Cycling around Jeju

In March I at last fulfilled my goal to not only see Jeju in spring time, but also to cycle around it.  A co-worker joined me in my quest to cycle the +/- 250 km around the coast. 

We decided we could not be bothered by getting our bikes boxed for flying, so we booked a sleeping bunk on the 12 hour ferry from Busan Ferry Terminal to Jeju.  

I booked the tickets online and just picked them up at the port, we put our bikes in the hold of the ship, went on board and made ourselves cozy in our room.  The next morning we got off the boat, got on our bikes and started cycling.

Our adventure started at 6:40 am with lots of black rocky coastline, cute artsy cafe's and guesthouses, some white and black sand beaches, 3 or more waterfalls, an irritating amount of wind (on the last day), just enough Chinese tourists and Korean school groups, modern wind-mills dotting the coast, endless volcanic stone walls surrounding the similar black stone houses, drying squid flapping in the wind, women-divers' scooters and carts parked along the road galore, yellow rapeseed flowers lining every road and tourist site, with some tulips, magnolias and other blossoms thrown in between, wide safe cycling paths as far as the eye can see, clean well stocked bathrooms around every corner right when you need them and many kind smiles and words to accompany us on our way. 

Oh and lets not forget sore cycling bums, a wet rainy cycle and numerous CU or GS25 pit-stops, delicious grilled fish and black skinned local bbq pork, then throw in red and white lighthouses, some horses, too many scary chained dogs, a boat ride or two and mystical dramatic rock formations showing off the ancient power of the earth's crust. 

Thank you Jeju, Korea and my cycling partner for such a wonderful adventure!

Some tips and info for cycling Jeju:​

• Cycle anti-clockwise around the island, you end up always next to the ocean
• Do not pack any shampoo, soap or towels, every pension or guesthouse will have
• Pensions are around 40 000 +, depending on location, luxury and season
• Stay on the ocean roads, especially follow the "해안도로" signs
• No need to worry about lunch, snacks or water, you are never far from shops or towns. 
• There are some hilly bits on the Southern coastal road.
• Fewer cars than other places in Korea, but they go faster, so be careful
• Wide cycling roads separated with a curb from the main road or painted red with clear signs
• Take the ferry to Udo island and cycle around it
• The boat from Busan takes 11 and a half hours, prices bunk beds in rooms are 60 000-70 000, while the more open common room is cheaper. 
• Click on the image below to see the riding record from Endomondo