Edmonton gets tourists back in the saddle after bike theft

A South Korean couple cycling across Canada is gearing up to hit the road again after a roadside bike theft on June 12.

Mulkyeol Choi said someone stole her bike when she turned her back and walked about 10 metres away from it on the Yellowhead Highway near Wabamun Lake.

• Bicycle theft strands South Korean cyclists in Edmonton

Choisaid herFacebookmessenger account erupted with offers to help followingCBC'sinitialcoverage of the theft.

Within 24 hours, strangers pulled together all-new gear for the couple, including the same make and model ofChoi'soriginal bike.

"They are very generous,"Choisaid about the donations."I was very overwhelmed that somebody was out there helping me ...Alberta is great."

While the couple waits for their new bike to arrive in Edmonton, they're touring the city with the locals.

EdmontonianBashirMohameddonated his time toshowthem the Alberta Legislature buildingon Friday.

Thank you is all I have right now. I just so appreciate it.There are always bad people, but there are always more nice people.-MulkyeolChoi, South Korean cyclist

Mohamed recently completed his own cross-country bicycle tour through South Korea, and said he wanted to repay the kindness he experienced in the couple's homeland.

"To think that someone coming to my country and doing the same thing is getting robbed just made me feel shocked," hesaid."It kind of felt like it was a little personal because it happened in our backyard,and I think we just wanted to show a positive side to our province.

"Edmontonianshave really big hearts."

Couple quit jobs, sold home for bike trip

The two are on athree-month trek from Vancouver to Quebec, after which they plan to cyclethrough the United States toSouth America.

Choisaid she worked as an engineer inSeoul, South Korea'scapital, for five years to save enough money for the trip. She and her husband then quit their jobs, and traded their home for two bikes.

Almost everything they owned was strapped toChoi'sbike when it disappeared, including their passports.

Choisaid she wasn't able toafford anything asexpensive as herlast ride, a $3,000 touring bicycle, so she's grateful for the donations.

More importantly, she added, they need to pick up new passports from the South Korean embassy in Ontario.Choisaid she'lluse her newbike to get there.

After a shaky welcome to Alberta, shesaidshe'll ride out of the province with nothing but goodwill for its residents.

"Thank you is all I have right now. I just so appreciate it," she said.

"There are always bad people, but there are always more nice people."