PANAJI
Lt Col Srinivas Gokulnath, India's first solo RAAM ( Race Across America) finisher enthralled cyclists from across Goa in his talk organised in a city hotel recently.
The RAAM which is considered to be the toughest cycle race in the world requires solo cyclists to complete a distance of 4,900 kms from the West Coast of America to the East Coast within 12 days. Srinivas completed this distance in 11 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes in June this year to be adjudged the first Indian solo cyclist to achieve the feat. In order to achieve this feat, Srinivas was on his cycle for an average of 21 hours every day with just three hours for sleep and rest averaging almost 415 kms of riding every day.
Speaking to a sizeable gathering of Goan cyclists, Srinivas made a brilliant 90 minute presentation peppered with slides, videos and stills documenting his momentous achievement. The Nashik based army doctor highlighted the fact that with the right mind-set and training, the RAAM task was within the reach of all hard-working cyclists. "I am just like everybody else in this room. If I can complete the RAAM, so can all of you," Srinivas said.
Srinivas attributed his RAAM success to the online training received from his American coach Alberto Blanco and the support and assistance of his ten-member crew. Highlighting the importance of the support crew, the army doctor stated how the crew looked after his every need, be it nutrition, physiotherapy, cycle repairs, hygiene and motivation. "I simply had to sit on the saddle and ride," he said.
On the occasion, 32 endurance cyclists from Goa received their BRM (Brevet Des Randonneurs Mondiaux) medals at the hands of the RAAM champion.
