Korea Cross-Country Cycling Trip Day 2
- Jinwook Chang
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
On Day 2, we rode from Yangpyeong to Chungju City, collecting stamps and enjoying the scenery, but also getting completely soaked from sudden bursts of heavy rain.
Today we started biking at around 10 am, with a light rain.
Yet we faced another challenge—another tire puncture.
Near Yeoju City, Dingyu's bike got a flat tire again, the same one as yesterday. I checked the map for nearby bike repair shops and found one about 2 km away. I called the owner to see if it was open today, and he told me he was out of town but would return in an hour and a half. Since there was a convenience store close to where Dingyu's tire punctured, we went there to grab a quick lunch.
The repair shop was located just after crossing the bridge.
After the quick lunch, we headed to 목수네 자전거 Bike repair shop, where Dingyu got his back tire changed once again. We were quite lucky that it was just about lunch time when the owner wasn't present, as we didn't have to waste much time waiting for him to come back.
As we kept biking, a sudden downpour drenched us completely. Even though we found shelter within a few minutes, the rain was so intense that in that short time, all our shirts, shoes, and bikes were soaked.
At the Yeoju Bo Certification Center, we met a fellow cyclist who gifted us energy bars and helped us take a photo together. Special thanks to that middle-aged man.
He also taught us a new cool pose for bicycle maniacs—holding the shaft and right under the seat to lift the bike up.
At the following station, we encountered a foreign couple who were also traveling from Incheon to Busan. We chatted briefly, but our main focus was on drying off from the heavy rain, which had ceased by then. In the photo above, you can see Dingyu checking if his belongings got wet too.
In Korea, compressed air guns are a common sight at cycling rest stops, hiking trail exits, and even car washes. These handheld tools, connected to an air compressor, shoot out a strong stream of pressurized air when you pull the trigger. They’re mainly used to quickly blow away dust, sand, mud, or water from bikes, hiking boots, clothing, and other gear after outdoor activities. For cyclists, they’re especially handy for cleaning off fine dirt after long rides without having to scrub or touch the bike’s delicate parts. This kind of self-service cleaning station is so integrated into Korea’s outdoor culture that you’ll often find one right next to a bike repair stand — something far less common in many other countries.
We used the air guns to try and dry our shoes, which unfortunately did not work—we had to continue cycling for the rest of the day in wet clothes and shoes...
Each time we came across signs marking a new province, it felt like completing another side quest.
As we arrived in North Chungcheong Province, we got to experience the real rural Korea — rice paddies in cultivation, countryside houses, and the familiar, earthy mix of soil, grass, and even cow manure in the air.
Just before it got darker, we arrived at the Chungju Certification Center. We were cold and exhausted, yet we had to continue to get to our goal destination of the day—the Su An Bo certification center.
However, as soon as we got our bike passports stamped and headed to our final destination, Dingyu slipped and got scratches all over his right leg. We stopped by at the next convenience store to stop the bleeding and get a short dinner. Hearing about Dingyu's injury, my mom came over to take a look.
Since DIngyu's scratches were too serious to bike for the remainder of the day, my mom picked both of us up to our final destination of the day, as she had already booked the hotel. Hence, our next plan was to come back to where he had been picked up the next day to continue our trip from there.
Upon arriving at the hotel near Su An Bo, we delighted in the hot spa, for which Su An Bo is renowned.
Suanbo is a small town in Chungju, South Korea, renowned for its natural hot springs. Known as one of the oldest and most famous hot spring areas in the country, Suanbo’s mineral-rich waters, naturally heated to around 53°C, have been visited for centuries and are believed to promote skin health and improve circulation. The town is lined with public bathhouses, spas, and resorts, all set against a backdrop of scenic mountains. Historically, Suanbo served as a rest stop for travelers during the Joseon Dynasty, and today it continues that tradition, offering a place for cyclists and hikers to relax and recover. For those on the Korea Cross-Country Cycling Route, Suanbo is not just a certification checkpoint, but also a welcome retreat to soak away fatigue in a traditional Korean spa.
This marks the end of our second day on the Korea Cross-country cycling trip, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as we did. Stay tuned for our next blog!
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