autumn countryside

Cycled through the countryside of the three districts-Gyeongju 경주, Cheongdo 청도, and Yeongcheon 영천-passing through fields and mountains. It has been almost a year since Jaeho was last here to ride. 

It was a typical sunny autumn day. As the morning sunlight emerged, the fog over the mountains gradually lifted, but the distant view remained unclear. From the district of Ahwa 아화, approached the uphill segment in order to cross Suk-jae 숙재 pass(485 m).

Had to cross a dip in the ridge of the mountain to the south along the route. The uphill climb to the Suk-jae pass is about 4 km long and has 9 hairpin bends. The photo on the right dipicts the final bend. The downhill segment, heading south from the pass, spans about 17 km and has little traffic, offering a peaceful landscape. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, camping has also been booming in Korea. Camping and auto-camping sites are often found along valleys.

After reaching the main road connecting Gyeongju and Cheongdo, turned right and rode for about 5 km, then turned right off the main road and pedaled uphill, heading north to cross Oh-jae 오재(380 m) pass. The two passes of Suk-jae and Oh-jae share the same ridge. Took a break at the pass. A memorial stone for an independence fighter stands here at the rest area. On the way back, passed through the town of Geoncheon 건천, the starting place. As autumn deepens, the harvest in the paddy fields is starting.

ran through the mountains and fields

Got up at 4 AM, started driving to Yeoungdeok 영덕 at 5 AM to avoid traffic jams, and arrived at the parking lot of the stadium of Yeoungdeok county at about 7 AM. Visited Yeongdeok again after four months. It was a little chilly in the morning, a typical autumn weather. The route crossed Yangseol-ryeong(490 m)양설령 pass by way of the Dalsan 달산 district of Yeongdeok county, continued to the Budong 부동 district of Cheongsong 청송 county, and then looped back through Okgye 옥계 and Ganggu 강구. 

Through the Dalsan 달산 district of Yeongdeok county, rode toward the Yangseol-ryeong pass. You can enjoy a peaceful and typical countryside landscape with almost no traffic and only a few villagers around. The uphill segment to the pass is about 4.6 km in length. Even though Jaeho has crossed it three times, he always felt goosebumps due to the damaged road surface and steep slope while going down the steep hill. The valley you arrive at after going down the slope is famous for its apple orchards. Along the road, ripening apples on the trees awaited harvest.

Since Ganggu literally means the entrance to the river, the Osipcheon 오십천 river here flows into the East sea 동해. On the weekend, the fishing town was crowded with tourists who wanted to eat fresh seafood. Left the town behind and along the riverside trail, returned to the starting point, the stadium of Yeongdeok county. While driving back to Daegu 대구, felt tired and sleepy but arrived at home safely.