Cycling Korea's Four Rivers with Brompton bikes

[@FlowJunkie65]

Hi, Pam and Gilbert! I enjoyed watching your Dahon Mariner D8 video review, I commented that I wanted to ride the Seoul to Busan path, and you mentioned that Gilbert and you completed it. I'm glad that I found this video because I enjoyed watching it, but I'll admit I could've watched an hour or more of this ride! Thank you for posting it for us to enjoy. Cheers!

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

If the opportunity arises, go cycle in South Korea, you won’t regret it.

[@FlowJunkie65]

@@2Bikes4Adventure Definitely! I retire in summer 2025 and would love to fly to So. Korea to do this ride in the fall, which I understand is a very good time of year for good cycling weather! Cheers!

[@kimonosandkilts]

Beautiful! Love the bikes too

[@Runflytothemoon]

해피 투어 with bikes!

[@똑딱이사진]

아름다운 영상과 음악이 돋보이는군요.

[@roberts8783]

I rode from Seoul to busan with my brompton. amazing cycling infrastructure !

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

@roberts8783 Totally agree.

[@karenfoto]

Thanks for giving me another place to put on my cycling bucket list! Epic overhead camera angles!

[@tandago7281]

My thought exactly!

[@user-pu1gu4st9r]

아름다운 자연 속의 두 분의 모습이 매우 아름답습니다.

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

한국은 아름답다

[@eleanorlansang656]

Thanks for sharing your video. Love it!

[@Terragea]

Outstanding video content and video editing. Thank you for sharing. As mentioned by someone else, a route for the bucket list.

[@huanchuacres8163]

I admire those who suffer to gain .. lots of hard work there❗👍Excellent ❗👍😃

[@velovan11]

Loved watching your Four Rivers video! It looks like it was autumn... October maybe?

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

Indeed, October- how could you tell? We were not impacted by the typhoon season, but some morning rides in the north were quite cold (7c).

[@velovan11]

@@2Bikes4Adventure ha, ha… the leaves, the light, and maybe since October seems to be the best month to visit that part of the world. I really enjoy your videos btw

[@소쿠리-l2l]

so good!! looks good!! from seoul korea @_@

[@huntrrams]

Looks so beautiful! What specs do you recommend for the Brompton for this kind of trail?

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

The Bromptons used on this trip were 3 speeds (old 2001 vintage). This would be sufficient for most of the trail except for the few very steep parts (we walked those). We also own a more recent 6 speed (with 12% gear reduction), but we decided (rightly so) it was overkill for this trip (the steep parts would likely be too much for those as well). All equipped with front luggage block, rear rack, M-handle bar and Schwalbe Marathon tires. If you already own a Brompton, any one will likely be capable of handling most of the trail (even a single speed). If you want to buy a new one (and are likely to cycle tour often), go for the 6-speed -12%.

[@Jmaynardkeynes]

You so clever and patient... ^^

[@jeffb2461]

Awesome Brommie love story! Share some sunsets on your touring guys, thanks.

[@namsan6881]

Congratulations!.

[@domestique3954]

Somehow riding on these small wheels is a lot of fun! 🤙

[@Rabe1907]

Genau so geht es mir auch !

[@vincerunnerretrobikevince4212]

I’m glad I found your channel! This trip is on my list and I’m debating between renting a bike or using my 6 speed Brommie. My issue is the climate in August and the short time I have (6 days).

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

Averaging a little bit more than 100km/day for 6 days could become uncomfortable on a Brompton if you are not used to it. Note that 6speed is fine (we did our trip with our 3speed). Finding a more comfortable (rental) full-size bike could be a solution, but you would have to factor in the rental logistic (including returning the bike at the end) in your short schedule. Alternatively, you could do only part of the main trail (or one of the other ones, like Jeju Island trail which is (only) 234km). July-August is Korea’s warmest, most humid and wettest time of the year. Part of the 4Rivers trail can get flooded during typhoon season. If everything works out, you won’t regret it. If not, you will have good stories to tell upon your return. Good luck.

[@michaelyap939]

Thanks for sharing your video. Need your advice on my plan to four river bike trail, I have several mountain bike and a 20 inches Dahon MU D9 foldable bike. I am thinking to pack the foldable bike and ride in four river route (in 12-15 days). Do you think this is better option compare to rent a 29 inches mountain bike in South Korea? Thanks for your advice.

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

Hi @Michaelyap939. Your MU D9 20” folding bike is certainly capable of doing the 4Rivers trail. The added capabilities offered by a mountain bike are not required as most of the trail is flat and paved. A few other parameters to factor in: 1. Cost: Rental vs your bike’s airfare (if any). 2. Rental Quality: Is it a good quality rental (something you wish you could buy one day?) or some low quality/poorly maintained bike? You may want to bring your own saddle. 3. Air travel: Travelling to/from the airport with a packed bike can be annoying. Avoiding this aggravation could be worth a few dollars. 4. Logistics: Do you need to pick up/ drop off the rental at the same location (being able to drop it off at the end of the trail would be a bonus). Otherwise, you will have to fly (or take the train) back with it (as you will if you take your Dahon). As for us, we very rarely use rentals. Our bikes are our travel companions. 1. We do not pay extra for airfare (packed in regular sized luggage). 2. We rarely rent a bike (most are usually low cost / poorly maintained). 3. We usually cycle to/from the airport (and pack the bike at the arrival/departure terminal). 4. No need to return to our arrival airport, we usually fly home from a different airport. Good luck on your trip no matter which bike you decide to use.

[@michaelyap939]

@@2Bikes4Adventure Thank you very much for good advice, really appreciate that. ☺

[@pali_aha2781]

I lost 2 Mavics over Hong Kong harbor, 1 Mavic under a bridge in the ancient Chinese river town of ZhenYuan and a Spark in Singapore. That's 4 grand of helicopters with minds of their own. No more for me. I'll just watch your videos 🛸🚁🚀

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

I have been using a Mavic Pro (first generation). This was the smallest thing at the time (before Spark). Very happy with it. Did have a few close calls, but no crash yet (just lucky I guess). With new drone regulations/restrictions being implemented in many countries, I was looking for a smaller (and hopefully cheaper) drone. I acquired a Mavic Mini (but haven’t travel with it yet due to Covid). Also purchased a Dobby (for only $100 (liquidation price)). The Dobby performance is no match against DJI, but at this price, it won’t break my heart (or the bank) if/when it crashes. Also, it’s easier to set-up and tear-down (no controller), so less time to attract onlookers. Drone is a luxury for ultralight bike tourers. Money is probably better spent on a good action camera (or Sony RX100 or Canon G7X or Insta360?). Having said that, it’s difficult to resist the dramatic memories drone can provide.

[@eleanorlansang656]

Hi. Will a 6 speed, 50T work for this trip? Thanks!!

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

We did it with our 3 speed 50T (keeping our newer 6 speed 44T at home) as this trail is mostly flat

[@LazyDoo]

welcome to korea!

[@captainyoun6009]

beautiful Korea, beautiful my country! How long did you takes the bike trip?

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

About 2 weeks for the main Seoul->Busan trail, but we also did side trips (DMZ, Chuncheon,…) Looking forward to return one day.

[@tonyenglish292]

Hi, great video. Thanks for sharing. Do you know of the Busan airport has the bicycle box/packing service? Using bromptons you may not have needed it ??

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

You are correct concerning our Brompton, we carried our own packing material to the airport (IKEA Dimpa + locally found material in DAISO (dollar) store)). Note that it’s fairly easy to cycle to Busan airport (not all international airports are that easy). I didn't see any bicycle box/packing service at the airport, but then again, I wasn’t really looking for it neither. Maybe you would have more chance in Seoul/Incheon airport? Train from Busan to Incheon are frequent and relatively cheap. Returning to Seoul would also give you the possibility to leave your packing material there at the beginning of your trip (left luggage in an hotel?) Another packing option (that we used prior to owning Brompton), is the “Ground Effect Tardis” bicycle bag (about $130US www.groundeffect.co.nz/products/tardis-compact-bike-bag ).Once folded, they are the size of (thick) A4 (8 1/2 x 11) binder. You can supplement its padding using cardboard that you could find on the last day of cycling. Hope you have a chance to do the 4 Rivers trail, a very nice (and easy) cycling experience.

[@kif11]

Hi nice trip! Looks like Korea has a lot of bike path? How many kilometers did you bike. What % of that was shared roads with cars? Also would like to know how you guys did this overhead drone shots while biking? :)

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

South Korea has a government sponsored long-distance bike trails network. We did about 1000km while we were there. I don’t think this is even 1/2 of what is available. I would say 90% of what we did was on dedicated bike path (no car). We plan to go back in the future (very nice/safe place to do bicycle touring). The drone shots were done with a DJI Mavic Pro (you may notice the remote control in one of my hand and/or suspended around my neck). I used Tracking Mode to assist me.

[@kif11]

@@2Bikes4Adventure very cool. Sounds like an awesome place to bike! Thanks for the video and info.

[@stephenschuit4718]

Did you have any prior experience with South Korea? I have lived there from 1973-75 and again from 2012-2017 as an English teacher/professor. I am wondering how your experience was traveling and biking through the country, especially if it was your first time there.

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

It was our first time in South Korea. We could get around quite easily although, in some places, English language was not understood. In that respect, it was not much different than cycling in Taiwan or Japan. South Korea long distance cycling paths were superior however.

[@stephenschuit4718]

@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks for your quick response. You guys might recall heading through and past Daegu which is about 2/3 down from Seoul-Busan. We lived in the eastern area of that city, which is currently Korea's 4th largest city. We would take our bikes (mine was/is a Brompton) on the subway out to western Daegu where the 4-Rivers meet. There is a well-known architectural landmark there called the ARC (looks like Noah's Ark). Then we would bike a 32-mile loop around Daegu back to our homes along one of those rivers. The quality of bike paths in Korea was a pleasant surprise. Koreans have really taken to the outdoors in terms of hiking and biking, in spite of the relatively crowded nature of their peninsula. South Korea is the size of the U.S. state of Indiana, but has a population of 55-million people, or about 1/6 of the entire U.S. population. Thanks.

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

I remember the ARC, quite striking (the bike path goes around it). We cycled from there to-from our hotel which was in Dalseo-gu

[@PIPSGuy]

Did u climb all the 4/5 mount using brompton? Care the share how is the experience? Looking foward to do same route but worries this mountain. Thks

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

The trail follows rivers, so most of it is fairly flat (mostly between 20 m and 100 m above sea level). The highest point is 541 meters (1775 ft). The 2nd highest point is less than half that. We were able to cycle the entire trail with our 3 speeds Brompton with no difficulty. Some very short section (a few 100 meters) were too step for us, so we walked those. The rest is basically a very nice 630km scenic family-friendly trail. Highly recommended.

[@PIPSGuy]

@@2Bikes4Adventure Thks for sharing ur adventure 😁

[@kkaupapa5469]

Korea consists of 70% mountains in its soil though they are not as high as the Alps. You will endlessly encounter ups and downs on the road which are quite high or moderate. What’s good is that roads are all paved and well maintained.

[@vedelfatboyfriendly2337]

How many days did the trip take ?

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

Ole Olsen, the main trail is about 650km, so depending on your average daily speed, you can do it between 1 to 2 weeks. To this, you may want to add some days to visit Seoul and the DMZ.

[@kimonosandkilts]

Can you estimate about how many kilometers of steep hills there are? This is one of the most beautiful videos I have seen of 🇰🇷

[@2Bikes4Adventure]

The trail follows rivers, so most of it is fairly flat (between 20 m and 100 m above sea level I would say). The highest point is 541 meters (1775 ft). We were able to cycle the entire trail with our 3 speeds Brompton with no difficulty. Some very short section (a few 100 meters) were too step for us, so we walked those. The rest is basically a very nice and scenic family-friendly trail.

[@sg2026]

👍😍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏