Q: How did your passion for ultra cycling arise?
Srinivas Gokulnath: It arose due to that I have been associated with. Bangalore has a very strong cycling community and that is how I found my passion. This was in 2009 when I became a part of Bangalore Bicycle Club. As such there are several cycling clubs in Bangalore, all of them has an impact on me to chose my passion in ultra cycling.
Q: What is the scene of ultra cycling in the country?
Srinivas: Things have been growing after these randonneuring rides. It has been since 2011, when ultra cycling has picked up in India. It has all upward from thereon. There are so many aspirants who are dreaming on RAAM and many other races across the globe. This reflects that the sport is going to grow by leaps and bounds.
Q: So tell us a bit more on your long-distance cycling...
Srinivas: I started even before randonneuring rides were happening in the country. I started long-distance rides in 2009 when I was based in Bangalore. I kept challenging myself from 200k, to 300, 400 upwards. I used to do rides from Bangalore- Chikmagalur, Bangalore-Ooty and back, in and out of Bangalore, sometimes even to Hyderabad.
Q: How did you get to know about the famous Race Across America (RAAM)?
Srinivas: It was somewhere in 2009-12 I got to know as there was another Indian trying to participate and I came to know about it. And that was when I dreamt of doing RAAM sometime.
Q: How did you qualify for RAAM?
Srinivas: I qualified through qualification races held in India. I did the Deccan Cliffhanger races wherein I had to ride 643 kms in 32 hours. I did that distance covering Pune to Goa twice, in 2014 and 2015, qualifying both times.
Q: Your first attempt at RAAM was a failed endeavour. What went wrong?
Srinivas: The first attempt I put in 4,200 kms (700 kms short from 12 days stipulation). I felt short by a day. The shortcomings of my 2016 attempt were few. To list it out, my focus on the race and understanding about the race could be mentioned. While in June 2017, my focus was much stronger and sharper and my understanding of the race was much better. So that made the difference within a year.
Q: If you can elaborate on the shortcomings that you had at RAAM last year ...
Srinivas: Being a self-funded athlete in 2016 I was struggling to make it to the start line of the race. Because logistics involved in the race are so much. The race is so big. When I say, logistics, it involves many things. Right from getting a passport, to a visa, to getting a car there and racing there. So the logistics involved are so much that that it was difficult for me to manage the whole show alone. Because I was trying to take control of each and every aspect of logistics that it did eat upon my energies as far as focus on the race is concerned. So the focus was on to make it to the start of the race in 2016, which in 2017 was on the finishing line.
Q: You finished a commendable 7th at RAAM this year, and the best among Indians. Tell us more.
Srinivas: It took me 11 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes to get across the finish line. In the span of time, I was sleeping for 3 hours in the day from 1-4 pm and rode the remaining 21 hours. The food intake was 10000 calories to eat, and drink 400-450 calories. It was all liquid food.
Q: What did the food intake comprise of?
Srinivas: It is very subjective. You need to pick what suits you. The general principle is you need to try it out before you do it on the race.
Q: Tell us about the RAAM route and challenges ...
Srinivas: It starts from the ocean-side of California and ends in Annapolis, Maryland. It crosses 12 States, four rivers and three mountain passes. The temperature variations are extreme. the day time temperatures when across the desert by day time is 48-50 degrees centigrade and by night the temperature is 5-6 degrees centigrade. The highest pass is at Wolf Creek Pass at 10000 feet while the route passes across the deserts in Arizona and California. The challenges are the terrain, temperatures and navigation through traffic. But the primary challenge was dealing with one's mind as it is tough race as far as being in the saddle is concerned. You need to relentlessly focus on the finish line. You cannot really take your focus off the race because it is a time-run race, the clock does not stop. So the biggest challenge as far as I am concerned is to dealing with the mind.
Q: So how did you keep yourself motivated?
Srinivas: I feel internal motivation was no doubt there. But the race is so brutal that there are mood changes. Sometimes you are on a high mood, and that is when you have to run strong and make the best of it. When on a low mood, when you have to try to ensure your internal motivation as also the external motivation from your crew members, their talks, gestures, cheering to help you stay positive.
Q: When you reached the finish line in June within the stipulated time, what was your immediate reaction?
Srinivas: It was a sense of relief. I also had a strong feeling of contentment to the extent that even if I die, I was happy. I had a vague feeling of not being mindful of dying after crossing the finishing line.
Q: What is your goal now, after having successfully finished RAAM?
Srinivas: I want to grow in this sport, and learn more from it by doing races. I have many races in my mind such as the race across Europe, race around Austria, Trans-Siberian race, in Russia too. But being a self-funded athlete it is kind of difficult for me to pursue it. I am also trying to find a sustainable support or a sponsor.
