Ambling Along the Nakdonggang River
South Korea Stage 9 – Tue 10th Nov 2015 – Gumi to Daegu (77 Km)
Weather: 7⁰C min – 16⁰C max, fine but hazy
“Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride” ~ Eddy Merckx
After a simple breakfast at the hotel I went for a last stroll around Gumi and was fascinated to see everyone out sweeping up the leaves and nuts of the beautiful Ginko tree, to keep Gumi stench free and safe for walking on the footpaths.
By 10 am I was out of town and headed for Daegu about 77 Km south of Gumi, steaming along the Nakdonggang Bicycle Path that follows the Nakdonggang River. Riding has never been easier, gliding along on such a perfectly flat, smooth, well-signed, cycle path. However, from a scenic point of view the sameness of the river can become a bit monotonous after a while, which is probably why many of the cyclists I passed on the way had loud music blaring from radios on their bikes.
Photographic opportunities were fairly limited today, with just the occasional bridge or fisherman to snap. One interesting thing I saw was a cyclist asleep on the bench in one of the rest stops, obviously saving on accommodation costs. Yesterday I ventured away from the comfort of the cycle path and was rewarded by a more interesting ride through farmlands and lovely villages like Seonsan. Today there was not a single eating place or coffee shop for the whole journey, so I was thankful that I had a couple of energy bars to eat and plenty of water.
Daegu, where I am staying tonight, is the fourth largest city in South Korea after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the nation with over 2.5 million residents. Like Gumi it has an ultra-modern, impressive shopping centre, with no shortage of coffee shops (even a Starbucks) as well as cafes and restaurants that cater for all tastes. There is just as much dazzling neon as Gumi, but perhaps the centre is a bit livelier and busier.
Tomorrow I am looking forward to a 92 Km ride to Bugok, after which I will probably be ready to try one of the hot spring spas that the town is famous for. The fine weather is forecast to continue for the rest of the week so the riding should be good.
don’t forget to pack a few bananas (if available) in your jersey. always a good stand-by!
Bananas are good fodder, but the problem here is that you can’t buy them in less than a hand of six.
Well done Mr Ellwood the pictures are great and interesting places you have been it’s an adventure!!
Happy and safe riding to the next town.
Thank you my darling. Love you more than Snickers.