Korea has some of the fastest internet in the world and biggest tech companies to boot, but that doesn't mean it's without a frustrating internet experience. Legislation about internet security is decades old and restricts domestic websites to using Internet Explorer era security protocols which leads to major headaches creating accounts and signing in/out of websites/apps. YouTube requires an age check for some videos and porn sites are all blocked. The biggest hiccup for riders is the restrictions placed on Google Maps for its use of "the Sea of Japan" instead of the preferred "East Sea", debate over the pixelation of military outposts, and a splash of protectionism for the local competition. Google Maps still works, but you'll find it's:
Outdated- many roads re-routed or newly constructed and not shown
Neutered- many of the most useful tools (navigation, route-plotting, downloading maps) are disabled
Not that we don't use Google Maps here, it just needs to be paired with a secondary mapping app to get the missing functionality. And that other map is the biggest domestic challenger, Kakao Maps. Now, the website is all in Korean, but the road numbers are clear and you can easily distinguish the different types of roads (roads with a shield are a no-no for bikes). The street-view and satellite view are much more current than Google is. It is all in Korean, but the app is not. Hooray! You can go into the settings and change it to motorcycle mode and then the navigation will try to route you away from no-go roads (I say "try" because it's not 100% effective).
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.daum.android.map
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kakaomap-korea-no-1-map/id304608425?mt=8
For offline mapping, I recommend maps.me as it allows you to download the full map using Open Source maps. If you've created a kml/kmz file you can open it to view all of your bookmarks and maps anytime anywhere without having an internet connection.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapswithme.maps.pro&referrer=mt_click_id%3Dmt-ylr8m0-1559215449-2373527274
https://itunes.apple.com/app/id510623322
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Monday, May 27, 2019
Rules of the Road
You didn't hear it from me, but Korea is an overlooked riding destination. Overlooked because Japan is next door, bigger and more famous, but also because of the North's constant tantrums. South Korea is effectively an island because there's no passing through the DMZ or North Korea. World tourers therefore need to fly or ship their bikes in for what is a fairly small country. What it lacks in square footage, it makes up for in elevation changes. Very mountainous and very developed, the twisties are well-paved and continuous from the sub-tropical islands in the south to the ski slopes in the north.
Great twisties and, effectively, no speed enforcement means you can have the ride you want to have and not have to worry. Traffic enforcement amounts to speed cameras that only capture the front and occasional police presence monitoring people running traffic lights or alcohol checks. Lack of patrol cars applies to cars, too, so you do need to be careful about thoughtless drivers drifting into your lane, pulling out in front of you, not indicating turns, and running red lights.
South Korean law makes it illegal (not just a traffic violation) to ride any kind of motorcycle on toll roads, expressways, and motorways.Toll workers on toll roads and expressways will come out of their booths and risk both of your lives to block you, so if you ever accidentally get on an on-ramp, go to the far right and look for a U-turn. Motorways are dual carriageways on major arteries that have no toll but still restrict bikers. These you have to be more careful about because the sign is usually after the last possible exit. Outside of a major metropolitan area, you're probably safe to continue on and will likely see other riders, but it is ride at your own risk.
Great twisties and, effectively, no speed enforcement means you can have the ride you want to have and not have to worry. Traffic enforcement amounts to speed cameras that only capture the front and occasional police presence monitoring people running traffic lights or alcohol checks. Lack of patrol cars applies to cars, too, so you do need to be careful about thoughtless drivers drifting into your lane, pulling out in front of you, not indicating turns, and running red lights.
South Korean law makes it illegal (not just a traffic violation) to ride any kind of motorcycle on toll roads, expressways, and motorways.Toll workers on toll roads and expressways will come out of their booths and risk both of your lives to block you, so if you ever accidentally get on an on-ramp, go to the far right and look for a U-turn. Motorways are dual carriageways on major arteries that have no toll but still restrict bikers. These you have to be more careful about because the sign is usually after the last possible exit. Outside of a major metropolitan area, you're probably safe to continue on and will likely see other riders, but it is ride at your own risk.
The Beginning
I'd thought of putting this all together before, but put it off as unnecessary and a waste of time. Now, I keep seeing the same questions come up on the main rider page in South Korea, ROK Riders, and I figure a website listing and mapping guides for what a rider might need has come due.
All of the information will be true upon posting, but Korea is ever-evolving and remaking itself so do be sure that some things will change. For better and worse.
All of the information will be true upon posting, but Korea is ever-evolving and remaking itself so do be sure that some things will change. For better and worse.
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