“I guess you had to be there.”
That’s usually the problem with taking pictures of what you think are some of the most gorgeous sights you’ve seen in a while. They just don’t convey what you’re experiencing when you’re seeing it live. We had a few of those moments yesterday on my annual ride to the Wonju Beast. A foggy morning, but some places that were so pleasant and quiet and beautiful, it was a shame only being able to take pictures. It would be so nice to bottle everything else up with it too.
Except for that tree. I have yet to ride to it when it was in full color. I had planned on going next weekend, but when I saw it starting to change already last week Monday, I figured it would probably be good early this week. And since last year I got to it when it was nearly bare (on November 5th), I’d rather see it a bit green and full instead of dull yellow and three-quarters gone.
But it’s a fickle tree. In 2020, we went on November 14th and it was completely bare. In 2021, I rode to it alone on October 30th, and it was 95 percent green (just showing a little yellow — but when Micha and I drove there on November 7th, it was perfect). In 2022, I went on November 5th (as I mentioned before). I figured I couldn’t miss…but I kind of did. So October 28th seemed somewhat reasonable. But not quite. Maybe halfway there, and I really think it’ll peak by about Tuesday. I should take a day off.
As for the rest of the day, it started foggy and grey, but still with moments of beauty. After the tree, we got a bite to eat. Joon insists now that ramyon is the way to go when you’re out on the bike, and I believe him. But still, a pastry and coffee has served me so well for so long, I couldn’t go there yet. Old habits are hard to break.
Then we headed for the big climb of the day. Having done it now, I’d say that Strava over-exaggerated. It was only as difficult as my typical climb, and not even close to the Heartbreaker — 1,600 feet in just a couple of miles, with grades reaching 18, 19, and even 21 percent. But the thing about this climb is its other side — a descent that seemed like it would never end. Even if it seemed to start leveling out a bit, it would suddenly drop some more. I measured it on Strava, and figure it came to about three and a half miles of coasting. It felt strange actually pedaling again when it did get flat again.
The rest of the ride was mostly uneventful. We stopped by a war memorial at Jipyeongni, site of a famous Korean war battle, and also a founding sight of the Jipyeong Righteous Army who fought the Japanese occupation. From there it was mostly boring road riding to the Han River, which, as beautiful as it can be, also turned out to be somewhat boring (this is the problem with river trails — they’re flat and the scenery seldom changes). It didn’t help that I was tiring out. Looking back, I wish I’d gone left at Jipyeong like I’d originally planned (but was deterred by a hill). Then again, it’ll give me something to ponder for future rides in the area.
After getting back to the van, it was a quick stop at McDonald’s and on to home. Thanks to Albert for driving.
It’s always a good day when you can ride…
