Cycle Seoul

The Shogun on tour in Europe 2010

2011-08-10T08:55:00.001-07:00

A bit of shoe-dipping

2011-07-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

Vive le tour! from Bear Thunder on Vimeo.

Can Voeckler keep the Yellow Jersey?

2011-07-13T22:16:00.001-07:00

Thomas Voeckler earns a lead in the GC of Le Tour on stage 9

Voeckler has vowed to fight to retain his overall lead.

"It was a wet and stressful day, but one more day in the yellow jersey is great," he said.

"To be honest I expect to lose it tomorrow but it doesn't mean I'm not going to fight to keep it."

His Europcar team director Jean-Rene Bernaudeau was not so defeatist.

"Thomas will never admit it but I think he can keep it unless the favourites attack as early as the first climb," he said.

"If they wait for the last climb, I don't see Thomas losing 2:30 on it."

Text pinched from the ABC

Photo from Zimbio.com

Bike of the Day, Kyoto

2011-07-13T02:42:00.000-07:00

Found this emblematic utilitarian shopping 'stay at home'-Dad cycle in Kyoto. One day I will have children just to ride such a bike

Le Tour 2011 Stage 12 Thursday 14 July (Bastille Day)

2011-07-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

As is clear from the profile above of the 211Km stage, this might be the real start of this year's tour. The climbers and the contenders in the overall race may take the opportunity to raise their game and try to cut back Voeckler's lead in the general classification. It should be a fantastic stage.

Le Tour crash: Hoogerland's eyes

2011-07-12T19:08:00.000-07:00

You often read on cycle blogs about cars and cyclist collisions. On Stage 9 of the Tour de France,

Hoogerland and Flecha were in a breakaway with less than an hour to the finish line of the stage when Flecha was sideswiped by a French television camera car, who was trying to pass and swerved into the riders to avoid a tree. You can see the crazy footage here:

It was massive as the breakaway was successful and significant as Voeckler went on to gain four minutes in the general classification on Schleck, Contador, Evans et al. Hoogerland and Flecha crawled to the finish bloody and battered.

These cameramen are employed to shoot footage of the race, and the driver quite violently swerved in from the edge of the road and smacked one rider into the other. Both survived. No bones were broken unlike in the earlier high-speed downhill crash that lead to a number of riders withdrawing. Hoogerland was however thrown into a barbed wire fence and after finishing the race, apparently received 33 stitches.

Hoogerland is still the leader in the polka-dot climber's jersey, but as one commentator on the race remarked last night, he "continues to have a far off look in his eyes" after the incident.

Guri cyclepath to the Han update

2011-07-12T02:15:00.001-07:00

It's the rainy season here in South Korea. We have a short period of humid, grey weather with downpours every few days. Not much riding, a lot of viewing of the Tour de France and frequent blogging about riding happens.

On Sunday I returned from Busan and the weather was clear. I took a 30 KM ride linking the Cheongyecheon cyclepath to the Han cyclepath to the Guri cyclepath, and then roared back East -West on the road past Sangbong station line 7. The section from the Han to Guri used to be in a real mess (see link below), and I guess this post is an update. The Han Cyclepath to Guri cyclepath is now all clear and smooth riding.

Tour de France 2011 a weekend for the climbers

2011-07-07T00:32:00.000-07:00

The Tour de France moves on from the Loire to what looks like the Massif Central this weekend.

I am looking forward to the weekend's racing. Saturday's finish will be exciting with over 200m to ascend in the last 5-6 Kms

Here is a profile of Saturday's stage:

Sunday's stage also looks promising:

Biking and shopping: The SF stand

2011-06-26T23:24:00.000-07:00

Cycling the Kamo river path Kyoto

2011-06-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

Looking North along the Kamo cycle path.

Rode the Kamo river path in Kyoto many times from east of the imperial palace in the north down to near a bridge connecting to JR Kyoto station in the south. We found the east side of the river to have the smoother cycling path as the west side becomes cobbled and then runs out somewhere adjacent to Shijo-Dori or perhaps even before. Though sometimes unpaved and a little bumpy, the single gear commuting bikes we borrowed from our Ryokan handled the surface fine. Heading south at dusk.
In town.

Japanese pedestrians and most vehicles (apart from buses) were very aware and tolerant of bicycles. In Kyoto cyclists tended to confidently share the foot-path with pedestrians, though young cyclists tended to hit the road briefly to avoid pedestrians or other cyclists in times of congestion.

Kyoto-Nara Cycle Path and Kan Cycling Website

2011-06-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

Cycling Seoul's 'Heart Course' via the Han River

2011-06-06T23:44:00.000-07:00

This link to a good route is back working.

Seoul's 'Heart Course' via the Han River

Classic Bridgestone Bicycle

2011-06-06T23:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Does anyone have the answer to these fine folks' questions?
A number of people are curious about this bicycle...

It was first mentioned in this post a while back

Catch up with the thread by clicking the label 'Bridgestone'

Switzerland: anti-fixie?

2011-05-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

http://hipsterhitler.com

Canadian Cycling

2010-06-23T22:57:00.000-07:00

'...currently working on my amateur cartography skills as i map out my Gape Peninsula and Montreal to Quebec City venture. As i opened my cycling bible i read the following statement bewildered and jetlagged "Quebec is the largest province in Canada, twice the size of Texas, three times the size of France, and 7 times the size of Great Britain" well that seems a daunting task at best! Looking at around 1200km in 14 days.'

Go well bro. Pretty visible there with that discount fluoro tape. I'll think of you as I roll through Rhein/Moselle European wine country

Handshake drugs

2010-03-25T04:16:00.000-07:00

Bridgestone: World's finest bicycle

2010-03-21T22:17:00.001-07:00

These bike photos were sent to me in response to an earlier post about a classic bike made in Tokyo with the description on the frame: 'Guaranteed World Finest Bicycle Precision Mechanism'. Cheers Fonz.

Trek-Marin-Jamis Aurora

2010-03-20T00:57:00.000-07:00

On this tour I rode my Trek 3700 MTB. The first 150KM were off road on the Otago Rail Trail. We thought the trail would be cluttered with oldies riding with their lattes, but it was pretty uncongested and no cars! The tours came from Alexandra then North to South across the Maniototo plains paying due respect to the prevailing Nor'Wester. We rode South to North and caught a Southerly. Suckers. Returning to Seoul my Marin is on its last legs. I swear I will bury the frame one day. After an 11 day 963Km cycle tour the dream of a custom made touring bike like below is graspingly alive:

Day 8: Mt Cook ride

2010-03-13T18:52:00.000-08:00

What was on the bike: In this photo you can see the bike set up: MEC handlebar bag, back pannier bags with yellow survival/rain bag (unused in 11 days), horizontal blue foam sleeping roll plus the green compression bag held both bike bags for the plane trips. You can also see my head bandage.

South Island NZ Cycle Tour

2010-03-09T01:03:00.000-08:00

2010-03-09T01:02:00.001-08:00

Yike Bike Yikes

2009-12-04T02:06:00.001-08:00

The crucial A to B by yike bike

Seoul Cycle Race: Halloween Alleycat

2009-11-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

The Alleycat race took place last night. Amazing to weave through the Saturday night with a bunch of fast committed riders. Drafting the eventual winner Aviam out of Apgujeong to the Banpo bridge was a highlight. I lost the small group of five who'd escaped the Apgujeong chaos first under the bridge...I placed thirteenth. Got lost near Cheongyecheon and took a false right turn before the tunnel on the way to Yonsei Uni, but always managed to hook up with other riders. Awesome night.

There is a youtube slideshow available with some nice photos from the night here.

I liked the tips so much I stole 'em:
안전 수칙:
1.헬멧을 착용해야함
2.라이트를 많이 달수록 좋음
3.횡단보도의 보행자를 조심해야함
4.버스와 택시에서 내리는 사람을 주의해야함
5. 교통신호와 법규를 준수

Unpleasant road-building hubris

2009-10-28T04:18:00.000-07:00

Cycle Lanes? Dream on. The more I ride the less plausible it seems that Seoul can accomodate cyclists on the roads. It's just well, you know, unpleasant. Chris found his time riding his Brompton folding bike on the whole good and can see a bright future however. He wrote and extensive and interesting report about it.

Halloween Bike Ride in Seoul

2009-10-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

Costume cycle ride around Seoul's inner city. This is going to be a wicked affair. I'm working on the day but will hit it like an express train/ or perhaps a cycle courier later in the day. Info here.

Cycling near Gapyeong

2009-10-20T17:50:00.000-07:00

I nipped out on a friend's bike and did a few pleasant KMs by the river heading East from Gapyeong on Sunday morning.

Winter Cycle Helmet

2009-10-20T17:47:00.000-07:00

Fleecy
This is from the Guardian website's Cycling Blog

My friend's bike is a little beauty

2009-10-20T03:02:00.000-07:00

So I was down at the courts last Friday about to have a hit with my colleague and who should come by on their little beauty except another friend. I'd seen his bike once before but never had time to check it out properly. It's just got one single speed. As it turned out we were both going to the jazz festival in Gapyeong the next day and I got to ride it next to a serene stretch of the Han river in the countryside on Sunday morning (post coming soon).

This is in case you want to call him for a ride I guess.

Bike of the day 20.10.09

2009-10-20T02:48:00.000-07:00

Spotted on campus today. 21 gears + nice thin slick tyres with styley red trim on this fast commuter. One reservation: the super wide handle bars could cause a little stress in the Seoul traffic.

Electric bike suit

2009-10-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

This guy finds an electric bike an occasion to dress up for. Me, I find them pretty wack.

Taking bikes on the subway in Seoul

2009-10-06T23:35:00.000-07:00

You can now get on the subway with your bike . The lines are 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8. Two carriages at each end are open to cyclists on Sundays and national holidays. The stations in the table are equipped with a 'slope' for bikes.

자전거 휴대승차 시범시행 안내

자전거 이용 활성화를 위하여 일요일 및 공휴일에 한하여 지하철에 자전거 휴대승차를 아래와 같이 시범 시행합니다.

시 행 일 : 2009. 10. 4(일)
대 상 역 : 서울지하철(1~8호선)
승차가능일 : 일요일 및 공휴일(전일)
차 량 위 치 : 전동차 맨 앞/뒷 칸
경사로 설치 39역 (지하철 1~8호선)

호선역 명호선역 명
Stations and Subway Lines(1-8) with slopes for bikes

1호선: 시청, 종로3가, 동대문
City Hall, Jongno 3 ga, Dongdaemun

2호선: 을지로입구, 한양대, 강변, 건대입구, 성내, 교대, 신천, 당산 Euljiro entrance, Hanyang Uni, Gangbyeon, Konkuk Uni, Seongnae, Sinchon, Dangsan

3호선구파발, 경복궁, 옥수, 압구정, 매봉, 수서
Gupabal, Gyeongbukgong Oksu, Abgujeong, Maebong, Suseo.

4호선노원, 한성대, 동작, 사당
Nowon, Hansung Uni, Dongjak, Sadang

5호선: 여의도, 오목교, 광화문, 광나루, 올림픽공원
Yeouido, Omokgyo, Gwanghwamun, Olympic Park

6호선: 월드컵경기장, 새절, 고려대, 석계, 화랑대
World Cup Stadium, Saechol, Korea Uni, Hwarangdae

7호선: 노원, 중화, 뚝섬유원지, 내방, 온수
Nowon, Junghwa, Ttukseom Resort/Park, Naebang, Onsu

8호선: 몽촌토성, 석촌, 송파
Mongcheontoseong, Sokcheon, Songpa

Photo is from The Korea Times:

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/09/117_50261.html

Korea University Bike

2009-10-05T05:12:00.000-07:00

This is Bruno. He has 16 gears to make sure you get to the dairy and back, and some intricate elements:

Tired? Cycling inspiration

2009-10-02T02:29:00.000-07:00

It's Your Ride from Cinecycle on Vimeo.

Soothing sounds for your pleasure

Bike of the day 1.10.09

2009-10-01T06:19:00.001-07:00

Spotted on campus today- this the Cycle Seoul Bike of the Day

It seems to have two large chain wheels at the front

But only one gear at the back?

Cycling in the Samseong stn/Co-Ex mall area.

2009-09-25T03:11:00.000-07:00

I have three recommendations if you want to go cycling in the Samseong station/Co-Ex mall area.

The Han river cycle path is only a couple of big blocks away to the North. Alternatively another nearby option is finding your way onto the Yangjae Stream Cycle Path; thirdly there is the green space of the 1988 Olympic Park.

1. The Han River Cycle paths
From Samseong it should be possible to go about 500 m East and then join a stream heading North (Left coming from Samseong station) that joins the Han River. You can cycle as far as you want then :)

2. The Yangjae stream:

The Yangjae stream cycle path is one area near to the Co-Ex mall. On this map if you went from the stop symbol to the play symbol you'd ride from near the Co-Ex Mall to the Yangjae forest. It looks about a 10 Km one way trip along the Yangjae Stream cycle path. Change the map from satellite to map mode to get some place names. This route should provide a pleasant ride to the Yangjae Citizen’s forest, which is apparently more pleasant than its rather stiff utilitarian name.

3. Olympic Park

Located near to Jamshil Station (Subway line 2) Olympic Park (click for a google map) is a nice place to explore. There is a gallery, a museum, numerous waterways and sculptures, a historic site and cyclepaths leading North West to the Han River cycle way and South East to a cycle way next to a stream (according to the Seoul Bike Map).

What is the best way to carry a child on a bike?

2009-09-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

This is definitely the best bike seat I've seen. Compare it with the flimsy basket on the bike in the background. Is it safer to carry kids in big seats like this or on your back on a bike? A long walk to green blog suggests a whole new bike: either a trade vehicle or a recliner with the baby on your chest.
Considerations:

Helmets

Toddlers who want to sleep while they are being cycled

Babies who want to recline

Warmth

Nice bike seat photo from the Auckland NZ Frocks day out event

I Like the handles and helmet. Very snug. For more details on the event check the Auckland cycle chic site. The long walk blog likes this bike with this set up: Read more about it here.
Other options:
Japanese Mamachari

Stylish folding bike with additional seat for a child.

This article explains the challenge of carrying a newborn baby on a bike and makes some recommendations.

Cycling to school in Seoul

2009-09-22T23:57:00.000-07:00

Cycle Seoul bike and rider of the day 23.9.09. She told me she rides 20 mins from near the Cheongyecheon to school. That's longer than my commute and through more traffic I bet. Nice one.

The Hydrator: Wellington bike of the day

2009-09-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

Ricky reports on the features of the Hydrator that make it the Cycle Seoul bike of the day 18.9.09:
*3 water carriers on the frame, and two on either side of the front carrier rack!!
*Tires- this bike should be on the streets of Sudan rather than Wellington.
*Rugged front and back pannier racks have seen some wear.
*Non-descript white frame. Definitely suits an upright position. Unsure about the front forks, they look kind of thin and square at the top, but certainly add to the unique overall style. Also, hard to see from the angle, but the handle bars have an interesting curve to them. And what about that lovely curvaceous leather saddle...is this the touring bike of the year?

Ricky check out this rugged touring bike: The 2009 Koga-Miyata World Traveller.

Not so many bottle cages though

Park(ing) Day Today!

2009-09-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

Electric bikes and safe cycling

2009-09-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

Electric bikes have not been popular in the U.S. Apparently the new electric bikes might appeal to cyclists, (they don’t appeal to me personally) but the chief market is car drivers: "Some people buy the bike to commute, other people purchase the bike to use as a replacement for short automobile trips," Paul Vlahos (vice-president of sales for a US company) enthused imaginatively.
The newest electric bikes from Giant, EcoBike, Currie Technologies and Ultra Motor, among others, can deliver around 500 watts of power. The reporter lapped up the praise of these bikes and said as requested ‘you zoom from a standing start, zip up hills or hustle along the street’. It weight 33 kg so this electric bike is two or three times the weight of an average bicycle. The battery capacity is 20 miles but there is a (heavy) option to put another detachable battery on the rear rack, doubling that range. The bike has seven gears for normal pedalling, using a standard Shimano derailleur system.
The price: US$2,699 (NZ$3799),
The reporter compares the price to a high-end racing bike and points out that this is less expensive than a standard motor scooter.
This kind of vehicle is considered a "light electric vehicle," and therefore is a bicycle under US transport regulations. This means it is legal to take this motor vehicle the same places as cyclists are allowed, even if you don’t have a motorbike or drivers licence. It can reach speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour on the flat.
If we are trying to encourage cycling through safer cycle paths- is it safe or sensible to allow these motor vehicles on cycle ways?

For the full promo click here.

Shopping by bike: the Jungnangchon cycle path

2009-09-15T02:33:00.000-07:00

So I went shopping and it turned out they had cereal. Cereal is a little hard to come by in Seoul. Luckily I had enough gear to sort out a rig of my own for this little haul: 4x 750gm of Sultana Bran, 3x 500gm of Biker's delight and 3 beers for the road. It was such a nice night I went for a slow ride along the Jungnangchon cycle path on my way home. I snapped a coupla picks along the way:

In terms of putting stuff on the back of the bike: the other day our department gave us a harvest festival(Chusok)present. I managed to strap it on the back of the bike too. Big box of grapes that.
One thing I noticed as I almost reached the point I leave the cycle path is that this bridge (a major West- East artery across the Jungnang River) needs better access to the cycle path. No fun to be had carrying that bike. There is access further along the river but it doesn't link well to the main road.

Guri cyclepath to the Han

2009-09-14T06:23:00.000-07:00

So about a month ago I rode 8km East on large roads to start a ride in Guri City. I wanted to check a bike path I'd seen from the bus a few times. From Guri I headed South on a nice peaceful path with no large roads/any traffic nearby! It was all good to start with, but once I reached the Han river and started heading West back along the river to Seoul...the path deteriorated:

and got worse...
and worse...
and worse.

Seoul promises big things for bikers. This was not promising. FYI it was about a 2KM stretch to the East of Gwangjin Bridge. It sucked.

Earlier though I stopped for a rest when I found these fine bicycle racks. Best I've seen in Korea as the bike is stable and allows access to the rear bags comfortably. This was somewhere after the Guri cyclepath joined the Han

Touring bikes...Fuji?

2009-09-14T04:23:00.001-07:00

New deraileur cable today! My dirty old Marin bike sure chews through cables fast. Must've replaced about 5 brake/deraileur cables by now.
On another note, I saw this touring bike is going cheap....Fuji? Wonder what the brand is like? I reckon it's got nice high hand position better than the Trek touring bike, but still not approaching the exalted canondale. What do you think?

http://fe700c.blogspot.com/2009/09/all-fuji-bicycles-near-wholesale-prices.html#comments

Bike of the day 11.9.09

2009-09-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

Check the detail

Insignia: Bridgestone Tokyo.

'Guaranteed World Finest Bicycle Precision Mechanism'

Car damage (Clickable) + Ghost Bikes

2009-09-10T02:29:00.000-07:00

The Weekly Carnage (click on car damage) is a report on the damage inflicted by motorvehicles on pedestrians and cyclists. Morbid I know but.

"Ghost bikes serve as quiet statements in support of cyclists' right to safe travel" Photographs: Katherine Rose The Guardian

'Drivers in Seoul are amateurs': survival cycling

2009-09-10T01:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it seems like all the Goddamn drivers in Seoul are amateurs. On particular days it appears, in fact, a Goddamn miracle to make it home from a simple bike ride. Pedestrians ambling under-wheel, and heavy traffic careening aggressively through red lights at your unprotected self, makes the very enactment of the movement from A to the not too distant B a purely un-pleasurable act by bicycle. 18 months of this chaos is grating a chafe, which only an extended dose of car-free Dutch cycle paths may soothe. The metropolitan government’s vision of Seoul being a place you can commute to work in a car-free lane seems rankly unattractive if not plain ridiculous due to the aforementioned amateur driving and extremely unsafe conditions for riding.

Cycle touring comic

2009-09-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

Livable Streets Initiative

2009-09-08T01:23:00.000-07:00

This cool site reports on movements to make cities better places
by promoting the closure of streets, turning them into safe places to live, play, relax, and exercise not merely transit routes for motor vehicles.

"Ciclovía, a weekly event in which over 70 miles of city streets are closed to traffic and opened to walking, biking, running, skating, recreating, picnicking, and talking with family, neighbors and strangers."

Just click on the title.

Cycling space and cycling at pace

2009-09-02T23:11:00.000-07:00

Three ways to ride: The courier way, Taking the space and Cruising at your own pace

Riding at your own pace on a busy single road or fast multi lane road is more difficult than it sounds. What I mean by this is that it is hard to enjoy riding in traffic at a speed which suits you.
Some of the many reasons part-time cyclists don’t enjoy riding on the road are that traffic passes too close and the traffic is moving much faster than the cyclist. This feels scary and your safety often feels (and is) compromised. Feeling scared is a justifiable response given the speed of the cars and the ability of their drivers to A) avoid you, and B) give you enough space and time to ride freely.

One way to deal with this problem is when possible (downhill inclines, flat stretches between traffic lights, riding with a tail wind, through winding sections, in slow moving traffic) to ride as fast as the cars. However this often relies on your ability to power along in top gear and your split second skills in making sudden moves based on the failure of drivers to respect your existence / right as a vehicle to a lane or even realize that you are there and moving that quickly. This is the cycle-courier way.

The alternative is to cruise along avoiding trouble. This viable, seemingly safer method, allows for a more relaxing ride. This is because it is at your own pace. A more languid and chillaxed pace also frees attention to take in the surrounding area, other hot cycles, find places you are looking for, and generally experience the world from two wheels. This is a fine method until you reach busy areas like a bus stop or approach intersections where cars can intimidate and push you to the side of the road or out into fast moving flows of traffic.
At a gentle pace you will likely be close in to the kerb / pavement. In this position there are times where motor vehicles will compromise your safety. These are the times I like to accelerate and move into a more visible position in a lane or ‘take the lane’ by being right in the middle so no cars can force me to the edge of the road and I can proceed without being impeded. If riders don’t do this they are often blocked or put in an unsafe position.

Your safety as a cyclist is usually compromised when drivers accelerate past you and then cut you off by braking directly in front of you as they make left and right turns where they could have waited patiently behind until you clear an intersection; by coming too close behind you; or by pulling out of a side street so far that you must change your course or ruin your hard earned momentum.

As your fitness improves you can use a combination of the courier way, taking the space and the cruising at your own pace approaches to road cycling. My own approach in Seoul is to ride as quickly as it is safe through busy urban areas or when cycling on a large road with fast aggressive buses and cars with the aim of safely arriving somewhere nicer to ride. Then I can cruise at my own pace.
I like to ride with approximately 2 metres of space between me and a kerb. In my hometown in Wellington where there are a lot of narrow roads this is impossible. You must either take the lane or be squeezed in vulnerably next to parked cars / the kerb.

Cycling in Asia is a different story however. That space between the bike and the kerb is vital. I’ve found cycling in China and Seoul similar in that there is a lot of activity going on near the kerb. The density of the population in large Asian cities means people requre this crucial space to function, but it is also an area where cyclists are trying to make their way through the traffic maelstrom too. Pedestrians, vendors, taxis, parked cars, scooters, motorbikes, and cars edging out into my space all flirt with danger and try to present danger to me on a platter in that area, and 2 meters is the space I need to make rapid adjustments when my safety is compromised. When possible on multi-lane roads I will dominate a lane at pace to gain the space I need.

Cycle Art

2009-09-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

Cycling Seoul latest photos

2009-08-31T01:47:00.001-07:00

A series of photos from my latest cycling in Seoul

Just click on the photo!

Single speed cycling

2009-08-28T00:55:00.000-07:00

It's obviously nothing compared to the above but I've found a seriously nice place to free wheel around. I've been going every possible evening around dusk to Kyunghee University. By using the smooth tarmac you can fly across the campus' varying inclines and ride freely around carving curves and aiming for inertia. Magic. Maybe I finally understand why single speed bikes can be fun. The perfect speed for the perfect arc...

Anyangchon Cyclepath Seoul

2009-08-28T00:17:00.000-07:00

Riding the Anyangchon

I’ve spent a lot of hours and ridden a lot of k’s alongside the river. For the most part, it’s all good. The biggest bonus of any river path around Seoul is of course the lack of motorized vehicular traffic and intersections. The Anyangchon path is ace in this respect. On my longest ride, we covered an estimated 75kms in a roundtrip, and didn’t have to worry about red lights and road crossings once.
On a negative side, it’s predictably busy. Tons of bikes, which is ok, but also masses of slowly moving ajummas, often with shitey little dogs. The worst thing about the ajummas is that their hearing seems to be tuned in such a way that no bike bell or horn ever registers within their ocular range. For real; these women will not alter their course for anything. Unless of course, to suddenly veer to one side to chase the little yapping rat that accompanies them. Dad was quick to notice this tendency; and he went on a grand total of one ride whilst in Seoul.
There are some other negatives. All too often a hideous stench arises from stormwater outlets, which particularly in summer get pretty ripe. And there are sections of the path- notably around Indeogwon- that are similarly offensive in an olfactory fashion due to the amount of heavy industry along the more isolated areas of the river.
You’ll also often encounter construction taking place to upgrade the paths, which can on occasion force you to backtrack considerably until you can find a place to cross the river and continue along the other bank.
Negatives aside though, this area has provided far and away my most enjoyable cycling experiences in Seoul. From Pyeonchon, in Anyang-si, I learned that it was possible to ride as far as the Han. This sounded like a dangerous factoid, so one fine day myself and Kevin Dean set out to disprove this theory. Some three hours later- totally ill-equipped for such a ride in 28 degree temperatures- we finally rounded a bend in the river, and there was the Han, in all its glory. Celebratory beers and a crossing of the Han into Seoul followed, and it was around 11pm that night that we finally returned to Pyeonchon. On empty stomachs we ride right into the middle of a carnival on the river’s banks, and I wore out my bell for good as we attempted to navigate through huge crowds of punters. Finally we found an eatery, and consumed three orders of galbi, followed by a cheese pizza in the park. Great day.
So, all in all, the Anyangchon path is solid. No cars is crucial in a city of 25 million, and that, combined with the ability to follow the river all the way to Seoul with no need of any other navigational devices, gain the Anyangchon path a robust 8 out of 10 from me. Happy trails.

Handle with care

2009-08-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

How to handle the handle?

Smooth Cycling

2009-08-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

A World Rider in Wellingon NZ

When I was a young squirrel about 11 I had my brother's World Rider and was cycling home deliriously from football practice like a demon when I was broadsided by a car. I went up onto the bonnet and the bike was smacked forwards. An ambulance came as I lay in shock. I'll always remember how my coach, a wiry English bloke with two of the most beautiful black dogs, came striding over to the small crowd around me and declared "It's OK I'm a doctor" before whisking me off home.

Cycle Touring

2009-08-03T06:00:00.001-07:00

1940 Tour de France photo from Jeff.

Firefighter shot cyclist because of child bike seat?

2009-07-31T23:32:00.000-07:00

Firefighter shot cyclist

Police: Asheville Firefighter Shot Bicyclist
July 27, 2009

This article is about a driver who shot a cyclist. It originally comes from the WYFF News 4 by Michael Bean. The police say that in Asheville, N.C a driver approached a male cyclist and after some kind of disagreement shot the cyclist.

The cyclist was cycling with his wife and also with his 3-year old son in a child-seat on his bike. Police reported that the driver, Charles Diez, said he was unhappy that the cyclist was riding with his child on a busy urban road. Apparently Diez was so angry about this that he took out a gun and tried to shoot the cyclist in the head. According to the police the bullet entered the cyclist’s helmet but did not hit the cyclist’s head.

Diez, a fire fighter at the Asheville Fire Department was arrested and charged with attempted first degree murder. He is no longer working as a result of the incident and is on “investigative” leave until the end of the investigation.

In my opinion, the driver/fire fighter seems like he was mentally unstable and perhaps jail or psychological therapy is appropriate. Despite the madness of him pulling a gun to resolve a disagreement, the larger issue here is the ability of cyclists to safely ride on roads. Generally it is agreed that promoting cycling improves the health of citizens and reduces the Co2 emissions partly responsible for global warming.

However, many cyclists suffer unsafe conditions, not just because of bad drivers, but also because of a lack of supportive cycling infrastructure. One issue is the lack of specific separate cycling lanes/paths for cyclists to ride in. This means that cyclists must share the same space as cars. This often leads to frustration for drivers and therefore increases the risks of vehicle – cyclist confrontation and sometimes even collision usually resulting in injury or even death for the cyclist. Asheville should consider ways of changing drivers’ attitudes to cyclists and one way it can do this is by investing in separate cycle lanes. This way Asheville residents may realise that cycling is important and supported by the local government and as a result cycling safety and popularity may increase.

Summary of the article is by Mr Holmes.
Bean Michael 'Firefighter Shot Cylist' http://www.wyff4.com/news/20187786/detail.html# accessed July 29,2009.

Cycle bags, racks, platforms and panniers.

2009-07-31T16:43:00.000-07:00

Some Koreans have a penchant for DIY set-ups for their bikes.
Click on the title to a picasa gallery of some outrageous rigs.
Who could forget this beauty for example?

Seoul Cycles: 외쿡인 라이더를 만났어요.

2009-07-28T02:11:00.000-07:00

Couple Bikes? 28.7.09 riders of the day
The story about 외국인 오빠의 자전거 from the above cyclist's blog:

Biking in Seoul yesterday...

2009-07-24T00:29:00.000-07:00

I snapped this on the way to the bakery.
Neat tool bag + quality components made this the bike of the day 23.7.09.

Free rental bikes in Seoul

2009-07-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

Free bike rental centres are obviously part of the local govt's plans too.

View Larger MapThis one is near Wolgye-dong in Nowon-Gu. The bikes look pretty new. It's located on the Western side of the Jungangchon river from Gongneung stn line 7, and the centre is next to an access way onto the Jungangchon cycle path. On the map the rental centre is across the junction where the person is located.

Seoul bike of the day 22.7.09 Kyunghee Uni.

2009-07-21T20:46:00.001-07:00

The Duke with practical basket (front) and rack (rear) + rock garden
"Nothing can be instead of you"

Seoul Cycle Chic: riding in the right gear (contd.)

2009-07-21T18:33:00.001-07:00

I think this quote goes some way towards summarising:

"The idea that you do not need any special accessories for chic cycling is sad and boring to many Americans. They don't want to open their closets, they want a new reason to go shopping! Pushing the anti-consumerism aspect of cycling might actually reduce the rising public enthusiasm for the activity."

Lovely Bicycle.'Can we ride away from marketing'? 6.6.09 (see links).

A Full Pannier's Touring bike stand

2009-07-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

Useful when your ride is a beast of burden(See right side for links to the 'A Full Pannier' blog and photo of Full Pannier's beer haul).

Here is quote from the tour description "Due to injury, scheduling and the vagaries of life, only 5 of us would ride together at any one time and I joined the tour in medius res at the first campsite."

Cycle Seoul bike of the day: a sweet 'Pro-Lady' jostling for position at the bike stand

2009-07-21T04:09:00.001-07:00

Bike of the day 21.7.2009. Check its addition to the rack!
Nice.

Cycling in Seoul: how to carry stuff

2009-07-21T03:44:00.000-07:00

Yehuda Moon and the Kickstand Cyclery

2009-07-15T20:18:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge. Art from Yehudamoon comics (see links)

Seoul Bike Route: Han river-Jungangcheon- Uicheon and back distance 25 KM

2009-07-14T02:43:00.000-07:00

Part 1 Jungangchon North to Seokgye Station area

Quality of the cycle path:

The surface is sweet which makes up for some of its defeciencies in atmosphere; Width: adequate; fits three at a squeeze occasionally compromising safety;
Access: multiple ramps but road mentioned below makes life a little inconvenient.
Other riders: busy on weekends.
Air quality and noise pollution barely adequate: worse at rush hours.
Physical environment is adequate: apart from being flanked by filthy great highway; trees but some areas have flowers lining the way.
Resources: frequent toilets /water and air is also now available
Loop: Not as far as I know but the Southern end joins the Han and Cheongye and the Northern end is a long way North near Uijeongbu so it's possible to access other areas from this cycle path.
Other: After dark you feel a bit suffocated by the adjacent freeways.

Looking North on Jungangchon

Looking South on Jungangchon

If you ride North from the Han river and then exit on this funky bridge on the West side of the stream you can then link up with a new stream cycle path development.

Directions from Jungangchon to new cyclepath Hancheon: Turn right after exiting funky bridge and ride along smooth road for about 1 KM. You should pass a school and then a sports centre(Approx 5 storey building) on the left. The road will bend to the left and you will reach an intersection. Go straight through the intersection avoiding the hard left turn into apartments or following the way the road bends to the right. Go straight via the underpass under the railway line and take the next right. Cross the intersection and look for this sign near Seokgye station exit 1.

15-20 m on and you need to take a left at this sign which says Seokgye Yeok Han Gil

Ride a couple of hundred meters and the stream should become apparent on the left side of the road and about 50 m beyond this point there is an access point down to a nice new cycle path on the right hand side of the stream:

Part 2 Hancheon Northwest to Dobong No or Dobong Road
Distance 5Km

Quality of the cycle path:
The surface is sweet: consistently smooth.
Width adequate; there is enough room generally; motor vehicles absent.
Access: Multiple ramps
Other riders: seemed pretty quiet to me (not sure about weekends)
Air quality and noise pollution are sweet: The stream is pleasant and peaceful Physical environment is better than adequate: it's new and well maintained as you can see in the photos: there are some trees and places relax.
Resources: didn't see many toilets facilities
Loop: The path gets ugly around Dobong No- though if you head East a couple of blocks on HUGE roads turning right towards Changdong station roads you can reconnect with the Jungangchon and make a loop.

Other: Good for beginners but until they link this up it's just a nice short section. The further NWest you go the lower the bridges get until you have to duck

Best new bicycle Seoul

2009-07-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

*Clickable *

Nice horns. But how stable are those wheels eh?

Brand: interestingly covered. Not a Peaugeot poser.

Gear levers: fascinating.

Cycling in the right gear: cycle chic.

2009-07-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

Cycling is hot in Seoul right now. But fads come and go here. Remember board game cafes?

Some riders around Seoul choose style at the expense of common sense. As mentioned below riding distances are often short (to /from campus or down to the cafe) so practical bikes and clothes are easily expendable commodites.

Similarly, style is all in the 'cycle chic' movement which appears to be bringing more chicks onto the roads/footpaths and cycleways to ride (or at least be photographed). The fashion industry infiltrating the latest green trend? Andre Kim a major domestic fashion designer has designed the most recent wave of small bikes in Korea.

Things I like in the seriously playful Copenhagen Cycle Chic manifesto:

"I embrace my responsibility to contribute visually to a more aesthetically pleasing urban landscape. I am aware that my mere prescence in said urban landscape will inspire others without me being labelled as a 'bicycle activist'.

I will ride with grace, elegance and dignity.

I will choose a bicycle that reflects my personality and style. I will, however, regard my bicycle as transport and as a mere supplement to my own personal style. Allowing my bike to upstage me is unacceptable.

I will accessorize in accordance with the standards of a bicycle culture and acquire, where possible, a chain guard, kickstand, skirt guard, fenders, bell and basket.

I will respect the traffic laws."

Things I am highly dubious about in the seriously playful Copenhagen Cycle Chic manifesto:

"I will endeavour to ensure that the total value of my clothes always exceeds that of my bicycle."

What if my clothes are all second hand- does this mean I have to ride a bike that is a second hand shitter? What's wrong with a cheap suit on a nice bike? Sometimes it's nice not to be the centre of attention.

However the idea of picking up a solid cheap bike and riding the traffic free cycle path into town along a river for a night out is grand. Oh for that world. This blog favours a balance of style and practicality.

Pun in the headline was from 'Cycling in the right gear for national bike week', an article from the Telegraph by Harriet Quick June 10 2009 that featured chic ladies in new clothes riding bikes in national bike week UK. For the full cycle chic manifesto see the link Bike by the Sea.

Cycle Chic
check this article :

Seoul bicycle map

2009-07-11T23:30:00.000-07:00

This Map gives some indication of areas to ride.

Red = dedicated cycle path 빨간색 = 자전거 전용

Green = shared 녹색 = 자전거 보행 자겹용

The red vertical line running N-S is the Jungangchon

mentioned in the article below Cycling in Seoul

The map is apparently available from 'the information booth in

여의도 공원(Yeouido Park) ,on the opposite side of the park from

the LG Twin Towers', though I have yet to confirm this.

For a different route see the excellent 'Heart Course'

google map on the right hand under links.

Cycling in Seoul

2009-07-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

History

At present commuting on the road in Seoul is abysmal due to a lack of cycle lanes and space, a dominant car culture, a lack of education about cyclists and some pretty dangerous driving by cycle ignorant buses and motorists. For example cars and buses often underestimate the speed of oncoming cyclists and as a result cyclists are put in danger because motor vehicles move in front of cyclists.

In Seoul cycles are mainly a form of transport within local areas (for students to and from campus, for older people to the shops, and as small trade vehicles in and around major markets), but cars and buses dominate the roads.

Riding greater distances or even off-road for pleasure, exercising, or training for cycle races is sadly, mostly limited to river cycle paths, which up until now have been difficult to access and smoggy as they were developed as afterthoughts alongside major arterial freeways with masses of motor vehicles. Seoul has a lot of streams and rivers, which descend from the Bukhan National park directly to the North of the city.

In the country’s rush to develop its capital into a modern industrial city many of these streams and rivers became concrete culverts full of filthy industrial run-off and chemical and human waste. The Han's surrounding landscape, a major river that runs East to West through Seoul are also in a sad state. It is where all the abovementioned streams end up and as well as being polluted, is hard to access.

"Historically modernization and industrialization always takes place by water...Seoul has a great resource (in the Han) but the relationship between the city and the river has become distorted" Lee Jewon.

Lee is the director of a project to restore the Han. According to Lee, products of Seoul's rapid industrial growth are manifested in concrete barriers along the river, apartments and roads, which block access. Lee also mentions that the Han lacks waterfronts for people to enjoy, as neighbourhoods face inwards away from the river. A good example of this is the way many apartment blocks which border on massive roads alongside the Han are fenced in with noise reducing walls.

The reappropriation of these streams and rivers as greener public parks and cycle ways is the method local government has seized upon to find space for recreation and better alternative transportation.

Future

The Korea Times reports that the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to construct bicycle-only lanes totalling 207 kilometres by 2012 in an effort to ‘meet growing demands for a safer environment for riders’:
'Move over, motorists. Cyclists are getting some of your space'.

"A city cannot effectively cope with global warming issues and traffic congestion if people commute only by car…We will develop Seoul into a city where citizens can commute by bicycle." Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Korea of course wants to sell bikes as well as make the city a better place to ride. Would anything else lead to change in this ultra capitalist capital? If you have to reduce industrial productivity in order to cut Co2 emissions, best to create a new market and a new way to make money eh?

Ben Jackson in Seoul Selection declared that “the bicycle is no longer an inferior mode of transport”. Sexify word press lists at least 10 cycling related benefits with this being the best:

Bikes are safer : 'Cars kill people. Bicycles don’t. (I suppose in theory they could – if you dropped one on someone from really high up perhaps.) Moreover, loads of real-world evidence shows that the more people cycle, the lower the risk of injury to people on bikes.'

“A motorist is less likely to collide with a person walking and bicycling if more people walk or bicycle. Policies that increase the numbers of people walking and bicycling appear to be an effective route to improving the safety of people walking and bicycling.” – British Medical Journal. It seems another way is building cycle paths that allow cyclists to commute safely.

David Hembrow lists some important criteria for cycle paths further down this page.

Another effective way to access pleasant river cycle ways would be to allow bikes on the subway. There is some evidence (Korea Herald 29.6.09) to show this idea is currently being debated: Park Si Soo reported in the Korea Times that a city official said "From October, a total of 16 trains, two from each line, will run with two bike-only cars,'' ( On Sunday only)"It will be available on weekdays from April next year...If the plan is confirmed, stations in Seoul will widen their entrances and install bike-only lifts linking gateways and platforms,'' the official said.

Best places to ride

Smooth

One stretch already established is the Jungangchon stream which runs North –South from Uijeongbu to the Han. It is hemmed in by major roads, but the surface is in good condition and provides one point of access into the city via the Eastern most part of the Cheongye Chon tributary. For more information regarding these streams see the wiki link on the right side of this page.

Rough

Off road enthusiasts are encouraged to head for Namhansanseong South East of Seoul. This area is yet to be experienced by the author, though plans are in place. According to Kevin Silverson as cited in Hay (2009), this is the premier mountain biking area close to Seoul. See Mountain Bike Seoul in the links section for more info.

References

Hay, Rob 'The Filthies' Groove Korea Issue 31 May '09 p.54
Jackson, Ben ‘Riding in Style and Comfort (ii)’ Seoul Selection July 2009 p.18.
Kim Tae-Jong ‘Going “Road-Diet” for Bike Riding Oct. 23 2008 The Korea Times accessed 7.10.09.
Koehler, Robert quoting Lee Jewon in'Bring the River Back to the People' Seoul Selection July 2009 p.56-57.
Park Si-soo 'Bicycle-Only Subway Cars Planned' The Korea Times 06-28-09 accessed 7.13.09
Sexify Word Press ' Benefits of Bikes for towns and local government' accessed 7.10.09
Yoo Jee-ho 'City to pave miles of new bike paths'. The Joongang Daily May 15, 2009.

Where do you like to ride? Write in and let us know.
What do you ride? Send us a photo of your bicycle.
cycleseoul@gmail.com

Practical Bikes

2009-07-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

The author of urbanappropriate (see links) sings the praises of practical bikes like the one pictured above: 'The utility style bicycles which are the choice of the vast majority of cyclists in Europe and Japan are frequently fitted with baskets and other carrying devices ( to carry kids, tools, shopping etc) ' The site contains a wealth of opinion on practical inner city rides.

Best Seoul utility bike?

2009-07-09T23:22:00.000-07:00

gnarly old school trade vehicle

racing green lespo

convenient parking

modern ladies cycle

classic red road star

Korean standard from Lespo

detail on trade vehicle

extra large rack

super horn but inefficient light