A South Korean man is cycling across North America from British Columbia to Montreal, and the kindness of Canadians is helping him do it.
Dressed all in black and sporting a navy blue beanie, Seongmin Ji might look like your average cyclist tackling the winding Sea to Sky Highway from Whistler to Vancouver.
His bicycle, however, stands out.
Using bungee cords, he has tied license plates from Alaska, Utah, Guatemala and British Columbia to the sides and back of his bike.
“BC license, I got that one from local people in Smithers,” Ji said.
At 28 years old, he has cycled along the entire west coast of South America, Central America and North America. Now he hopes to cycle to Montreal, more than 5,000 kilometers in two months.
“It’s for fun and to know myself more, see my limits and then inspire other people,” Ji said.
Ji started his route in Ushuaia, Argentina, and biked to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and then hitchhiked to Kitwanga, BC, which is just north of Terrace, along Highway 16. From there, he biked 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, she relied on the generosity of strangers who opened their homes to her. To facilitate this, Ji has been using Warm Showers, a website that connects cyclists with locals.
“They let me sleep on their couch or give me a room where I can take a shower and do laundry,” Ji said. “BC is amazing. Nice people, friendly, talk to me first and beautiful nature and clean water.”
In Smithers, BC, Rory Luxmoore hosted Ji and connected through the website.
Ji stayed with Luxmoore and her family for two nights and left a lasting impression.
“I think we need more people like [him]” Luxmoore said. “For a young person, he has so much maturity and so many passions.”
Luxmoore was also surprised by how calm 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 a group of local cyclists for one of their rides, allowing him to be part of the community.
Ji first heard about the Sea to Sky area while watching the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
“The people of British Columbia have been very welcoming and friendly. I think they love bikes here, especially mountain bikes,” Ji said.
Podcasts and peanut butter sandwiches (every day, for 11 months) have fueled his journey.
When the climbs start to feel challenging or his body starts to ache, Ji remembers all the people who have helped him.
“I really appreciate it and every time I ride my bike, I think about these people who helped me,” Ji said.
He also found strength in a new source of inspiration: Canadian hero Terry Fox.
“When I return to South Korea, I want to run the entire South Korea for a cancer charity,” Ji said.
