I got a bus to Yeoju to cycle more of the Namhangang Bicycle Path. I made it to the town of Chungju and stayed the night. The following day, I cycled east to get to Chungju Dam which was unfortunatley closed to visitors due to contruction work! I cycled back into Chungju and explored a little then bussed it back to Seoul. This is part of Korea’s 4 Rivers / Cross-country Bicycle Path network.

Day 1 – Yeoju to Chungju – 21 Sept

I got up a little later than ideal for this trip; I wasn’t sure what to do with my day and planned it lying in bed! I didn’t get to the bus terminal until 12:15! However, I arrived in Yeoju just after 14:00. I bought a sandwich and buns, then set off. The weather was perfect and I was immediately loving the cycle path.

You need to leave the riverside for a section so I dropped by Yeongwollu Pavillion for a quick wander and some views of the river from the hill. There were a few war memorials there, too. Back on the path, I saw a long pedestrian suspension bridge I contemplated walking over, but I chose to go on. Just out of town, there were a lot more riverside green spaces with lovely green spots for picnicking and a few day camping sites. It looks like an awesome spring and summer place to hang for the locals.

A bit further on was the first stamp booth and first major river crossing. This was Gangcheonbo (강천보) and you cross over a bridge and weir. There was a big cafe and some food places to stop at, but I went on after taking a quick video from the bridge. The slope going back down was heavily guarded against people riding down it; there were five rows of car park wheel stoppers and a corrugated path, so I just pushed my bike! However after that, lovely flat cycling until I arrived at Gangcheonseom (강천섬), a large green island park. These Yeoju folks are spoiled for lovely green spaces! I stopped here for a sandwich and rest.

Next was some more road sections including a big bridge in the hills. This was quite a bit of an incline so it slowed me down somewhat. Back next to the river was a beautiful section of riverside rock and lovely plains of green rice paddies and other farmland. I stopped for another snack and was amazed to see someone on an electric monocycle zip past in the opposite direction with their K-pop playing! The cycle path then runs along the top of a long straight embankment with views across the lands. I was fully exhilarated at this point talking to myself about how this was so much fun and feeling, frankly, glorious; the things good weather and countryside can do for the soul!

Around 16:40 I got to the Binaeseom (비내섬) stamp booth. It’s next to a cafe catering to cyclists. What I assumed was the owner was going around in a sit-down, hand operated tricycle/go-cart contraption! I had some more of my packed lunch but didn’t stop at the cafe. I was kind of kicking myself for not getting up earlier and having more time to explore these little points of curiosity! Oh, well!

Shortly after that I cycled down a slope straight into a load of thick mud! I didn’t fall but I had to stop since it was very sticky. A bit further on I tried to scrape of the worst of it! I was getting a little tired at this point. I’d booked a night at Bali Hotel (발리 호텔) which was still about an hour away, so I enjoyed the rest of the way with fewer rests and photos; I wanted to get checked in before dark. I arrived around 18:50 and got checked in. I’d recommend this if you need a place on this bicycle path as it’s out of town a little and great for getting onto the the next section and for doing the Chungju Dam section. Unfortunately there weren’t a of food options available at that time, so after showering I cycled about five minutes in the dark and found a noodle joint just before closing time; it was pretty good! I bought some beers after from across the road then carefully made my way back to the hotel where I watched a bit of Netflix before bed. Today’s ride was 80.5 km: 18.5 km from home to the bus terminal, then 62 from Yeoju to Chungju. I think this is the most enjoyable ride I’ve ever done and I definitely do it again.

Day 2 – Chungju Dam & Chungju – 22 Sept

I left to Bali Hotel by 10:30 and got to the cycle path that headed east to Chungju Dam. It was going to be another pleasant day. The cycle path was nice enough but I didn’t take any photos. I made my way the the dam area and then encountered quite a big hill which I walked the bike up. However the dam was closed to visitors due (I think) to construction work going on. Shame, I was looking forward to seeing it. The ride back down the windy hill was insanely fun though.

I’d passed the stamp booth on my way up, so remembered to get it on the way back. While getting my stamp a guy pulled up in a car and stamped his(?) cycle passport. Hmm… I went to the nearby Chungju Bakery Cafe Ilwol (충주 베이커리카페 일월) and sat upstairs with a coffee and salt bread. That was about 12:00. I read a little bit too.

I then head back the way I came to Chungju and to Tangeundae () park. I walked up the hill and looked around the statue, and a memorial in a bunker then headed towards the main town. I had a little time before my bus, so decided to cycle to the start of the next section of the river cycle path called Saejae. This would be where I’d continue from about a month later. I cycled as far as the sewerage treatment plant before heading to the bus terminal at about 14:00. It had been a fun morning ride! I had another hour to ride home from the Seoul bus terminal.