An Indian ultra cyclist thrives in America's toughest race

Ultra cyclist Kabir Rachure speaks to Mint about his exploits in the gruelling Race Across America

- Shail Desai

A day into the Race Across America (RAAM) in June, ultra-cyclist Kabir Rachure, 33, realised he was in trouble. A shooting pain afflicted his left knee, forcing him to take a more conservative approach to the riding. And in order to protect it, he was now straining the other leg as well.

In spite of the setback, he had put in the work to grind out 450-odd miles since the start. But the climb up to Yarnell Grade in Arizona, an ascent of 1,800 feet over seven miles (about 11km), set the alarm bells ringing for Rachure and his crew. From podium aspirations on his third RAAM attempt, this was now being reduced to be an effort in attrition and survival.

"This was all very new for me, since I had never experienced knee pain like it in the past. The physios did provide relief and tried to make me comfortable on the bicycle, but I had to eventually manage it in the best way that I could. It was clear that in order to protect the knee, I couldn't put in the effort that I would have otherwise liked to," Rachure recalls.

Nothing quite prepared him for how things unfolded on Day 6 of the race. During a break that evening, Rachure observed his saddle and then turned to look at the spare bicycles mounted on top of his support car. As he compared the two bicycles, his eyes lit up.