THE DECCAN CLIFFHANGER.

The RACE ACROSS AMERICA qualifier.

By Veloscope

March 14^th, 2017

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

~ Mark Twain

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Long distance cyclists participate in various races known as BRMs or Brevets De Randonneur Mondiaux. These are rides of fixed distances that are to be completed within specified time limits and are non-competitive. Cyclists start with BRMs and graduate to Ultra cycle racing. Ultra-Cycling Races are competitive and have podium positions.

RAAM is an ultra-endurance event, a 5000 Km cycle race from East to West across the United States, starting from the Pacific coast and ending at the Atlantic, climbing 52000 meters. It’s one long race and has to be completed within 12 days with an additional 21 hours for women and 50+ riders. In this challenging race, participants hardly sleep for 3 hours a day for the entire duration.

THE BUZZ AROUND.

Keeping in trend with the International ultra-cycling culture and races, the 4th edition of Deccan Cliff Hanger took place on 5th Nov 2016 in Pune. In a battle of mind vs. body, mind vs. nature, man vs. man and man against time, this was a preliminary exam for the ultra-cyclists, over 400 miles from Pune to Goa lasting over 38 hours; covering mountains, plains, forests and beaches with a host of pro and amateur ultra-cyclists participating to officially to qualify for the world’s toughest RAAM.

PLANNING.

“Half the war is won,when planning is done right” ~ Anonymous

This isn’t the kind of race where you can show up at the last moment. While the race itself is tough, the actual grind lies in the preparation. As much as this race is insanely demanding in its training time, one has to be quite mindful of the risks and dangers along the course that you need to plan much ahead for. Once you have a clear goal, planning on bike and kit, to your nutrition, to the inevitable crew support takes the driver’s seat, of course in conjunction to your routine cycling and long distance rides for months. Race day is all about execution.

This race doesn’t just stresses the body physically but also psychologically. It takes a lot of commitment, grit and strength to live your goal.

the goliath task at hands.

This grueling race was flagged off at 5 am from Paranjpe’s Forest Trails, Bhugaon in Pune on 5th Nov 2016, with a total of 32 solo and 21 team riders.The solo riders were flagged off first, followed by the 2 member teams, 3 member teams and finally the 4 member teams. Teams range from 2, 3 and 4 members where each member had to ride in sections. Every solo member and team was supported by a crew of 2-4 members, riding on with their crew vehicles in tow across the Sahyadri range crossing the high mountains of Mahabaleshwar, finally dropping through dense forests of Anshi Tiger reserve that cover the cliffs of the escarpment, into the Konkan and finishing at the Bogmalo beach of Goa. .

The race had a recorded total elevation gain of 6000 meters from the Deccan plateau – phew! Not meant for the average mortals and more appropriately said, for the less prepared participants.

the warriors.

The race had participants from across the country. From the youngest participant being 16 year old to the oldest at 68 years, it was a great mix of the ultra-cycling enthusiasts. Past crew members turned racers and past racers were supporting as crew, while it was a new land for few of the participants.

This edition of Deccan Cliffhanger had the greatest number of solo woman participants till date with Ila achieving the stupendous distinction of being the first Indian woman to qualify for RAAM clocking 32:14.Veterans like Samim Rizvi and few alike were back to compete their old records and set new benchmarks.In the solo category, Akshay Chougule, the youngest solo participant, finished first in the Men’s 18-49 category clocking 26:49.

Twelve of the solo participants completed within the RAAM qualification time limit, 11 within Inspire India time limit, one didn’t finish within the time limit and 7 couldn’t complete the race. In teams, all but one finished within the time limits of 30 and 31 hours

THE CREW.

A crew is the backbone of the rider. Crew support is the most essential component in ultra-cycling and can’t be traded or negotiated for anything else.Crew appointed by the rider follow him/her across the route keeping him/her on track, providing logistical, mechanical and medical support and encouragement.

Crew members include family, fellow cyclists, other sport enthusiasts and medical experts.Being on a support crew is a fun way to experience the world of extreme distances without having to put in thousands of training miles, sweat, tears. These are the wonderful people that give up their personal time to help a friend accomplish a great goal.

THE COLOURFUL.

no respite, no breaks.

From Pune, the route headed south with a tough climb to Mahabaleshwar, continuing to Dharwad over rolling terrain and finally descending the AnmodGhat going through the scenic Anshi Tiger Reserve right into Goa. As the temperature soared high in the afternoon, riders had to battle fatigue over inclines. In contrast, the last 100 km. the riders went rolling down the AnmodGhat through the dense Anshi Tiger Reserve. Riders who led the race, raced through this patch during the night as cold weather, low visibility and high speeds combined to make it a thrilling ride towards the finish. The sleep time was strategically planned by the riders along with his/ her crew to reduce the overall time by keeping the breaks to the minimum.

after 30 hours.

Deccan Cliff hanger, captioned as India’s toughest ultra-cycling endurance race, a title it surely does justice to, in application with the international standards provided a great platform for the ultra-cyclists to challenge themselves, test out their endurance limits and an opportunity for them to evolve into world class athletes.

Riding through the rough patches, pushing themselves over the inclines, surviving the blistering heat and headwinds, navigating through dark, low visible areas with no sleep and hardly any rest, a good percentage of solo riders made through the finish line qualifying for RAAM and top relay teams having the podium finishes.

The race yielded massive satisfaction among the riders and waves of it could be felt in the merry chatter and laughter gleaming the atmosphere. This race was a journey of self-discovery for many, where a lot of inner demons were slayed and realizations reached, that if prepared and pushed in the right direction, what one is capable of. The bravery tales and the more than deserved beer continued to flow through the night, post what had been the toughest 30 hours of their lives for a chosen few men and women of their kind.