For the past 14 years the cities of Davis and Sangju, Republic of Korea have had a successful ‘sister-city program’ primarily focused on middle and high school student exchanges. Since Davis and Sangju share designations as ‘bike capitals’ for their countries, the sister city program is now proposing to expand the exchange opportunities to include adults in the respective bike clubs. Small groups of DBC members have already informally visited Sangju in 2019 and 2022, but we are looking to regularize reciprocal visits between the clubs alternating each October starting in time for the Fall Festival in Sangju in 2024 and the Foxy Fall Century in Davis in 2025.
We are now actively seeking 4-6 DBC members who would be interested in participating in the visit to Sangju this October 2024. Preliminary plans are:
When: Approximately one week, probably 7-13 October with the option to extend the visit in Korea on your own.
Proposed itinerary: (still tentative—plan to finalize by no later than early June)
Day 1: Depart SMF or SFO via air
Day 2: Arrive in Seoul and drive by van to Sangju (approximately 150 miles)
Day 3: Bike ride around Sangju and tour of the Korea Bike Museum with members of the Sangju bike club
Days 4-5: Bike ride (approximately 40 miles each way) to/from the Andong Folk Village (a UNESCO heritage site) with tour and overnight stay near the folk village
Day 6: Participate in Fall Festival activities in Sangju
Day 7: Return via van to Seoul for either onward travel back to Davis or further exploring on your own.
Logistics: Sangju City will provide round-trip van travel to/from Seoul, 5 nights’ accommodations (either hotel or home-stay) + meals, bikes, and sag wagon for the field trip to Andong. DBC members will be responsible for round-trip air travel, incidental expenses, and any personal travel beyond the organized program.
We will be providing a brief overview of the proposed trip at the DBC monthly meeting on 8 April and can answer further questions at that time. Additionally, on Friday, 19th April there will be a chance for a small group of interested DBC members to meet a delegation of Sangju City officials at a potluck dinner.
For any initial questions or to express interest in attending the dinner with the Sangju delegation, please email Sung Moon (sungkwon.moon@gmail.com) and Brent Burkholder (burkholderb@yahoo.com).
Thanks,
Sung and Brent (members of the Davis-Sangju sister city organizing committee)