Choosing a Bicycle for Long-distance touring // Pavement and the long-haul tours // Cycling in South Korea

• Bicycle touring 101: Choosing a Bicycle for recreational touring on pavement. 
• 

  9:53am
  

  Pamila Jo Florea
  

  
  

  Hi Brian!
  Here's my note. I figure I should give you my long range plan. I'd like to get a bike that can take me from Seoul to Busan this summer - I don't want to ride HARD, I just want to enjoy the weather, enjoy the trip. The pleasure is more important than the fancy ride. I have several injuries, though. I can't be on a bike that requires me to lean in on my hands - I have a wrist and a shoulder injury. On the bike you sold me, I'm able to lean down on my arms some, so I think that is an option. I am still fairly weak with upper body strength (mostly due to the shoulder injury I think), so I like that the frame is lighter weight.
  

  Would it be feasible / better / recommendable to just get stronger / better / more rugged tires for this bike and a new handlebar or is a new bike in order? This is my question... (and by the way - you are working with mountain bikes? Woo hoo! Sounds like you did ask the universe for what you wanted and perhaps got it?)

  Thanks for your help.
  pamila
• 

  10:10am
  

  Brian Perić
  

  
  

  Hi Pam,
  

  I am checking morning mail. I think the cruiser was ideal for most of your urban cycling activities, commuting, shopping, and that frame was aluminum and overall, that bike is quality.

  For touring across Korea, you probably want to purchase a 10,000 won tent on Gmarket.co.kr and one of the light blue sleeping bags 10-12,000 won at Home Plus (Tesco brand, synthetic, basic but warm enough for summer), and a foam mattress used for camping. The tent, sleeping bag and mat allow you to camp about anywhere. The tent can resist rain and wind, it is not waterproof in a downpour, however, you could camp on those Won-du-maks where Koreans picnic, or go to a Motel, Minbak, Jimjilbang sauna in a bigger city too. I mention camping supplies because it helps you go further without concern of stopping early for accommodation - no worries.

  For bicycles that enable you, with these injuries, enjoy cycling long-distances without pain? The cruiser you have is upright, the riser handlebars and big seat, basically you are upright - that is the best configuration. Except, the bike is heavy, heavier than road bikes, but similar to mountain bikes. Mountain bikes have no advantages for you, they require forward positioning, you use your arm strength a lot more, so that's a No - in your situation.

  Better would be a higher quality road bike or Hybrid bicycle. You can take drop handlebars and turn them over, and reverse the brake levers, then you would be upright, the saddle (seat) can be changed as well. Many prefer a Brooks B17 leather touring saddle, or a Selle SMP like what I am using on expeditions. I can spend 8-10 hours in the saddle and still be comfortable, so the Selle SMP is a good choice, available in MTB (mountain bike) shops around Seoul, try Biclo.co.kr for example.

  Here is my old riding friend Murray's Road bike with the handlebars turned up, that is what you need. It's lightweight, skinny tires (there are good ones available on the market), and he has installed a rear rack carrier for these panniers.
  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=187469470461&set=a.187460420461.256283.591590461&type=3&theater

  Specialized makes good bicycles,http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/globe/work
  http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/multi-use

  Hope this helps, let me know.

  
  

  Chunju to Jecheon - 80Km - Two Wheels - South Korea

  Murray's Blackcat, now dubbed CELLO. Was under 400,000Won, now selling on Gmarket as CELLO for 960K.
  

  Cycling with Murray
  

  By: Brian Perić

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Cycling in South Korea :: Hwy 7 - Gangneung, Donghae, Samcheok, Uljin to Pohang! MTB S24O Micro Adventure

Welcome to Korean-World. If you are interested in 24 hour endurance rides on the peninsula and have an interest in visiting the East Coast, this is the ride for you. In 24 hours, on the flawless paved Highway 7 (ASIAN HIGHWAY dubbed in South Korea), you can launch from Sokcho or Gangneung and ride the coast all the way to Busan, Gyeongsannam-do. It's my favorite all-time ride in South Korea.

View Larger Map (S24O Micro Adventure Map, Gangneung-Pohang. 24 hours, 250km, Overnight camping trip!)

 Chris is an awesome daily cyclist, he commutes 40km/day, 200km a week in Gangwon-do, Korea

 Matthew and Sierra are getting their roll on at Gyeongpo Lake Park, Gangneung

 Korean bronze statues at Gyeongpo Lake Park, Gangneung.

 Hmm. Not sure what's happening here?

 Matthew is having a blast, we watched MongoliaX videos together, he said, "I want to take a bike trip!"

 Well, thumbs up for freedom 

 Matthew is growing up into a cool dude

Ultralight Flight Powered Parachute, South Korea 

 Night cycling around the lake reservoir on the 1994 KONA Explosif

 New Lynskey M240S post-expedition Mongolia. New weinmann 26" wheels, Schwalbe Marathon tires

I rode to the beach, I slept in the warm autumn sun. Summer is gone, but we have a few warm days left. 

 I've recoated the Fox Racing RL32 120mm forks with tubes for future racks.

 4:00pm Depart Southbound from Gangneung towards Donghae, Gangwon-do.

 Donghae I + II tunnels are fast rolling spots, top speeds of 58 and 62 km/h

 South Korean road surfaces are 99.9% paved between cities, towns and even farming villages.

 AH6 - Highway 7, Also dubbed the ASIAN HIGHWAY should North Korea open to the South, roads are already built to support transportation and trains between South Korea and Russia and China. One day?

 Smooth lines, returning to South Korea from Mongolia

 Donghae is the first city south, about 45 kilometers south of Gangneung (starting point for 24 hours!)

 I tried Bikepacking, the Ortlieb handlebar bag/map case, Small tool frame bag, sleeping bag stuff sack (w/tent). Backpack carried the tent poles, electronics, protein powder, sleeping bag. (:

 Weinmann XM260 are smooth wheels, 36 spoke design incorporates loads of strength (:

 Road hazards in South Korea, see a lot of passing vehicles in urban areas of New Highway 7

 Trucks and buses and cars...machines, oh my!

 Roads are safe, wide curbs for cyclists to ride through

 For the first day, I am riding south of Uljin, 150km goal until camp!

 One of several tunnels that eventually lead into Gyeongsanbukdo Province.

 Nice shot of the Asian Highway, a dream for South Koreans who wanted to travel overland.

 Gravity

 Night cycling with reflective Schwalbe Marathon 26x1.5 kevlar tires 

(100 psi max air pressure, mine set to 70 psi)

 Clearly marked goals for your destination in South Korea

 Gravity

 Fantastic restaurant in Wondeok. When you get down here, stop in for amazing (cheap) meals!

 Uljin-gun (county), Gyeongsanbuk-do (North Gyeongsan Province) Watch out when crossing the tunnel into Gyeongsanbuk-do, there is a police station on the southbound side of the highway, Cycles prohibited!

 Now within sight are several new targets all within 200km

Tunnels are amazing on the East Coast - Hwy 7 is deserted for Night Cycling (Recommended) 

 Blasting the 400 lumen Cygolite Expilion  

 Tunnels are sweet when the roads are deserted of machines (cars, buses, etc)

 Intercity camp. S24O (Sub-24 hour Overnight) Adventures

 This tent donated by Gareth Z filled up with ground water overnight, but I floated on a Thermarest.

 And just ahead, Buddha was watching over me.

 South Korea's East Coast highway 7 is a good place to explore for 24 hours (250km).

 I can't believe this is pavement!

 South Korea, Gangneung, Donghae, Samcheok, Uljin, Pohang Route - 250km in 24 hours.

 Rice patties and a senior citizen on his electric scooter through the Old Highway 7, another sweet route!

 This is a modest meal in Korea, complete with fried fish, 2 bowls of rice and assorted Kimchi side dishes

 Rice is firming up on tall stalks in the fields. In a few weeks, these will be golden.

 Navigation made easy, bilingual signs - GPS not-essential, Maps are good.

 Stone statues outside a private home, and his choice of vehicles USMC Hummer

 I believe those are bullet Proof windows and armored doors.

 Rest spots for cyclists or farmers. Good camp location in the rainy weather.

This is the land of the rice and water. South Korea.

10 Useful bits for Cycling in South Korea: 

1. Free maps of Gangwon-do, or complete maps of South Korea are available at the tourist information center at the northwest corner of Gyeongpo Lake Park, there is a bicycle/walking path circumnavigating the entire lake with expansion work being completed in the fall 2012.
2. Carry bicycle headlights, use 250 or 400 lumens for enough visibility. Cygolite Expilion models are A+
3. Use a bicycle carrier rack on MTB (mountain bikes). Attach flat-pannier racks to the front forks.
4. Use Kevlar-protected tires like the Schwalbe Marathon 26x1.5-2.0 sizes for ordinary MTBs.
5. Carry a bicycle lock, or two. Consider purchasing a bicycle motion alarm, they are priceless for camp!
6. Carry a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, tent for overnight camping on Micro Adventures.
7. Use your imagination, pack some raisins, extra water (3-6 liters), and cash/CC.
8. Travel in South Korea is safe, but watch for traffic when crossing through cities and towns.
9. Rural Korea has 99.9% paved roads between villages and rice patties, consider the less beaten paths.
10. Enjoy your adventure cycling in Korea, Ride with a helmet, cycling gloves, reflective vest for long tours