Experience
“I’m the first Asian cyclist to take a RAAM podium spot’
Ultra-cyclist Kabir Rachure, 31, from India, made history in one of the world’s toughest cycle races
Words Rob Kemp Images Ultrahuman
“The Race Across America (RAAM) is one of the longest annual endurance events in the world. It’s 4,800km across the USA. It’s also one of the most dangerous races. I first completed it in 2019, in 11 days, 22 hours and 43 minutes.”
“After my previous exertions at the RAAM, I had an award named after me in India called the “Kabir Rachure Ultra Award”. I’m also the winner of all three editions of the Great Himalayan Ultra Race (that starts in Leh, Ladakh) – the world’s highest race of its kind, with an average elevation of 3,300m.”
“For my second attempt at the RAAM, in 2022, I trained around 8-12 hrs a week on a simulation trainer, doing sweet-spot and VO2 max sessions and hill repeats. I’d do one endurance ride every weekend of around 4-6 hours. I always did the quality training instead of just long sessions or long rides.”
“THE KANSAS CROSSWINDS TOOK A TOLL ON MY FINISHING TIME. THE BIKE WAS TILTED TOWARDS ONE SIDE ALL THE TIME”
“Riding through Kansas was very tough. I was pacing myself very well and [finishing in] 10 days and a few hours looked possible. But Kansas was full of crosswinds and headwinds for around 36 hours.”
“The Kansas crosswinds took a toll on my body as well as my finishing time. The bike was tilted towards one side all the time, so maintaining balance and riding with all my effort drained me. It took around 12 hours after Kansas to gain my strength back. But as they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – and any fear of riding in strong winds is now gone.”
“I slept after every 24 hours of riding for around two hours and was tight on my nutrition. I pushed myself on climbs, recovered on flats and downhills, took it easy on hot days and pushed myself on the cold nights.”
“I used a glucose-level sensor (Ultrahuman M1) and found I performed well when my level was between 120-140mg dL. I felt I was much stronger mentally and physically compared to 2019; possibly because I had the glucose data to guide my fuelling.”
“I finished in third position, riding across the USA in 11 days, 11 hours and 25 minutes. Completing the RAAM has a satisfaction, but winning it some day is the dream.”
KABIR’S ENDURANCE-RACING TIPS
01 Try visualisation
I recreated various scenarios of what could go wrong in different places. When you visualise the worst that will be thrown at you, it doesn’t come as a surprise. But I always ride with a positive mindset.
02 Find your fuel
I ate berries to beat the heat and crunchy crisps at night to stay alert. Chewing gum and little fixes of caffeine were a constant. Major meals were grabbed from fast-food options or made by my sister Sapana.
03 Practise racing
Next up I’ll be doing the 24-hour World Time Trial Championships in the USA (Borrego Springs) in November 2022 and then I’ll be doing the Race around Austria in August 2023.