By Bryan Kay
Staff Reporter
An uncompromising biking slog from Korea to the British Isles by a quartet of bikers reached its 130th day today with the group continuing its journey through Georgia.
Having already passed through the Eastern European country's capital of Tbilisi, the team of former English teachers ― who have dubbed their challenge Braking Boundaries ― has also negotiated the likes of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan.
They set out from the Korean Peninsula on a ferry to Dalian, China, in April, seeking to cover the 14,000-kilometer distance between Korea and Ireland in aid of the micro-lending charity Kiva.
Made up of three men and a woman ― a multi-partisan group consisting of an America, a Canadian, a New Zealander and an Irishman ― they are currently continuing their course through Georgia, the scene of intense fighting a year ago when the former Soviet satellite clashed with Russia over the disputed territory of South Ossetia.
Their journey has pitted them against often-difficult terrain and climates, not to mention the dangers posed by the volatile nature of some of the countries they have passed through.
The Korea Times last heard from the group ― David Glashan, Jared Mitchell, Tom McCloy and Katie Tibbetts ― toward the end of July as they were making their way through Kyrgyzstan.
On Monday, in the latest post on their Web site, they spoke of their relief at not attempting to tackle the Uzbek desert after hearing of the difficulties of a fellow cyclist they met earlier in their journey, in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
When they reach the British Isles, they plan to take in both England and Scotland, before making their way across the Irish Sea.