Mtn. Biking, Partying and Checking out some Sites.....

Hello everyone.....the next pictures are a mix of mountain biking, partying and checking out some of the sites.
The weather here has been really nice. Similar to autumn in Colorado with a feel of the east coast. The colors are just starting to Peak, therefore I am hoping to get out this weekend for some fall foliage.
Below is a view coming out of a descent on the bike. This was an unfamiliar trail to us and it ended by cruising through someones garden.

Interesting looking Scarecrow protecting the organic greens.....

A map of some of the biking/hiking trails in the area. You can see there are a few major trails that follow the ridge lines and there are many fingers of off the ridge that are not marked. These provide technical rocky steep downhills. Generally short but sweet.
My place is some where in the Valley, (maybe in the middle) which is part of Bundang.

Some fall colors on the way to the single track....

Nice shot of the countryside.......

Single track......I mentioned the "Cafe 32 Loop", this is part of it. I went out the other day to break my time record. Door-to-Door, usually about 50min-1hr. I was hitting it hard...average Heart Rate of 143 and Max HR of 180. Time was 40:42. Not bad....I was husseling.

A night after work, meeting up with some friends at the OB Bar........
We had a few bets on eating some really hot peppers. I did well, but made the mistake of touching my eyes and wow......that was a mistake....my eyes were burnin'. This pub is in our neighborhood.....

Then off to Seohyeon Station area. A subway station area a few stops away from Jeongja Station near my hood. Seohyeon is a common place to go to drink, eat, shop, movies, etc....
So we took a taxi and made it to the Dublin Bar.....This place is mainly a foreigner hangout. We go there often to play darts. Remember, it is a school night, it's about midnight and the night just seemed to get started. Time to play darts...Every once in a while I've pulled a late night. You'll notice from the next few pictures....Nonetheless, I went to bed at 5am. Thankfully I start work at 3pm.
Intense games of darts....Min is below, the "Keiopo" Spelling? That is a term for moving to a foreign place like the U.S. and growing up there and then moving back to Korea.....He's a cool guy..Golf Pro. Maybe we'll go and work on the golf swing one day so I can keep up with my father :) Thanks for the game DAD before I left the U.S. I'll be back!

This guy, James is from California...LA, very interesting throw, unlike any other. Maybe it is because he is a musician. We were partners that night and kicked some butt.

Late night going to get some Seolleongtang (Beef bone soup). One of many delicious meals of Korea. When I say late night..yep...it was about 330am....

Oh, I forgot to add this Bar shot from Dublin, This is Brad, from Nova Scotia. He and his girlfriend had the wine and cheese party. He is a crack-up....

The meal...not a good pic, but I think I was a little tipsy from the beer.....

Time to eat....


Some fall colors on the walk to work....I think I need to expand more on where I work, etc...I will try and take some pics of my work place, students, office, teachers, etc......

A trip to a part of Seoul. There was a USANA event going on and this was around the Convention center at CO-EX.
There was a massive wedding going on and this was a pretty impressive ice sculpture...


Outside there was a Budda Palace area....A painting on one of the Entrance Doors.

I was there with a co-worker, Michelle and her husband Moonsu...

Paintings of Lotus flowers on the ceiling.....Very colorful....

Traditional building....

It was kinda cold on this day..so far the coldest day....lower 40's. although now we are having our Indian summer, it's been nice this last week....

Michelle and Moonsu....


Budda....Sinharta...I think?

Man dressed as ancient warrior....
Visiting monks...I believe they are from Thailand....

This is a Map of the Seoul area...I took this in the Subway....The pink in the middle is the Center of Seoul and the Yellow parts are the outer areas of Seoul....If you see the Dark Dot towards the bottom right, that is my station "Jeongja Station" and That is the Bundang area.

Some artwork in one of the Subway stations that caught my eye.....No not the NorthFace poster in the Lower Right....

I FOUND the Ali Baba of Seoul....this is in Itaewon...the big foreigner part of Seoul. I need to try it out to see if it can rival Golden, Colorado's Ali Baba....as Tim Troha would say....Love the BABA! I saw this after eating at an India and Arab Cuisine Restaurant....which was good. Next time...

Back to Mountain Biking. A view from a new trail that I explored...This family has a spectacular view from their roof top patio....

I noticed this sign....Hmmmm....I wonder what this is telling me....I guess I will stay on the trail, who knows what can happen if I veer of the trail...I'll let you all wonder about that!

The trail ended through this cemetery....I did thank the buried for a quality single track...and the beautiful views they have.... :)

Nice grave site....
Near my workplace. A violin shop....this caught my eye due to my good friend Vanessa....So here are a few shots for her....I had to check it out....

Many violins that have been imported from Europe.

A nice park area..........The leaves are starting to peak....

This is a nice one....I like the colors, very similar to the east coast. NY... A feeling of home, where I grew up.....

That's all for now folks........
Until next time. Thank you for following my Journey in South Korea.......
All the best!

Anyong-hi kaseyo (Ahn-n'yohng-he kuh-say-yoh) Goodbye!

Well, it as been a while since I have posted something, so get ready for a bunch of pictures. I will keep the captions brief and to the point since there are quite a few photo's....So here we go....

Here is some nice bicycle art on a bridge that I ride under to get to some of the sweet single track. I ride under this often and it makes me speed up my pace since the riders on the bridge are flying and so aero looking.

Some beautiful mountain flowers randomly next to the trail.

At the view point hanging out taking a quick rest. Good place to stop. My sweet hard of a tail ride below.....keeping it real!

Cool little cafe/restaurant....the wine bottles caught my eye on the steps. Must have been a big night of wining and dining :) This is at the end of what I call the "Cafe 32 Loop" It's about a 50min. 8-mile mtb ride. Short and sweet. It starts off with a nice bike path warm up, then a brutal single track climb up to a fast rolling ridge line, then a fun technical descent where I hear ooh's and ahh's from the Korean hikers. I clean most of the downhill, but every now and then may have to put a foot down or take a tumble. I'll have to stop in for an espresso one morning after the ride so the ride will live up to it's name.

A night walking around a performing arts center near the Seoul Nat. Univ. of Education. Cool fountain that has a light and water show to the sounds of classical music. I'll have to come back and check out the Seoul Symphony, since I've enjoyed the Denver Symphony. Nice area with sculptures, persimmon trees, flowers and a few fancy looking cafes.

My trip to the Seoul Immigration Office. I am now teaching legally in Korea. I officially have my Certificate of Alien Registration. The trip to Japan was just a piece of the puzzle. Now I am good to go for the year. Bring it on!
The multi-sport path near my place and along the Tan Chan river. Nice to have close by....

You'll see all kinds of people having fun. Check out this guy and what he is riding....

At last, I make it to the climbing wall. As stated before I saw a nice outdoor climbing wall. One morning before work I put my rock shoes in my camelbak and hopped on the bike and had my first bouldering experience in Korea. My arms were pumped with in minutes. It's about 15 minutes away from my place.
Really cool features, looking forward to hanging out there. There is a coffee shop near by, so I can get jacked up and climb around like a monkey....

Making some moves.....

Another Korean Holiday today.....Korean foundation day! Day off of work, although I am walking to work to meet my c0-workers for a mountain hike and a picnic.

OK...I had to get this shot. Anyone up for some pork..here's a truck load for you....notice the man holding the meat hook....Cool!

Toss one on the back and take into the local market to be chopped up.....I think that is one side of a whole pig.....

Heading to the Chunggye Mountain for the hike...Korea's take on The North Face....The Red Face....have to get a t-shirt before heading home.....

Outdoor farmers market....
Korean stirring up some rice porridge. Feed the mountaineers....

What...we are going there! Just to the right of my hand....Are you sure? Only about 1200' of elevation. Not bad at all!

My co-workers. Everybody is really nice. Good group of peeps. Say Kimchi!

Walking up the trail.....really crowded but a beautiful area. I read after a Korean summits Mt. Everest, hiking and mountaineering took off in Korea. Which is great! Keeps them healthy....EXERCISE....I think Americans need more of that! Get off the couch....drop the bag of chips and turn the boob tube off and the video games and check out the nature that surrounds you!!! LIVE LIFE......Sorry to go off a bit...but the Obesity rate is getting out of hand!!!


Getting the kiddos started out at a young age...walking sticks and all....

Made it to the Top.....Yahoo!
"Nuns on the Run" hence the blurred photo......they are quick...


This is interesting. I have not seen this before. High pressured air guns used to blow the dirt off your shoes....hmmm.......
Ahhh....lunch (picnic), time to eat some Korean cuisine....

This is a traditional meal called "PiPimPap"...or you will see in the states at Korean Restaurants "BiBimBap" Check it out, Tasty dish consisting of rice, vegetables, egg, and some red pepper paste, a small drizzle of sesame oil, mix it all up and enjoy. This was one of the many dishes we ate. My friend Vanessa and I went to Seoul Food of Korea in Denver before the journey. Great Korean restaurant in Denver.....Korean owned....Look it up for you Denver/Boulder folks.


More vats of Soup and Porridge.

This is an egg dish....maybe like a frittata or a large omelet. It consisted of green onions and squid. very tasty, also another favorite. Koreans are big on the squid....That's one big spatula.

I see a KAYAK...Do you see the kayak in the background? Getting excited.....!

Another pic of the outdoor farmers market.....Nomu pissayo! Harinhae Chushigessumnikka?
means.....That price is to high! Can you give me a discount?

Had to buy some pumpkin like taffy from this farmer. And the end of a nice time hanging out with the co-workers....


Views of where I live from the mountain bike trails....
Those specs in the sky are 4 helicopters....I see many fighter jets cruising around...kinda cool. Yesterday they must have been putting on a show....there were about 15 of them and 4 would fly by streaming yellow, purple and green colors behind them....
I think they may consist of U.S., South Korean and North Korean fighter jets, but not sure..I'll have to check into this at some point.

I live somewhere near the right group of high-rises...

This is on the long 100km MTB ride. All-in-all a good ride. Lots of road and not much single track but I managed to see more of the country side.... Mirrored image of me wearing the colors....this goes out to the SG Militia...or what remains of the SG Militia.....

On the ride...we were lost for a bit, so hanging out....there were about 12 of us.....from the local Bike Shop. "SAY mtb"

Time for lunch....A historic restaurant that dates back over a 100 years. Travelers used to stop here on there journeys to rest, feed there horses and themselves.

Hello....myself and Shin, one of the guys from the shop.

Ahh...tasty food. Lots of little side dishes...with a plate of BBQ pork. And a bowl of soup....

Mountain bike parking.......

View from up in the mountains looking down on Seoul. On the way to this point we did ride up this steep twisting gorge that has the potential of some serious steep creekin' (kayaking) I was not able to check it out, but hopefully will at some point....

Seoul Olympics Sign...the other night in Seoul trying to get to the firework competition between Korea, America, and China....we did not make it, but it was worth the try....I heard last year the Chinese put a firework in the sky that looked like a Dragon!

Off to the wine and cheese party.....the ladies having some fun.....

I am enjoying a glass of wine and some hors de vors.....Nice group of Foreigners....

Everybody mingling in the Kitchen.....A cool studio/loft apartment in an Officetel....one of the large high rise buildings.....

We did manage to drink a few bottles of wine.....this was last Saturday night (10/13)


On Sunday a few of us headed up to Seoul to meet up with some other friends and checked out the Russian Community. I like this area....and the food....I'll be back for sure!

Eating some Russian cuisine. Lamb Kabobs, beet salad, pastries filled with lamb, other salads and some really good beer. I didn't know that Russia has good beer, we did not try the vodka, that will be for the next visit. 6 of us were stuffed and happy for $10. Cheap and delicious.

The restaurant.....

Traditional Korean Style Building.....

Nice Detail....
One of the big markets in Seoul called "Nam De Mun", You can find everything and anything...below is a food stand....look closely, snails, squid, kabobs, and other things....

I want to go back and by some dress shirts for $5.

A night shot of Insadong in Seoul.....

This one goes out to all my friends in Colorado....

And this one for all the Radiohead fans....this was posted on the ceiling of the Who music bar....this bar has tons of Vinyl, so you can hang out and have a beer/cocktail and request good music...



That concludes the last ? weeks. Sorry it's been awhile......But ENJOY and come back and visit again!

All the best!!!