박동만님과 이형호님은 완주 지점까지 수 킬로미터만을 남겨둔 상황에서 자전거에서 낙차한 분을 지원하다가 개인적인 급한 일이 생겨서 완주점에 도착하지 못했습니다. 공식적으로 완주를 하지는 못했지만 두 분의 힘과 끈기는 전혀 모자람이 없었습니다. 그리고 한국란도너스는 귀감이 되는 두 분의 행동에 존경을 보냅니다.
어떤 참가자에게는 200km라는 이번 도전이 온 힘을 쏟는 경험이었고 또 어떤 참가자들은 좀 전에 출발했던 것처럼 편안한 모습으로 미소를 띄며 도착하기도 했습니다. 하지만 모든 성공 완주자들은 완주 인증서를 받으며 행복한 모습이었으며, 한국란도너스는 그 분들 모두를 부산에서 개최되는 다음 브레베에서 다시 볼 수 있기를 희망합니다. 참가자와 스탭 모두에게 이번 브레베는 첫 번째 브레베라는 의미가 있으며, 이번 경험이 더 나은 준비를 통해 더욱 성공적인 경험을 만들어가기 위한 발판이 될 것입니다.
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The first brevet in Busan started in warm weather and under a clear sky. 97 riders started at Sasang and headed to Miryang along a misty Nakdong River biketrail. After a short rest, randonneurs passed by little villages with plum blossoms and azaleas, then climbed up the Cheonwang-jae, the highest point of the route. It was a long climb, and that made a cup of coffee at the top so sweet. After Changnyeong city, randonneurs rode on quiet country roads until Namji and met wide plains along the Nakdong River. But there were still the challenging climb of Yeocha-gogae and a strong wind along the river. After overcoming all the difficulties, 76 riders finished their trip with the sunset behind them.
Park Dong Man and Lee Hyung Ho spent their time helping some injured cyclist, then had to give up riding for an urgent personal affair just several kilometers before the finish. They failed to be qualified officially, but they were strong enough beyond doubt. Korea Randonneurs highly appreciates their honorable action.
For some riders this 200 km challenge was an exhausting experience, others arrived with a fresh smile as if they just started. But every successful finisher was happy to receive a certificate of achievement and we hope to see everybody back at next brevets organized in Busan. For the riders and for the staff this was the first brevet in its kind and for all of us, the experience is used for better preparations, to make it all even more successful.