On August 11, 2022, I suddenly decided to take a bike trip across South Korea, riding almost from end to end. We call this 국토종주, which basically means “crossing the country.”
A quick fact about 국토종주: it’s a government program run by the Ministry of Environment. Thanks to? the “4대강사업,” an official cycling route was created. Along the way, riders can collect stamps at major checkpoints, and once they finish the route, they can receive an official certificate for completing the cross country ride.
As soon as I got a bike in Busan, with just a few T-shirts, some underwear, and a small backpack, I left home and headed to the starting point of my trip.
I picked up a used bike, had one last proper meal, and the only thing left to do was to start riding. But of course, nothing ever goes perfectly. On my very first day, I was welcomed by a storm.
Nothing can ever be perfect, and honestly, I was too sudden and bold, no plan, no weather check, just the thought of starting the trip. Who cares? I just started biking in the rain. In fact, it wasn’t so bad—at least it wasn’t hot.
From the very start, it was just biking, nothing too special to tell about the trip.
The whole trip took me four days, but I stopped in Seoul with about three stamping points left unfinished.
Three years later…
I finally went back, completed those last three stamps, and officially finished my cross country ride.
Why did I do it, and for what? I always say I just did it for nothing.
