South Korea.

I had no idea what to expect since this wasn't a cycling-specific trip but I figured that while I was out there, I might as well bring my bike as insurance against total boredom and misery!

One of the first things I figured out was that South Korea had 500km+ of MUPs, connecting Seoul to the rest of the country (eventually, or so I was told) so I warmed up by riding from Bundang to Seoul on the Super MUP...




Then it actually started to get really fun when I hooked up with a very cool group called Bike Friend, which was started by Phil, who owns a bike shop in Seoul called Philshop Korea (https://philshop.co.kr/index.php) and manages a team called Velo-City, which rode in the Tour of Korea this year.

I rode with Phil and friends twice during the week I was in Korea. We first all met at Jamshillaru, near the Olympics stadium..






The first time I rode with them, we went to Yu-myung mountain, which seems to the the South Korean equivalent to 9w>Nyack or a ride up GMR>Baldy, a very popular route for roadies and mtn. bikers...







On the way up...


Phil posing by the 9% gradient sign

To be continued...

Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

Ya-Girl attacking!


At the top of the mountain (Phil took this shot).

One very different thing about cycling in Korea is that they love to eat--and I mean eat! In NYC, we usually stop at a 7-Eleven or get some coffee and a pastry. In Italy, I would stop for a whole pizza pie and some water, but in Korea, they eat...


First step is to pull into a restaurant...


Then, eat...

Then have the standard coffee after the ride...


To be continued...

The second time I rode with Bike Friend, we would ride 120km out-back from Seoul to Pochun...

The route...




More people came out the second day because there was less yellow dust blown in from China so the air quality was much better...


After regrouping after the first climb and getting some refreshments and taking a nature break...


On the way to Pochun!


Then the real climb of the day would start...

To be continued...

how is the attitude towards cyclists from motorists?

I was told it is pretty bad; I made it back in one piece so my conclusion is that isn't that bad; then again, I have to ride through Brooklyn to get to the actual ride...

Very cool thing indeed! Looks like you got some great riding and new friends.

Now we start to climb...











Phil acting funny as he tries to avoid my optical prowess...







Massive suffering...

To be continued...

Almost at the top now...


But not before being caught on film while in the red.


Have to include a shot of myself where I am not suffering (or at least don't look like I am)...


Yay! We all made it to the mushroom city in the sky (would have been more meaningful if I were a mtn. biker perhaps).


Group shot, minus Psyche who was taking the photos.

Now we would go to eat...

To be continued...

The first time I ate with the group was not a fluke; I was told this is how they do it in Korea--no danish and coffee--real food and lots of it...





Now time to go home...


Needed the pink doggy to help pull my tummy...




Wave to the birdie...

Thanks to Phil and Psyche for the additional photos!

I didn't know what to expect for just bringing my bike to South Korea on a whim but I am very blessed to have found a very awesome group of folks to ride with and saw some very lovely scenery.

Hope you enjoyed sharing my adventure...

I really enjoyed this, thanks!

Thanks for posting!

This was great. Thanks!

Awesome adventure.

great pics!

Nice job kimco. Great pics.

Now you have to take your bike to North Korea. That might be different.

Very cool, looks like fun. Thanks for sharing.

Nice!

Great pics! Just stay out of Kim Jong Il's border and you'll be fine.

I find it ironic that you are in the middle of Korea (Asia for that matter) and almost all the bikes in your pictures have Campagnolo components instead of Chitmano!!!!

Great Pics!

I did some racing in Korea. Great scenery and you nailed it on the food!

I did have a hard time with breakfast though as there were too many things my stomach just won't accept in the a.m.

It's awesome you found a fun group to hook up with. It looks like a good time.

Thanks for posting this.

Freaking Awesome Trip report....bravo!!!

Great photos!! I sure miss the food there!

Very cool. I go to Korea all the time for business - love the food (and very healthy too). I've often wondered about riding there since the drivers scare me when I'm in a car.

J.