By Bryan Kay
Staff Reporter
One man's mission to conquer the Americas in 2010 in aid of charity is starting to take shape.
Canadian Brian Perich, 36, who lives in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, is bidding to raise thousands of dollars for the Canadian and American branches of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.
The journey awaiting him is mammoth: from a standing start in Anchorage, Alaska, onto the Canadian Arctic and all the way down to Argentina and the southernmost portion of the continent.
And now he has secured an event promoter, interest from possible riding companions and the bike to be used for the expedition.
``I now have IDEAS (the Intestinal Disease Awareness and Education Society) going to organize my campaign and do all the management, so things are going well. The guy who started the group is a Crohn's survivor and climbed seven peaks," said Perich, who is the man behind Korea expat cycling group Cycling International.
``I have had a couple of people approach me (about the possibility of joining in). One said he is really interested and the second guy rode across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
``The other good thing is I have now got a sponsorship donation in the form of the expedition bike from Commuter Bicycles in Santa Barbara in California."
While donations have yet to start rolling in, Perich said he is delighted with the response there has been to his grand plan, which is dubbed ``One Cycle, One Man (+Riders), One Charity, Global Bike from the Arctic."
He also revealed that he is using the world expedition being undertaken by Danish cyclist Nicolai Bangsgaard and a Canadian coast-to-coast adventure as inspiration for his trek.
``Nicolai Bangsgaard is actually riding the same bike as I am going to be using. He is going around the world until 2010. He isn't doing his for charity, but I have sponsored him by paying for his wheels," continued Perich.
``I have also seen the video of the two riders who, with John C. Scott of IDEAS organizing their events (Perich's campaign manager) ― Vin Heney and Greg Mailloux ― did the coast-to-coast, finishing in September last year, and I've only had about two weeks. They raised $68,000 Canadian and that's before even releasing the video on DVD."
As well as his passion for cycling, Perich counts as another plank of his motivation a close family member who suffers from Crohn's, an inflammatory disease of the intestines.
``I have a strong drive to do this," he added.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the expedition, donating to the cause or cycling groups in Korea can contact Perich at 010-5844-4371 or e-mail tesol2000@gmail.com.