---

To: mtbk@yahoogroups.com
From: thomas_d_church@...
Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2007 22:14:00 -0700
Subject: RE: MTB Korea So Now What??

No sweat staying with Saturdays for group rides. I was just wondering if Sundays weren't better for others too. My general pattern has been to pick which Saturday rides I join depending on the proposed course and then to leave Sundays for exploration riding or hiking. I'll continue in this way

 

Generally I'm not excited about Surisan or Namhansan. Hence you never see me sign up for either. Surisan bores me and Namhansan scares me. Because of the condition of my finger I'm going to look for rides where falling or periodic bale outs are highly unlikely until at least October. I'd like to propose some longer fire road type rides or farm road tour type rides this fall. About half my solo riding is this type but it's been rare for group rides.  Group rides have mostly been technical singletrack. 

 

Getting farther out into the country and riding mixed farm roads and double track is quite enjoyable and suitable for groups of mixed speeds. I'll study some courses and make specific suggestions for this type group ride during the fall. If these type rides are done on Saturdays I'll propose earlier start times as it seems advisable.  Generally I like at least 3 hours ride time and can justify 3-4 hours of drive time if the place is interesting. A 6 AM start time on a Saturday will allow riding anywhere in Gyunggido province and even get you out to some neiboring provinces. A 8 AM reduces that radius considerably.

 

Areas of specific interest include:

 

1. Near the DMZ in the Hantangang valley where 43 crosses into Gangwado province. Must have passed thru here somewhere on the Z ride but spent a few days up here over July 4th. Really a nice broad valley rimmed with mountains. This is a big area for camping and the mountains are really nice. Beautiful rocky ridgelines for hiking. I was stunned to find this place.

2. The area south of Yeoju where 45 crosses into Chuncheonbukdo Province. I've been riding farm roads double tack and single track here many weekends over the last two years. There's everything from technical single track to  country roads through low rolling hills.

3. The peninsula south of Ansan which connects to Daebudo and Yeonghengdo. Had real nice ride here last year. Country roads thru vineyards, roads around the islands with nice seaside views and even some singletrack.

 

BTW, Dr. wants me to keep finger immobilized another week and then to start to use it. It may end up with a slight permanent bend but I'm feeling good about regaining full grip strength and believe the joint instability issues will fade with time and excercise. Actually all I'm going to have to do is buddy tape it to the middle finger for a few months.  I should be able to weight it fully by the end of September. I miss climbing.

 

Speedy recovery to all,

 

Tom

 

David Zeggelaar <zeggelaar@hotmail.com> wrote:

I've got to agree with Marco on this one. While Sundays are way better for traffic they just don't
work for me and probably a lot of other folks who need Sunday to recover/spend time with family/shop/sleep
etc.

.

---

Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows.
Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.