Whats the racing scene and overall riding culture like?
A. It’s definitely growing and attitudes are changing and becoming a little more relaxed and fun focused. The races cost about US$8-15 and include lunch. XC courses are improving but are still too short and too easy. Same complaint worldwide of the dumbing-down of XC courses. For DH and DS and other jumping arts, see my article on the issue. Trials has some practitioners, and even some competitions, but the obstacles are nowhere near as advanced as you might see elsewhere. Almost all racers are part of some team/club, and all of these are based out of bike shops. So if you want to race, have raced before, then it’ll be much easier if you hook up with a shop. You’ll probably be enthusiastically welcomed, especially if you make some effort to learn the language and eat kimchi. There is little grassroots racing. There are some informal underground DH events. There are a few informal enduro events. There are few festivals (except for a two-day underground event that Bee, Jeffro and myself
