Specialized's Victory Parade: A 62km Chuncheon Ride with Peter Sagan

Riding with Peter Sagan? Last weekend, I had a dreamlike experience riding 62km with Peter Sagan at Specialized's "Parade to Victory" in Chuncheon. I had high expectations hearing that Peter Sagan, a world-renowned cycling icon, would be participating and riding with all participants. The experience of pedaling alongside him was even more special than I imagined, and I headed to Chuncheon with a heart full of anticipation.

The reason Peter Sagan came to Korea was because of the Specialized 500km "Together we ride" Strava challenge in April. Korea won first place...ㄷㄷ. Korea's first-place win brought the global ambassador, Peter Sagan, to Korea.

The start of the "Parade to Victory" event

As soon as I arrived in Chuncheon, the atmosphere was already electric. The gathering and departure preparation was from 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM, so I left early in the morning. The diligent riders... Even though I arrived right at 7:00 AM, almost everyone was already there. Participants were checking their bicycles, waiting for the start. There were Mustangs on display, and Specialized offered various bicycle lineups for rent. The event wasn't a simple race; it was a parade imbued with the spirit of challenge, encouraging participants to push their limits. Many participants wore parade-appropriate attire; the anticipation and excitement were palpable.

The event was hosted by Defconn (a popular Korean entertainer), and the parade began with a few words from Peter Sagan.

The departure! A special ride with Peter Sagan. Although I wrote that it was a special ride with Peter Sagan, he was at the very front, and I started from the back lol. With the signal announcing the start, we began our 62km Chuncheon course with Peter Sagan. Seeing Peter Sagan pedal right in front of me—the man I usually only saw on screen was right beside me—was initially exciting, but he was the main attraction, and we were too far behind. I'll watch him on screen instead... Still, it was an honor to ride the same course in Korea as him.

Riding through Chuncheon's autumn scenery The 62km course was longer than I expected, but since it was a parade, we went slowly, chatting. The autumn scenery in Chuncheon was so beautiful that there wasn't a dull moment. Of course, if I had been next to Peter Sagan, my heart rate would have skyrocketed... No, I wouldn't have been able to keep up. Riding a bike after a long time made me wonder why I hadn't done this sooner! Riding along the mountains ablaze with autumn leaves and the clear river was incredibly refreshing for my body and mind.

And at the 23km mark, there was already the first supply stop! From freshly fried "Kkwabaegi" (twisted donuts) to warm fish cake soup, bananas, water (not just any water, but Evian!), cola, Choco Pies... It was truly a luxurious ride...

Marshals kept a distance between the leading group and the rest to prevent accidents, and they were particularly careful with speed control on downhill slopes, which was reassuring. It was a really comfortable ride.

At the 44km second supply stop, there were Red Bull, Haribo, and water, along with a small event. It was a surprise gift event for those whose uphill times at the most enjoyable(?) uphill course, Soju Pass, were closest to Peter Sagan's record. If Peter Sagan had stopped to rest for a bit, my time might have been close to his, but I think I'll just enjoy sightseeing in Chuncheon at my own pace ㅎㅎㅎㅎ

This parade included a wide range of participants, from beginners to experienced riders. There were various bikes including road bikes, Bromptons, and MTBs. As a Specialized event, their preparation was top-notch, and everyone rode at their own pace, making their mark on the legendary autumn landscape of Chuncheon.

Completion! The moment I completed the 62km, a sense of accomplishment washed over me, especially since it was my first bike ride in a long time. Of course, Sohyun, who rode with me, disappeared in the last 10km because I was too slow lol. The core of the "Parade to Victory" wasn't just about speed; it was about creating new memories while sightseeing in Chuncheon. This Specialized "Parade to Victory" wasn't just a race; it reignited my love for cycling. When will I ever have the chance to ride with a legendary cyclist like Peter Sagan again!

Prize Drawing I can't leave out the prize drawing. The first prize was a Tarmac... And the fact that a Tarmac was hanging in the air was so surreal to see.

Honestly, it was a very enjoyable riding parade. It was tiring, and fun, considering it was my first bike ride in a while ㅎㅎ

I made a video, so check it out! #PeterSagan #Specialized #RoadBike #ChuncheonRiding #ParadeToVictory