‘Race Across America was tougher than I thought’

Nagpur: “Right now there is a feeling of emptiness. All I am thinking is ‘ye toh hogaya, now what”, Dr Amit Samarth, who became the first Indian to complete Race Across America (RAAM) in first attempt, told TOI from Annapolis, US, where he finished the race on Sunday.
Considered to be the most difficult cycling activity in the world, RAAM is a race from the west to east coast of America, in which the participant has to cover a distance of 5000 kms in 12 days. Samarth did it in 11 days 21 hours 11 minutes.
“RAAM is meant to kill you on the way. If you survive, you are like a king, otherwise its like a suicide plan where you take your family and friends along to watch you while you kill yourself,” says Samarth.
“It was much tougher than what I had imagined it to be,” added Samarth who had crewed for Seana Hogan, an ultra-cycling legend and six-time solo winner at RAAM last year. “Nearly 70% of the people who attempt it abandon the race in the first three days itself.”
That’s the reason that there are only 264 persons who have completed it solo.
In the first three days of the race, a rider has to peddle through Arizona dessert and Utah Valley which is extremely dry. “My nose began to bleed on the second day and I had to take rest for two hours as I was dehydrated too,” he says.
“In the initial days I made the mistake of drinking very cold water which gave me a sore throat and on the third day I was suffering with fever and had to be put on antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs,” says Samarth who regained his fitness by the fourth day when he began climbing in Colorado.
“It was a very good ride and I could climb the mountains in record time for which I won appreciation from the RAAM organizers,” he informs.
The weather again changed to scorching heat as Samarth pedalled through Kansas, Missouri by the time he was eight days into the race. “The next couple of days were through West Virginia where we met with a storm and lashing rains. This was the last section and once again very tough, but I could make through it without any halts event at the official stops and this actually kept me in the race.”
There were times when Samarth says he would fall asleep on his cycle. “I would sway away from the road and then my crew would steer me back give some coffee and then I would be back on the seat. I had an extremely supportive crew who would keep chatting with me on the communication system and I would also listen to some loud music too to ward off sleep,” he said.
It is mental strength, patience and the intent which alone can see one through this, says Samarth. “For me it was beyond an individual endeavour. My aim is to make adventure and endurance sports popular in Nagpur and India,” he says.
Samarath added that the fact that two Indians (Col Dr Srinivas Gokulnath of Nashik being the other) could complete the race this year has generated a huge interest in this activity.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/race-across-america-was-tougher-than-i-thought/articleshow/59327582.cms