Stage 3:
Final leg, heading back to Seoul
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| Car ferry back to the mainland |
While Kristie flew back to Seoul, I started to pedal again.
It took a while to get out of the City before a bike path started to wind through the countryside again.
Once out of the City, the trails are just about empty 😌
The end of the day presented a 13% grade challenge riding over a ridge. The climb wasn’t very long, but still had to push the bike a couple of times at some of the steep inclines.
The reward was a panoramic view of the Nam River.
Dr. Who must have enjoyed the view as well...
Bridge construction from up close and the distance.
Accommodation for rider and transportation.
This was actually the first day of not riding because of an all day downpour.
First meal on the mainland.
Google translate, again & again came in handy looking for a restaurant and translating the menu.
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| Korean King Snake |
Early morning ride along the Nakdong River after a rainy day.
Creatures were looking for some warmth as well.
It's also called the snake of snakes, as it eats other snakes.
Another Buddhist Temple at a very peaceful place overlooking the river with just a small access road and no through traffic.
The pavement ended a little up the road. Going off road, reminded of the Great Divide Ride, only here it was 10km teaser.
With the snail pace I started to attract mosquitoes, which must have been breeding in the rain over night and happy to taste some easy prey blood.
After a rough ride, another rear wheel spoke snapped. Already replaced a spoke earlier, now I decided to ride the last perhaps 400km back to Seoul with a buckled wheel and then have the wheel replaced.
Flood control gates along the Nakdong River.
There are dozens of structures along all of the rivers.
Sangju Bicycle Museum:
This was the second time I rode past the museum without visiting.
The first time was late in the afternoon, so I planned on stopping by in the morning.
Only to find out it is closed on Mondays. Well... perhaps the next time!
An empty parking lot was the first indication for an unusual museum day.
Last view of the Nakdong River.
Riding up to Baekdudaegan Ehwa Pass of 548m, which is part of a popular cycling route.
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| Baekdudaegan Ehwa Pass |
As I usually frown upon a headwind,
at this point it felt refreshing and kept the bugs away.
View down the valley from Baekdudaegan Ehwa Pass
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| Pedestrian Hanging Bridge |
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| Countryside Silo Art |
Tranquil view of the Han River which leads to Seoul.
Han River Weir
Riding into Seoul is along old converted railway lines and tunnels.
Over 80% percent of people live in cities in Korea, where over 50% live in metropolitan Seoul.
This sounds plausible as I haven't encountered many travelers in between towns.
Panoramic view walkway along a canal to Incheon.
Last beer and meal of another successful bicycle tour. 🍻🍻
As it was now late June, it started to get warmer.
From the mid 20’s the thermometer now climbed into the 30’s
with also higher humidity.
It was good timing to pack up the gear and to start
thinking of the next adventure.
Until further down the road!
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