Korea's Ultimate Bike Touring Adventure: The Grand Slam & its cross-country, river, coastal paths… plus more

Note: This is the July 2021 updated version with better maps, corrected trail information, and more.Need a little sanity in your life? Maybe some adventure? South Korea is here for you, a beacon of stability. It’s safe, it’s fun, it’s got great food, absolutely stunning nature, and unbeknownst to even a lot of Koreans, a network of cycling paths that let you see South Korea, the real Korea, in ways that a tour package or working holiday just wouldn’t allow.These cycling paths are a hidden gem, world class in their quality, and they cover the entire country. You can cycle from Seoul all the way to the southeastern-most tip of the peninsula to Busan on the Cross-Country Path, riding along the Han River, over an ancient trading path, and then down the Nakdong River to the coast. You can cycle the other major rivers too, the Bukhan, the Geum, the Yeongsan, the Seomjin, among others, that flow through some of the most idyllic landscapes East Asia has to offer. There are also the East Coast paths and the Jeju Fantasy Bicycle Path, where you ride along pristine coastline framed by epic mountain ranges, endless beaches, and pockets of traditional fishing village life.Along with this network of paths, the Korean government offers mementos for those determined few who take it upon themselves to cycle them in their entirety. This culminates with the Grand Slam, one of several medals you can earn for completing this most ultimate of adventures.And this book serves as your unofficial guide! Cue applause! Epic background music! Confetti! Balloons! Excitement! Yay!It covers all of the tricky things you might have trouble figuring out as a foreigner, such as how to navigate on the trails, how to stay healthy, what to say when you have to take your bike into the shop, what the rules are for taking your bike on public transportation, and much, much more. It’s also full of extra tidbits on great places to visit along the way and the history behind some of those places. And best of all, you don’t have to be a pro rider to enjoy this book. It’s geared for any skill level, just so long as you love traveling, exercising, and the outdoors.So, as things start to open up again, and the world returns back to “normal,” this book is here for you. Read more