HimalayasX2011 - Sino-Tibetan Yak Herders camp, 4028 meters, south of Jolong

                               South bound in Sichuan Kham China

 Maps: the key to communicate.

                                                        Lone cow in the Himalayas.

Narrow trail that solved a huge struggle around
the Himalayas. I would continue south towards
southern Sichuan.

 He slipped on a sheer drop over the river, 

we are walking on the the avalanched 

mountain side where the road was buried 

4 months ago in earth quakes.

  Help came from a rural doctor and friends.

2008 Blackcat Expedition Touring MTB

 

HimalayasX2011 - Sino-Tibetan Yak Herders camp, 4028 meters

 from Brian Perich on Vimeo.

from Brian Perich 10 months ago / 

Creative Commons License:

 

by

South of a landslide, Jolong, Sichuan, China. I met a Sino (grandfather) Tibetan (grandmother) and their daughter and grnadchildren on their yak herd camp. We were situated at 4000 meters above sea level. This was part of my HimalayasX2011 expedition project for western China.

Video is raw, unedited. 20 minutes into the filming, the grandmother is preparing her hand churn, which separates the yak butter milk and the cream, the latter is turned into a sour dough yak yogurt.

I support IDEAS, Intestinal Disease Education & Awareness Sociey, Canada
nogutsknowglory.com

In partnership with, ETE, Education Through Expeditions
etehome.org

RTW Correspondence with Linda Lee interested in Cycling in Korea, Bicycle Touring in South Korea, Routes & Ideas

My RTW Correspondence with Linda Lee who is planning on Cycling in Korea....includes the  following bits of information:

• Where to ride in South Korea?
• Route suggestions for South Korea bicycle travel 
• Suggestions on purchasing a bicycle in South Korea
• Free Camping or Stealth camping in South Korea
• Jim-Jil-Bangs/Sauna/Guesthouses where cyclists stay
• Cycling clubs for distance bicycle endurance training 
• National Park Camping in South Korea 
• Warning advisory for Yellow Dust in Korea
• Best seasons to bicycle tour in Korea

[Linda Lee writes:]

Hi Brian,

I saw your website and blog online and I thought I'd give you a shot about some advise about biking in Korea. I'm visiting Korea this winter and spring, doing some traveling and was thinking of doing a ride around Korea in May. Do you have any recommendations for where you've ridden? Any advise? Also, I'm assuming you're traveling with your own bike, but have you seen any decent resale situations in Korea? I ride a Trek road bike with SRAM set up at home, but it will cost more than 400 to bring my bike with me, so I was hoping maybe to even buy something used to use while there.

Anyway, I'm not sure if I will hear back from you, but if you're in the mood to share some tips, please feel free to ride.

With great appreciation,

Linda 

http://www.busanhaps.com/article/biking-korea-then-world

http://arctic2argentina.com/

Brian Perich

Hi Linda,

I post hundreds of updates and get about 1% feedback directly, (:  So, I am glad to assist anyone. I would recommend watching  http://seoul.craigslist.co.kr/bik/   And you can purchase either a road or MTB for your shipping price in Korea. If you have a friend here, have them look around, the local high-end market is really expensive, I have ridden pieces of good bikes put together through sponsors.

Routes: so many!  Check the Korea Randonneurs website, download the routes, they should be up there, or directly from Jan Boonstra's informative Cycling in Korea website.  I will definitely recommend the East Coast, from Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho, you can rest and relax with your bike stowed under the bus, watch the scenery as you cross the country.

Once you arrive in Sokcho, pedal south to Seoraksan National Park (nearby camping only $2 per night/pp.). Other cities en route: Yang Yang, Gangneung (where I live, welcome to couch surf or we can recommend a local hotel that is comfortable for you), Donghae, Samcheok, ...Uljin, Gyeongju, Pohang, Ulsan, Busan (455km, about 4-5 days, camping okay or you can stay at Jim-Jil-Bangs/Sauna/Guesthouses with private shower/steam/scrub areas for each gender, plus common areas with sweat lodge style experiences, and pillows for sleeping over night, it's warm and inexpensive too (about $7USD per night, stay as long as you like). 

You can also consider stealth or free camping as long as you stay off the beaches which are patrolled at night by ROK soldiers. The South Korean coast is safe, but you should be camping in the trees, not directly on the beaches at night. There are designated campgrounds like Mangsang Beach in Donghae, or along the West Coast which are open year-round for beachside camping. You can camp for free about anywhere there are trees, nature, mountains, rocks and level ground (:

Other routes are possible from Gangneung, you can reroute to the mountains, climb about 1000 meters in 20km on Daegwallyeong, continue 25km to Jinbu, and turn south on Hwy 35, beautiful inner mountain highway through Jeongseon, Taebaek, and you can also loop back to the coast to Donghae or continue inland to other cities. It's very safe to cycle tour in Korea, bring or buy a local standard bicycle lock though, there are thefts in bigger cities, I keep my bike with me, or lock it up with camping overnight, nobody would bother you camping 99.9% of the time here. It'll be a great tour. 

Keep in mind, spring Yellow Dust season can be deadly serious, I would recommend the summer (July-August) to get the most out of riding smog and dust-free, you could ferry to Jeju-do Island from Busan once you get down there, all information can be googled that I am mentioning, about 4-5 days, camping ok, tour around the volcanic island with pristine beaches (sweltering hot in July-August though, better for the spring May tour, the dust problem wouldn't affect you)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Dust 


Best seasons to bicycle tour in Korea are Summer-Winter (June-February), keeping in mind the Yellow Dust in (March-May), it's fantastic the rest of the year. Winter is also the clearest for air quality, low smog/dust and best for touring on the coastal perimeters (West, East or South coasts & Jeju Island).

You could also continue your tour in Japan, another option with the ferry  http://visitkorea.or.kr/ena/GK/GK_EN_2_3_1.jsp 

Jan Boonstra has an excellent set of maps, he knows the interior routes across Korea

http://user.chollian.net/~boonstra/korea/sebu.htm 

Hope this helps! Cheers & perhaps I'll meet you when you come to Korea

Brian Perich - Korean-World Blogger

http://korean-world.blogspot.com

 

 This is when I need to push my bicycle in Korean winters

 Gangwon-do (Province) is on the northeastern corner of the country, great cycling!

 Small trails around farms in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, South Korea

 Rice starting to grow in early summer months (June)

 Korean farm tractors

 Simple MTB (mountain bike) for bike-lite camping, tent strapped on crossbar protected with pipe insulation sold at hardware stores in Korea

 Cycling with my friend Jon Adie around Gangneung. There are regional riders all over the country that know their areas on the back of their hands. I am one of them (and have only my perspectives, there is much to learn and enjoy about cycling in many areas of South Korea).  There are off-road MTB clubs like MTBK (Mountain Biking in Korea group on Facebook/Yahoo), Han River Riders (Facebook) in Seoul, Cycling in Korea (Facebook) and there are loads of friendly Korean bicycle clubs and organized events planned each year (easiest if you get involved directly or know someone that can speak Korean to help you) and Internationals here to help.

 Pine forests surround Gangneung City's rural area of South Korea

 English teachers frequently ride in Korea! (Go Jon Go!!!)

I also enjoy Adventure Cycling in Korea, great training to ride the world!!!

Deokjeokdo Island Trip - Reloaded 2011

 Deokjeokdo or Deokjeok Island is the largest island of Deokjeok-myeon in Ongjin County,Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea. Geographically, the island is situated 70km northwest of Incheon's Yeon'an Pier. It can be reached from the ferry terminal in Incheon, South Korea. It is an hour by hydrofoil from the mainland. The island boasts impressive rock formations and roadways are well paved and 18% grades are found here. There are 11 yeogwon (cheapest guesthouse accommodations) and at least 40 minbaks (rooms for rent at a price slightly more than yeogwons located in the vincinity of Seopori Beach. Camping on the island is generally free in off season (exception late June through mid-August) and tent rentals are available in peak summer season for 2-5000 won. More information ahead, keep reading!!!

 Gareth, Junglan, Michael and I decided on a S240 (Sub-24 hours Overnight) weekend cycle trip

 At night, we successfully camped at Batjireum Beach, but beware of the high-tide changes in the area!

 A few nights before the Deokjeokdo Island ride, I returned from China and camped under a tarp on Wolmido Island. I burned tea and ethanol hand-wash to scare away the mosquitoes.

 The fire was chill and successful, but the mosquitoes were all fed by the following morning.

 The end of an epic cycle in China, the Taklamakan, the Himalayas, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces and back to Wolmido, Incheon, Korea where I was marooned for 12 hours awaiting the ferry to Incheon

 We land at Batjireum Beach on Deokjeokdo after rounding the island and crossing a mountain with 18% grade

 Discussions were simplified with relaxation, bicycles, a short tour of the island and Makkoli (rice wine)

 Batjireum Beach was immaculate and uninhabited by late August

 Gareth had a great time, that feeling was definitely contagious and the beach offered us peace 

 Sandbags were an early warning that high-tides on this beach are serious, we moved early before the 230am tide rise near this point

 Interesting spiders were creeping about the sand

 Directions to Deokjeokdo Island: ferries depart from Incheon's Yeon'an Pier with two available ships. The fast ferry (now renovated, clean and spacious...in 2007, I visited the island and the fast Hydrofoil smelled like a massive urinal, and my friend Dave S. and we escaped to an adjoining private room. All has been modernized and the inner seating is widest now, side compartments removed and toilets repaired -Amen). The fast ferries are currently 21,400won each way (ride is 1 hour) and the slow ferries are 12,500 won each way (ride is 3 hours), but you'll have open decks to enjoy the journey, take photos of the sea crossing and islands with at least 3 short stops along the way to pick-up a few more passengers on other islands.

 A crackling fire was soon established to light up the night sky, pass the Makkoli, while we shared stories

 Stoked in infrared 

 Burning naturally collected wood that fell in the pine forests above the beach

 Canadians living, working, riding bicycles and camping on islands - in Korea

 Junglan in the moment, a night away from the mainland bustle

 Morning on Batjireum beach and low-tide

 Beach is completely wave-swept and clean the next morning

tides paint the beach with the return to the West Sea

 Cycling in Korea: It's good when you join friends for a weekend adventure!

 Gareth and I returning to Incheon City, where I would catch a fateful Express Bus to Sokcho and ride 65km home to Gangneung, Gangwondo Province (northeastern coast of Korea)

 My burly mountain-touring bicycle, a custom Blackcat bicycle with 14,000km and riding...

 Incheon/Gimpo City trains are inviting for bicycles. Be sure to board at the end of the train!

 Gareth had a great idea to invite others to ride to Deokjeokdo and we share updates on the Facebook group called Cycling in Korea - join us and share your rides!

Incheon/Gimpo City have an excellent subway network with rails for bicycles on their stairs

Gareth demonstrates the load, lift and lean method for carrying your touring bicycle up the subway bike rails

Well done Gareth!

Junglan Kim and I returning to Incheon from Yeon'an Pier where we departed the ferry from Deokjeokdo

Yeon'an Wharf is well marked and you can arrive directly from Song-do (cycling) or Incheon Station. In summer months, the fast ferries sail 5 to 7 times per day, while the slow ship runs 3 or 4 times per day. Either route of ferry passage, you'll reach Jin'ri Beach on Deokjeokdo and it takes 20 minutes (by local bus) to reach Seopori Beach. With a bicycle, you can easily ride an additional 4km to Batijreum Beach and camp. Here's a helpful link to the Korea Express Ferry Co. that now run the Incheon-Deokjeokdo route. 

Some choose to ride the wrong way in Korea, this is not surprising if you live here!

Korean Hanguel paints the roads and Yeon'an Bu Du (terminal) is painted beneath the arrow

Michael takes a moment to reflect on our amazing (little) adventure beginning...just an hour away 

It was easy to feel stoked (happy) to find new friends and ride in South Korea!

Michael departs the ferry with his ZERO Cycle, a Titanium do-it-all mountain bike

the Blackcat gets spiritual after the HimalayasX2011 Expedition supporting ETE and IDEAS foundations

Chilling on a S240 (Sub 24 hours Overnight) bicycle tour in Korea

Junglan's Scott Carbon, the bike and the girl are both - feather light on the road

Michael lent me a pair of his all-mountain glasses for the day ride

Seriously 18% grades that we cycled up. Michael reported 74km/h on the barreling downhill -nice!

Cycling in Korea - Blog updates on the Korean-World

Gareth rides his ultra-smooth Surly Long Haul trucker 

Junglan took steps up some of the steep grades, Deokjeokdo is an all-season island to enjoy -come check it!

It was fun for the entire day - and we still had some swimming, fallen wood to collect, & camp to setup too!

Gareth in smooth cycling mode - Deokjeokdo Island - South Korea

Junglan is Green, Clean and Mean on her Scott Carbon roadbike

Cycling in Korea, anything that rolls is fine.

Paper maps and the iPhone navigation systems

Stoked!!!!!

Seopori Beack and Batjireum Beaches are both amazing - we camped to the right (4km)

Touring on a tiny island in the West Sea of South Korea 

Pavement here is....

Ultra-smooth.

We arrived at Batjireum Beach and Michael was the first to cross the bridge to a narrow pine forest

My expedition machine, custom Blackcat build by AN DAE GI @ KEVIN BICYCLES, GANGNEUNG

Junglan's sweet ride and simple/effective pack for the S240

An amazing place to pitch firewood and prepare for the night festivities

Tiny crabs were scattering everywhere

Stoked...even approaching 12 hours later, while cycling from Sokcho to Gangneung on Highway 7

Cycling, I like to do this for my health and share the well-being with others I meet

Junglan Kim and Brian on the return trip around Incheon Ports

The ultra-chill Express Bus rides to get you home in Korea

The sign says, "Start cycling here, and don't quit until you reach Gangneung at 230am!"

Yang-Yang is a pretty fishing/seaside community today

Whistling home to Gangneung, from Deokjeokdo to home in 12 hours!

Highway 7 (another epic route in Korea) and well marked and bilingual signs as well

Absolutely hammered (still in expedition gear too!) but I must get home, shower and go to work today!

Success, I made it home -showered and slept a few hours before launching at work again for a new semester!

Cheers! Thanks for visiting the Korean-World. God Bless!