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Mumbai, June 26
Eleven days, 18 hours and 45 minutes after setting out from California, Lt Colonel Dr Srinivas Gokulnath created history by becoming the first Indian to complete what is considered the world’s toughest cycle race — the 4,900-km Race Across America (RAAM) in solo category.
In a feat that marks the Indian arrival on the endurance cycling scene globally, another Maharashtrian, Nagpur’s Dr Amit Samarth, followed him at the finish line at Annapolis on the American east coast around midnight today as per Indian time. Among the nine men who finished, Gokulnath stood 7th while Samarth was on his heels at number 8. The race was won by Christoph Strasser.
Team Sahyadri Cyclists, from Gokulnath’s hometown of Nashik, completed the race in the 4-men category in eight days and 10 hours today.
In its over three-decade history, only three Indians had attempted RAAM solo, but no one could finish. Samim Rizvi, the first Indian to attempt, also took part this year but couldn’t finish.
Gokulnath said he went through various emotions right from the start of the race, which he termed as a “relentless effort” from the moment one signs up for it. Gokulnath, a doctor by training, is an aerospace medicine specialist working with the Army in Nashik and was competing for the second consecutive year. He was timed out last year after pedalling for nearly 3,000 km. Samarth, however, finished the race in his maiden attempt.
Apart from Rizvi and Gokulnath, Sumit Patil from Alibag was the only one to have attempted the race in the past. More than a dozen Indian riders have qualified for RAAM during the past decade through special rides that take place in various regions like the Deccan plateau, the Thar desert and the hills of south India.
After qualifying, one has to undergo gruelling training for several months, do simulated multi-day rides with a specially collected crew and also arrange finances that run up to over Rs 20 lakh for the race and more for training.
Mahendra and Hitendra Mahajan, doctors from Nashik, had won the two-men category last year, marking the first Indian finish at the RAAM, but a solo finish was elusive till Gokulnath crossed the line. The Mahajan brothers returned to RAAM this year as crew members in Team Sahyadri. — PTI
Treacherous route
Starting from temperate climes on the Pacific Coast, the race enters the furnace-like Mojave Desert, passes through arid Arizona, cold mountain passes in Colorado, windy plains in central America, and finally the Appalachian Mountains test the riders before they reach the Atlantic coast on the East.
World’s toughest
The Race Across America, or RAAM, is an ultramarathon bicycle race across the US that started in 1982 as the Great American Bike Race. Organised by John Marino, there were four competitors: John Marino himself, John Howard, Michael Shermer and Lon Haldeman. The course started in Santa Monica, California, and finished at the Empire State Building in New York City. Haldeman won.
Tour de France vs RAAM
In length the RAAM is comparable to the Tour de France, but the races differ to a great extent. Unlike a stage race like the famed Tour de France, the clock is constantly ticking at RAAM. Riders have to pedal over 400 km a day to finish the race in the stipulated 12 days. They can rest for only a couple of hours a day at best; extreme fatigue, sleeplessness and hallucinations are not uncommon.
4,900km | 12 US states | 1.7 lakh vertical feet
Among the nine men who finished, Gokulnath stood 7th while Samarth was a close 8th. Christoph Strasser won The race
Team Sahyadri
4-men category
8 days 10 hours
4
6