About 700 bicyclists are expected to participate in the 2013 Ara Lock Fall Bike Festival, which is the nation’s first bike festival to be held around the Han River Ara Canal Area and Bike Path in Incheon on Saturday and Sunday. Provided by Korea Tourism Organization

A group of renowned bicycling nomads are coming to Korea to pedal their way around the Han River Ara Canal Area and Bike Path in Incheon this weekend to be part of the nation’s first bicycle festival.

Amaya and Eric Williams from the United States, Alex and Kat Denham from Australia and Mohammad Tajeran from Iran will be among those riding in the 2013 Ara Lock Fall Bike Festival, which has a secondary theme of “Cycle for Hope.”

The Williamses, who have already arrived in Seoul, wrote on their blog, “Most of Korea is really fairly bike-friendly. This is a country where obeying the speed limit and stopping at red lights appears to be just strongly advised, but drivers are generally courteous to folks on bikes.”

The Williamses have been cycling around the world since 2006.

Hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the main focus of the festival is raising awareness of Seoul as a destination for bicycling tourists while further promoting the biking culture among locals.

About 700 bicyclists, 200 from North America and Europe, 300 expats and 200 locals are expected to participate in the festival on Saturday and Sunday. They can choose one of three non-competitive bike courses: 20 kilometers (12.4 miles), 40 kilometers or 80 kilometers.

Riders can donate 500 won ($0.50) per kilometer and the proceeds will be used to benefit the Oak Tree Project, which provides scholarships to underprivileged children, and Hope Be Restored, a civic organization that works to help victims of sex trafficking.

All the courses are part of the Han River Ara Canal Area and Bike Path, which is famous for its well-built bike trails.

“It is probably one of the most beautiful and safest bike paths in Korea,” said Park Byoung-jik, executive director of KTO’s Green Tourism Center.

Park also added, “The cycling tour is an important market for the Korean tourism industry. With a growing number of international bike festivals across the world, we hope to promote the Han River Ara Canal Area and Bike Path.”

The festival’s main event is cycling, but several other activities are offered for those who can’t or don’t want to ride.

Of the many events on the side, the most eye-catching ones are the water sports, since the Ara Canal Area is designed for kayaking and yachting.

People who purchase Ticket 2 (35,000 won) or Ticket 3 (40,000 won) are eligible to sign up for one of the water sports. The classes will be offered to 100 people on a first-come-first-served basis, though.

Even if you’re not one of the lucky 100, there’s still plenty to do, especially for family visitors, including a bounce house where children can jump and play. Complimentary face painting and balloon giveaways are in store for younger revelers, along with traditional Korean games and English language theatrical plays.

When the main bike riding and all the events are over, an official ceremony, which announces the opening of the festival, begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a live concert at 6 p.m.

B-boy groups and Korean singer Brian, who used to be a member of the K-pop duo Fly to the Sky, will take the stage.

A barbecue party also starts at 6 p.m. Korean chefs and the Korean Outdoor Barbecue Association will prepare a camping dinner that includes salad, sausages, skewered meat, chicken, pork, grilled vegetables, fish cake soup and assorted jeon (Korean pancakes), and soft drinks.

When the dinner is almost over, there will be a talk given at 8 p.m. by the three teams of bicycling nomads. They will share their experience of touring around the world and give some tips on bike riding.

After all the events have ended, festivalgoers who wish to spend the night can move to the Gimpo Ara Passenger Terminal, where there will be a camping zone.

There are three types of tickets available: Ticket 1 costs 20,000 won and only includes bike riding; Ticket 2, which costs 35,000 won, includes bike riding, water sports and the barbecue dinner; Ticket 3 is 40,000 won and includes bike riding, water sports, the barbecue dinner and a night at the camping zone.

Anyone who wishes to join the festival should sign up online at www.bikefestival.or.kr. The deadline is Thursday. People who register online will receive a free T-shirt and have a chance to win prizes, such as a camping tent and bicycles.

Riders are allowed to bring their own bicycles, but the festival will also have some rental bikes available, which will cost 5,000 won each.


BY SUNG SO-YOUNG [so@joongang.co.kr]