Day 6 - Korea Cycling Adventure (Yangsu to Yeoju)

This was the first encounter of a typical Korean motel, IF Motel at Yangsu for 30,000KRW per night per room. Good bye IF Motel, Yangsu-Ri we have to go.

We went in circle in the morning, couldn't locate the direction to Yeoju and thank you to this young Teacher for showing us the direction as he was leading his students for a ride at the river trail too. Kamsahamnida.

A day where we passed through at least 6 old railway tunnels, fear not as there wouldn't be any train coming towards us, the most it would be only bicycles....

Coming out of the tunnel into another horizon of bright and shining sky .....

It was nearly 10.30am we were hungry and lucky to find this small village shop for some food.

 The food we sampled at this simple village atmosphere.

Some of the remains of the old railway line at the exit of one of the tunnels.

Another rest area with the railway road as decorative feature.

Wonbok Tunnel, another defunct railway road tunnel now being for cycling path.

Nothing like a refreshing and cold ice cream at a stop for refreshment.

Yangpyeong Art Museum is one of the major attractions along the trail. GPS location : 37.497162, 127.484227

King David standing majestically at Yangpyeong.

A short & steep ramp to break our monotonous rhythm and pump our hearts.

This was a nice visit at a heavily landscape park with well shaded path. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery very much at this beautiful park. It is located at Yangpyeong. GPS location : 37.484377, 127.494723

Somewhere at this location GPS : 37.432637, 127.531657  there is big a field for baseball and football. Many cow statues is seen here. 

Maybe this area is popular for beef?

We had difficulty in finding food stall that is opened today, probably it was during the weekdays and we were so happy to see this stall run by an Aunty. Conversation with her was totally negligible.

Even though her noodle was a cold dish type but we have no other choice but to eat.

Ipobo Dam Certification booth.

One of the many camping sites in South Korea,

The day continued with our pedalling ........

Yeojubo Dam as we got closer to Yeoju with another booth nearby for our passport certification.

Here we were we have reached Yeoju covering a distance of 60km for the day.

For a change we avoided Korean food for once. Good Night Yeoju.

The route of the day. Yangsu to Yeoju.

A clip of the day.

Day 5 - Korea Cycling Adventure - Back to 4 Rivers Bike Trail (Seoul - Yangsu)

Day 5 - The day we resumed our tour on the 4 Rivers Bike Trail from Seoul to Yangsu (47km) 

It was time to bade farewell to Seoul 53 Hotel and thanks to Mr. Park the new owner of the hotel, he has been very helpful and we hope to come back again.

Our concern in the morning was as to where we should start our ride and after much consultations we took a train from Anguk Station to Oksu Station to continue the tour.

The five of us armed with our belongings and bicycles on the trail of the popular 4 rivers where we were still by the Han River. They are such a beautiful bicycle trail so much to see and we are glad to experience it.

The journey was crafted in such a way that our daily rides will not be strenuous with ample time for resting, taking pictures and enjoying for the scenery.

It was way beyond lunch time and everyone was hungry, we saw this restaurant at the side of the trail and decided to venture into it.

Most of the customers have already left leaving us and two more tables eating, the food was palatable and our tummies were satisfactorily filled.

Approaching Paldang Dam on the Han River.

One of the tasks was to stamp our Bicycle Passport at the red coloured telephone booth. At Paldang Certification Booth.

This tunnel was formerly a railway tunnel now it has been converted for bicycle usage instead for the train, isn't that amazing and apparently there will be more to pass through as we cycle towards south.

Approaching another stamping booth as we got closer to our destination for the day.

This another interesting wooden bridge which was used by the old train known as Bukhangang Bridge bringing us to Yangsu. We had the opportunity to see trains moving near us at the newer bridge.

Our dinner was an authentic Dalgalbi meal at a small town called Yangsu.

A short 47km ride for the day from Seoul City.

A clip of Day 5 for your easy viewing.

Day 1 - Korea Cycling Adventure - Ara Bicycle Path to Seoul

After months of planning, we finally kicked off the tour flying from KLIA 2 to Incheon International Airport. We reached Korea as per the schedule touching down early in the morning around 8plus.

Fenn's bag could fit in all our Dimpa bags & a Vicinta bag. We shall see this yellow bag in 13 days time.

The first place we visited was Hanjin Courier Service as we have enquired earlier that our bags for our bicycles could be couriered to Dong Yang Motel, Busan (our last accommodation for this tour). 

Next was to collect my pre-paid sim card which I have purchased online for 30,000KRW for a Basic Plan of 1G data and usable within 1 month. Please use the data wisely or else the data will be used up before you complete your tour. Wifi is easily available and shift it wifi mode whenever possible.

Our plan was to board a train from the airport and disembark at Cheongna International City Station which is the nearest to the start of Ara Bicycle Path to Seoul and that is 4 stops away from Incheon International Airport.

One for the album at Cheongna International City Station and we were eager to start our ride. The weather was superb, by the way our team comprised of Joseph a.k.a. Jotaro or Joe, Anne Cheong, Fenn Siah & my wife Jocelyn (Jo) and myself.

We found the starting line of the 4 Rivers Bike Path and it goes all the way to Busan for a distance of 633km. We will be using part of it to Busan where we will be staying there for 3 nights before we fly back to Kuala Lumpur. In between the 2 cities we have 16 days to spend.

The first stamping booth for our 4 Rivers Trail Cycling Tour Passport purchased at 4,000KRW.

Let's stamp the first one onto the passport.

I am truly impressed with the cycling culture in Korea, I saw so many amazing things as I rode along Ara Cycling Trail, the crowd, the facilities, the infrastructures and the enthusiasm.  

Mobile bike servicing like this is seen along the trail.

Hardly could I see any pot hole on the trial, the scenery is amazing and Ara Trail is basically flat and easy.

The Saturday crowd was amazing there are small wheels seen but not many.

Guess it's the beginning of summer time and camping is so popular among the Korean.

Seoul here we come as we emerged from the cycling trail heading towards Seoul Hotel 53.

The Route - 57km

A clip of Day 1