Following the Current: An FKT Ride Covering the Length of South Korea

The Four Rivers Cycleway runs the length of South Korea, linking the west coast city of Incheon to Busan in the south across roughly 600 kilometres of dedicated bike path. Following the country’s major river systems, the route threads through sprawling cities, quiet farming valleys, and long stretches of riverside trail.

This project is an attempt to set the Fastest Known Time on the route, riding the entire distance in a single continuous push. What begins as a race against the clock quickly becomes a test of pacing, fatigue, and resilience as the landscape unfolds from riverbanks and farmland to dense urban corridors and the distant coastline.

Beyond the challenge itself, the ride is also about stepping into an unfamiliar part of the cycling world. South Korea’s cycling culture and infrastructure are unlike anywhere I’ve ridden before, and the journey offers a chance to experience the rhythm of the country, its landscapes, and the communities that exist along these rivers. Exploring a new culture while pushing the limits of what’s possible in a single ride.