This section includes two parts: Getting Out, and Getting Wheels.

Getting Out includes proposed upcoming trips updated in the days immediately prior to the next trip, and descriptions, photos and maps of previously run routes, good for hard-out training runs or the more sedate scenic group rides.

Getting Wheels includes lists and descriptions of places to buy bicycles, and what bikes are available currently.

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Getting Out

Upcoming Trips: Saturday, 2nd of October

Destination: The western river bike path; more details to follow soon.

Requirements: a road-worthy bike, a securely fitting helmet, and gloves.

Suggestions: a full water bottle, glasses, a jacket if it looks like raining, your most astoundingly bright shirt, money for food, and cheery smiles and waves for the nice people in the smelly automobiles.

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Been There, Cycled That:

Ride #13: Tour du Tamyang; done!

Departure: 9am, Saturday, 25th of September.
It was an incredibly beautiful autumnal day as we headed out north via Duam Dong with Reinhold back with the group and showing us the best way to get to Tamyang, via the quieter, prettier country roads. We made a stop at the Bamboo Museum for the sake of a water break, whereupon Sang-don received an invitation by phone for us to join in a local bike rally, so, we did! We met the rally group in town and rode with them along the river-side path for a while but then they went to turn off for lunch, and we headed back to Gwangju for kebabs for lunch at Sang-don’s friend’s place near Chon Dae back gate.
Total: about 62 kilometers in four hours (including breaks).

Ride #12: The Seosaewon Saunter – Done!

Having approximated a total distance of 30kms, in the event, we cycled virtually exactly that to Seosae Won and back. Having stopped off to visit an old-style pottery museum the trip took 1.5 hours going there, and almost exactly an hour coming back.

Thanks to Julie for showing us to a lovely tea house off the main road just past Seosae Won. Upon return to down town Gwangju the grilled fish for lunch was as amazingly delicious as ever.

Ride #11: Saturday, 4th of September

Destination: Initially we were considering doing a bullet run to Tamyang with the potential option of exploring the swimming pool. Upon receipt of an invitation to join the local single speed cycle club named ‘Bikini’ (a play on the words ‘Bike n I’ we decided to accept their offer, and enjoyed a lovely warm (ie. very hot) early autumnal morning’s ride south via the river across from the airport, to Nampyong forest park.

Thanks for the good company, the ride, and the delicious lunch, to Jaihyun and the Bikini Crew!

GTS

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Getting Wheels

Our favourite bike store at GTS is called ‘LePak’ and is situated directly opposite the front gate of the World Cup Stadium, on the north side, closest to the city and to Yeomju Dong, on the far side from from Pungam Jigu. It’s run by a couple of brothers, one of whom is both the most confident speaker of English of all workers in the store, and is also the head mechanic.

Unfortunately, they’re not open on Sundays, and, he doesn’t work Saturdays, but, they ARE open late on some nights of the week, including Thursdays when they are open until 10pm.

If you can read Korean and sign in (with a Korean ID card),  the store’s website is here:

http://cafe.daum.net/lepak

If you are serious about starting triathlons, meaning you want a real triathlon bicycle for the sake of numerous Olympic length races with a view to doing a first full length Ironman course, they will try to sell this bike to you which they will offer to import especially for you, with either an aluminium frame, or carbon fibre:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/trinity.0/3888/37067/

If, however, you’re going to just stick to the Olympic course length at first, and you’re just competing against yourself with the aim of finishing, then a standard road bike is probably okay. They have a fair selection of these in store most of the time, and can order from an extensive selection within the catalogue books in store and online. At one point in September 2010, they had a small sized frame Tiagra level Giant for w1,200,000. They also had two 105 level bikes: an aluminium frame Principia for w2,200,000, and a carbon frame XS sized Giant for w2,500,000.

If you’re looking to spend less than w1 million for a competition bike, you’re likely to either go the route of the second hand/ used bicycle in which LePak do deal very occassionally, and will also be able to direct you to the national websites where you could go online if you or a friend is a Korean language reader.

Another possible route is to buy an entry level mountain bike and put ‘slicks’ or flat-tread tyres on it, and set any shocks to the maximum stiffness setting, and then get the cheapest ‘clipless’ peddles and cycling shoes. The peddles will likely cost about w50,000, and the shoes closer to w100,000. They will make a significant difference to your riding speed. Please note, furthermore, your two options, within official Korea Triathlon Federation races, include using either clipless and bike shoes, or simply flat peddles and sports shoes. Old style strap-over clip-peddles and sports shoes are not allowed.

Bottom of the line in terms of locally made ‘racing’ style bikes now appears to be with the lever gear-switch type, like this one: http://www.samchuly.co.kr/english/product/product_sub.html?bcode=721

Please contact us at GTS if you would like a hand researching current options in stores or online, or assessing those options, or negotiating a purchase. Please leave a description as to what help you’d like in the comments section.

Gwangju Triathlon Sports club ~ GTS. The networking and information sharing site for people in and around Gwangju interested in swimming, road biking, or running… and for those who enjoy all three.