Pedaling the Yeongsan River Bike Trail
Upon moving to South Korea’s sixth largest metropolitan area, I adapted quickly to commuting on buses, the somewhat useful subway line, and by bicycle. What Gwangju lacks in dedicated bike lanes, they have made up for with wide sidewalks and the beautiful Gwangju Stream path. However, I found myself homesick when thinking about the 29km stretch of lakefront that I biked on every day to bypass the hustle and bustle of Chicago. I sought an equivalent to Chicago’s Lakefront Trail here in Gwangju. After some research and riding, I found myself on a seemingly new bike trail. I only pedaled 5km south when the horizon of monolithic buildings was replaced by mountains and farms, and on my right, the Yeongsan River.
Whether you are an avid cyclist or enjoy a recreational ride, the Yeongsan River Trail is a great getaway to see the countryside and a number of other attractions. It is easily accessible from the Gwangju Stream – just head west and the stream empties into the Yeongsan River, leading you to the 133km trail. From the point where the stream and river meet, following the Yeongsan north about 40km will lead you to Damyang. Heading south about 90km takes you to Mokpo.
The trail is part of the Four Rivers Project, an effort that has created a country-wide system of bike trails. Pedaling along the Yeongsan River Trail, I have spotted numerous rest areas, clear signage and plenty of places to sit and rest in the shade. There are also parks, soccer fields and baseball diamonds situated closer to cities.
If you want to take a long distance ride on the Yeongsan, try to leave early if biking on the weekend. There are parts of the stream and river trails that get pretty crowded with families. I accidentally biked into a kite string and ruined a kid’s day, so I try to avoid the crowds now. That way, there is less stop-and-go traffic. Here are some Korean phrases (spelled in haphazard phonetics) to use if you want to pass pedestrians or other bikers politely:
잠시만요 – “Jam-si-man-yo” (“Just a moment.”)
죄송합니다- “Joe-song-ham-ni-da” (“I am sorry.”)
실례합니다—“Sil-rye-ham-ni-da” (“Excuse me.”)
Tips and Safety
If this is your first foray into long distance biking, here are some tips:
- Helmet. It is necessary, even if the locals do not always wear one.
- Make sure your bike fits! Everyone stresses the importance of seat height, but neglects arm reach. Your stand-over height may be correct, but are you reaching too far or scrunching up your shoulders? That is not a good position to be in for both your shoulders and back. Get properly fitted.
- Bring (and drink!) plenty of water. Also, pack high-protein, nutritious snacks like nuts, even if you think you will not need them. A three-hour bike trip can turn into a six hours if you get a flat and have to walk back to civilization.
- Speaking of flats, learning how to fix one will not hurt if you are out for a multi-day bike tour. A spare tube and a hand pump will put you back about 20,000 won. That is less than most inter-city bus tickets and it could save your trip.
- When biking at dusk, dawn, or night in the warmer months, wear a removable thin layer to avoid getting bit by bugs, or just bring bug spray if it is too hot. A buff over your mouth and nose will keep you from ingesting a swarm of gnats. Do not forget eyewear to shield your eyeballs from those nasty bugs, too! You may think this is overzealous, but when biking on the trail, you will certainly not be the only one covered from head to toe.
- If you are contemplating a bike tour, you may also want to invest in a bike rack and some panniers. Being on a bike with a heavy backpack can wreak havoc on your shoulders. Check out GMarket. For gear or any bike-related issues, check out my favorite bike shop, MTB in Wolsan-Dong.
Now get on a bike and go see South Korea!
For more information, here are a couple of links to the Four Rivers Project and cross-country system that detail all the attractions along the paths: