Korean Job Discussion Forums

createasaurus21 · Joined: 22 Feb 2009 Location: Seoul

Is anyone interested in long-distance cycling? Seoul to Busan? Down the east coast? The weather is getting warmer and I'm considering doing something like this soon. I'm looking to dedicate 7-10 days. I'm not a proper cyclist by any means, the longest I've ridden is probably 80 miles. I do however have a decent hybrid bike, strong legs and above average cycling stamina for someone who doesn't do it much. I do have horrible cardio though.

We could take a proper, planned route or just head in one direction with a compass to see how far we make it.

I'm looking at it as a good way to kick off the spring/summer/fall warm weather months this year.

Let me know if you're interested

optik404 · Joined: 24 Jun 2008

Check out the group Han River Riders on Facebook. You'll find more people there. Some have even done Seoul-Busan-Seoul in 24hrs Shocked

Zyzyfer · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 9:09 pm Post subject:

Lucas · Joined: 11 Sep 2012

SNOTOSEOUL · Joined: 12 Apr 2010

If your going down the east coast check the wind directions first. A head wind all day long really sucks.

Creatsaurus21: There are bike paths connecting Seoul to Busan. No roads

Lucas · Joined: 11 Sep 2012

SNOTOSEOUL · Joined: 12 Apr 2010

Actually if you get out of the cities the country roads are just as bare as back home. So you don't need to worry about the drunks really. I have a road atlas of the country and it is great for planning routes. Also you can take your bike on the bus and some slow trains. So, find a little town, take a bus, ride around, come home when your tired!

T-J · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

T-J · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

My milage was off... I was a little low, it's closer to 1,000 km, 620 mi. 24 hours... Uh...no.

http://korea-randonneurs.blogspot.kr/2012/07/seoul-busan-seoul.html?m=1

optik404 · Joined: 24 Jun 2008

optik404 · Joined: 24 Jun 2008

And as far as cycling on roads in Korea. Outside of Seoul and any big cities you are pretty safe.

Cycling on the Han river bike path is probably more dangerous. You've got people cycling way too fast (20kph limit that nobody follows) + newbie riders that like to mess around (ride next to each other, swerve for no reason) + Koreans of all ages, that are obviously not as aware of their surroundings and you've got accidents happening all the time. I've seen huge groups of riders pacing each other on the Han, going well above 30kph, caught up to them and see one of them being placed on a stretcher. Apparently, nobody told them pacing on a public bike path is a BAD idea.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:23 am Post subject:

I'm so gullible at times. Embarassed

Yes riding on the Han River bike trail at high speeds is ill-advised unless you have very good brakes and pay attention to everything...

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

Weigookin74 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009

Most of us work and wouldn't have time to do this. I remember being in great biking shape years ago. I biked 60 to 80 Km round trip 2 or 3 times a week. Another 2 to 3 days a week, I biked 30 Km or more. Anyways, I biked 200 km round trip in a day and was able to do it. But, I was tired for the last 30 km going home. I made it, but for 2 to 3 days afterwards, my legs were stiff and really hurt. I was in great shape and it still did a number on me. You would have to be biking 100 to 150 km a day for quite a while before being able to take on a Seoul to Busan trip. (That means not working and focusing time only on biking.)

I'm saying that no matter how good of shape you think you're in, at the end of the first day, you're spent. Forget getting up in your motel and biking a similiar distance the second day. It ain't going to happen.

I still bike, though not to that amount. So, I definately couldn't so a cross country trip like that now. But, I couldn't back then either.

Weigookin74 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009