So the day after I whine about not being able to handle the long rides anymore…
Last winter, I went on a ride that took me past some old train tracks near Asan city. I became curious, and someone took the time to look up the history of the area. I love history, and it’s even more exciting seeing the scenes at which it took place, no matter how mundane. And I suppose you could call this mundane. I mean, it’s just some rusty old railroad tracks.
But the train used to mean something. It still does, of course, but today the country is criss-crossed with high-speed rail, subways and everything in between. So why would this obscure little piece of track fascinate me? What does it matter?
The answer is all in my imagination. All those years ago, the train was a lifeline at a time when private cars were scarce and roads were fewer, narrower, and harder to travel (back when I was here 40 years ago). What now takes just an hour or two may have taken half a day or longer in the 60s. The rails were reliable ways to get around the country…if one could afford to go. And here was a remnant of those times, this piece of track that ran through the countryside west of Asan. People rode these rails. They took their vacations at the spas that surround the area. They passed through on the way south to family. So much to think about.
A good portion of the old rail bed has been turned into a bike and pedestrian trail, much of it covered by solar panels. Today’s ride followed that and beyond. I only found the locations of three of the old stations — there were remnants of the platforms visible, some quite overgrown. One of the stations has been repurposed as a rail-bike station where you can rent a a small pedal car and take it out on the tracks. I’d like to go back and check it out someday. And maybe explore a bit more.
Almost 70 miles on the dot today. Started well, ended hot, but we all survived…
