Mountain Climbing

Today was the mountain climbing day.  One climb was to be just over 200m and the next one nearly 400m.  Looking at the profile didn't really give me any idea whether it was a gradual climb or straight up.  So I started the day feeling a bit thankful for the rest day yesterday.

After the misty day yesterday, the weather was being kind and cool, still no wind and perfect for cycling.

We left Chungju behind and were soon out on the bike path again.  All alone as those weekend warriors were dressed in suits in their offices - I guess!

We rode past a few dodgy looking rockfalls, very quietly, as the little barrier didn't appear to be much of a deterrent it those rocks started to move.  but safely ever onwards!

It seems that most of my trips end up following rivers.  There's something special about so many waterways, with their lush green borders, all so different from the rivers and gullies back in Australia.  Maybe that's their appeal!

As I cycled along, generally not knowing exactly where I am, I spied this small waterfall, gushing between 2 cliff faces.  High above, was a suspension bridge, and I could see people walking along it!  I could not imagine how they got there!  It was time for a break and as there was a shelter overlooking the falls, I took a little break before heading off again.

I've been lost a few times, so have been really careful when approaching an intersection, looking for signs for the bike way or that promised blue line.  But at the next major intersection, there was nothing...   I decided it felt right if I crossed the bridge as I thought I could see a bike sign on the other side.  This time it worked as just on a little way, the bike sign appeared again!  Phew!  But I did feel I was going in the wrong direction, so I was a little worried.  Then I spied another rest area, this time with toilets!  

I realised that I was now on the other side of the waterfall and a steep set of stairs were leading up to that suspension bridge.  OK!

At the top of the stairs a small Buddhist temple or shrine was to one side and the bridge was on the other side.  Am not really a fan of swinging bridges, but I got brave and walked across.  I see that dreaded intersection, but also the farmlands stretching out in all directions. 

This is the view from near the top of the 2nd climb.  The first climb was not as scary as I had imagined, and I had reached the top without stopping.  I couldn't believe it!

This second climb was a bit more strenuous, and I needed to stops to catch my breath and lower my heart rate.  But each time was able to get back and continue riding, so no walking as I had imagined.  Getting fit on the tour, rather than before it sometimes pays off!

Ive almost forgotten that at the top of the 2nd climb at a swanky Spa area, another flat tyre.  I had gone for a stroll looking for toilets (found none) so went to roll away, when dang!  front tyre flat again.  Thankfully I still had a new tyre, so after a bit of cussing, it was changed and I even found a motor bike mechanic that added a bit more air and away we rode again.  Now I had one patched tube and one with a hole, so finding a bike shop was top of my list!

(the pictures still haven't uploaded in the order of the day, but never mind).

I stopped at the Hanji Paper Museum as there was also a very old carved stone statue of Buddha in its grounds.  

I had made much better time than I had imagined, so I parked Hennie out the front, gave myself a quick wipe over and opened the door.

There appeared to be only 2 women working there and one was off for the day, so the other young woman was very keen to show me around the actually really interesting exhibits.  Hanji paper is made from mulberry wood in quite a long and detailed process.  The museum had examples of the old containers made from paper, some maybe paper mache and others with paper twisted to form a length of yarn that was then woven into baskets and even clothing.  I easily spent an hour there, my guide having a little english and with the help of some of the labels in English, we managed to understand each other.  There was a workshop there also, and shelves of coloured and printed paper!  beautiful!  As a gift I was given a face mask made of the hanji paper.

so I rolled into Yeongpung - a sad little town, very run down, but managed to find a motel, very basic, but good enough!

so another day done.  Tomorrow its onto the Oncheon Bike leading to the West Coast.  Not so many hills, infact a lot of downhills!  yay!!