Over the Top

I rode my bike up to the gym to work out this evening, but, it was closed for the day. So, I went back to my room, dropped off my Palm and headphones, grabbed my camera and my Camelback and headed out to explore a bike route one of my friends told me about yesterday.

Okay, go, turn left and it will take you up the mountain....Got it. Wow, he did say up didn't he? Keep in mind, most steep highway grades in the states are only 6%.



Over the course of the 3 miles, I did about 600 vertical feet. Going up was tough, going down was too...I broke one of my brake levers I was squeezing the brakes so hard. Granted, they were kind of cheap, but, still.....

Anyway...I did manage a couple of flying things on the trip. Sympetrum eroticum seems to be a common dragon in this area. They have the habit of perching on power lines, too. On my ride there was one stretch where there was one about every 2 feet or so for probably 100 yards!





I also saw Sympetrum strolatum which I think is a rather striking looking specimen.




There was a spot with a nice overlook of northwest Uijongbu. You can see the soccer stadium in the middle. The odd looking large structure on the left is an ice rink. And of course the omnipresent cookie-cutter apartment buildings.




I had to smile, when I was on the way down, a young man had brought his girlfriend (I presume, anyway) up to the spot on his scooter. Some things are universal.

Once over the hill, there is a nice reservoir that is probably about a half mile long. The only ducks I saw were the common Spot-Billed Ducks, but, I will check back as we approach the fall migration to be sure!




Finally, the sun was starting to duck behind the hills, so I knew I should be heading back. It was a nice unplanned excursion overall, and has given me some other areas to explore. Probably the most refreshing part was being able to have the feeling of being in a rural setting. It's the first time I've had that since I arrived in Korea.