‘Eat & Ride’ helps Kudla Cyclist Dhanraj finish the Tough 1750 km Ultra Spice Endurance Bicycle Race
Mangaluru: At a time when most of his colleagues at British Petroleum Company were busy doing some research or gearing up for a next project, 30-year-old Dhanraj Karkera from Mangaluru was all geared up for a different mission. While it was not as challenging task at his workplace, it was definitely bound to test his endurance to the limit. And his efforts and determination made accomplish his challenge, by finishing India’s toughest and long distance endurance bicycle race-” 1750 km Ultra Spice Endurance Bicycle Race, conducted by Inspire India. Dhanraj Karkera from Team WE R Cycling Mangaluru, accomplished in this Race, thereby becoming the first rider from Kudla/Mangaluru to compete and finish this gruelling bicycle race- and is also the first endurance cyclists from Karnataka for having achieved this feat! And one thing that kept Dhanraj going and going non-stop cycling was the food that was given to him along the route, consuming it with one hand, and using the other for cycling, and thus gave him the full stamina to finish the race.
Regarding Ultra Spice 1750 Route – it is a longer race of 120 hrs for Solo men 18-49 and 128 hrs for Solo Women, that is a RAAM Qualifier for solo and has 2, 3 or 4 person team categories. The Race follows the same route at 1000 till it touches the Mangaluru-Bangalore highway. From there the route continues south along the Western Ghats, rolling through spectacular coffee and spice plantations of Coorg. Then it descends down from the Sahyadris to Iritty in Kerala before heading up to Wayanad. Heading into the Nilgiri mountains through Eucalyptus trees the route climbs up to Ooty at 2200 Mt through a winding 25 km route. Turning around the route returns the same way back to Goa. The distance 1750 Km has a total elevation gain of 22400 Mts.
This ultra marathon is into its third year, but no cyclist was able to complete the event in its inaugural year. The race has to be completed within 120 hours. It is divided into three categories — 600 km, 1000 km and 1750 Km— the last one enabling the cyclist to qualify for RAAM. The 1750 km is also the longest RAAM qualifier in India. Even though being India’s toughest & long distance endurance bicycle race, in its 3rd edition, this year the race saw as many as 11 riders taking part in the event, and the 1750 km solo category saw 5 riders including a lone lady rider, Ila Patil.
The race started right on the beach in Bogmalo Beach in Goa and followed the coast crossing Karwar and turning inland at Honnavar. Catching up on the Western ghat’s at Jog Falls, the route ran through the coffee plantations of Chikkamagaluru, Madikeri Waynad and took a U-turn at the land of tea at Ooty and finished in Goa, through the same route. The riders faced a total elevation gain of 22,500 mts, passing through four states having varied temperatures from burning 38°c to chilling 8°c, challenging terrains with many major climbs around the Western ghat.
Briefing the media persons about the Race which Dhanraj took part, president of WE R Cycling Team Sarvesha Samaga said, “The Race was flagged off at 7.10 am in Goa, and Dhanraj began to ride in his usual impeccable way, crossing one control point after the other along the route. By 7 pm, he had covered 270 km crossing Jog Falls and cruising his way towards Sagar. Disaster struck in the form of dehydration, which threatened to jeopardize his attempt at the race. However, the escorting crew with the help of the local government hospital revived him back. He was administered IV fluid, tablets for nausea and vomiting and was made to take good rest. Recovering fairly well, Dhanraj continued the ride early in the morning but lost 12 crucial hours in the race!”
“Day 2 saw, Dhanraj crossing Chikkamagaluru in the day time and Madikeri in the night before taking a break at Irritty, Kerala on the wee hours of Day 3 for breakfast. He rode well all through before reaching the base of the monstrous climb at Gudaluru around 7 pm. After a quick dinner, he began the assault on the climb, reaching the U-turn point well before the cutoff time of 72 hours. However, the tired body took it’s toll again on him and he had to rest until the next morning before the descent. Day 4 saw him descending the Gudaluru climb in style and pushing beyond his limits. By the end of the day, he had reached Madikeri covering around 1150 km” added Samaga.
Samaga further said, “By mid-afternoon of Day 5, Dhanraj reached Chikkamagaluru and by the end of the day he was nearing Sagar. He took a nap again in Sagara and began his final assault to the finish line in the early hours of Day 6, passing one city at a time. Once he reached Honnavar, he was literally racing and making up for all those lost time, covering 190 km in 8 hours and smashing several KOMs on the way. Finally, he completed the 1750 km ride and reached Goa around 7 pm, to a warm welcome right from 5 km to the finish line, with many riders and followers cheering him up all through the way. Having lost hopes, battling through the health conditions, Dhanraj along with his crew, scripted a unique story in the history of Ultra Cycling in India! His support team, led by Sudhir Albuquerque, was credited with an award for ‘outstanding crewing’ in taking Dhanraj across the finish line”.
As they say “Winning is not important, but participation is important”- and that was the case with Dhanraj Karkera, that with Determination, Commitment and Efforts he proved his cycling talents by completing one of the longest and toughest Cycling Race in India, even though he couldn’t win the trophy. But indeed a mission accomplished for this young man from the Smart City-Mangaluru. And for the smart city, which is always buzzing with some of the other cycling activities, this has been a major milestone and hope this will inspire many more riders from the state and the region to attempt such races in the future. Dhanraj is really a role model for other cyclists who are ready to accept the gauntlet in entering the cycling races.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean Dhanraj said “Right from my school days, the cycle was a means of commuting to reach my school or college. I started liking it as I grew up and began exploring places on my cycle. The passion for ultra cycling, however, came around recently, and I decided to accept the gauntlet. Taking part in such a tough race is a lifetime experience and I will try to enter in such events in the future. Every race is different, comes with a different challenge. I want to kick start the 2019 year on a good note and wanted to be part of this race, and I am happy that I achieved my goal by completing it. Thanks to my crew who were also responsible for my achievement”.
Team Mangalorean congratulates Dhanraj & his support crew for this outstanding performance. Go Cycling!
Kudla boy Dhanraj outshines at 1750km Ultra Spice bicycle race
Press Release
Mangaluru: Dhanraj Karkera from Team WE R Cycling Mangalore, completed the 1750km Ultra Spice endurance bicycle race, thereby becoming the first rider from KUDLA to compete and finish this grueling bicycle race. He is also the first endurance cyclists from Karnataka for having achieved this fete!!
The race starts right on the beach in Goa and follows the coast crossing Karwar and turning inland at Honnavar. Catching up on the Western ghat’s at JogFalls, the route runs through the coffee plantations of Chikkamagaluru, Madikeri Waynad and takes a U-turn at the land of tea at Ooty and finishes in Goa, through the same route.
The riders face a total elevation gain of 22,500mt, passing through 4 states having varied temperatures from burning 38°c to chilling 8°c challenging terrains with many major climbs around the Western Ghat.
By the end of the day, he had reached Madikeri covering around 1150km. By mid-afternoon of Day 5, Dhanraj reached Chikkamagaluru and by the end of the day, he was nearing Sagara. He took a nap again in Sagara and began his final assault to the finish line in the early hours of Day 6, passing one city at a time. Once he reached Honnavar, he was literally racing and making up for all those lost time, covering 190km in 8hours and smashing several KOMs on the way. Finally, he completed the 1750km ride and reached Goa around 7 pm, to a warm welcome right from 5km to the finish line, with many riders and followers cheering him up all through the way.
Having lost hopes, battling through the health conditions, Dhanraj along with his crew, scripted a unique story in the history of Ultra Cycling in India!! His support team, lead by Sudhir Albuquerque, was credited with an award for ‘outstanding crewing’ in taking Dhanraj across the finish line.
Team WE R Cycling congratulates Dhanraj & his support crew for this outstanding performance.
For the smart city, which is always buzzing with some or the other cycling activities, this has been a major milestone and hope this may inspire many more riders from our state & the region to attempt such races in the future.
Pics by Astel Pereira