Today Distance :48.3 km Total: 272.7 km
Today weather : 22-28c Rain in the morning and cooling afternoon
Time on Bike : 3 hr 25 min
Ave speed : 14.1kmh Max :60.5 kmh
Ave Climb :3% Max :13%
Trip Altitude : 585 m Max :493 m
Today spend : 16500 Won Total : 63800 Won
The plan to start riding by 8 was marred by the rain as we headed to the 7-11 convenient store to have our breakfast of Korean instant noodles and hot coffee, the rain don't seem to stop,so some of us just went back to bed, and some preferred to just hang around the hotel lobby checking their mails or browsing the net. Finally the rain stopped and we started to roll by 10.30 am, it was still very cold with light drizzle , so most of us were wearing either a windbreaker or with their rain coat on. Our target today is Danyang,following the 597 route, heading into the mountains of Woraksan National Park,a complete changed from the previous days of riding on the popular bike path along the Hangang and the 4 Rivers. The 597 route is very scenic with the river flowing down from the mountain top. And the after rain weather is so refreshing and cooling even when we were climbing. We reached the highest point 540 m and entering into the Woraksan National Park. The descent was so nice and smooth with me clocking a maximum speed of 60 kmh. We regroup at a junction,but then the rain started again quite heavily, so we rested at a stall selling mushroom where Arnie managed to sweet talk to the lady owner to give us some for free. Nabil suggested to continue riding when the rain started to thin down a little, and the decision was unanimous.It was still on the downhill to a very beautiful scenic of mountain views and rock valley. We stopped by at a restaurant for lunch of baksu, a Korean steamboat chicken with all the side dishes of many variety of kimchi. Everyone enjoy their best meal so far, thank you so much to our Pcc ex-president Nabil to foot the bill for a total of 90000 Won, cos' his ATM card now is working probably, a Happy Man can really do wonder.
The rain stopped completely and the sky clear up after lunch, where a group of local tourists were fascinated by our biking set-up and wanted to take photos with us,one of them even told us his age of 103 and show us his younger day picture of him wearing a soldier uniform with his girl friend? or wife ? We continue our ride but Gerrald was having stomach trouble,most probably due to food poisoning , and started to slow down , we took turns to sweep him as we don't want to left anyone fall back too far alone,especially during touring in a foreign land. With Gerrald condition, it will be very tough to meet our targeted destination of Danyang, which is still some 30 km to go, the time is getting late, by 5 pm ,we decided to look for accommodation in Susan, but couldn't find any hotel, so the ride continues on route 5, and fortunately, we saw a big restaurant to let us camp at their compound with a Gazebo for free, with condition that we must eat in the restaurant. For Nabil ,Bunny and a sick Gerrald managed to pester the owner to rent out one tatami room for 40000 Won. The dinner were delicious with 3 main menu - Catfish soup, Beef soup, bbq pork and all the small plates of kimchi that cost 13000 Won per head.
Today weather : 22-28c Rain in the morning and cooling afternoon
Time on Bike : 3 hr 25 min
Ave speed : 14.1kmh Max :60.5 kmh
Ave Climb :3% Max :13%
Trip Altitude : 585 m Max :493 m
Today spend : 16500 Won Total : 63800 Won
The plan to start riding by 8 was marred by the rain as we headed to the 7-11 convenient store to have our breakfast of Korean instant noodles and hot coffee, the rain don't seem to stop,so some of us just went back to bed, and some preferred to just hang around the hotel lobby checking their mails or browsing the net. Finally the rain stopped and we started to roll by 10.30 am, it was still very cold with light drizzle , so most of us were wearing either a windbreaker or with their rain coat on. Our target today is Danyang,following the 597 route, heading into the mountains of Woraksan National Park,a complete changed from the previous days of riding on the popular bike path along the Hangang and the 4 Rivers. The 597 route is very scenic with the river flowing down from the mountain top. And the after rain weather is so refreshing and cooling even when we were climbing. We reached the highest point 540 m and entering into the Woraksan National Park. The descent was so nice and smooth with me clocking a maximum speed of 60 kmh. We regroup at a junction,but then the rain started again quite heavily, so we rested at a stall selling mushroom where Arnie managed to sweet talk to the lady owner to give us some for free. Nabil suggested to continue riding when the rain started to thin down a little, and the decision was unanimous.It was still on the downhill to a very beautiful scenic of mountain views and rock valley. We stopped by at a restaurant for lunch of baksu, a Korean steamboat chicken with all the side dishes of many variety of kimchi. Everyone enjoy their best meal so far, thank you so much to our Pcc ex-president Nabil to foot the bill for a total of 90000 Won, cos' his ATM card now is working probably, a Happy Man can really do wonder.
The rain stopped completely and the sky clear up after lunch, where a group of local tourists were fascinated by our biking set-up and wanted to take photos with us,one of them even told us his age of 103 and show us his younger day picture of him wearing a soldier uniform with his girl friend? or wife ? We continue our ride but Gerrald was having stomach trouble,most probably due to food poisoning , and started to slow down , we took turns to sweep him as we don't want to left anyone fall back too far alone,especially during touring in a foreign land. With Gerrald condition, it will be very tough to meet our targeted destination of Danyang, which is still some 30 km to go, the time is getting late, by 5 pm ,we decided to look for accommodation in Susan, but couldn't find any hotel, so the ride continues on route 5, and fortunately, we saw a big restaurant to let us camp at their compound with a Gazebo for free, with condition that we must eat in the restaurant. For Nabil ,Bunny and a sick Gerrald managed to pester the owner to rent out one tatami room for 40000 Won. The dinner were delicious with 3 main menu - Catfish soup, Beef soup, bbq pork and all the small plates of kimchi that cost 13000 Won per head.
 |
| ShinEungJang Hotel room with heated raised floor 10,000 Won per head |
 |
| ShinEungJang Hotel room with heated raised floor 10,000 Won per head |
 |
| Hotel Lobby while waited for the rain to stop |
 |
| Begs all packed but stop by the rain |
 |
| The rain finally stop at 10.30 for us to start rolling |
 |
| The banner was presented by the KTO |
 |
| We are heading to the mountain on route 597 |
 |
| The road is still wet but the tarmac is excellent |
 |
| The climb is very gradual on a cool morning |
 |
| Simon seems struggling to keep pace with the 2 very strong ladies Arnie n Bunny |
 |
| Simon is dropping further behind the iron-ladies |
 |
| Less traffic in this scenic country road |
 |
| Less traffic in this scenic country road |
 |
| Here marks the entrance to Woraksan National Park |
 |
| This is where we were held up by the rain again after a short downhill |
 |
| Mushroom farming where we were offer some for free |
 |
| Early Autumn in this park of Korea |
 |
| Beautiful mountain rock stream |
 |
| Lunch taking long time to cook for hungry bikers |
 |
| Restaurant where we have lunch |
 |
| Restaurant where we have lunch |
 |
| Lunch stop |
 |
| Lunch of Baksu - a special Korean chicken soup. Thanks to Nabil and Bunny ( right) for such a delicious meal |
 |
| Lunch of Baksu - a special Korean chicken soup. Thanks to Nabil and Bunny ( right) for such a delicious meal |
 |
| Baksu |
 |
| Korean wanted to have pictures |
 |
| Nabil - a very strong hill climber |
 |
| Nabil - a very strong hill climber |
 |
| Awesome greenery |
 |
| Awesome greenery |
 |
| Awesome greenery |
 |
| Bunny - small in built but very strong hill climber |
 |
| The fishing lines are many and Hi-tech, but not sure about the fish |
 |
| From route 597 now joining to 36 |
 |
| Sweeping Gerald went down the bush for some business |
 |
| Sweeping Gerald went down the bush for some business |
 |
| Very sweet red apples along the road |
 |
| Very sweet red apples along the road |
 |
| Neat country side farming |
 |
| Gerald is stopping to check on his GPS |
 |
| The price of Petrol |
 |
| Korean chilli |
 |
| Korean chilli |
 |
| Korean houses |
 |
| Its a restaurant not hotel but we got a nice place to camp inside |
 |
| Gazebo campsite |
 |
| With a volleyball field |
 |
| This is how touring cyclists mess up the whole place |
 |
| This is how touring cyclists mess up the whole place |
 |
| Our dinner catfish tom yam soup |
 |
| Beef soup |
 |
| Korean kimchi |
Wah, so sorry for the weather -- you just passed the most beautiful area of your ride through Korea. And poor Gerrald. If he's not better tomorrow, go to a Yag-guk (약국, pharmacy) and get him some medicine. The pharmacist will be able to speak a little English -- enough to help if you describe what the problem is. Immodium comes to mind, btw :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Hajo, Gerald is recovering after taking the immodium
ReplyDelete