Ubo 우보, Gaum 가음 and Uiheung 의흥 are the peaceful myeon(township), the destination for cycling last weekend. Unloaded the bicycle from the SUV at the Ubo myeon office and hit the road. It had been rainy on the weekends these days, but it was a cool and shiny day, a typical spring weather.
On the way to Uiheung, turned left for Gaum, headed up north and crossed a pass down to Gaum with towering mountains in background. Gaum has been already visited several times. Last year, cycled up to an ancient Buddhist temple perched half-way up the nearby mountain in summer and fall. From Gaum, some route was partially overlapped.
Less traffic and cleaner air with beautiful natural landscape! The traffic roads were avoided if possible when deciding which route to take. Trails on or along the river and stream banks are preferable, taking detours to avoid the traffic roads at times.
Noguijae 노귀재 on the cycling route used to be an important pass, together with Samjahyun 삼자현, which must be crossed to access the south side of Cheongsong county 청송군 from the southern areas. Since Noguijae tunnel was built about 10 years ago, the scenes of service area on the pass of Noguijae have changed a lot.
The memories of dirt road back in those years still linger. Much later after paving the road, dropped by the service area on the way to Juwang mountain national park 주왕산 국립공원 in Cheongsong for work picnic in autumn 14 years ago, it was crowded with hikers and picnickers.
These days, nearly no traffic, this long and winding road above the tunnel is dull and quiet, sometimes elderly adults who have been here since past years visit leisurely, however, Noguijae becomes a much loved path for cyclists, as time changes everything.
To get to Noguijae, a cyclist had to traverse two passes northwards and eastwards of the valley. After taking a rest a few minutes at Noguijae, zigzagged down the road on the other side towards a three-way intersection. Turned right there, they had to cross another pass and cycle back down west towards Gunwi Dam.
