Ultra-cycling race from Pune to Goa starts today

Panaji: The tenth edition of the Deccan Cliffhanger will start in Pune on Saturday and conclude in Goa on Sunday, after covering a distance of 643kms from the Sahyadris to the beaches.

The ultra-cycling race, which qualifies for one of the world’s toughest bicycle race, The Race Across America (RAAM), will see participation from around the country with cyclists training hard for months to prepare for this challenge.

“The challenge lies not just in the terrain but in the various climatic changes within such a short time,” said Rutvik Khare, executive director of Inspire India, the organisers. “The race route covers the high mountains of Mahabaleshwar, the dry plains of the Satara-Kolhapur section to head into Karnataka, and finally descends through the dense forests of Amboli ghat to finish at the beaches of Goa.”

Racers must complete the 643km distance within 32 hours non-stop to qualify for RAAM. The 34 racers registered for this format will have to race with a total elevation gain of 5400mt with full support from crew members who accompany them in vehicles.

RAAM is a 5000km ultra-cycling race that goes across the North American continent, from coast to coast.

The other event category is the Relay Team format, where teams comprising two, three or four members take turns racing the route. While one team member rides, the others rest in the support vehicle and move up the road. A total of 35 racers will take part in this format this year.

Cyclists from across the country, including Goa, will take part, besides two international athletes. These include Purin Sirimachan, a Randonneur from Thailand, and Koken Uzuntas from Turkey who took up long-distance cycling with Pune Randonneurs in 2017.

This year five solo women are attempting to qualify for RAAM. Three of them Kanchan Bokil Arati Chapani and Gareema Shankarall, strong Randonneurs, who will race in the self-supported category. Niharika Reddy, who at under-18 years is also the youngest participant and has raced Deccan Cliffhanger and Great Himalayan Ultra in relay team category, will race Mandeepa Bhatia in the crew supported format.

“We look forward to seeing more women race successfully at our races and inspire many more to take to the sport,” said race director Divya Tate.