41st GapperOh Young-yeol
Gap year period: 2015 – present
Beginning with participation in randonneuring bicycle events, he is currentlyRepresentative of 'Promise Bicycle', an organization that provides education through cycling.
#1. Facing a turning point in life.
Looking back to my school days, I was a student who struggled to survive the competitive college entrance exam system.My teachers certainly said that learning is joy, but I wondered in what way that could be true. Of course I had no dreams, and my parents simply said, "If you go to university, you can do everything you want."
After taking the college entrance exam and repeating a year, I finally entered university.
Even when entering university, I went to the school my cram-school teacher matched to my grades, rather than to a department I wanted.The university I first set foot in felt like being thrown into the middle of a desert.
When I tried to move away from cram-school teaching that focused only on key points and study on my own, I didn't even know how to do it, and being in a department that didn't suit me further decreased my interest in studying. They said that once you get to university you can do everything you want, but I didn't even have a sense of what to do or how to start.
Continually wandering, I enlisted in the military when the time came.I served as a conscripted police officer, and during that time I experienced a turning point in my life.The Gangnam area where I worked looked prosperous on the surface, but in reality many prostitution businesses were thriving. Adult material flyers littered the ground to an embarrassing degree, overflowing to the point that they were kicked underfoot as you walked.
But what was really ironic was that there were many kindergartens and elementary, middle, and high schools nearby. What might the growing children think when they see flyers spread to satisfy adult desires? I decided to crack down on the prostitution businesses in the area.As a result of doing everything I could in my capacity as a service member, I achieved the highest number of arrests among conscripted police officers.
Through arrest activities where I didn't spare my body—ramming motorcycles or engaging in physical fights—I gained the confidence that if I do something, I can do anything, andI became convinced that one person's effort can change many people.(As we continued conducting arrests, at some point every member voluntarily began making on-the-spot arrests.)
#2. The Beginning of the Fight with Oneself
When my confidence was high, I decided to try cycling across the country during my vacation.
I really like exercising, and I especially love cycling. The joy of cutting through the wind and the peculiar attraction of propelling myself forward by my own pedaling drew me in.
Not knowing how to prepare for my first cross-country ride, I set off with the bicycle at home and a single bag, following bike paths. I still can't forget the thrill of relying on just a bike to travel long distances. I trembled because I couldn't find a place to sleep at dawn, and I sweated profusely climbing mountains, but after struggling and riding all the way to Gyeongsang Province, I thought, 'So this is possible.'
Long-distance riding offers wonderful scenery and the beauty of nature, but at the same time you sit alone on the saddle and have to fight with yourself.
After being discharged from the military, I took a leave of absence and formed a bicycle club, riding steadily with people across the country. While I was continuing to ride, in April last year I was invited to take part in the 'Friday's Greeting' project, a Sewol ferry memorial ride. It was a project to ride about 400 km by bicycle from Seoul to Jindo's Paengmok Harbor with a yellow ribbon on our helmets, and I liked the idea of remembering the Sewol incident in the way of cyclists, so I decided to join.
It was my first time riding over 200 km, and many ordeals came. I suffered from hypothermia in the cold dawn weather, and I still can't forget pedaling while shivering. I had a flat tire in the middle of a road where many dump trucks passed and risked repairing it, and to make matters worse it rained, so I covered myself with a trash bag and kept moving forward. The Paengmok Harbor we arrived at after such hardship greeted us with fluttering yellow flags.
At that time I gained two things: first, that this ride inspired other cyclists. Many riders expressed that they wanted to join next time, and second, confidence in long-distance riding.Along with its purpose, you have to endure long distances alone on the saddle and fiercely fight with yourself.As I gradually overcame that, I developed a desire to challenge myself with longer distances.
So while looking into various options I happened to learn about Randonneurs, the world's premier long-distance cycling event.Randonneurs refers to rides between 200 km and 1200 km, or even longer, ridden purely by one's own strength without external assistance, and I really liked that the event description emphasized that it is not a competitive race.In Randonneurs, anyone who finishes within the time limit receives a completion certificate.
Randonneurs rides can be held in any country where randonneurs are registered, and Korea has held these events since 2010. I made up my mind, registered for the event, and practiced every day. And my first event, the Seoul 400 km, began.
#3. Riding Toward the World's Greatest Long-Distance Race, 'Randonneurs'.
Randonneurs is the world's top long-distance cycling event, so there is a lot to prepare. To tackle rugged courses and long distances, you need a relatively fast bike and skills to match.
After my discharge I immediately took a leave of absence and worked as a security guard at a bank for about five months. My monthly salary was about 1,000,000 won, and with the money I saved I bought an entry-level road bike and purchased the items specified in the regulations (one headlight, two taillights, a reflective vest, ankle bands, and proof of insurance).
You should buy a headlight with strong brightness even if it's expensive to stay safe during night rides, while taillights only need to indicate that a person is present so cheaper ones are fine. You can buy any reflective vest or ankle bands. Also, a cycling jersey, helmet, cycling shoes, sports water bottle, portable pump, and spare tools and tubes for puncture repairs will help on long rides. Those traveling for tourism can carry a backpack, but people like me challenging long-distance events should use a small bag that can be attached to the bicycle rather than wearing a backpack.
Next, you need to build the endurance suited for long distances. Randonneurs courses range from a minimum of 200 km to a maximum of 1200 km. Each segment has a time limit, and rugged mountainous areas are included as a matter of course. The longer the course, the more mountainous sections it will include.
I practiced long-distance riding by riding 100 km in one day once a week, and I consistently did core exercises as part of my routine.For core exercises: on bicycle trips you can rest or slow down when it's hard, but in long-distance events you ride at high speeds and can't rest, so body balance is important. I also regularly climbed up and down Bukaksan to practice mountain courses.ButHowever, more important than this is that cycling becomes ingrained in your daily life.It is most desirable to have it.
The photo above shows the course at the time, and the red balloon-shaped markers are checkpoints — you must stamp at each designated section and have your completion verified at the finish for your ride to be recognized. After a brief procedure at the start, I began pedaling vigorously as the race started. The first 100 km were relatively easy because I had been practicing. Riding in a group with riders of a similar pace made it much easier to move forward.
Some time later, after passing 100 km and riding toward 200 km, the weather became very hot. I am someone who feels heat easily, so my breathing quickly became labored and my stamina began to decline. Even though I kept taking in fluids and adjusted my pace, it was still hard. I even vomited while riding.
Around when I exceeded 200 km, the race's most difficult section — the mountain terrain — began. My body and mind were already exhausted, so my pace dropped sharply, but I didn't want to give up and kept going; however, I could see myself struggling more with each climb. Eventually, while climbing the fourth pass, I stopped and decided to abandon the race.
Leaning against a shabby building in the mountains, endlessly berating myself and about to call the race staff to announce my withdrawal, I suddenly noticed the phone number of someone dear to me.I still don't know why I called that person then, but as soon as they answered I began to cry really hard.
Who would have known how comforting it would be to hear the voice of someone dear when you're struggling. As I kept crying, they kept soothing me and cheering that I was okay. They also said this to me.
'If you feel you did your best, it's okay to give up. And if you were riding to show off to others, I would be disappointed. Think about what you are riding for.'
After hanging up and thinking for a long time, I tried to steady myself and remember why I wanted to ride this race. I wasn't riding to look good to others. I was riding to overcome my own limits and to create precious memories with my bicycle. Had I done my best? My two legs were still standing. I still had strength left.
At that moment I felt an inexplicable surge of energy in my body. I took a deep breath and clutched my chest again. With the uplifting thought 'If I do it once more, I can do it again,' I started pedaling again. Of course my legs hurt, but unlike before I could pedal with a smiling face.I thus safely got through the mountain area, pedaling without rest for 23 hours, and finally reached the finish.
The people who participate in this race have really expensive bicycles and high-quality gear. My equipment was low-end compared to theirs, but what mattered was my determination to ride. After the race I spent about three days lying down.
And although this race is really a good event, it was also one I never wanted to do again. I vowed again and again that 'I will never participate again.'And three weeks later, before I knew it I found myself standing at the starting line of 'Randonneurs Seoul 600km'.
#4.Reached the finish in 39 hours and 39 minutes of the 40-hour limit.
During the Seoul 400km there were a lot of flat sections, but as you can see in the photo above, the Seoul 600km route is entirely in Gangwon Province and is an extremely brutal course that climbs mountains from start to finish. In fact, the Randonneurs association cited it as one of the most difficult existing routes. But since a rolling wheel doesn't stop, I began to ride.
It feels awkward to keep saying how hard it was, but this race was the most difficult of my life.They say Gangwon Province is a place that's hard to get to even by car, and trying to get through it by bicycle was not easy.
It seems a bit different from a typical bicycle trip, doesn't it? The time limit was 40 hours, but because of delays I had to sleep only a short 2-hour nap and keep riding. The same painful symptoms appeared as in the previous race, but additional knee pain began to hold me back. I sprayed pain-relief patches and applied cold compresses to ease the pain little by little, but that was only a temporary measure. Once I passed a pass called Dolsanryeong, about 1000 m high, and that was the most memorable moment. It was the highest and steepest section of the race.
When I reached the summit I felt so good that I lay down on the ground. There were still 400 km to go, but I began pedaling excitedly after hearing from a race staff member that only easy sections remained. Of course, it didn't take long to realize that statement was false.
Anyway, I kept riding and when I reached around Sokcho in Gangwon, I slept for about two hours at an inn to regain some strength. When I got up to leave, my body felt extremely heavy. Continuing to ride, before I knew it I arrived at the last checkpoint in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province.
My skin was sunburned red, and from the constant wind and fatigue the blood vessels in my eyes had all burst. Since the race took place in midsummer, I drank a tremendous amount of water. There were about 100 km left, but with little time remaining there was no chance to rest. From then on, like a scene from a movie, I kept shouting, 'Cells of my whole body! Just a little more strength!' as I rode. So what happened to me?
Of the 40-hour time limit, I arrived at the finish in 39 hours and 39 minutes.(Actually, I had arrived 10 minutes earlier, but the finish location had been changed and I spent time looking for it.) Before the race many people said, 'It's hard to finish with that bike,' but I accomplished it proudly.
I had heard the phrase 'win the battle with yourself' countless times and didn't know how to overcome it, but after the race I came to understand its true meaning.It means that not abandoning your own convictions is the real victory in the battle with yourself.
I continued to take on challenges after that.
I also took part in the “Happiness Donation Sharing Ride 530km,” a charity ride organized by the country’s top club riders. I have been steadily continuing events like Randonneurs. I will keep challenging myself with my friend, the bicycle. I realized that it helps me and can also give strength to others.
As long as my heart keeps beating, the pedals will keep turning.
#5. Of course, there were slumps.
When I took a leave of absence from school and rode my bicycle everywhere, my peers were preparing for employment, building their resumes, or studying for civil service exams. Meanwhile,I had been walking the path society told me to follow, so suddenly choosing a different path from others was frightening.I worried I might fall behind others or not meet society’s expectations. In fact, a long slump did come.
But at times like these, the important thing is to work harder at what you want to do. If someone tells me, “My TOEIC score is higher than yours,” I can simply say, “I ride a bicycle better than you.” Even amid fear, I kept challenging myself on the bike and posting about it, and many people responded positively.
People wanted to hear my story, and I even received job offers from bicycle-related companies.If you keep doing what you want to do, the path will open up. Don’t be afraid—keep moving forward.
#6.The happiest memory of my cycling life
There is a cyclist named Lee Hyung-mo, who is regarded as the country’s top club rider. He is so well-known among cyclists that almost everyone knows him. He was the second person from Asia to complete the Race Across America (RAAM), a 5,000 km race over 12 days. I truly admire him and consider him a role model I want to emulate.
(The person on the left is Lee Hyung-mo. He was also the organizer of the Happiness Donation Sharing Ride.)
Before I took part in Randonneurs, I happened to have a meal with Lee Hyung-mo. When I told him about my beliefs regarding cycling and my determination to keep taking on challenges, he suddenly asked me to go to his house. He rummaged through his closet and said he would give me a uniform he used to wear.
Me, someone like me, receiving a uniform from the top athlete… I refused at first, but he insisted that he wanted me to wear it and gave me many items like new socks and other cycling supplies.To emulateBeing helped by someone I want to emulate remains my happiest memory in my cycling life.
#7.The 'me' before and after my gap year
It would be accurate to say there was no 'me' in my life.Before my gap year, I had never reflected on my life. Our society’s basic framework is structured so that you progress through school, then build qualifications after university, and get a job. Within this structure, you strive for high scores and impressive credentials, but there was nowhere to take the time to look back at the 'self'.
However,After starting my gap year, I gradually began to discover who I am.Starting with questions like “What do I like?” “What do I want to try?” and “What should I prepare for in order to be happy?” I progressed to asking, “What can I contribute to the world through my own efforts?” I really grew a lot. In the past, if someone asked me to write “Who am I?” on a blank sheet of paper, I wouldn’t have known what to write, but now I think I could write it without hesitation. Finding myself is the biggest change before and after my gap year.
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