Busan-Gwangju-Busan (Gwangju-Busan-Gwangju)

Choi Tae-Young Super Randonneur

Ride report - pictures Russell - Jason -
One week after the Typhoon Sanba wrecked havoc a new edition of BGB and GBG was held. On September 22 seven riders mounted their bikes at Han's bike shop at 06:00 and headed east to the port city of Busan. At exactly the same time three riders took off from Busan and headed west to Gwangju. This time the weather cooperated and Randonneurs enjoyed cycling through Jeolla. Also rain showers had been forecasted for Sunday, the day turned out to be sunny with perfect riding temperature. The aftermath of Typhoon Sanba caused some challenges as the Nakdong River had carried high water and some roads and most of the bike trails along the river, had been flooded and thus leaving plenty of mud behind. A section of the trail along the Nakdong river was closed and this caused twice a detour of 7 km. Making things worse, the detour was leading over a mountain and this resulted in two times 250 m extra climbing meters. Nevertheless, everybody made it within the 40-hours limit, except one rider who had to stop after 235 km due to physical problems.

Results of the two 600K Brevets (September 15 and 22, 2012):

GBG: 12 starters, 11 finishers:
# 3   Russell Morris
# 44  Han Chul-woo
# 49  Han Soon-kwon
# 148 Kim Young-sam
# 159 Hong Kee-pyo
# 259 Gwak Dong-won
# 320 Jason Ham
# 410 Choi Dong-chul
# 427 Lee Kyu-won
# 456 Kim Min-soo  (Super Randonneur award)
# 464 Goon Koch

BGB: 6 starters, 3 finishers:
# 9   Choi Wu-yeong
# 327 Choi Tae-young (Super Randonneur award)
# 463 Cheon Jae-ik

Typhoon Sanba catches up with Korea Randonneurs

CHOI Wu Yeong at the Busan finish

PICTURES -
Despite a fast approaching Typhoon, a few hardy Korea Randonneurs decided to defy mother nature and ride the 600K Brevets (GBG and BGB) on September 15. Six riders started from Gwangju and three from Busan. At the start riders in Busan faced heavy rain but as the day progressed the skies cleared. As night approached the flood gates opened and heavy downpour challenged Randonneurs. Goon Koch (R in the picture with our very own Russell Morris), an American visiting Korea, who had started in Gwangju, was the first to arrive at the half way point in Busan. After another night of pouring rain and several crashes 5 riders finished this epic 600K Brevet within the 40 hour time limit. Four of the riders were our friends from TEAM BOODOO.
BGB: Choi Wu-yeong. GBG: Kim Young-sam (member of the

Goon Koch at the Busan half way point

infamous 2012 Cheonan fleche team), Hong Ki-pyo, Gwak Dong-won, Goon Koch.