[Music] hello I’m probably riding my bike I’m finally getting around to putting fenders on this bike it’s raining tomorrow and the wet Korean summer is coming up most people people seem to be taking their fenders off at this time of year but here in Korea need to put them on putting fenders is maybe my least pleasurable thing to do because I find it so stressful quite a few people have asked to see my workshop and the reality is I’m just in the basement of my apartment building with some quite cheap tools but I get the job done pretty well I’m quite proud of how good they look ready for a rainy commute even in the rain commuting is one of my favorite parts of the day I don’t think that many people can say that they enjoy their commute but I do almost every day sorry to brag but I don’t know if you’ve noticed but riding bikes makes me happy I’ve been carfree for about 15 years now and most of my commuting since then has been by bike back in my hometown a car is a necessity to get around but since I moved to Manchester for University and then to soul and then Frankfurt in Germany back to so and London in between I haven’t needed a car because public transport or getting R by bike is good enough if not better for these wet days I’m lucky to have a changing room on my work to change into some dry clothes and also I’m not going to cycle in a shirt and tie at previous jobs I would just wear the clothes I cycled in or if I got too wet I would bring a change of clothes and just change in the toilets with no changing room I think for a lot of people cycling to work can be kind of daunting with the weather cars traffic maybe it’s not such a cycle friendly City Souls no Utopia but it’s got quite good infrastructure compared to others I used to not ride every day and I kind of had to force myself sometimes to but now I’m in the mindset that there’s no other way cycling is the fastest most fun way to go and if I get the bus I always regret having to get the bus on the way home and I’m sad when my bike isn’t waiting outside for me I think the number one most important thing to get yourself into commuting my bike is having a bike that you want to ride a comfortable one that works well and it certainly helps if it looks nice too you don’t have to Splash out as much as I did cuz I’m obsessed with bikes you can get a pretty good deal secondhand with an old mountain bike or something put some wide tires on it some upright bars and customize it to make it your own it’s a new day and it’s less rainy today so I’m excited to ride in the sun riding my bike to work definitely makes me happier in the rain but especially in the Sun I always feel more energized when I get to work I’m pretty lucky that my commute the fastest route is only 20 minutes so if I want to get to work quickly I just can just cross the bridge and I’m there pretty quickly and it always takes exact same amount of time never stuck in traffic never waiting for a bus or a Subway or having problems with public transport if you keep up the maintenance of your bike well enough you shouldn’t have any problems with that either where my favorite tie from Drakes I’m conscious of being a 30s something year old who’s made cycling the whole personality but I think I’m too far gone with that oh well I really enjoy my day job but I’m always looking forward to getting back on the bike to cycle home I like to mix up my commute cuz 20 minutes isn’t really long enough for me now and in Soul is so big I have so many different options and different ways I can go home exploring the city I’ve lived here for a total of almost eight years now but I’m still finding new things on my daily bike rides and I just like feeling the changes in the season throughout the year seeing all the different flowers that are growing I’m feeling the change in the weather I feel more connected to my surroundings when I’m traveling around by bike cycling for daily life can be quite unforgiving in all sometimes because there aren’t that many people who do it so the cars aren’t really used to that many bikes on the road and there’s very big multi-lane roads that are quite unfriendly but there’s always These Quiet back streets with much nicer roads to cycle on even though it’s a bit longer it’s still very enjoyable I like to stop off if I have time and just watch the world go by and take everything in I’m taking it easy on my bike too no rush easy do easy does [Music] it and occasionally if I’m feeling brave about my sleep later on I like to stop off at a cafe for a delicious coffee today I’m heading over to Pier coffee in Hanam they’ve got a few locations one of them is in my other video peer coffee guangan but this one in Hanam is an espresso bar so they need do short espresso drinks I always like a cafe with lots of natural light and this felt really open and Breezy really nice place to be they roast their own coffee and I usually pick up a bag but luckily I have plenty at home because of some lovely people I met last week gifted me some coffee from Australia thank you so much you know who you are I got a cortado with this extremely chocy flavored blend was almost like eating a Dairy Milk the espresso is great too this s B mango sbet with a little bit of espresso was quite a unique flavor it worked very nicely I’m definitely going to struggle to get to sleep tonight after the extra little iced coffee that they gave me at the end feeling shaky after too much coffee I’m heading up to a different part of Hanam towards itan to meet my wife for dinner does it still count as my commute if I’m going the long way around and meeting eating for dinner I think it probably does we’re stopping off at Nano which does really nice kind of modern classic Korean food they make all their own pickles and kimch and things and I just love their dishes cabbage rolls with kenang and some raw fish with spicy Co noodles an added bonus that they’re extremely friendly and they said they’ keep an eye on my bike outside as well always extra points for that there was a clean ball Club of course but I forgot to take a video of it did it happen if I didn’t take a video who knows only I do another day another morning commute I got up extra early this morning at 5:30 because I wanted to go for a longer ride I want to make the most of this Mayweather before it gets extremely humid in the summer just look how amazing the weather is when you want to ride a bike this early in the morning [Music] you got to take it easy you got to take it easy baby you got to take it yeah take it slow I’ve arrived at nolam Nole Island which is basically My Own Private Island this early in the morning I think I saw like two Runners got my hitch mat my little coffee cup it’s time for a coffee outside I made it at home in my mocka pot I didn’t have time to make all the coffee outside here in the morning and I’m not sure you’re allowed to use the gust stove in the park anyway nice strong cup of coffee to wake me up in the morning give me some energy for the day I slept okay after my caffeine overdose the night before surprisingly maybe I’m just building up my tolerance I could have had more and more coffees but it was time for me to head to work I don’t want to be late if I could be paid to ride bikes and drink coffee all day I would but I don’t so I got to go to work but I’m going to have a good day anyway I get paid to do something I enjoy already usually in the morning I do take the quick route to work but on the days like this where I choose to take a longer route and go exploring enjoying a coffee outside I feel even better at work it’s just hard to wake myself up that early to force myself to do it by definitely going to do it more often during May while the weather’s this incredible I’ve noticed so many more people on the bike paths commuting in the morning this time of year which is really nice to see checking the time some more coffee at work I don’t just sit and drink coffee all day but it’s the only chance I have to get footage of me in my tie back on my commute home I’m going to pick up some dinner with my wife again we’re heading near the express bus terminal to chungmu Har kimab in Korea you got to look up and down in the buildings to find some hidden gems there’s loads of stuff on the floors up and also there’s plenty of places down in the basements I think this restaurant’s been around for quite a while it kind of looks like it has as well but it’s one of my favorite places to stop off after work because the food is quite unique this table proud members of clean bow Club probably looks like they are anyway it’s a marinated squid with a radish kimchi and some kimat rolls really nice and spicy and they match together pretty well we didn’t only get that we got some classic dog POI this one has a nice thick sauce and the sauce was a pleasant contrast to this Kamas s jebi so jebi is basically the the same dough as noodles but they break break them off by hand and put them straight in the boiling water nice kind of chewy texture clean ball Club anyone’s welcome when I started making this video I thought I was going to give loads of advice of how to commute by bike but I’m not sure I was that helpful basically you need a nice comfortable bike take some different routes to work some quieter Roots put some fenders on your bike wear some normal clothes or clothes that will dry off quite easily and most of all just enjoy don’t treat it like just as a way of getting to work treat it like the best part of your day pick up an ice cream and stare at your bike or watch the world go by with my channel for the time being I’m still trying to make a video every weekend they’ll come out between Friday and Sunday whenever I’m ready I was a bit busier this week so it’s a little later but it’s still on the weekend so I made it let me know if you have any ideas or anything you want to see in the videos and like subscribe if you want to see more see you later like And 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37 Comments
My commute is about 10 miles and most days I prefer to ride a road bike or fixed gear. I really like riding fast!!!
I find it so much easier to explore cities on bike. Here in Japan, I find a similar experience. New places, old places, good food. That's good cycling. Beautiful bike you have, too.
mudguards! 😛
I get sad when my bike's not waiting outside after work too! Rainy day yesterday but today is another nice riding day 🌞
Just finishes drinking some nice specialty coffees and dont even acknowledge the blue bottle location on the way back aha, I wish i could live somewhere where Blue bottle would just be a normal thing to have around ^^
Love the videos, don't change a thing bru
Hello again from Singapore! Even a short 20 minute commute here warrants at least changing your shirt when you arrive. I’m going to try a longer commute to my work’s other office soon, be over an hour each way. Definitely need to bring a gym bag with me to get changed and shower! Cycling I’ve found has been a great way to spend time with my daughter, she loves being in the seat up front and able to chat about the things we’re seeing.
I see you mostly don't wear a helmet in other videos but are here. Do you have a philosophy or certain use case for when you do decide to wear one? I appreciate the helmet free riding as a lot of bike culture has an implied pressure to wear them, which I think does a lot to gatekeep regular folks from trying and experiencing the joy of riding. Cities with the mature bike cultures always seem to have lower levels of helmet use. Thanks for making these videos and helping normalize everyday riding for pleasure!
8:45 Brompton sighting!!!
another great video….quick question, are those bars albatross upside down? they look like the albatross I have on my A. Homer Hilsen.
I'm going to go home and clean my Atlantis after watching this. You have reminded me why my Atlantis is one of my favorite of all things. I've commuted to work by bicycle for more than 30 years. I am always surprised that my neighbors use cars to get to the same place I ride to every day.
Another wonderful video. They always make the day better.
Hope you enjoyed that 🇦🇺 coffee 😊
That was such a fun video. You’ve inspired me to commute in Melbourne! Hope you’re having a nice week Marcus!
Is the tie for work a South Korea/eastern Asia thing, or an industry thing? In the western United States only politicians wear ties to work anymore. Or maybe some very conservative financial services. Or maybe a church?
And maybe I'm the only one, but Alex & the Moondaze reminded me a lot of The Jam (more "English Rose" than "Modern World"). Good vibes, for sure. The whole video of course, but an extra kudos for the music selection.
Hooray for the algorithm with this one!
There's really nothing more you needed to add about the practicalities of bicycle commuting. You either do it because you have to or you love to.
You love your bike and you love to find every reason whenever practical to ride it.
I feel that way about my own basic hybrid workhorse. It's unmistakably my own with racks, bags and accessories galore. Also because I'm 2 metres tall, it always stands out handlebars and saddle above every other bike around it.
The star of your video though were the back streets and scenic views of your commutes and the restaurants. If you do nothing more than just remake versions of this video again and again, I will keep coming back for more. 👍and subscribed.
Oh, and no matter how much you love making videos and riding your bike, make sure you spend more time with your wife and making sure she knows that you love her even more!
Priorities! Never forget.
Awesome video. You captured it perfectly. And i too run on coffee and ice cream on my bikes! Bon route from Montreal.
PS: I shared this with several other folks. Really wonderful work.
I used to work for a company near East Grinstead, UK and my cycle commute from home was 1 mile on local town roads then 8 miles on a gravel bridleway which was an old railway line that cut through the countryside called "Worth Way". 6 years of commuting on it and I had some amazing times, several dog attacks, a horse attack and thick snow that lasted for ages on the country lane. It was a real adventure and I actually valued the commute more than the job (don't tell my old boss). I have moved on and working back up in London but with remote working, I am cycling out in the morning with some nice coffee stops before returning home, so a sort of proxy-commute.
Fascinating that you are still in semi-casual tie-based attire in the workplace. From a visit to Tokyo, I remember business is still very formal in terms of dress-code. It appears that you are not having to wear a full suit which is great :).
I was interested to hear you say that they are not used to bikes and that traffic can be heavy. I noted that in Japan to but also the pedestrian areas were mixed with cycling, which I thought was great given that in the UK its strickly a no-go option to mount the curb in a busy Town/City. I loved that in Japan and was very happy for shared used and common sense. I sometimes get the feeling that we simply can't have nice things in the UK because our cultural landscape means that we will lean into risky violent issues for example, allow mixed used of pavement areas and people will ride the pavements at 50mph on e-bikes knocking everyone over.. Common sense is hard to find in the UK.
I heard from a friend living in Japan that they have the highest level of bike theft in the world. However, its apparently like the umbrella situation, where bikes left unlocked outside shops are often grabbed, cycled 2 blocks and then left again. The owner then reports it to the police and in the vast majority of cases the bike is quickly found. But its still registered as theft by the police. This could be urban myth!
Great video as ever and nice to see the bike in action again and the coffee buzz was palpable.
I’m in my early 30’s and just purchased my first bike; commuting to work now, five miles each way. It’s a challenge because I struggle with anxiety and I don’t like being “seen” but visibility is essential when you’re on a bike, surrounded by cars.
It’s a good challenge though, especially when it does better for my health and the planet.
Your content is pleasing to watch. It’s familiar to me as an english speaker who is learning Korean and getting into cycling. Cheers.
Thanks for video, awesome fair play 👍
What about the dinner bowls? Were they clean bowls?!
I've always been into minimal bikes. I have a fixed gear for over 8 years now and I've been thinking about buying something more comfortable. I was looking for an old "speed" bike and then I stumbled across your channel and now I'm obsessed with your bike. it's fucking beautiful, man!!!!
Love your set up on the bike, very practical yet classy and traditional. Great video, thanks for taking us around Seoul in such an enjoyable manner.
whilst Asian Cities can be rather crowded, they are also great places to ride a bicycle because it's expected, there and part of the Culture, both Korea and Japan. Unlike Western Countries where Car is king, it's slowly changing but cycling culture like in Asia, I don't think i'll see in my lifetime.
What kind of bike do you ride?
Wow such a great vid
Great video. I cycle everywhere and don't own a car. I was puzzled you needed to put the mudguards back on? Why not leave them on?
As a fellow bike commuter (and as someone who doesn’t drive), this video made me smile. 😊
Sweet Rivendell. I know how that frame would feel and ride with those tires. The biggest thing I've experienced about commuting by bike is how it separates work from home. The kid like fun of hopping on your bike leaves work back there, way back there in a different place. Side note, those Nitto Albatross bars are comfy for short distances, but my old arthritic hands need drop bars about 1" above seat height and a Brooks B-17. ☮
…all Videos are watched (most of them two or three times), so we soon hope for more. In the meantime, time for riding our Bikes again…🚴♂🚴
Cheers from Lübeck/Germany
Feedback: I enjoyed this video a lot! I like that you SHOWED us your way of riding a bike around your home rather than TELL us how to ride around your city. I am tired of “Advice Videos on Cycling.” But I do enjoy seeing a glimpse into other people’s lives that cycle for fun and commuting. Thank you!
Rain ready!
Really enjoyed that. Thanks 😊 I am just starting to customize an older mountain bike. I am older so I need the lower gears to get up the hills!!
Wow living the dream. Car dependency and the American "Dream" has truely been one of the biggest scams of the 20th century.
Wonderful. You've taken advantage of paths, alleyways and other non-official routes that would be otherwise unavailable if "everyone" there commuted. It's not a commute, it's an adventure. Envious of your Atlantis; I own a few Bridgestones and was a "BOB" member in the '90s.
Trying to start doing a bit of this myself, despite working from home and in a small town. Everything here is nearby, however that always means sharing the roads with cars. There are not any alleyways or other paths you find in urban areas.
I identified a target goal excuse: There's a small grocer — last one in town — we usually avoid for various reasons related to small selection. But I can take a bike to it on a 25mph suburban street from my backyard and otherwise avoid the traffic associated with our regular grocer. Perhaps the selection at the small grocer isn't so bad after all.
Would like to be car-free when possible. Last year I bought an old motorcycle, but guess what? That requires "dressing up" — I will not ride that without helmet, gloves, motorcycling shoes etc — whereas a bike demands much less, and I've come to realize that convenience is why it should be more practical.
Love it man! what helmet are you rockin?
Hi. Did you make a video on traveling by bike on the bus?
Your video reminded me of my bike rides during our first Covid lockdown and I was forced to take a flask of coffee with me as cafes weren’t open yet.
Many happy memories of sitting on the grass by a river watching nature laughing at us stupid humans.
I love the simple pleasures in life and am glad to see I’m not alone. 🙏🏼
Love watching you cruise around all the different parts of the city! I commute by bike some. This week I've been using my bike every day! I'm having so much fun! Stopping for local ice cream on the way home in the afternoon, it doesn't get any better than that (since I don't do coffee 😉)!!