As a fatty roadie, I hesitated a lot before signing up since it's 200km from home.
3 hours one-way, that really is far.
In the end, I'm really glad I went.
Riding through Naejangsan National Park with truly stunning scenery, the road condition was good, and you could see they'd repaired damaged sections in preparation for the event. At spots where you'd want to give up on the climb, the cheer squads with banners really pumped me up and I rode it with a smile. The volunteers directing traffic on the road were great, and the marshals' response in case of accidents was top-notch too. On the final return through Danpung-gogae, seeing the marshal convoy escort riders down at safe speed like some kind of motorcade was honestly a spectacle.
The aid stations were the best, as always. My weight stayed exactly the same after the Gran Fondo ㅜㅜ From aid stations 1, 2, 3, 4 (honey watermelon) to a full Korean-style lunch.. It was a great place and I had a really enjoyable trip. Already booked for next year.
Now for a bit of a complaint... to the people who smoked and the people who littered power gel wrappers!
It really wasn't a good look in such a beautiful place. I'd just barely finished a brutal climb and the smell of cigarette smoke was the worst. Could you please just hold off on smoking in that beautiful national park!!
Those of you who tossed your power gel wrappers should also reflect a bit. Does that 1g really make you 0.1 seconds faster? If you have any conscience at all, please don't do that. Naejangsan is a national park!!
Smoking and littering in a national park are clearly illegal acts!!
Excerpt from Article 27 of the Natural Parks Act (via GPT search)
Smoking: The entire national park is a no-smoking zone. Possessing/using ignition items like lighters and matches may also be restricted. Fine: 600,000 to 2,000,000 won
Illegal dumping of waste/litter: All waste and litter dumping is prohibited. Same fine as above
