RTW Correspondence with Linda Lee interested in Cycling in Korea, Bicycle Touring in South Korea, Routes & Ideas

My RTW Correspondence with Linda Lee who is planning on Cycling in Korea....includes the  following bits of information:

• Where to ride in South Korea?
• Route suggestions for South Korea bicycle travel 
• Suggestions on purchasing a bicycle in South Korea
• Free Camping or Stealth camping in South Korea
• Jim-Jil-Bangs/Sauna/Guesthouses where cyclists stay
• Cycling clubs for distance bicycle endurance training 
• National Park Camping in South Korea 
• Warning advisory for Yellow Dust in Korea
• Best seasons to bicycle tour in Korea

[Linda Lee writes:]

Hi Brian,

I saw your website and blog online and I thought I'd give you a shot about some advise about biking in Korea. I'm visiting Korea this winter and spring, doing some traveling and was thinking of doing a ride around Korea in May. Do you have any recommendations for where you've ridden? Any advise? Also, I'm assuming you're traveling with your own bike, but have you seen any decent resale situations in Korea? I ride a Trek road bike with SRAM set up at home, but it will cost more than 400 to bring my bike with me, so I was hoping maybe to even buy something used to use while there.

Anyway, I'm not sure if I will hear back from you, but if you're in the mood to share some tips, please feel free to ride.

With great appreciation,

Linda 

http://www.busanhaps.com/article/biking-korea-then-world

http://arctic2argentina.com/

Brian Perich

Hi Linda,

I post hundreds of updates and get about 1% feedback directly, (:  So, I am glad to assist anyone. I would recommend watching  http://seoul.craigslist.co.kr/bik/   And you can purchase either a road or MTB for your shipping price in Korea. If you have a friend here, have them look around, the local high-end market is really expensive, I have ridden pieces of good bikes put together through sponsors.

Routes: so many!  Check the Korea Randonneurs website, download the routes, they should be up there, or directly from Jan Boonstra's informative Cycling in Korea website.  I will definitely recommend the East Coast, from Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho, you can rest and relax with your bike stowed under the bus, watch the scenery as you cross the country.

Once you arrive in Sokcho, pedal south to Seoraksan National Park (nearby camping only $2 per night/pp.). Other cities en route: Yang Yang, Gangneung (where I live, welcome to couch surf or we can recommend a local hotel that is comfortable for you), Donghae, Samcheok, ...Uljin, Gyeongju, Pohang, Ulsan, Busan (455km, about 4-5 days, camping okay or you can stay at Jim-Jil-Bangs/Sauna/Guesthouses with private shower/steam/scrub areas for each gender, plus common areas with sweat lodge style experiences, and pillows for sleeping over night, it's warm and inexpensive too (about $7USD per night, stay as long as you like). 

You can also consider stealth or free camping as long as you stay off the beaches which are patrolled at night by ROK soldiers. The South Korean coast is safe, but you should be camping in the trees, not directly on the beaches at night. There are designated campgrounds like Mangsang Beach in Donghae, or along the West Coast which are open year-round for beachside camping. You can camp for free about anywhere there are trees, nature, mountains, rocks and level ground (:

Other routes are possible from Gangneung, you can reroute to the mountains, climb about 1000 meters in 20km on Daegwallyeong, continue 25km to Jinbu, and turn south on Hwy 35, beautiful inner mountain highway through Jeongseon, Taebaek, and you can also loop back to the coast to Donghae or continue inland to other cities. It's very safe to cycle tour in Korea, bring or buy a local standard bicycle lock though, there are thefts in bigger cities, I keep my bike with me, or lock it up with camping overnight, nobody would bother you camping 99.9% of the time here. It'll be a great tour. 

Keep in mind, spring Yellow Dust season can be deadly serious, I would recommend the summer (July-August) to get the most out of riding smog and dust-free, you could ferry to Jeju-do Island from Busan once you get down there, all information can be googled that I am mentioning, about 4-5 days, camping ok, tour around the volcanic island with pristine beaches (sweltering hot in July-August though, better for the spring May tour, the dust problem wouldn't affect you)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Dust 


Best seasons to bicycle tour in Korea are Summer-Winter (June-February), keeping in mind the Yellow Dust in (March-May), it's fantastic the rest of the year. Winter is also the clearest for air quality, low smog/dust and best for touring on the coastal perimeters (West, East or South coasts & Jeju Island).

You could also continue your tour in Japan, another option with the ferry  http://visitkorea.or.kr/ena/GK/GK_EN_2_3_1.jsp 

Jan Boonstra has an excellent set of maps, he knows the interior routes across Korea

http://user.chollian.net/~boonstra/korea/sebu.htm 

Hope this helps! Cheers & perhaps I'll meet you when you come to Korea

Brian Perich - Korean-World Blogger

http://korean-world.blogspot.com

 

 This is when I need to push my bicycle in Korean winters

 Gangwon-do (Province) is on the northeastern corner of the country, great cycling!

 Small trails around farms in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, South Korea

 Rice starting to grow in early summer months (June)

 Korean farm tractors

 Simple MTB (mountain bike) for bike-lite camping, tent strapped on crossbar protected with pipe insulation sold at hardware stores in Korea

 Cycling with my friend Jon Adie around Gangneung. There are regional riders all over the country that know their areas on the back of their hands. I am one of them (and have only my perspectives, there is much to learn and enjoy about cycling in many areas of South Korea).  There are off-road MTB clubs like MTBK (Mountain Biking in Korea group on Facebook/Yahoo), Han River Riders (Facebook) in Seoul, Cycling in Korea (Facebook) and there are loads of friendly Korean bicycle clubs and organized events planned each year (easiest if you get involved directly or know someone that can speak Korean to help you) and Internationals here to help.

 Pine forests surround Gangneung City's rural area of South Korea

 English teachers frequently ride in Korea! (Go Jon Go!!!)

I also enjoy Adventure Cycling in Korea, great training to ride the world!!!

WT: Correspondence with Dragan Babović - Adventure Cyclist in Belgrade

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  Friday

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    Dragan Babović   cao, brajane !
  • upravo sam gledao tvoj album sa ekspedicije po himalajima....da li znas srpski jezik
  • I just looked at your album with expedition through the Himalayas .... did you know the Serbian language
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  Saturday

  Brian Perich

  • Hi Dragan,
    I don't speak the Serbian language, but my father speaks fluently (with my Baba who passed away this year, 100 years, 86 years in Canada, she came from Romania. My grandfather came from Bosnia, in 1910, he was born in 1887. Both moved to Canada.
    
    Thanks for visiting my album, I will translate into Serbian next time!
    
    Brian (:
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  Saturday

  Dragan Babović

  • Walks of life we Serbs are strange.
    My son went to LA and his children will not know the Serbian language, maybe save name, who knows!
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  Saturday

  Dragan Babović

  • Your bike is unusual.
    Few people use bicycles for travel with buffer.
    I travel with my old CRO-MO, made in 1992 SPECIALIZED, ROCKHOPER
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  Saturday

  Dragan Babović

  • Tvoj album je fenomenalan. Nasmejan i optimistican. vidi se da si sve vreme uzivao u putovanju. Veliki pozdrav iz Beograda.
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  Saturday

  Brian Perich

  • Your bike is unusual.
    Few people use bicycles for travel with buffer.
    I travel with my old CRO-MO, made in 1992 SPECIALIZED, ROCKHOPER
    
    11 hours agoDragan Babović
    Tvoj album je fenomenalan. Nasmejan i optimistican. vidi se da si sve vreme uzivao u putovanju. Veliki pozdrav iz Beograda.
    
    Reply (translated to Serbian, is this correct?)
    Драган, ценим вашу подршку поруку и комплимената на мом бициклизам рутина, експедиција је била проширење краће вожње сам урадио више од мог живота. Време је да вози велики, тако да сам воз за сада. Возим планински бициклизам за обилазак, јер искрено, ово комплетан мотор је $ 400 долара и све што сам могао приуштити у 2009. Ја заменио све компоненте, рециклажа делова од скупље 2008 Гари Фисхер ХиФи Делуке Купио сам користи, сам се вратио заједно Гари Фисхер, и продао га, дајући новац назад са мојом женом. Тешко да потроше новац, ја сам живи на малом приход у Кореји, већина зараде иде да нахрани породицу, плаћају комуналне услуге, а у суштини живимо. Ја ћу возити истом кадру са различитим компонентама (исти 2008 Фокс, РЛ 120мм виљушком и Бонтрагер дршку), све Схимано овај пут. Користио сам СРАМ Кс7 Померачи и Кс9 позади дераиллер на ХималаиасКс2011 експедиције и Авид Јуици пет хидрауличне кочнице, то је све промењено у Схимано СЛКС цранксет, СХИМАНО ДУРА-АЦЕ 9-степеним ланац, Схимано ЛКС задњи дераиллер (рециклирани) и Схимано Деоре ЛКС напред дераиллер и Дуал-Деоре ЛКС Аутоматско освежавање Померачи и сајла кочнице постављене на Авид Лб7 планину
    
    Dragan, I appreciate your supportive message and compliments on my cycling routine, the expedition was an extension to the shorter rides I have done over my lifetime. It's time to ride big, so I train for it now. I ride the mountain bike for touring, because honestly, this complete bike was $400 dollars and all I could afford in 2009. I replaced all the components, recycling parts from a more expensive 2008 Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe I bought used, I returned the Gary Fisher together, and sold it, giving the money back to my wife. It's difficult to spend money, I am living on a small income in Korea, most of the earnings go to feed the family, pay the utilities, and basically live. I will ride the same frame with different components (same 2008 Fox RL 120mm fork and Bontrager handlebar), all Shimano this time. I used SRAM X7 shifters and X9 rear derailler on the HimalayasX2011 expedition and Avid Juicy Five hydraulic brakes, that is all changed to Shimano SLX crankset, Shimano Dura-Ace 9-speed chain, Shimano LX rear derailler (recycled) and Shimano Deore LX front derailler and Dual-Deore LX rapid fire shifters and cable brake lined to Avid BB7 mountain bike calipers, fairly bomb-proof bike for bicycle touring and capable off-road, and in expedition situations of long distance and terrible roads, which are fun, because it makes the journey that much more exciting and challenging.
• 

  
  

  about an hour ago

  Dragan Babović

  • Excellent job you did.
    For bicycle travel should be easy and very good quality.
    Commemorate the components that may be of importance but there are other things that are important.
    For such a difficult journey it is very important rear wheel, he suffers the most impact and weight.
    For me, the more important types of rear wheel gear boxes.
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  about an hour ago

  Dragan Babović

  • Yes, life is an uphill battle, full of uncertainty.
    make money is an uphill battle.
    spend the money is an uphill battle.
    decide to spend what is an uphill battle.
    I know it well, I have three children ......
    Greetings from sunny Belgrade
    Dragan
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  2 minutes ago

  Brian Perich

  • Oh wow...I read your words, this is my life too!!!!! I have two children and a lovely Korean wife that controls all the money, I usually have little to spend, but I made exceptions to prepare for expeditions.
    
    Yes, the rear wheel is VERY IMPORTANT..I cracked my Bontrager Race Disk from high altitude pressure changes, road pounding/damage, but the wheel stayed straight with some alignment (twice on the trip), the wheel had an internal crack 360 degrees for the rest of my journey.
    
    I ordered a used DOWNHILL wheel for replacement of the Bontrager, and have a Mavic in the front. I will take a photo, the wheel has not arrived yet in Korea, everything takes months to get here for me.
    
    Tough, tough, tough. My life is a reflection of the difficulties endured for PLEASURE on the expedition this year. Very tough, just try to enjoy what moments I actually can, forget the rest of the challenges!
    
    (: Cheers, great message, I really appreciate it!
    
    Brian --- South Korea
    http://korean-world.blogspot.com/
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Repost: Arirang News - Han River Bicycle Path to Extend to Busan

Repost: Han River Bicycle Path to Extend to Busan [Cycling in Korea]

Obsolete train tracks along the South Han River have been transformed into a new bicycle path. The 26.8-km path spans the western outskirts of Seoul to Yangpyong in Gyeonggi Province. The nostalgic landscape attracts lots of riders from around the country. What used to be a train tunnel is now filled with passing bicyclists.

A man rides a bicycle along the South Han River. /Courtesy of Ministry of Public Administration and Security

An obsolete train station has also been transformed into a resting place for visitors, where pedestrians can take a stroll around the old railways. The steel bridge of the North Han River has been renovated with a bicycle path too, giving riders the chance to watch the river. 

The bicycle path will extend down to Busan along the Nakdong River from November this year. The government is also working on other bicycle paths along two Yeongsan and Geum Rivers, with a view to completing them by next month as well. 

With the rapid increase in the number of bicycle riders in the nation, the government says it is planning to construct even more bicycle paths around the country.  [Credits: Arirang News]

Old Railway Line along South Han River Becomes Part of Cycling Trail(October 8, 2011)Section between Paldang Station of Namyangju and Yanggeun Bridge in Yangpyeong County transformed into cycling trailPresident Lee and Governor Kim cycle along the trail after the opening on October 8^th

◇ Construction of the South Han River Cycling Trail began in February of 2011 as part of the Save the Han River Project, and was followed by its opening just seven months later on October 8^th. President Lee Myung-bak and Governor Kim Moon-soo visited the newly opened trail for a bicycle ride. ⓒ Images from CheongwadaeFor the first time in Korea, an old unused railway line and bridge have been converted into a cycling trail along the South Han River in Gyeonggi Province. It is the first sector of a planned 702km cycling trail that will run across Korea.Gyeonggi Province celebrated the opening of the cycling trail with VIP guests President Lee Myung-bak, First Lady Kim Yoon-ok as well as Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo and Ministers Kwon Jae-jin, Maeng Hyung-kyu, and Kwon Do-youp of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Administration and Security, and Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, respectively. Two-thousand cyclists from various clubs assembled to witness the opening of the South Han River Cycling Trail.The South Han River Cycling Trail opened just seven months after its construction began in February as part of the Save the Han River Project, using disused railway tracks and a metal bridge. The trail covers a 26.8km-long stretch of old railway line between Paldang Station in Namyangju and Yanggeun Bridge in Yangpyeong County. The project cost KRW 16.2 billion in government funds, KRW 3.27 billion in provincial government funds, and KRW 4.43 billion from city and county offices, amounting to KRW 23.9 billion in total.Now the cycling trail that used to connect Seoul and Paldang Station has been extended to Yangpyeong, which is expected to stimulate the economies of Namyangju and Yangpyeong and also to boost the number of cyclists.The Gyeonggi Provincial Government explained that, once completed, the cycling trail will start at Incheon, run through Seoul and across the South Han River and Sobaek Mountain, follow the Nakdong River and end in Busan. It will be a pan-Korean cycling trail that spans a length of 702 kilometers.

◇ The South Han River Cycling Trail utilizes the out-of-service railway and bridge along the river to create a cycling trail. The trail begins at Paldang Station in Namyangju and ends at Yanggeun Bridge, spanning a 26.8km sector. Guests at the opening event take souvenir pictures before the track’s official opening. ⓒImages provided by Cheongwadae
The South Han River Cycling Trail’s greatest charms are the Historic Site of Dasan, Paldang Dam, and Dumulmeori, which exemplify the South Han River’s natural beauty. The old train stations, railway line, and metal bridges that dot the path are worth a romantic or nostalgic visit.The North Han River Bridge was built in 1939 but destroyed during the Korean War, and was not rebuilt until 1952. Now it is decorated with lights that come on at night, and the tunnel’s interior is illuminated with sensor-controlled lighting to minimize electricity consumption.A local government official said, “We were able to cut costs by utilizing already existing structures. There are no steep hills along the trail so it is convenient for the whole family to visit. Not only does it connect Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, but the entire stretch is surrounded by beautiful scenery. I have no doubt it will become one of the finest cycling trails in the world.The opening ceremony’s theme was ‘Communication (placing roads + new encounters + development)’ featuring bicycle stunt performances, bicycle riding events, cycling group parades, and the South Han River Photography Exhibition.
The President, Governor Kim Moon-soo, and other VIP guests rode their bikes down 9 km of the newly opened track.In his congratulatory speech, Governor Kim said, “The South Han River Cycling Trail is truly magnificent. Thanks to the Save the Han River Project, the South Han River and the North Han River have recovered their cleanliness, flooding has been prevented, and a nice public area along the river has been created. I am sure the local residents are delighted.” The governor persuaded the President to support Gyeonggi Province’s plan to rejuvenate 2,700 streams and rivers in the province. [Credits: gnews korea]

 Oh my! This is definitely big news for cyclists in Korea.

KOREA | World Bike Show 2011

POSTED BY CYCLINGIQ ⋅ OCTOBER 17, 2011 ⋅ 

With 20% of South Korea’s population, a sophisticated, health-conscious, consumer market and local government investment of KRW1.833 trillion (EUR1,140,000,000) into public transport infrastructure, Seoul city should seem a logical location for a bicycle exhibition. But why doesn’t anyone go?

 

"Attention, citizens of Seoul - the 2010 Seoul Bicycle Show is now open. Hello? Anyone there?"

In spite of this peninsula nation sitting comfortably within the top 20 global economies and enjoying the same per-capita GDP as Italy (four times greater than neighbouring China), cycling has failed to capture broad-scale public imagination. In some respects, this is understandable. Any new visitor to Seoul will immediately notice two things after leaving one of the city’s two airports: cars and more cars. There would be few places in the world that appear as unappealing to ride safely on a bicycle.

However, change is underway. 1,200km of new cycling paths, spreading from Incheon in the northwest (one hour drive from Seoul downtown) to Busan in the southeast, are in development under a government-funded initiative to enthuse more of South Korea’s nearly 50 million citizens into healthier lifestyles.

Contemporary working professionals are ditching the ubiquitous golf clubs and heading out on expensive hardtail mountain bikes along the cycling paths of the mighty Han River. Road bike uptake, previously representing less than 10% of the bicycle market, is also increasing noticeably.

Seoul’s über-trendy (and often English-speaking) youth, fibre-optically hard-wired into global trends, are also embracing cycling in growing numbers. The fringe sub-cultures – fixed-gear bikes being a great example – are especially popular with these brand-savvy neophytes.

The Seoul Bike Show, most recently held at the gleaming COEX center in fashionable Gangnam-gu, attempted to provide a platform for international brands to engage this growing consumer base. Backed by numerous local government departments and the Korea Bicycle Import Incorporated Association, the show had sufficient financial support to succeed.

Unfortunately, the timing was terrible. Scheduled in December – mid-winter, and many months after new model-year product had been launched – until 2009, the show’s metrics were disappointing. Even at a relatively low cost of USD2,000 for a 3x3m booth, only 200 brands (note: individual exhibitors often display several brands) exhibited. Over the exhibition’s three days, 26,000 visitors attended; 3,000 of these were industry-related.

Compared with the 42,000 visitors (also over three days) and 500 exhibitors at Expobici – one of two national shows in Italy, the other being EICA, held in July – the published numbers may not appear too bad. However, anyone attending the show in Seoul – myself included – would have serious doubts about the published numbers.

After skipping 2010, the organizers shifted the show to March in 2011, but even that didn’t engage the industry nor the public. So how will the 2011 Korea World Bicycle Show, scheduled for 21-23 October at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Ilsan city, Seoul, last the distance?

Firstly, the numbers look promising. According to the show’s secretariat, 150 exhibitors and 43,000 visitors attended the inaugural event in 2010, with targeted growth of 40% for 2011.

Moreover, the support base is robust. Three bicycle industry associations (including the Korea Bicycle Manufacturers Association) and five government departments are backing the 2011 event. Green Growth Korea, part of a multi-national organization focused on environmentally-sustainable industrial and economic growth, is also a major supporter.

Most importantly, the timing is favourable. Whilst peak summer conditions have passed, early adopters will have the opportunity to see some new-season models for the first time at the show – rather than unglamorously shoehorned into one of Seoul’s typically over-full bike stores.

However, if World Bike fails to succeed in spite of these positive factors, it may fall into the heap – alongside Bike Asia in Singapore and other dumped national exhibitions – leaving China Bicycle Show in Shanghai as the exclusive regional event. The proof will be in the attendance figures – hopefully not manipulated – after the show’s conclusion next week.

More information:

World Bike http://www.worldbikeshow.com/eng/about/info.asp 

20-23 October, 2011 | KINTEX, Seoul