Embassy of Australia in Korea Ambassador James Choi will participate in the 2020 Seorak GranFondo.

Embassy of Australia in Korea Ambassador James Choi is a Sub3 Marathoner and an athletic enthusiast in the Triathlon. In 2019, he finished with a great record of nine hours at Seorak Granfondo. In 2020, he decided to attend Seorak Granfondo along with the Australian Embassy's cyclist.

The Ambassador is not only exercising for his health but also doing various charity events through his exercise. Below is an interview with Ambassador James Choi.

1. When did you start biking?

I started such a long time ago that I don’t even remember when I started riding a bicycle. Perhaps it was when I first learned how to walk. I can vividly recall the good memories of biking whilst enjoying naturewhen I was young. But I started cycling in earnest about 20 years ago when I worked in New York.

2. Any special reason that made you to start bicycling?

Before I got into biking, I enjoyed cricket, soccer and rugby - team sports. However, due to my busy posting in New York I couldn’t do any team sports. So, I decided to find a sport that I can do individually, and hence started running and cycling.

3. What do you think are the benefits of biking?

The great thing about cyclingis that it’s an individual or it can be a team sport. When I ride individually, I feel totally free, and when I ride together with my team members in a stable pace, I can feel the strong solidarity of the group.

4. Do you have any recommendable place that you were impressed by when you were biking in Korea or Australia?

In Korea, I rode 350km from Gangwon-do to Seoul, acrossthe Korean Peninsula in 2018 and around Jeju island in 2019. Both places were a great opportunity to discover Korea’s gorgeous nature and feel the warm hospitality.

In Australia, I recommend Canberra, where you can ride mountain trails very close from the city, the Victorian Alps,and where you can enjoy a variety of views with the mountains, and Tasmania with views of the mountains. I hope in the future, many Korean cyclistscome to Australia for the bike tour.

5. You mentioned that you cross rode the Korean Peninsula and Jeju Island in 2019 and in 2018. How did that come about, you hosting the event with someone?

Both times the riding was with the Australian Embassy staffs. In 2018, it was a donation ride for multi-cultural families. On the way I visited the Hongcheon Hamil School founded by the singer Insooni. In 2019, the singer, Sean, was with us to contribute to the Seungil Hope Foundation and the Green Umbrella.

6. What’s the most memorable bike ride in your life?

The worst memory that I remember was a cycling accident whenthe front tyre waspunctured while racing downhill. It was a very dangerous moment, and after that, I was riding with more caution.

One of the most memorable moment was watching the Tour de France in Paris in 2011. I still can't forget the moments of the riders entering the last section of Champs-Elysées by bike after 21 days of hard work watched by a large crowd. At the time, an Australian rider named Cadel Evans won the overall championship which made it more meaningful.

7. Many riders from the Australian Embassy participated in Seorak Granfondo in 2019. What triggered them to participate?

Cycling is a very beloved sport in our embassy, to an extent that we also have nearly professional level riders. So we just took part in Seorak Granfondo.

8. As far as I know, Australia offers a bicycle-friendly and an advanced environment, and there are various events related to biking. Would you mind please introducing a representative case and perhaps give an advice on possible improvements of the bicycle environment in Korea?

Bicycle roads in Australia are well developed. As for cycling events, I think there should be more opportunities to meet between professional athletes and hobby riders, and to participate in competitions like the Tour de Korea. Such opportunities can lead to a virtuous cycle of higher levels and a wider base of bicycles. I think Seorak Granfondo can create more opportunities like that.

Brief history

Major athletic experience

Bicycle

Australian Embassy Seoul Charity Bike ride (2018) 350km (Gangwon-Seoul)

Seorak Gran Fondo (2019) Gran Fondo 208K

Australian Embassy Seoul Charity Bike ride (2019) 92Km (Jeju 1100 road), 234Km(Jeju bike path)

Triathlon

Tongyoung ITU Triathlon Would Cup (2018) Relay Team Hoju 3rd

Tongyoung ITU Triathlon Would Cup (2019) Relay Team Hojustyle 2nd -1ST ON RECORD BASIS

Marathon

Jeju (2018) 2:53:06

Chuncheon (2019)2:57:12

The Ambassador performed a 350km charity ride in Gangwon-do and Seoul in 2018.