoes like these are powerful fixes for long hauling.
Essential fuel for bike touring pros. 
Follow signs along this route
Countryside in Gangwon Province, pristine and developed for farming agriculture
No Cars!
Light rain ahead of my trail, coolness to enjoy the ride
Moving southern, Hwy 59 -Joy! Restaurant coming up on the right
Pavement perfection, smoothest ride in Gangwon, no traffic still!

Rolling thunder, inspired by Vyacheslav! 
This junction, left to Imgye (East to Donghae, 7+ -700 meter mountains to cross-my route!), Right to Jeongseon (Taebaek)
Bok Sang, my new Cycling friend in Korea! (we met at the junction, he was heading East, I followed him!) ^^..
Yeah!!!! Bok Sang!!!
Amazing scenery throughout this day, here it is!
Gangwondo, Korea!

 

 

 

 

Bok Sang sent me a few more photos today 
Cycling in Korea 2010 Jeongseon-Donghae route
Walking/Riding on mountain area= exercise!
Bike Camp-Lite Touring in South Korea, July 2010
Another huge climb!!!
Bike Camp-Lite Touring in South Korea, July 2010
Group ride southeast from Gangneung's Lotte Soju factory, Min Gyu and Jonathon.
Famers working their rice fields in July, almost ready for harvest in some local areas, watching in September!
Gangneung countryside, Gangwon-do, South Korea.
Getting baked on the bike, hammer long and tired...
Mission Control
Lights!
New cycling crew, two were special guests at my wedding in July, right is a serious cyclist recovered from a car wreck.
My watermelon patch on the road
Cheers for watermelon, nature's goodness on a tour!
reaching Busan outer limits, July 2010
Pusan National University (station)
Happy polishing off 672km in 7 days! 7 -700meter peaks, 1 830meter peak from sea level, challenging eastern terrain riding, fully kitted, bike camp-lite touring
Local flooding from the rain that punished/motivated us to churn out 175km on day 2!
Doing the deal
Night training, Gangneung southbound, July 2010
Min Gyu (Kwandong University) took this photo, thanks bro!
Min Gyu (Kwandong University)
Gangneung defences from North Korea, my local scene
Triples -great lighting, this set were destroyed on the Busan ride (rainsoaked)
Spring riding, April 2010
Spring riding, April 2010
Heavenly lights, trail riding -post Hwangsa (Yellow Dust) exposure, ride to respiratory recovery
Hey, we ride....what about you???

 

 

Good times, cycling and meeting great people along the way!

Dec18

HimalayasX2011 expedition -Campfire on Baima Snow Mountain, Yunnan, China 4340 meters (14,238 feet)

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HimalayasX2011 expedition -Campfire on Baima Snow Mountain, Yunnan, China 4340 meters (14,238 feet)

Meeting a Sino-Tibetan family with their yak herd and cabin, hammering down rough roads in Sichuan, climbing over the landslides in Jolong, climbing peaks, riding through valleys, and meeting smiling people throughout the journey are all highlights of expedition travel.

These are raw photos and a video of the expedition. Enjoy! [Music: Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson]

I supported IDEAS foundation
Intestinal Disease Education & Awareness Society
http://nogutsknowglory.com

And a second non-profit, ETE
Education Through Expeditions, UK
http://www.etelive.org

Find out more, check those links. Thank you & hope you enjoyed the video.

Stage 1 of 3: Tian Shan Mountains, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of western China.

HimalayasX2011

Taking the desert highway G217 south of Urumqi across the Borohoro ranges of the Tian Shan. I camped in the mountain deserts between Ürümqi and Turfan.

Ranges of the Tian Shan

The Tian Shan have a number of named ranges which are often mentioned separately.
The Bogda Shan (god mountains) run from 350 to 40 kilometers (220 to 25 mi) east of Ürümqi. Then there is a low area between Ürümqi and the Turfan Depression. The Borohoro mountains start just south of Ürümqi and run west northwest 450 kilometers (280 mi) separating Dzungaria from the Ili River basin.

Cycling a furious set of road conditions and high altitude passes switching back on the mountains. Settled at the top and gathered the wood together and marsh mellows for an incredible night on top! According to my Garmin GPS and 6 satellite fixes, it was 4340meters (14,238 feet) and the

Silk Roadweather was cool, clear and incredibly relaxing. I suffered from altitude sickness below 3000 meters, but will fight to the top to rest and relax by a stoked campfire -brilliant luck in northern Yunnan!

Dec14

Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks (Remix) for Cycling around the Planet (& Korea)

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Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks (Remix) for Cycling around the Planet (& Korea)

Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks (Remix) for Cycling around the Planet (& Korea)

Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks (Remixed) for Cycling around the Planet in Peaceful beats!

“Foster the People  is an American indie pop band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2009. The group is composed of Mark Foster (vocals, keyboards, piano, synthesizers, guitar, programming, percussion), Mark Pontius (drums and extra percussion), and Cubbie Fink (bass and backing vocals). The group’s music, described as melodic dance-infused pop and rock, spans many genres.”

 An Dae Gi gets my bike prepped for the HimalayasX2011 expedition across western China
 This guy has HEART, a lot of HEART!
 Sailing for 30 hours between South Korea and Eastern China
 On the Streets of Korea, 14 hours before launching the expedition!
 Mission impossible has begun, all the fighting is over, it’s time to ride & get HIGH!
 The Yellow Sea (Sea of China, West Sea of Korea)
 Packing a load in Beijing, China
 Dinner with my brother Craig from the UK, Thanks again!!!
 Raising banners is like having a toast to a mission impossible
 Pumped up Kicks, 3200km across western China on the bike, 500km hitch-hiking too!
 Rolling in semis with High canvas covered loads of rebar steel
 Hitting the roads with a dream machine (built with an old frame)
 Cleaning socks once a week!
 Reading signs in other languages
 Camping in the Borohoro ranges of the Tian Shan Mountains
 Standing on trains for 36 hours, 3240km to Urumqi ($50)
 Riding the Karakorum Highway northwest to the Taklamakan Desert

Supporting IDEAS Intestinal Disease Education & Awareness Society of Canada
Partnership with ETE – Education Through Expeditions, UK

Blackcat fully-loaded on mountain roads through Sichuan Province, China

Dec13

WT Expeditions: Cycling Into The Dark, From Vancouver to Tuktoyaktuk

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WT Expeditions: Cycling Into The Dark, From Vancouver to Tuktoyaktuk

Cycling Into The Dark: Canadian Adventurer sets off for the Arctic

[Photo: Brek of Cycling Into The Dark]

Talk about inspirational winter expeditions on bicycles. 



Cycling Into The Dark is definitely registering as an amazing winter adventure already started up in the northern hemisphere of Canada. I’ve learned from my own experience, a tremendous amount of thought, creation, personal planning and preparation goes into a self-sponsored expeditions.  From reading his personal blog, this Canadian adventurer is ready to take on anything in this winter cycling expedition.

I have respect and admiration for the personal challenges this man will undertake to support a worthy charity, Bikes For Africa  and have an adventure of a lifetime that some of us will continue to dream about as this expedition continues to unfold (myself included, I’ve been contemplating this route for a few years  and here it is now: an active expedition ).

For equipment lists, Brek is riding a Surly Big Dummy  with 26″ rims/36 hole spoked for extra strength wrapped with either Schwalbe Marathon or Schwalbe Marathon studded winter ice tires  for grip. Sleeping will be a major issue like any Arctic Expedition, so he’s chosen a 4-season, -30 sleeping bag, doubled up with an overbag for an extra -10 degrees of temperature tolerance.

Brek’s bicycle and equipment, food, spare tires, supplies all weigh in at 420 pounds (190.5 kg) so this is serious work on the bike. His Trelock  lighting and Dyno-power system  is an incredible idea that is lighting up this difficult mission further north. An adventure cyclist definitely ready to ”Explore the possibilities of self-propelled travel.”

In brief, from Brek’s website:

“A 8,400km self-propelled and self-supported round- trip journey from the bright lights of Vancouver to the Northern Lights of Tuktoyatuk”

What a remarkable journey so remember to follow him in his personal blog , join his Facebook group , and leave comments of encouragement, I’m sure it will help. Good luck Brek, I will enjoy reading about your incredible mission.

Lighting Demonstration comparison


Dec8

WT Correspondence with Antun Čolig and friends in Zagreb, Croatia: Discussion is Round The World Bicycle Travel

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WT Correspondence with Antun Čolig and friends in Zagreb, Croatia: Discussion is Round The World Bicycle Travel

DREAM WITH OPEN EYES, 

PLAN THE IMPOSSIBLE MISSION, 

FACE YOUR FEARS

AND LIVE THE DREAM!

DEDICATION TO MY BIKE

TRAVELER FRIEND

THE DREAM IS ABOUT

POSSIBILITIES. 

WHEN ALL THE FEAR WILL

VANISH?

 IT IS THE DAY YOU LEAVE

ZAGREB AND ARE READY FOR

THE ROAD. 

YOU SHOULD CONSIDER

EXPEDITIONS LIKE MINE, IT CAN

HELP YOU EXPLORE, EARN

MONEY, AND TRAVEL MORE…

 TO CONTINUE IS PURE WILL,

LUCK, SERENDIPITY, FAITH IN

YOURSELF. 

 I HAD LITTLE FOOD IN CHINA, I

LOST 10 KG IN THE 3200KM OF

CYCLING, 10 KG TRAINING

BEFORE I LEFT KOREA. 

 IF YOU FEAR SOMETHING, 
YOU WILL EVENTUALLY FACE THAT FEAR DIRECTLY TO OVERCOME ANYTHING. 


IT’S A FIGHT, NOT A RACE.

IT TAKES SPIRIT WHEN

THERE IS NO FOOD OR ENERGY

TO CARRY ON, 


YOU WILL OVERCOME.

Our community correspondence in text:
Anthony Čolig:
In the next two years included 3-4000 € in everything that I need so I can safely camp and bicycle travel throughout Europe and the world.1 hour ago near Zagreb, Bosnia and Herzegovina ·You, Paul Randjelovic and 7 others like this.
Brian Perich:
Good plan!, Save save save, ride ride ride in the world!
1 hour ago · Like · 2
Katarina Madunić:
Cek Europe? So what was the background?
1 hour ago · Like
Sergei Wycheproof:
To a lot of money, what “all” should be? :)
1 hour ago · Like
Brian Perich:
If Anthony has the money, or more importantly your bike,panniers, tent, sleeping bag, mattress, camera, phone, and money, it is a requirement for travel around the planet. How much money depends on how hot showers, hotel or wild camping luck with meeting new people, serendipity, and his open heart on a bicycle, which is really the reason for the trip, to be free, to see,experience, to travel wide open distances without a ticket price of fuel or a gasswallowing car. It has been translated, I hope that my message is clearly understood. Hello Antun friends in Croatia and Europe, I hope to meet my brother on the road and traveling together. Peace, Brian
59 minutes ago · Like · 3
Anthony Čolig:
I have 3-4 options, a 5 will be most likely.59 minutes ago ·
50 minutes ago · Like ·
Anthony Čolig:
First options: Going to Korea and travels around the world with Brian Perich. Second options: Going to travel with the Croats. Third options: Going to travel alone. 4th options: to go somewhere and earn money while traveling. 5th options: Earn all the money, or at least most of the money needed in Croatia and quiet travel with one of a tourer, I hope Brian. (Most likely)!
50 minutes ago · Like · 2
Darinka South:
I know a man who went to drive in the world without a lime in his pocket, and then another that took a coin from the house, which gave him the mother and her and returned after a few years ago when he came home.:)
49 minutes ago · Like · 2
Joseph Pedal:
http://www.couchsurfing.org/ recommendation:)
49 minutes ago · Like · 1
Anthony Čolig:
Darinka, you mean the Pushkar Shah?
48 minutes ago · Like · 1
Darinka Jug:
One Waldthaler Tilmann, and the other Pushkar Shah http://www.mojbicikl.hr/hr/fotke-video/video/pushkar-shah, 33.html? Pageid = 3
48 minutes ago · Unlike · 1
Antun Čolig:
Pedal, kaucsurfing helps in populated areas.
47 minutes ago · Like · 1
Brian Perich:
haha! I hope so. I like the options 1,2,4,5 (3 solo will happen when all else is not !!!!) haha, great! Hello friends united bike, the power of the people who ride the world
46 minutes ago · Like
Joseph Pedal:
has a Hear … Europe and the settlements, and the rest šatorče bag, blanket and thumb in his mouth:)
46 minutes ago · Like · 1
Darinka Jug:
I think there are still a lot, but I know this personally, so I led them …. and yet I know the hill people who were traveling with the cards, computers, laptops, cell phones … for sure – they are cyclotourists:)
44 minutes ago · Like · 1
Anthony Čolig:
By far the most powerful bike. Traveller’s Heinz stuck.
42 minutes ago · Like · 1
Brian Perich:
People will come to help cyclotourist, if we are willing to travel with an open hearthttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150897919015462.755284.591590461&type=1&l=90a4da1121 Jolong, Sichuan, China – HimalayasX20112001 km into the HimalayasX2011 expedition supporting IDEAShttp://nogutsknowglory.com
40 minutes ago · Like · 1 ·
Antun Čolig:
Saddlebags, trailers, tents, and fotoapart, that’s the necessary equipment, for which I have given 2000 euros if we want to endure. I can take and cheap equipment, of course, but the quality and waterproofing can not be measured.
33 minutes ago · Like · 2
Anthony Čolig:
Can I can tour the world without money? Can Europe, Asia and Africa, and this is not the world! America and Australia can not forget, because I do not have money for the plane, and otherwise they can not come to these continents.
26 minutes ago · Like
Brian Perich:
It’s definitely not cheap to begin with. I spent a similar amount of Anthony in U.S. dollars and shipped all the friends in Korea (where prices are 40-60% more expensive). My real touring bike you see, was purchased at an online auction website for $ 400. The rest of the equipment I used in the Himalayas / western China expedition cost thousands more, a laptop computer carried in panniers, panniers, tent, sleeping bag (4-season, $ 400), and camera film Anthony riding in the world (because I can not film me riding 10 hours a day!) the large initial investment. But the bike is very important, mine is probably worth $ 400 just for parts now. The most important piece of equipment is your heart, open mind, willingness to travel, to endure, to live for FREE, as opposed to old and new fears and living your dream with your eyes are now wide open.12 minutes ago · Like
Darinka Jug:
Brian roulez:)
11 minutes ago · Like
Brian Perich:
Waterproofing Tent with Scotch Guard or silicone spray (or liquid silicone can be applied to the surface with a brush), I used this on my 1975 Jeep CJ5 traveling across America on the canvas roof of my old boots and the motorcycling across America five times in 60 days (24,000 km) and the rain fly of the tent and on the bottom and seams in šator.Oprema should be waterproof panniers most of the time, if flooding occurs at night, or there is a need to escape in a hurry.  (:
8 minutes ago · Like · 1
Anthony Čolig:
Otherwise, Brian Perich is an American who livesin Korea, its origin, from 100 years ago, came from our region.Both of them adore to travel by bike, and we have only one goal.(:
32 minutes ago · Unlike · 1
Brian Perich:
Innovation is the way of bicycle travelers. Some arehappier than others, the family has their paycheck to pay forintercontinental flights to round-the-world adventure, but most of us come from conventional family who have worked hard to owntheir home, a dream is definitely not travel around the planet.Unfortunately, it is an intersection that must pass. I have traveled independently from my family in Canada for most of my life. My parents could only afford a car and camping adventure as a family, so we crossed into the eastern U.S. from Canada, from snow and rain to the north, to beautiful beaches and bikinis down south (Daytona, Florida). It was crazy driving for 24 hours together, this experience is what makes me a better driver, and later a better bike rider with crazy endurance, but only an average body like any other man drinking beers in pub. The mind is different than the body, it can be trained to endure pain and overcome obstacles…all the way to triumph. (:
22 minutes ago · Like

Dec5

CHASING LEGENDS: The DREAM, The PASSION, The BIKE, The RACE, The ADVENTURE.

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CHASING LEGENDS: The DREAM, The PASSION, The BIKE, The RACE, The ADVENTURE.

Gripped Films produced an epic cycling film documenting the essence of cycling’s greatest world race.  Chasing Legends  is a Tour de France documentary featuring the HTC Columbia team. HTC riders like Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel are featured for their monumental performance in stages. Follow this team behind the scenes and see what made it as fierce as it was in the 2009 Tour de France. The DREAM, The PASSION, The BIKE, The RACE, The ADVENTURE.

Nov29

Repost: Expeditions – Danakil Diaries – Ethiopia’s capital, to the Danakil Depression

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Repost: Expeditions – Danakil Diaries – Ethiopia’s capital, to the Danakil Depression


Sharing from Vimeo.com
Scotty Robinson, adventure cyclist  and world record holder for fastest human powered crossing of Africa, leads a select group of riders from around the world on a one-month bicycle expedition from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, to the Danakil Depression, the hottest and most inhospitable place on the planet. A film trailer by the Zenga Brothers. Their earlier films   in bicycle expeditions  covered the Tour D’Afrique , from Cairo to Cape Town on these adventure tour operated expeditions. My friend Gaston Bonaudi (工业设计) a fellow traveler, explorer and Industrial designer  shared this update with me today following his recent epic trips to Easter Island and Galapagos Islands. The world is out there to be explored, if you are willing!

Expedition bicycle: Sendero Cycles
Nov29

WT: Correspondence with Greg Allen, Canada, Milena Mladenova in Bulgaria, Gustavo Litwin, Argentina & Elmono Enbici, Equador & Photos from the HimalayasX2011

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WT: Correspondence with Greg Allen, Canada, Milena Mladenova in Bulgaria, Gustavo Litwin, Argentina & Elmono Enbici, Equador & Photos from the HimalayasX2011
 60 days, 3240km by standing train, 3200km by bicycle, 500km by hitch-hiking, People, Places, Cultures, Languages, Open Spaces, The Taklamakan, Tian Shan Mountains, The Silk Road, The Karakoram Highway, The northern Himalayas, Sichuan Province and Yunnan Province. An expedition in western China by bike.
 AN DAE GI of Gangneung Bike Mart, Official sponsor of the HimalayasX2011.
 Bicycle Workshop in Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Korea
 Ben Bndr from Germany helped carry gear into Beijing
 Beijing’s Gothic Train Station. Route to Urumqi, Xinjiang/Uyghur Autonomous Region, China
 Blackcat redesigned for expeditions is finally ready to roll out in China.
  • Greg Allen

    Yesterday

    Greg Allen 

    • Hi Brian,
      I’m talking to the club’s media person about getting the news here to run your story. Hopefully it’s a go! Also, if you are in Windsor for any length of time I’d love for you to speak to the members about your adventure.
      Ttyl
      Greg
  • Brian Perich

    Yesterday

    Brian Perich 

    • Oh wow Greg, that’s very cool. I’m definitely working on this A2A (Arctic 2 Argentina) project and it’s a go for June 22-August 22, 2012. I will be arriving in Anchorage, Alaska and riding to the Arctic Circle and back to Vancouver, BC in less than 60 days, it will be hard (like China) and I am proving myself worthy for recognition as an Explorer and Adventure Cyclist.

      It’s tough, but I will overcome everything standing in my way for a good charity and cause like IDEAS foundation is working towards with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease, which has affected my brother for about 15 years now, it’s really hard, not unlike my expedition).

      Yes, I could speak to the club members and inspire some younger riders to join us in Essex County, the message could get out there through the Windsor Star, or like earlier in the LaSalle Silhouette and Lakeshore News, those papers went all over the county and city, I heard from a lot of old friends there, even some in Asia via their parents receiving the newspaper. Bob (Robert Earl) Stewart writes for them, he was my contact person earlier.

      I am here in Korea until the NW2012, Northwest expedition with yours truly in June 2012-August 2012. Can it be done successfully, I think so. If any riders want to prepare and take a break from Crits and road racing for a few weeks or the summer, I’d be happy to assist in recommending gear for the expedition. I know how to do things cheaper now, as far as, building an expedition bike out of MTB (rather than a touring bike, which i do have on reserve). Financially, it’s been a mission to launch. China was a great shot at doing something impossible and really accomplishing it

      Alright, anything I can do to help, I have the previous media stories for references, Bob (Robert Earl Stewart)’s was really good. The recent news for the Korea Herald national English newspaper was good coverage, shared now with ETE (Education Through Expeditions) my new partner on expeditions, they recognized me as a Ambassador Explorer with some big names in Polar exploring, that’s quite an honor for me. I will continue to work hard to push the limits to deserve such recognition. Antony Jinman, Polar Explorer (North Pole expedition completed last year!) is supportive, we are personal friends and I think his foundation is inspiring.

      I am looking for sponsorship in Windsor, local businesses or individuals that wish to support a Canadian-led expedition supporting IDEAS, in partnership with ETE, they should give me a call, any financial support would be graciously accepted.

      Cheers! Need any other information, let me know!

      Media news this week from Korea, posted by ETE in the UK:
      http://etenews.org/wp/

      Brian Perich, Explorer Ambassador
      Te. 82.10.8075.5121
      Em. bpexpedition@gmail.com
      Em. tesol2000@gmail.com
      Skype: prof.brian.perich
      W1 http://arctic2argentina.com/
      W2 http://korean-world.blogspot.com/

 UCC Cycles – Beijing helped supply “Zip Ties” to secure the front racks. Good for 3200km+
 Craig also helped carry extra equipment, hosted me, treated me right. Thanks Brother!
 IDEAS foundation  was with me all the way.
 That is a one-way ticket to start an expedition across Western China, $50.
 Boats ferrying the green trimmings around the Summer Palace, Beijing
 Lucky Dragon was a good place to stay while completing the rack/pannier setup
 Met some other WORLD CYCLISTS  from Canada too!
 All the hard training for 10 weeks paid off, beginning to look like a professional cyclist again. (:

 Correspondence with Milena (Bulgaria):

 3240km, 36 hours, with all these people between cars, oh my !!!

 Correspondence with Elmino (Equador):

  • Elmono Enbici

    6 minutes ago

    Elmono Enbici 

    • I know how is to get lonely when I am on my bike but cheer up mate you can do it, after all that is part of the fun and at the end of the day your family will be waiting for you back home.

      Have a safe ride!
      elmono enbici.

  • Brian Perich

    about a minute ago

    Brian Perich 

    • Yes, it is lonely. But good you know. I love the feeling of the body getting stronger and disappearing in the process. I lost 20kg on the expedition in western China, 10kg dropped in 10 weeks FIT training before leaving, another 10kg lost while riding without food, or explosive diarrhea in the desert. It is a good experience, I want to write a book when the story is finished Arctic to Argentina, nothing else in my life comes close, I am just ordinary in every way. I am a teacher in Korea, this place doesn’t care, the students don’t listen very well, and times passes without a major victory. Cycling and expeditions are life and death, so it’s very good when you make it!!! haha

      Cheers,

      Brian Perich
      http://korean-world.blogspot.com/ 
      Gangneung, Korea

 HimalayasX2011 is about to become history.
 36 hour marathon standing on a train across China
 Northern Silk Road to Aksu – Kashgar
 Borohoro ranges of the Tian Shan Mountains
 Camping and Cycling – a Dream adventure begins!
 Inspiration comes from inside YOU!

 Correspondence with Gustavo (Argentina):

  • Gustavo Litwin

    about an hour ago

    Gustavo Litwin 

    • Hello!!! Thanks for adding me!!!
    • The pictures are from the North Patagonia!!!
  • Brian Perich

    about an hour ago

    Brian Perich 

    • Oh geez, truly amazing!
  • Gustavo Litwin

    about an hour ago

    Gustavo Litwin 

    • Near Andacollo and Chos Malal in the north pof the Province of Neuquen
  • Brian Perich

    about an hour ago

    Brian Perich 

    • Did you see where I am “trying to go” Argentina from Canada, starting next summer from Alaska! haha, take a few yearshttp://arctic2argentina.com/
  • Gustavo Litwin

    about an hour ago

    Gustavo Litwin 

    • You are invited to visit this place!!! Thjat’s great!!!
  • Gustavo Litwin

    about an hour ago

    Gustavo Litwin 

    • All your adventures!!!
    • When you’ll arrive I show around!!
  • Brian Perich

    about an hour ago

    Brian Perich 

    • Wow, that would be great news to hear
    • The journey will be, very difficult for many reasons, my family in Korea, my wife doesn’t like this dream and I am getting closer now to making it a reality, tough choices, hard to live without the bike, or love from my wife
  • Gustavo Litwin

    about an hour ago

    Gustavo Litwin 

    • Book my phone number in Argentina. I live with my family in Cipolletti, Rio Negro.

      I can imagine that those are really hard decisions to make!!

  • Brian Perich

    about an hour ago

    Brian Perich 

    • OKAY, I TAKE IT DOWN NOW
  • Gustavo Litwin

    about an hour ago

    Gustavo Litwin 

    • It’s hard to make same choices!!
    • But I supose that you might go following your dreams!!!
      I wish you good luck!!!
  • Brian Perich

    about an hour ago

    Brian Perich 

    • Very very hard. The dream comes closer with each step, each battle in my mind/body on the bike, China expedition was my first step, a stronger one, the best one in my life
  • Gustavo Litwin

    about an hour ago

    Gustavo Litwin 

    • your goals are amazing, you know that!! Just keep on going
    • Don’t give up!!! Your family will understand and support you!!
  • Brian Perich

    about an hour ago

    Brian Perich 

    • I need to convince my wife, I have been trying with her for the last 3 years, slowly, the answer is yes, in family, it’s hard for other members to believe, in friendships, i find people believe in me
  • Gustavo Litwin

    about an hour ago

    Gustavo Litwin 

    • Here you’ve got a hand, a house that we’ll share any time!! count on it
  • Brian Perich

    about an hour ago

    Brian Perich 

  • Gustavo Litwin

    about an hour ago

    Gustavo Litwin 

    • Thanks!!! I’ll visit it!!! Let’s keep on contact!!
  • Brian Perich

    about an hour ago

    Brian Perich 

    • We can live on an island, always dream, never achieve, or swim out across the ocean!
    • Okay, thanks & welcome to my adventures Gustavo ^_^
  • Gustavo Litwin

    about an hour ago

    Gustavo Litwin 

    • Ha, ha… That’s true!!! I wish you all your dreams come true!!!

We are told never to cross a bridge until we come to it, but this world is owned by men who have ‘crossed bridges’ in their imagination far ahead of the crowd -anonymous.
LIVE YOUR BEST, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, LOVE YOUR FRIENDS, FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES, LIVE WITHOUT REGRETS WHEN THE LIVING WAS GOOD. FIND PEACE TOO.
-Brian Perich
Nov28

WT: Correspondence with Dragan Babović – Adventure Cyclist in Belgrade

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WT: Correspondence with Dragan Babović – Adventure Cyclist in Belgrade


  • Dragan Babović     

    Friday

    Dragan Babović 

    • cao, brajane !
    • upravo sam gledao tvoj album sa ekspedicije po himalajima….da li znas srpski jezik
    • I just looked at your album with expedition through the Himalayas …. did you know the Serbian language
  • Brian Perich

    Saturday

    Brian Perich 

    • Hi Dragan,
      I don’t speak the Serbian language, but my father speaks fluently (with my Baba who passed away this year, 100 years, 86 years in Canada, she came from Romania. My grandfather came from Bosnia, in 1910, he was born in 1887. Both moved to Canada.Thanks for visiting my album, I will translate into Serbian next time!

      Brian (:

  • Dragan Babović

    Saturday

    Dragan Babović 

    • Walks of life we Serbs are strange.
      My son went to LA and his children will not know the Serbian language, maybe save name, who knows!
  • Dragan Babović

    Saturday

    Dragan Babović 

    • Your bike is unusual.
      Few people use bicycles for travel with buffer.
      I travel with my old CRO-MO, made in 1992 SPECIALIZED, ROCKHOPER
  • Dragan Babović

    Saturday

    Dragan Babović 

    • Tvoj album je fenomenalan. Nasmejan i optimistican. vidi se da si sve vreme uzivao u putovanju. Veliki pozdrav iz Beograda.
  • Brian Perich

    Saturday

    Brian Perich 

    • Your bike is unusual.
      Few people use bicycles for travel with buffer.
      I travel with my old CRO-MO, made in 1992 SPECIALIZED, ROCKHOPER11 hours agoDragan Babović
      Tvoj album je fenomenalan. Nasmejan i optimistican. vidi se da si sve vreme uzivao u putovanju. Veliki pozdrav iz Beograda.

      Reply (translated to Serbian, is this correct?)
      Драган, ценим вашу подршку поруку и комплимената на мом бициклизам рутина, експедиција је била проширење краће вожње сам урадио више од мог живота. Време је да вози велики, тако да сам воз за сада. Возим планински бициклизам за обилазак, јер искрено, ово комплетан мотор је $ 400 долара и све што сам могао приуштити у 2009. Ја заменио све компоненте, рециклажа делова од скупље 2008 Гари Фисхер ХиФи Делуке Купио сам користи, сам се вратио заједно Гари Фисхер, и продао га, дајући новац назад са мојом женом. Тешко да потроше новац, ја сам живи на малом приход у Кореји, већина зараде иде да нахрани породицу, плаћају комуналне услуге, а у суштини живимо. Ја ћу возити истом кадру са различитим компонентама (исти 2008 Фокс, РЛ 120мм виљушком и Бонтрагер дршку), све Схимано овај пут. Користио сам СРАМ Кс7 Померачи и Кс9 позади дераиллер на ХималаиасКс2011 експедиције и Авид Јуици пет хидрауличне кочнице, то је све промењено у Схимано СЛКС цранксет, СХИМАНО ДУРА-АЦЕ 9-степеним ланац, Схимано ЛКС задњи дераиллер (рециклирани) и Схимано Деоре ЛКС напред дераиллер и Дуал-Деоре ЛКС Аутоматско освежавање Померачи и сајла кочнице постављене на Авид Лб7 планину

      Dragan, I appreciate your supportive message and compliments on my cycling routine, the expedition was an extension to the shorter rides I have done over my lifetime. It’s time to ride big, so I train for it now. I ride the mountain bike for touring, because honestly, this complete bike was $400 dollars and all I could afford in 2009. I replaced all the components, recycling parts from a more expensive 2008 Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe I bought used, I returned the Gary Fisher together, and sold it, giving the money back to my wife. It’s difficult to spend money, I am living on a small income in Korea, most of the earnings go to feed the family, pay the utilities, and basically live. I will ride the same frame with different components (same 2008 Fox RL 120mm fork and Bontrager handlebar), all Shimano this time. I used SRAM X7 shifters and X9 rear derailler on the HimalayasX2011 expedition and Avid Juicy Five hydraulic brakes, that is all changed to Shimano SLX crankset, Shimano Dura-Ace 9-speed chain, Shimano LX rear derailler (recycled) and Shimano Deore LX front derailler and Dual-Deore LX rapid fire shifters and cable brake lined to Avid BB7 mountain bike calipers, fairly bomb-proof bike for bicycle touring and capable off-road, and in expedition situations of long distance and terrible roads, which are fun, because it makes the journey that much more exciting and challenging.

  • Dragan Babović

    about an hour ago

    Dragan Babović 

    • Excellent job you did.
      For bicycle travel should be easy and very good quality.
      Commemorate the components that may be of importance but there are other things that are important.
      For such a difficult journey it is very important rear wheel, he suffers the most impact and weight.
      For me, the more important types of rear wheel gear boxes.
  • Dragan Babović

    about an hour ago

    Dragan Babović 

    • Yes, life is an uphill battle, full of uncertainty.
      make money is an uphill battle.
      spend the money is an uphill battle.
      decide to spend what is an uphill battle.
      I know it well, I have three children ……
      Greetings from sunny Belgrade
      Dragan

  • Brian Perich

    2 minutes ago

    Brian Perich 

    • Oh wow…I read your words, this is my life too!!!!! I have two children and a lovely Korean wife that controls all the money, I usually have little to spend, but I made exceptions to prepare for expeditions.Yes, the rear wheel is VERY IMPORTANT..I cracked my Bontrager Race Disk from high altitude pressure changes, road pounding/damage, but the wheel stayed straight with some alignment (twice on the trip), the wheel had an internal crack 360 degrees for the rest of my journey.

      I ordered a used DOWNHILL wheel for replacement of the Bontrager, and have a Mavic in the front. I will take a photo, the wheel has not arrived yet in Korea, everything takes months to get here for me.

      Tough, tough, tough. My life is a reflection of the difficulties endured for PLEASURE on the expedition this year. Very tough, just try to enjoy what moments I actually can, forget the rest of the challenges!

      (: Cheers, great message, I really appreciate it!

      Brian — South Korea
      http://korean-world.blogspot.com/

Nov26

Repost: Technical habits of Chris Akrigg @Mongoose & Types of Mountain Biking

Posted on by
Repost: Technical habits of Chris Akrigg @Mongoose & Types of Mountain Biking

For 4 min 45 seconds of film, this is about all the inspiration I needed to get out (tomorrow) and ride another 150K for the weekend. Chris Akrigg of Mongoose demonstrates the finer lines of mountain biking control. Obviously, the mountain bike is designed to perform in all road conditions, there are distinctions though, let’s have a look in each category. This is an incredible video, glad to share it here too.

What are some popular styles of Mountain Biking?

(XC) Cross-Country: is the most popular style of mountain biking. Cross-country trails consist of a mix of rough forest paths (tree roots and rocks exposed) and narrow mountain trails that are ideal for this type of riding that are known as ‘single track’.  In other areas between forested areas, there are also fire roads (gravel roads in timber areas or through protected national forests), and even paved paths connecting other trails. Riding or racing is also only deemed cross-country if the technical complexity of the trails is easy or moderate. Trails nearly impossible even to experienced riders are more often dubbed “all-mountain”, “freeride”, or “downhill”.

(DH) Downhill: is a gravity-assisted time trial mountain biking event. Riders race against the clock, usually starting at intervals of 30 seconds (seeded from slowest to fastest), on courses which typically take two to five minutes to complete. Riders come from all around the world.

Freeride: is closely related to downhill cycling and dirt jumping focused on tricks, style, and technical trail features. It is now recognized as one of the most popular disciplines within mountain biking. Freeride bicycles tend to have shorter wheel bases, and lighter components than Downhill bikes.

(AM) All mountain: these full-suspension mountain bikes are crossed between Freeride and XC. These bikes have long-travel dual-suspension and are suited for big mountain terrain. The frames are made from aluminum, carbon, and dual composite builds. Take this simple example: a 2008 Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe. This model was built with Bontrager Race Disc wheelsets and handlebars (by the Trek company). The traditional double-walled rims are ultra-durable and featured SUP-tubeless ready applications. The standard rims on most mountain bikes in this category are 26″ and feature 6-bolt hubs to mount 185mm front and 160mm rear disk rotors powered by Avid Juicy Five hydraulic brakes. The crankset is the standard Shimano Deore LX, and drive train is complimented with SRAM X7 rapid-fire shifters, SRAM X9 rear derailer and Shimano LX front derailer using a 9-speed chain. These mountain bikes have 27 external gears, while newer models have switched to 2X10 (2 gears up front, 10 gear cassette in the rear). Popular components are now the 2011 Shimano Deore SLX, XT and ultralight (and expensive) Shimano XTR models. SRAM produces similar component groups like the X7, X9, X.O, or ultralight X.X. components and these shifters are designed to work with complimenting SRAM rear-deraillers only. Depending on your bike and model and price, these components will be available to you to choose from.

(MTBT) Mountain Bike Touring: is a category where riders carry equipment to be self-supported and ride variable terrain, such as fire roads, single track, or pavement. There are two classifications, light and heavy-loaded MTB touring. The carrier setup can be similar to those racks and traditional bicycle panniers used in combinations to comprise a heavy-loaded touring MTB carrying everything from water purification, cooking stoves, sleeping bags, tents, clothing, food, tools and maps or navigation. The lighter category includes MTBs that are equipped with minimalist camping gear and clothing, attached directly to fixed/non-moving parts of the bicycle, and the handlebars. The lighter category has become popular in the continental North American Rocky Mountain – Tour Divide race. The heavier category hasn’t become popularized, however, I have tested the setup using a hardtail aluminum mountain bike frame with Fox RL 120mm front suspension and all components carried over from the 2008 Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe.  Heavy loaded bicycle touring with a mountain bike is ideal, and stronger frames and suspension forks are well designed to carry up to 40kg of equipment plus a rider (myself being 85kg).  The heavy MTB setup I’m mentioning worked flawlessly across 3,200km of western China’s roads this summer. So, I added this new category. MTB touring is becoming popularized across China, while resources for touring vacations and the MTB brands like Giant are finally becoming popular at home (Eastern China’s bicycle touring population riding across the Western half of the country*, Tibet as example is now popular with Chinese, although entry is restricted to foreigners*). This photo set includes photos from crossing the 552km stretch of the Tarim Highway across the Taklamakan Desert this summer on my way to the Himalayas of Xinjiang/Uyghur Autonomous Region. Heavy loaded MTB touring is ideal out here, where the roads lead you southwest towards the Himalayas (hard to believe from these photos, but I found it with a paper map in my hands). Enjoy the free Korean-World!

This concludes a brief on types of Mountain Bikes and purposes where these can be used. Good luck!