A South Korean man is pedalling his way across North America from British Columbia to Montreal, and the kindness of Canadians is helping him do it.
Dressed in all black and a navy blue toque, Seongmin Ji might appear to be an average cyclist tackling the winding Sea to Sky Highway from Whistler to Vancouver.
His bicycle, however, stands out.
Using bungee cords, he’s strapped license plates from Alaska, Utah, Guatemala, and B.C. to the sides and back of his bicycle.
“B.C license, that one I got it from local people in Smithers,” Ji said.
At 28 years old, he’s cycled the entire west coast of South America, Central America, and North America. Now, he’s hoping to cycle all the way to Montreal, more than 5,000 kilometres over two months.
“It’s for fun and to know myself more, and see my limit and then inspire other people,” Ji said.
Ji started his route in Ushuaia, Argentina, and cycled to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and then hitchhiked to Kitwanga, B.C., which is just north of Terrace, along Highway 16. From there, he cycled down to Squamish and plans to head to Washington next.
“I didn’t train at all, I just bought my bike and started cycling,” Ji said.
When Ji arrived in Canada, he relied on the generosity of strangers who opened their homes. To facilitate that, Ji has been using Warm Showers, a website that connects touring cyclists with locals.
“They let me sleep on their couch or they give me a room and I can take a shower and I can do laundry,” Ji saud. “B.C. is amazing. Nice people, friendly, they talk to me first and beautiful nature and drinkable water.”
In Smithers, B.C., Rory Luxmoore hosted Ji, having connected through the website.
Ji stayed with Luxmoore and his family for two nights, and left a lasting impresssion.
“I think we need more people like [him],” Luxmoore said. “For a young person he has so much maturity and so much passions.”
Luxmoore was also surprised by how quiet and humble Ji was, given his accomplishments.
“All the things he’s done and how he’s done it in such a peaceful and engaging way,” Luxmoore said. “He just has a very nice way about him.”
While in Smithers, Ji joined group of local cyclists for one of their rides, which allowed him to be part of the community.
Ji first heard about the Sea to Sky area while watching the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
“People from B.C. have been very welcoming and nice. I think here they love bicycles, especially mountain bikes,” Ji said.
Podcasts and peanut-butter sandwiches — every day, for 11 months — have been fuelling his journey.
When the climbs start to get challenging or his body starts aching, Ji reminds himself of all the people who have helped him.
“I really appreciate it, and every time I cycle, I think about these people who helped me,” Ji said.
He’s also found strength from a new source of inspiration: Canadian hero, Terry Fox.
“When I go back to South Korea, I want to run the whole of South Korea for cancer charity,” Ji said.
