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!!

Chillin in Chungju

 Another change in the weather!  95% rain predicted!  I did hear some last night, but when I peeped out the blinds, it was just misty...  Not bad for riding in, but the cruise-control has set in and after all, even the Lord rested on the 7th day - why not me? :)

so after a peanut butter and banana sandwich and coffee of course, I went down to discuss whether I could stay another night.  Of course of course, so pay up 60,000 won (yesterday it was 70,000) ($148 for 1 nights) and I'm set for a rest day!  I spotted a washing machine and dryer in the Women's toilet, so asked whether I was allowed to use it - yes and it was free!  so all my clothes were tossed in and with the help of Papago, I managed to get it going!  When I went to check if it had finished washing, the boss cleaning lady said only 5 more mins and that she would put it in the dryer for me!  an hour later - beautiful clean clothes!  magic!  Of course I hand-wash my riding clothes each day, but to give them a proper wash can't be denied!  and the clothes I wore on the plane at last got a wash too!  Winning!

by now it was almost lunch time, so I walked down town to a row of cafes and restaurants.  Again, it appeared the choice was fish, chicken or beef...  I walked back to another cafe and it looked a bit more promising, so in I went - OK, a bakery!  Black coffee please and a savoury bun, not the yellow cheesy thing looked OK and it was.  

While sipping my coffee, I watched the steady stream of cars passing.  It soon became obvious that the colour for cars (large sedans and SUV - none looking totally electric, maybe some hybrids...) was from white to shade of grey to black, with black being the most common.  Heavily tinted windows made me think of gangsters, but maybe not here!

Then onto the museum.  In an interactive section I played the Taekkyeon - Korea's form of Tai Chi.  A "master" showed me some moves, all of which were beyond me :)

Then I had fun, (but probably painful if anyone was listening), playing the Gayageum, a stringed instrument that would sound beautiful played by a proper player.  These two activites were all electronic.  There was even some lesson on calligraphy, electronic of course.  All fun!

Then into a gallery with a lot of very old pottery, some really fine work and not broken!  most of it was all in Korean (surprise!!), but there were a couple of dates.  There was no mention of the recent war between the north and the south.  Though there was mention of the Japanese invasion back in 1500's maybe till 1800's.  Korea makes me think of Finland - pushed and shoved by 2 bigger neighbours - China and Japan (yes I know Japan is tiny but was/is quite powerful!)  But they have managed to keep their own culture alive - strengthened by their leader in 1800's who created their own alphabet - much simpler than Chinese...  

Outside I found the 7-tiered Pagoda.  Supposed to have been built in the Unified Silla period, 676-935CE, it is believed to be the tallest one in Korea.  Its a very tall stone column, 12.95metres tall.  Its has been dismantled several times and restored.  During one restoration, several ancient relics were found inside the column.  Quite impressive!  It was built in a period when Chungju was the capital of Korea..  such ancient civilisations!

As I headed back to the Guest House, I spotted a "traditional" building, which looked like a clothing museum.  It was in fact, a place where one can hire a Hanbok - traditional Korean costumes (plus all sorts of other costumes, from spider man to Snow White).  The woman was a little embarassed as she told me because it was raining, I couldn't hire anything today!  I quickly assured her, I was only here to look!  :)

I strolled back to the guest house through the park that has a variety of modern sculptures.  Back at the guest house I spotted a bike hire place just outside the front door.  I got cheeky and asked if I could borrow a bike pump.  After a little bit of discussion, helped by the lady who had been on the desk last night, it was handed over.  I rushed up to Hennie and pumped up both her tyres and quickly returned it!   Ready for departure in the morning!  

So, the last 2 hours have been spent downloading photos and getting the last 2 days of blogs - just for you!!  Oh some pringles and a cup of peach tea helped!

so here are the pics from today.

Beautiful day with beautiful weather

 How can 2 days be so different.  After a hot night as aircon in hotel room wasn't working, I gingerly loaded up Hennie and we headed south.  

It was 8am and it was almost cool!  Once over the bridge and back onto the bikeway, I was really feeling the vibe of just cruising!  Gangcheon Weir appeared earlier than I thought, so a quick look around before heading over the Weir to the other side of the ride.  The Mantra is keeping me on track:  "heading south the river is on my right"  and the opposite when I cross the river...  my sense of direction is busted here and when its overcast the sun is no help!

The signage can be a little vague sometimes, so at each intersection, I stop and check Maps.Me to make sure I'm on track.  It must of worked, as I didn't get off track at all.  

Market gardens and orchards lined the path.  Peach or nectarine trees, with the fruit wrapped in yellow sleeves mostly.  plots of onion, potatoes and sweet potatoes, corn, chilli or capsicums, plus a heap of other vegies I have no idea what they were.  Huge plots covered in shade cloth structures - at first I thought they were solar panels, but no...  Growing inside were large dark green plants, not cabbage like... so who knows.

It was a joy today - just cycling along, not in a rush.  Finally I am in cruise control and onto Plan F...  where my destination is uncertain, nothing booked ahead (bit scary!) and just chillin'!!  at the moment anyways!

I arrived on the outskirts of Chungju - the main city is on the other side of the river.  I spotted an Info booth and was told there was a guest house just back the road, 400m.  Beauty!  Aircon is working, big lounge area outside my door, and the room has everything I need.  Beauty!

Hennie was brought upstairs and unloaded by my door and then wheeled out to a covered deck, where she was securely locked up for the night.  Perfect!

so here's some pics of a perfect cycling day in South Korea - temp max only 28!  Nice!

ps - at last I remember I had to number the pics so they would upload in the right order.