Road biking around Busan

I am wondering if anyone knows of any roads around Busan particularly good for cycling.  Searching the web, I found only one--a 40km ride from Haeundae that looks decent.  Also, does anyone know any road biking clubs or organizations in the area?  I've talked to a few bike shops and they all appear focused on mountain biking.  Much thanks for your input!

FYI, if you're a cyclist, and looking for a riding partner, please let me know.  I should mention though that I ride a tri/TT bike...

river-side riding

mm120,

There is a good ride along the Nakdong River, starting from Molundae at the Mouth of the river, and going upstream many kilometres.  Also, you could cross the bridge to Eulsukdo and possibly even to Jinhae. These roadside trails are mostly level.

Is there a way to mark up a Google (or other online) map to show these routes?  I am new to the city and eager to get riding myself.

 

brian

There are a lot of superb

There are a lot of superb routes if you know where to find them. Back when I got my bike I was seriously surprised that they had been under my nose all that time!

The Haeundae one is probably the one that takes you all the way up the coast to Jin Ha beach south of Ulsan. Distance is about 40km one way. A nice leisurely ride, superb scenery, few hills and surprisingly car free because most people take the major roads. From Haeundae, follow the signs to Song Jung beach going over Dalmaji hill. Get onto the coast road at Song Jung and follow the most obvious road, about 20-30 minutes down the road you come to Dae Byeon, which is worth stopping off at for a rest and some of the best squid and anchovies in Korea. Go right into Dae Byeon and follow the road around on the coast. Stick to this until you get to Gi Jang, where you have to enter the city. The road you want to get back onto is 31, avoid the 14 and really avoid the 65. The next town is Il Gwang. Nice for a quick swim if you have time. After that stick on the 31 all the way to Jin Ha. On the way back if you want to speed things up stick on the 31 all the way back to Busan.

There are also nice routes that take you along the Su Yeong and Oncheon rivers. They can actually be combined into one ride, but transferring between the two rivers is too difficult to explain here.  Likewise there is a really nice root that takes you from the OnCheon river up to the reservoir. To avoid major roads though you need to be shown. Su Yeong River starts at Centum /Bexco and finishes at Bang Song. Oncheon I don't know as well, but it runs pretty much next to line one subway.

And the best place to map routes is http://map.naver.com/ click 빠른길찾기 and chose the 출발 / 도착 to mark the start and finish points of your journey. You then have the option of choosing. Quickest, optimal, shortest, and free routes from the radio buttons in the top left. The only problem is that it ain't great for cycling, because it misses out all the minor roads. Good for driving though. Knowledge of Hanguel is needed.

 

options increasing

Thank you commenters for the additional info.  I really appreciate the different options.  It sounds like the ride up to Jin Ha is the one I saw previously, but your directions are a great help.  And I'll definitely try these two map programs for planning and documenting rides. 

FYI, if anyone is interested, I learned that Jang Pro Bike shop in Haeundae New Town is the local center for all things triathlon in eastern Busan.  If anyone in the area is looking for a tri training partner or group, please let me know.  Thanks again readers and if you know more cycling routes, please share them here.  I'll be sure to do the same.

Re: Road biking around Busan

yeah there's another route that is also a fun ride and that is from bexico cross the sooyung man river and ride beside the oncheon cheon river get off when you get to guseo dong you should see an emart go to the main road which you are allowed to ride on the side walk for like 2 kms passing bumusa temple heading up to nopo dong but don't go to nopo dong take the left turn heading to yangsan.  and when you get to yangsan stay on the 35 it's a low congested main road in yangsan and this road will take you pass tong dosa all the way to ulsan if you make a right or straight to gyung ju.  great on a saturday or sunday.  and it isn't the city congested over populated type of view.  it's more country with trees and mountains on both sides of you.  it's a ride through the valley.

Re: Road biking around Busan

vfr jrifter, thanks for reviving this thread..I don't know how I missed it. I've been doing that Yangsan route from PNU and am able to avoid major roads almost completely. It's possible to cut up at Jangjeondong and wind through smaller roads, other bike lanes, and rice field roads to Nopo, then on to Yangsan as u mentioned. Except, at Yangsan I hang a left (south) and connect to the Nakdong River which leads all the way back to the ocean. So essentially you can do a giant loop around Geumjeong Mtn without any major hills.

Here's a partial map of last week. http://j.mp/lKV6mz. Don't follow it to a T, though, as we were doing some reconnaisance for other routes and got lost up the mountain at km 15-22! Also, I started mapping at Nopo, not PNU, and we cut it short at the Gupo subway.

I'm looking for road biking friends if you or anyone is interested. Feel free to PM me. It's much more fun riding with a few folks than alone (or with a group of 15 wearing the exact same club clothes)..

Re: Road biking around Busan

Busan has a 'Critical Mass' group that organizes rides -I think on the fourth Saturday of the month- but the rides all start at City Hall and that's quite a distance from my apartment.  Driving 20+ km one-way to go on a ride doesn't really appeal to me.  Still, it, and the website, may be of interest here:

 

http://bike.jinbo.net/search/tag/부산?cnt=131

Re: Road biking around Busan

If you are still around and want someone to go biking with I am also looking for someone to bike around Busan and beyond. I am not really experienced with long distance rides but it's something I want to get into on the weekends. I live in NamcheonDong if you are interested...

Re: Road biking around Busan

Hi All,

Just waiting til payday so I can buy a bike!  Can't wait to start exploring - message me after 2nd October if you want to meet up?

 

 

Re: Road biking around Busan

If you guys are still around I have my touring bike here and I'll be here in Busan until September.. I'm planning a Busan to Seoul ride eventually but I'll be up for more rides as it warms up (or on a nice day). Also, I'll be checking out critical mass as I used to go to those in Toronto from time to time.

Re: Road biking around Busan

I've been mountain biking around Busan and am here till (at least) June, will be cycling most weekends from here till then (once I recover from this wisdom tooth episode). My aim is to try and find some races to do. I did some road racing at home but have no road bike here.

I'd be up for road spins too if anyone wants to get together and plan. There has to be a few bikers out there... has anyone tried to join a local club or anything? Has anyone raced?

I've found cool routes and there are some serious climbs around the city... though I tend to get lost a lot. I'm based near Nampo.

Re: Road biking around Busan

I'm always up for cycling around the city. I'm also interested if this critical mass deal is still happening. I'm based in Sasang, but have ridden all over the city. Some recent rides I've done are the oncheon river ride and the Nakdong as well... Planning to ride to Yangsan this Sunday if it doesn't rain if anyone wants to tag along...

 

Re: Road biking around Busan

hey all,

i hope some of you are still around to answer my questions. :)  i'm a full-time commuter hoping to move to korea from the U.S. in a couple months.  i'm curious, in busan is it possible to actually ride in the city?  or is it more like you can take your bike out on a trail on the weekends?

also, i don't currently have a good road bike.  is it easy to get one in busan, or should i try to get one here and bring it.  

thanks y'all!  i was so excited to find a thread about cycling in busan!

take care.

Re: Road biking around Busan

Cycling along the Nakdong River just got a whole lot better! They officially announced the completed connection of the entire length, though they are still working on bits & pieces where you have to get back on a road. Even then the roads are clearly marked with bike lanes and nobody seems pissed off or honks, and the speed limit is low.

As for the paths, what was a combination of paved stretches interspersed with gravel and dirt only a few months ago is now a mostly continous stretch of awesome bike riding..dedicated lanes with hardly anyone on them..at this point anyway. The stretch from Busan to Andong is a casual 380km. We did about 50km up past Yangsan and back without a hitch last week.

It's really easy to access regardless of where in Busan you are. We just rode to the nearest subway station, then threw our bikes on and got off at the first stop over the river (Gangseo-gu Office) on the brown line. Beats the sh*t out of the Oncheoncheon paths under the PNU subway and out towards Gwangan. I swear that's more dangerous than riding in traffic.

Anyway, if anyone would like to join this Friday, PM me. We are a group of 2 not so hardcore cyclists (but we will go approx 100km Fri) who like to enjoy the beauty of the river and stop for the occassional beverage of choice along the way..cheers! 

Re: Road biking around Busan

I rode with shiner and the ride turned out great! We started from Kangseo station and headed north, along the river. The first 25 km is flat and interesting but then the course takes a sharp left and turns away from the Nakdong river. At 27km there is a big climb (gain 200m of elevation in 2.5 km), followed by 4 km on an undivided highway. 

At around 45km, we reached the river (after 40 km of no bridges, suddenly there are 4!). We took the single lane bridge across to the tiny village of Samrang-ri. There are a couple supermarkets and restaurants. After the bridge there is an immediate right turn onto the well-marked bike path. We followed it all the way back to Gupo station for a total of 79 km. The path on this side is easy, totally flat, and features a several long sections of wooden path elevated over the river. It's spectacular and I strongly recommend the east side. 

The way is clearly marked and is suitable for road bikes. Make sure you carry enough water and food because there are very few places on the west side and no places to buy on the east side.

One final note, part of the path was still under construction but the workers let us go through and we could hear the unsecured wooden slats slapping as we rode over them. The south end of this stretch was barricaded (30 km north of Gupo) and we had to crawl over. It looked like no northbound riders were getting through. I think it's just a matter of days before it's open but fair warning, you might have to turn around.

Re: Road biking around Busan

Hey!

I am an ESL teacher and arrived in Busan last Saturday. I live right near Haeundae beach and am looking for a place to buy a bike. I rode fixie back home in Montreal, but wouldn't mind getting a 10-speed either. Any advice on where to go and find a good quality, not too expensive bike?

Once I'm set up, I would love to go on some rides with you and explore the coast!

 

Re: Road biking around Busan

Hello! I arrived in Busan at the end of August and I still haven't taken the road bike I brought with me out for a spin. I was living in San Francisco where the roads are all so clearly marked and I felt really safe, but Busan just freaks me out without someone helping me for the first couple rides. I am a few stops from Nampo at the end of the orange line. Lemme know if I can join someone!

Re: Road biking around Busan

Hi  Bonnaroo, I just left you a PM. I'm still actively riding most weekends. The streets freak me out, too, so I've been heading to the Nakdong River mostly. Dedicated bike lanes that are mostly empty and go on forever. I get out there by subway, which would be a bit of a pain for u from Nampo, but worth it I think for a full day's ride. It would be nice to ride with someone for a change. Get in touch..

Re: Road biking around Busan

Hey. I just moved to Busan a couple of months ago. I bought a bike recently. I am looking to learn the ropes a bit and go on some good weekend rides. If your up for a ride sometime let me know. I live on Yeongdo near Nampo. Ya let me know.

Jon

Re: Road biking around Busan

Hi Bonnaroo, I have a road bike in Busan and I go for a ride every couple of days. The streets scare me too but I've found some quieter routes. Have you been over to Gijang yet? It's a really nice ride. Let me know if you want to go explore some weekend. I'm always game for a bike ride. 

Re: Road biking around Busan

Continue past Gijang and follow the coastal road up to Jinha beach, just below Ulsan. Great ride, nice beach.

Cycling around the massive industrial complexes near Ulsan as well is quite the experience.

Re: Road biking around Busan

You also might want to check out "sports-tracker.com" I use it on my smartphone to track my mountain bike rides.

Check out the explore section and zoom in on Busan.  You should be able review some cycling routes.

 

You may also be able to find some riding buddy's by sending them a friends invite.

 

 

Re: Road biking around Busan

Hey everyone

I live in Haeundae and I'm always looking for a partner. I'm not a super fit or experienced cyclist. But trying to become one :) My plan is to cycle from Andong to Busan in Chuseok this year.  I've explored a bit of the paths down by Nakdong and they are really great!! I've also cycled over dalmaji, but not really further than Seongjong.  And I've cycled a bit of the oncheon and suyeong rivers.  

This Saturday I'm planning on meeting at 9am at Hadan subway and cycling a good stretch of the Nakdong.  If anyone is interested let me know

Kakao talk ID: 010 4449 1388

cheerio

Re: Road biking around Busan

I'd definitely be up for starting something like a road cycling club but will not be in Busan for another 10 days, currently stuck in the U.S. Havne't been in Korea for like 5 years but am super stoked to come back and want to start cycling as soon as I get acclimated. I'll hit you up as soon as I get a bike etc.

Re: Road biking around Busan

Hi

I live in busan just start cycling. if you're a cyclist, and looking for a riding partner, please let me know.  I am new to the city and eager to discover new place specially by riding  bicycle.

Amin