NORTH MANCHESTER – It was a month ago today that Korean native Jintae Park started his more than 4,000-mile bicycle journey from Rhode Island to California.
Park, 24, who was born in Seoul, Korea, has since February been a temporary exchange student in Providence, R.I., studying hospitality.
His exchange student program has ended so he will return to his schooling in Korea after he completes his bike journey.
He will graduate next year with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality.
His parents still live in Korea, and he also has a sister who lives there.
During a telephone interview this morning, Park said he decided to take the bike ride to challenge himself mentally and physically.
“I think young people in their 20s are losing the spirit of challenging themselves so I wanted to go on a bicycle journey to do that,” Park said.
He began his journey in Providence, R.I., and his travels have taken him to Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.
He said he plans to reach his destination in San Francisco in two months.
He has stayed at campgrounds, and a host family along the way.
Park arrived at the home of Dorothy Bumbaugh, North Manchester, Monday, and will leave today to continue his journey.
He connected with Bumbaugh on a host website for bicyclists.
Bumbaugh, who is an avid bicyclist herself, said she and her husband, Barney, who died in June, have hosted other bicyclists in the past in their home.
“I always remember bicycling around North Manchester with my husband meeting a lot of people and hope Jintae gets an opportunity to meet others as well,” Bumbaugh said.
