Review by cyclist – 4 trips to Korea

Update : Patrick is returning for the 4th time to Korea with us. This time is Jeju Round Island cycling Holiday in May 2019.

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… by Patrick Khaw

When my friends heard that I was going to Korea for yet another bicycle tour, they asked why?

It would be my fourth trip to the Land of the Morning Calm in four years and my third in just over a year. And my third with the Singapore Adventurous Nature Lovers and NTC Travel Services.

You do not go on a second, let alone a third trip with the same organisers unless you are convinced that each following trip will be as good if not better than the previous one. This has been the case with the cycling tours of South Korea: the beginners; Four Rivers Ride, the Cherry Blossom ride and this one. In fact, I am likely to go for a fourth trip next year for a ride around Jeju Island.

In all the trips, the organisation has been good. A true test of any tour is not when all is going well but when things go awry. Whenever we had a hiccough, the issue was usually quickly and easily resolved. With cyclists of varying abilities, the group is always going to be strung out a bit sometimes and it is always going to be an effort to keep them together. This can always be done better but it is done well enough on these trips.

The choice of places to eat and accommodation has been super. It’s nice to roll up to a restaurant, sit down, and to have your food in front of you within a few minutes. In this regard, the Merida team of riders and drivers were also great at making sure that we had plenty of food and whatever refills that we needed.

It was also great not to have to fill in registration forms to check into hotels. Rooms were pre-assigned and we were given keys once we arrived at the hotel. After a day’s riding, all we wanted was to get to our rooms to clean and freshen up before meeting for dinner.

The best recommendation for doing more rides like this is the fact that I will be going again. I have had eight Australians accompany me on these trips and they have all expressed the same sentiments about the arrangements, food, and accommodation.It is also likely that a few more will be travelling with me on my next Korean cycling adventure.

P. Khaw

Photos of Patrick trips …

Autumn Riverside Ride – Oct 2017

Cherry Blossom Ride – April 2018