Korean Job Discussion Forums

Antrugha · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: On a 2-wheeled engine

Hey guys,
just wondering if you guys could give me some tips on where to travel and such. I'm starting from Wonju and I was hoping to cover as much of SK as I could during Chuesok. My trip to Thailand has been cancelled because of lack of airplane tickets at a reasonable price and I figured, hey, just got a motorcycle and it'll be autumn (beautiful countryside), so why not explore Korea itself? Anyway, I'm starting from Wonju, like I said, and was hoping to travel throughout Korea as much as possible and see as much as I can. I'm currently thinking of heading east and following the coast down to Busan... taking about 2 days to do this trip, doing some sight-seeing in Busan and then from there, who knows? I'll be starting on the Saturday and coming back on the Sunday of the first week of Oct, so that should give me 8 days to travel.

Considering the country is relatively small, it should be pretty doable methinks. Any suggestions on places to go and things to see/things to avoid?
Thanks!

Yesanman · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Location: Chungnam

Don't forget though that the roads will completely packed solid during Chuseok (30 million people on the move). You'll spend a lot of time swerving between parked cars in traffic jams and sucking in exhaust fumes. Plus 80 % of restaurants and yeogwans will be closed.
Sorry to rain on your parade.
It does sound like a good idea (I'd do it myself if the missus would let me)but I think your timing is wrong.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

BDups · Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Location: Jisan, Daegu

I'd like to do the busan to mokpo leg with you. I've done the area from arounf Pohang to Busan a little bit, it's gorgeous, but I would love to see the South coast as well.

Zark · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 7:18 am Post subject:

I did some serious biking the first time I lived in Korea. The eastern coast road is rarely crowded - and there are plenty of back roads that are not so busy - even during the holidays. Heading north from Pusan on the coastal road is a GREAT ride! Not so sure about the ride towards Mokpo - but my guess would be that the secondary roads will be be fine.

Double the time you think you will spend - as the roads are often winding - and not so direct. AND, there will be many great places to pull off and take a look around - temples to explore on back roads, etc. Some of the best temples I have ever seen have been on such back roads. And they often include warm welcomes and very friendly people!

There was a thread about riding bike in Korea a while back. But I have no idea what key words to use to search for it. Might be worthwhile if you could find it.

Antrugha · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: On a 2-wheeled engine

Antrugha · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: On a 2-wheeled engine

Zark · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 4:29 pm Post subject:

hardr0ck68 · Joined: 01 Sep 2006

I live and work in Seoul (Seocho), and i just last weekend picked up a dalium 125...so im wonderin first off will the 125 be enough to go cross counrty like that? And secondly would you be willing to add another to the list of those on this trip?

I could meet up with you at any point of the trip really...(i am required to work monday, but i have friends that will cover my shifts).

Antrugha · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: On a 2-wheeled engine

yeah, well I just recently came across a ticket to Thailand but I'm thinking of cancelling that and going ahead with this cross-country tour of SK because, well... when else will I ever have an opportunity to go croos country in SK on a motorcycle. I too have a 125 cc Daelim and I've rode it out a couple weekends now up to Chuncheon and other random roads near Wonju and it seems to be up to par. It bottoms out at about 90 km/h but the speed limit on most of the highways is about 80 km/h so it should be good. Going uphill is a little tough but so long as you get a running start, you should be good, and of course, you can pull into the right lane and let other cars pass you as you struggle to make it up the hill.

But yeah, you can for sure join me. BDups never pmed me so I don't know if his interest is still in the trip but, from my understanding, Seokcho is close to Wonju, so maybe we could meet somewhere in the middle and then head East to Gangneung together. Would be nice to have another rider for sure. Just beware that the way I tend to travel is very lax and I tend to want to pull off to "interesting" locales fairly frequently, time permitting. Anyway, if you have msn, add me, the msn contact is in my profile. Otherwise, pm me. Same goes for anyone else that wants to join in on this trip. Smile

Edit: just read your post and realised that you said Seocho in Seoul. In that case, why don't you drive up here to Wonju Friday night or Saturday morning and we'll head East together. Mind you, the traffic outta Seoul may be pretty bad during Chuesok so I would rec. you drive out early early morn or at night and you can crash at my place (which is pretty roomy and has underground parking for your bike).

Zark · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:06 pm Post subject:

Those little bikes are just fine - same as I what I had - and I am 186cm and 92kgs. Fast enough - particularly if you are just taking it easy and wanting to enjoy the scenery and coastline.

Remember: It's not how big your bike is, it's how you use it . . .

Or, at least, that's what my last girlfriend told me. Wink

walkaboutwombat · Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Location: Korea

This trip sounds great... I'm half tempted to go buy a bike so I can join you.

Hope ya have a great ride.

Antrugha · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: On a 2-wheeled engine

currently on this trip, in Gwangyang at the moment (there's a pc in my motel room) and there's nothing less to say than this trip has been incredible thus far. The highway 7 along the East coast is probably the most beautiful highways I've ever been on. I'll post a full update after the trip is complete. Heading to Mokpo tomorrow (150 km west of here) to watch the sun set over the west coast and then starting the North trip up to Wonju (I'm skipping Seoul). Any recs for Mokpo/the West coast trip?

A little side, is there a reason larger cities (Ulsan, Busan) change the numbers on the highways? I found this to be extremely frustrating and I ended up wastin a lot of time just trying to figure out what road I was on. Just trying to get out of Busan on highway 2 West took me 3 hours (not because of traffic) because there were NO signs for it. It was extremely frustrating.

Just looking for advice for the future.

Cynical Optimist · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: S.E. Korea

Ha! I got lost in Busan trying to head west on highway 2 also! That was sure frustrating. I had a good map, but yeah, it does seem like the road signs just stop telling you the highway numbers sometimes. It generally helps to always know the names of some of the areas that you're trying to head towards. That should help you through the numberless times. Wink

Find out where you are -- think you can ask "yeogi-ga awdee-aeyo" or something like that -- then check your map and find the next area on your way. In the big cities I like to stop at gas stations every 5 minutes to make sure I'm going the right way.

BTW, I did a trip down the eastside from Kangwondo, but didn't take 7 down the coast. The small highways that are inland a bit also make for a very beautiful ride. I'd like to check out 7 though -- avoided it because it was summer vacation week.

hardr0ck68 · Joined: 01 Sep 2006

How amusing, i was cruising highway 7 the same time you wer. Its to bad we dident connect up before leaving... Oh well. I had a great time. Now i want a bigger bike :p