@scrooger's 700km+ Cycling Trip - Day 1
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The Delay
The day was off to a rough start. I was initially going to catch a bus with my bike about 2km from my apartment. Uphill cycle almost the whole 2km. Got to the bus station nice and early. Watched the sun come up. Bus pulled up and BOOM! NO BIKES ON THIS BUS!
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Halfway there, just need to go to that Ferris wheel.
This meant I had to cycle to the main Ulsan bus terminal. Not that bad, but I know it's very up and down to get there. Urgh. Off I went! About 13km and 1 hour later (had to wait for a lot of traffic lights).
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I get to the terminal. Relief. As I bought my ticket I point to my bike and ask: "Kenchana?" basically means is it ok. I get a nod and head to the bus. Had to wait a good 20 minutes jus tor a Korean driver to tell me nope. Not on this bus pal. Confused, I phoned my Korean friend to translate a bit... came down to the bus being too "small" and that I have to wait for another bus...
Waited another 30minutes and finally got to load my bike on the bus. Now I'm heading to Haeundae, Busan. From there it's another few kilometers that I have to cycle before I can get to the trail and actually start the trip. Honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way. Some drama and rough patches are what makes a trip great. If it's too easy then it's no fun.
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Slow and slower...
Cycling through Busan to get to the trail was a pretty nice ride in the sense that there was a lot ot see. The traffic lights though, oh my the traffic lights... Ride 2 minutes, wait 30+ seconds, rinse and repeat. Took me forever to eventually get to the the trail.
Below are some pics of this slow but interesting ride.
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Mr. Miyagi
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The official trail starts on the other side of the bridge! Finally!
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The Trail
Finally arrived after almost 4 hours of stop and go action in the traffic lights.
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At the official center, I took some quick pictures, at lunch and set off to finally start the trail. A few hours delayed but still very motivated! Feeling like I was playing an RPG and I finally passed the tutorial.
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The booth where you get your stamp, there will be a lot more of these.
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Finally rested up and it's time to get on that trail! Need to make up some ground!
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Makeshift bridge to cross some stream of water.
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Clouds are rolling in., might rain soon...
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Spot the booth, stamp time!
Right after getting this stamp it started to rain. Had to find a place to stop for a while...
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Was under this bridge for about 30minutes and the rain was not going to stop anytime soon... Guess I just have to power through, it's getting dark and I don't want to cycle at night.
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The Motel I was planning on sleeping, Google forgot to mention it's closed... pff...
Still raining and getting darker...
SNAKE! Geez, rode past a snake that was at least 1 meter long, first time ever seeing a snake in Korea. Pretty cool. Too wet and tired to take a picture! Follow the lights! Motel ahead!
Finally reached a motel... The interior was pretty nice, but I can't post pictures of that since I do not want to use the NSFW tag... Korean motels are also known as "Love Motels" so the art is normally rated 18+.
Here is a picture of the outside the next morning. Sadly this motel did not have a computer, no Steemit for me. Did the essentials from my phone.
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Stick around for day 2! The posts are a little late, I have to find internet cafe's to do some work and they are quite scarce in the countryside.
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![Test 2.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWkYEifW56r4wTeFt2MN9ABZwqnskh7fGQfBSkvVFAQPf/Test%202.png)
Thank you for reading! Steem on Steemians!
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Great pictures @scrooger. Sounds like you have embarked on quite an adventure. I'm curious though, are snakes in Korea poisonous? Stay safe...and dry if you can ;)
Not so sure about the snakes. First one I have ever seen here. I heard some people see! them when 5th eye hike but I have never heard of any bad snake bites or anything. Got some jelly legs today! Very mountainous... Had to get off and walk quite a few times
It is the side trip that makes life fantastic, it is the trip not the destination that is important, good post, now following you and upvoted
Agree with you 100% the side trip is what makes it worthwhile. The destination is great for a sense of accomplishment. =) Thanks for the upvote and follow.
Wow...a grand adventure right from the start. Your pictures are fantastic...rain and a snake, too! What a day!
What a day indeed! The first part was not that great but now it's much better. Suffering a bit. Legs are jelly already and I have so far to go! Thanks for checking in =)
Make sure you stay well.hydrated and sleep well at night!
Wow! What a fun adventure! I'm so stoked to see you going for it.
So are you riding alone?
Are you traveling the entire trip on bike?
Where are you going?
I NEED TO KNOW MORE! haha. I must have missed the intro post.
Alone but many Koreans doing the same thing.met a random guy that I meet up with every now and then at the rest stops.
Entire trip on bike. Going to Incheon, west of Seoul. A little bit behind schedule at the moment but the mountains are killing me =P.
Currently at day 3 but struggling to find the time and Internet cafe's to make some posts.
Amazing! Have a great ride. That is so cool. My wife rode across the states. I would love to do that someday. I'll look forward to your posts.
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Love you attitude towards challenges, mate! You are right – those things is what makes this whole trip into an exciting adventure!
I think I recognised Busan’s skyline on the pictures. Brought back some awesome memories from this past summer. :)
Haha, no computer at the love hotel? Makes sense!! :D
Enjoy your trip, mate! I’m following with great interest. I’m adding this cycling trip through South Korea to my bucket list. :)
Hey mate! You really have to do it one day. Bucket list it for sure.
Omg. I am dead. My legs are jelly. Cant feel my @ss anymore. I only eat sleep and cycle. Thought I wpuld be able to make the post a day but just don't have the energy for it... will make the posts after my trip then I guess... too far from a computer the whole time...
So far a pretty awesome trip. See loads of people taking part. If you ever decide to do it. I will join you. =)
Hope all is going well with you and that you are not overworking yourself.
Stay safe on your journey and thanks for sharing your adventures! Sending love and light your way. Resteeming
Interesting city scenes, and even more interesting country scenes... Bet you cycled faster when you spotted that snake! Lol... A little late but I'm coming along for the ride... :D
It was late and dark when I spotted the snake, I remember it was quite straight when I spotted it, and as soon as I went passed it it curled up like crazy really fast!
Didn't cycle much faster but remember lifting my feet up really high in a swift motion! Kind of laughed at myself afterwards. =P