Shore Explorer - 1000 km, April 23, 2011

This ACP sanctioned 1000km Shore Explorer was designed to highlight stunning coastal features of theSouth Korean peninsula without ignoring the enchanting countryside with its rice fields and mysterious
mountains. Starting from Gwangju riders will head east towards
the Jirisan Mountains into the rising sun. From Gurye cyclists
will follow the Seomjin River and merge with the southern coast inSacheon. After crossing most spectacular bridges we will meander
along the shores of islands (Changseondo, Namhaeddo, Jido andWando) and peninsulas protruding like fingers from the mainland.
From Wando we will head west past Haenam to join the Yellow
Sea at Mokpo. From there riders will turn north and follow thecoastline for 200+ kilometers. As part of this we will cross of few
bridges that lay testimony to Korea’s engineering skills and visit
islands with picturesque fishing villages (live octopus - Nak-ji should be on the Randonneur’s menu and is particularly good in
Doripo and Donha) and scintillating scenery. 700km into the ride
cyclists will leave the coastal road, turn northwest and continue on
the 32 long Saemangeum Seawall, the longest structure of its kind;the piece of ocean it captures will be home Asia’s newest mega city.
After this exhilarating, yet possibly very windy, experience we willhead east into Gunsan. The final 200 km will take us south
through a mix of farmland, rolling hills and some serious climbs
crossing the Naejangsan Mountains before we return to Gwangju.
Details: Distance: 1003km; Elevation gain: about 7,000m; Timelimit: 75 hours; Start: April 23, 2011, 05 a.m., Gwangju. Foradditional information, contact: Lothar Hennighausen(alpinerandonneur@verizon.net)
Roads and Traffic: Large stretches of the ride will be on small
country roads, many of which with a decent shoulder. Occasionally we will ride on busy roads and citystreets. Traffic can be heavy at times and Korean drivers often have an unclear interpretation of traffic laws.
Drivers tend to ignore stop signs and red traffic lights. Be aware of bus drivers! RIDE DEFENSIVELY!
ALERT DRIVERS WHEN APPROACHING TURNS AND INTERESCTIONS! WEAR A
REFLECTIVE VEST AT ALL TIMES! USE A REARVIEW MIRROR! RIDE IN GROUPS!
Logistics: Riders will receive a cue sheet, GPS files (tracks and waypoints of motels and restaurants) andbasic phrases in Hangul (I need a room for one night, please serve me live octopus, please serve me
vegetarian gluten free food, etc). Since we will cycle on small country roads with many twists and turns it
is advisable to carry maps and a GPS device. Although many turn signs display cities in English, it isadvisable to mark key city names in Hangul. There will be no additional logistic support and each rider
needs to be self-sufficient. Controls are normally located at 24 hour Convenient Marts. Many inexpensive
Motels can be found along the route and it is acceptable to sleep in the seating sections of 24 hour
convenient Marts and in restaurants (a list of sleep stop restaurants will be provided).
Night riding: Each rider is required to carry a strong headlight and a non-blinking taillight as well as
backups. Riders are required to wear full reflective vests and encouraged to ride in groups for safety.
All Korea Randonneurs (601000) Brevets have been sanctioned by Audax Club Parisien

http://korea-randonneurs.blogspot.com/