Hey RAAM.....!!!

[Anil Kadsur]

Bikers,

The leader at 20.96 mph (already covered 628 miles so far at that pace considering all the climbs) what a pace for that distance....

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/rcrank.php?s_N_category_group=1&s_N_Race_ID=1

Sumit Patil from India seems to be doing good so far....

anil s kadsur

http://kadsur.blogspot.in/

[Opendro]

Nice title Anil. First I was imagining since when you turned communal... Ok, RAAM is still suckular LOL

[Vijay Srinivas]

Is it only me or does everyone knows who's taking the title this year...?? What happened to dani wyss,reto schoch or marko baloh...???

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[Venkatesh N]

Marko Baloh is riding the shorter RAW(Race Across the West) this year and is making great progress. If I remember correctly Reto is crewing for some other participant this year. Looks like Christoph Strasser is racing against himself this year.

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[Opendro]

In the female solo, Shusanah Pillinger is slowly moving up the ranks and closing in the gaps with the lead riders.

I think Agni is moving too slowly. At this pace, it is doubtful though there is a lot of time to recover and plan ahead - required pace average is 10 miles per hour. If covering just the required distance is the strategy, that is great plan though he has to plan for the climbs ahead and any unexpected things ahead.

[Sandeep]

On Thu, Jun 12, 2014 at 4:55 PM, Opendro <ope...@gmail.com> wrote:

I think Agni is moving too slowly. At this pace, it is doubtful though there is a lot of time to recover and plan ahead - required pace average is 10 miles per hour. If covering just the required distance is the strategy, that is great plan though he has to plan for the climbs ahead and any unexpected things ahead.

The leader is at 20 and that too will drop to around 15 by the end of the race(going by previous years). I agree that Agni seems to be going very slow for a race, gives him very less time to sleep/rest over the next 10.5 days.

[anand raman]

I hope that he is doing OK and that there no issues plaguing the team. I guess completing should be the ultimate goal. 

a

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[Sreepathi Pai]

On Thu, Jun 12, 2014 at 10:47 AM, anand raman <ara...@gmail.com> wrote:

> guess completing should be the ultimate goal.

At what point does the goal become "winning"? What can we do to
accelerate that adoption of that goal?


--
Sreepathi Pai

[anand raman]

Thats a great question. However I given that we (indians) have failed on previous 2 occasions this is an very acceptable position from my perspective. Winning should be a goal perhaps after we open our account 

thanks

anand

[MJV]

You are right Venky, Christoph is riding his own race with Reto his best opponent decided to call it a day in RAAM. He is crewing his cousin Otto this year i believe but not sure. But an article in RAAM website mentioned about Reto's trouble to get sponsors. And he has retired from ultra cycling i believe. An old article:

http://www.ridefarther.com/index.php/29-blog/october-2013/117-reto-schoch-says-i-do-adieu

_MJV_ 

On Thursday, June 12, 2014 1:28:36 PM UTC+5:30, BikeyVenky wrote:

[MJV]

And Marko has won RAW!

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/rcrank.php?s_N_category_group=1&s_N_Race_ID=3

On Thursday, June 12, 2014 1:28:36 PM UTC+5:30, BikeyVenky wrote:

[Opendro]

The fact that RAAM winners don't get any prize and participation expense is exorbitant would deter any serious cyclists from making winning as a goal unless the cyclist is already extremely fit working for some other goal and thus race this as a bonus pride.

[Anil Kadsur]

Opendro,

 "working for some other goal and thus race this as a bonus pride."

even then that race has to be bigger than this then only it makes sense to do that, otherwise it may not help i feel....

anil s kadsur

http://kadsur.blogspot.in/

--

[Opendro]

"Bigger" in what sense? As I mentioned, RAAM winner does not anything. Even BBCh race winners get better prizes than RAAM winner.

So, why would one want to race RAAM or even try to win RAAM. That has to be only to make a statement or just for the sake of proving that I can do it or just because someone has got loads of money and does whatever pleases him.

BTW, googling "why do people race in RAAM" out of curiosity brought this article : http://www.adventurecorps.com/when/raam/raamlies.html So true.

[Anil Kadsur]

1. "Bringing RAAM down to earth is the mission here. RAAM's great and I love it, there's no doubt, but it's not the toughest thing in life. We'll reserve that accolade for life itself."

@Opendro,

very interesting read, thank you for sharing....above line was very powerful one....

anil s kadsur

http://kadsur.blogspot.in/

[suman paul]

"Even BBCh race winners get better prizes than RAAM winner."

Really !!!


Oh Opendro, You made the day 😄😄😄



thank you & regards

suman

+91 9886300685

[Kavitha Kanaparthi]

Anil, BTW, that 'line' is by the person who claims Badwater is the toughest race on the planet, and we certainly reserve our opinions on that as well. It is tough, no doubt, and I have been to Badwater race, and I have been to RAAM. RAAM is bloody tough, excuse my sentiments. If one has the strength of mind, body and spirit, to get to the finish line, there is almost nothing in life one cannot face. 

From experience, stating goals is easier than reaching those goals. And, determination and ego alone have never gotten anyone anywhere without preparation and the right attitude. 

Also, a word of caution - There will be a lot of newcomers reading your mails/posts/comments. Be responsible when you are making statements. When you don't understand something, try to experience it and know about it before you state your opinion as facts. Whether you realize it or not, RAAM has brought on the interest in long distance cycling in India, and brevets came post that. 

Happy cycling, and see you all tomorrow at the BBCh race. Looking forward to finding what prizes are in store!

Best

Kavitha.

[Sreepathi Pai]

On Sat, Jun 14, 2014 at 12:21 AM, Kavitha Kanaparthi
<ksim...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Whether you realize it or not, RAAM
> has brought on the interest in long distance cycling in India, and brevets
> came post that.

I agree with your sentiments regd. RAAM, but historically, brevets
happened before RAAM in India.

Most people ride brevets not for RAAM, but for the PBP. Brevets do not
prepare one for RAAM (physically) unless the riders are aim and
achieve a R60 (i.e. complete a full series in 60% of time).

And quite frankly, a fully-supported race like RAAM does not really
compare to a unsupported ride like the PBP.

Once I see a PBP vedette from India (sub-45 hour), I'll believe we
have a chance in RAAM.

It stupefies me that people who ride brevets in the most unspectacular
manner want to go to ride the RAAM. The gap between the competitive
resumes of the top riders in RAAM like Christoph Strasser and Jure
Robic who have broken world records and our sportsmen who've never
really done anything worth mentioning is massive. Once we upgrade our
standards we may have a chance, otherwise we'll have to sit back and
hope our riders simply cross the finish line.

P.S.: A very long time ago, I've participated in south-asian regional
finals of a non-athletic competition and was wiped out by teams from
Singapore and China. The standards they displayed and the effort they
put in their training left me humbled. Since then, figuring out
exactly what "world-class" means is a bit of an obsession. Direct
exposure is not easy to obtain.

P.P.S.: I have great respect for our athletes who overcome a lot to
just participate in these events. Their lives could be made much
smoother than they are today. What I don't like is the mismanagement
of expectations/standards that leads to disappointment all around.

--
Sreepathi Pai

[deepakvrao]

Kavitha,

Your one line:

From experience, stating goals is easier than reaching those goals.

is what I believe sums up a lot very simply. I have said the same recently on another thread regarding the ironman events.

[Anil Kadsur]

Sorry to know the status....

It is DNF

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/rcrank.php?s_N_category_group=1&s_N_Race_ID=1

anil s kadsur

http://kadsur.blogspot.in/

[Opendro]

I cannot comment on RAAM as of yet as I have not attempted a distance like that. But looking at the required pace, it does NOT look challenging. You guys have to wait till similar event comes to India. I will be the first to register if the fee is within 50K. I don't want to spend tons of money going elsewhere just to finish.

Doc, on the ironman, I said that it is not challenging way back in 2011. And I achieved a similar distance triathlon in Chennai (conducted by CTS) last December, well within 18 hours as the organizers gave the cut off as 20 hours given the conditions and I was not really making an effort to make it within 17 and my legs were still able to sprint at the end.

My preparation for the ironman distance triathlon-
 - swimming : zero km practice on swimming. I'm a noob in swimming though I know how to float very well, but very bad from a professional's point of view - I don't kick legs, I keep my head above water.... but damn. It is just 3.9 km.
 - cycling : zero if I discount the BBCh endurance XC in November.
 - running : well.. I cannot say zero, because I did the half marathon the weekend before, conducted by life is calling. And I also run about 3 km alternate days, two weeks prior to most big events. So, I did the same. I might have added a few extra km in parks when I was in mood... but nothing substantial I can recollect.
 - nutrition : bananas and bananas plus gatorade.

I don't want to demean many good and passionate athletes. I don't consider an athlete for the limitations I have and I don't stand anywhere compared to the innumerable athletes around. But painting an event as very tough just because we cannot get our hands on it is just not right.

Anyway, I will still not dismiss RAAM like distance until I try my hands on it. But on the facts - it is just a 10 miles an hour average with support vehicle. Or to put things into perspective - 400 km per day with support. That is how I see. On the contrary, brevets without support means preparing for rains, mechanical failures, sleeps in cold night, etc. pose serious challenge, specially in stormy season.

[Kavitha Kanaparthi]

Opendro, 

You seriously need to stop in those tracks before I tirade happens, here, including mine. RAAM is not stated as being tough because of its cost factor, or because you cannot get your hands on it. 

Good luck with your races and congratulations on your achievements. It really helps if you think through your statements and opinions by applying what is being said. 

These races are tough, because, they are TOUGH! There is a reason why Globeracers is bent on keeping RAAM qualifiers on the tougher side. There are other RAAM qualifiers in India now, which give you an opportunity to qualify, without fail. 

Before I start a huge discussion here, I'll take this mail out of my inbox. Its not just about opinions but the lack of knowledge and experience that is really killing sport and support to athletes in India. Think about it Opendro.

Best wishes,

Kavtha. 

[Anil Kadsur]

Hi Kavitha,

I got your point, my sincere apologies i never ever dis-respect anything which i have not tried my hands (simple i do not know what it takes.....have no moral right to comment on it), will be lot more careful next time when i am writing something, thank you for making me realize that aspect.

anil s kadsur

http://kadsur.blogspot.in/

[Opendro]

Well Kavitha, I would be really sad if you take such discussions personally than objectivity. I don't keep BBC posts in my inbox. So, you can delete the same. BTW, I don't have any achievement that you can even congratulate me on. I choose events where I can dream of winning and yet come somewhere at some insignificant place.

I didn't say that these distances are easy. For the record, let me repeat what I said ealier:

To judge an event correctly, the event should be something capable people can get access to and it should be something attractive to them (including cost). For instance, 24 hours challenge in Bangalore ultra by paying 7K and at the end to win nothing is not attractive. Same way, going all the way to America to win nothing is not attractive to the really good athletes (again not me).

Nothing personal here. I hope you understand that. I would be the first to sign out if it gets personal. Making enmity is not my habit.

[Opendro]

Before someone sensed it as bragging, let me tell you. I can barely swim at half the speed of Dipankar, can barely cycle at two third speeds of Nagaraj, hadn't even dreamed of attempting Richard's running speed. I wrote about this event just to prove my point better. I have only one bullet to fire and that is over now :-)

[Shyam Sundar S Iyer]

I just remembered something from  T S Elliot...looking at the retro on this topic and views and reviews....

 

Dust in the air suspended Marks the place where a story ended.

 

Its been true for many of us trying our level best in whatever sport we want to push with our limits or out of it....and most of the time for the common athletes from the sub contintent it has been the Mind....we limit ourselves and beliitle our capacity.....We give up!!!

 

In endurance sports its the mind....and the mind should perform better....when it has all reasons to shut down.

 

 

[Opendro]

Very well said about endurance. In contrast, a 100m dash or 10K sprint are not about minds. They are purely adrenaline. For commute riders like us, endurance rides should be done the way Sandeep does his brevets - plan the entire course in the head, prepare for eventualities and utilize the allotted time to the fullest.

[Kavitha Kanaparthi]

Well, Opendro, the way I see it, as an athlete, I am not looking for something at the end of the race, prize money or the medal, and, I am an athlete. Those are not the reasons that make a race tough, not tough, or inaccessible. Races are not to be made accessible. You want to do it, find a means to do it. 

Absolutely nothing personal. Races are of all kinds, and trying to force them to be coming out of an assembly line so we can rush to the start lines isn't exactly what appeals to an athlete, endurance or not. 

Best wishes,

Kavitha. 

[Opendro]

Very true to your nature! Having known you for a while, as a hard worker towards your passion and sports, I have to admit that line. I always make statements as a neutral without keeping anyone/group in mind. I kind of agree that such statements sometimes sound insensitive to the people who really matter in the field.

[deepakvrao]

Agree with all that Kavitha has said.

'Just' 400 kms a day? Have you any clue about the conditions, the wind, the climbs, the heat, the cold, the region they race thru?

The RAAM is a tough race, because it is tough, not just because it is expensive to do. Of hand brushing off these races as 'only expensive' but not tough is so amazing to my mind.

You think Samim as well as the current DNF guy are crap cyclists? You think you are better  them, or that many in Bangalore will be able to do RAAM as long as they can afford the expenses?

[Hari Krishna]

Folks, it's a monday morning. Please call off this fight and have a peaceful week!

With discussions like these and our all time favourite vaccination-anti-vaccination brawls, BBC is soon becoming Bangalore Brawlers Club.

Sent from my iPhone

[deepakvrao]

Anti vaccine, I can understand. This is cycling related. No one is forcing anyone to read.

[Kavitha Kanaparthi]

Thank you, Opendro. Appreciate  you understanding. 

On a last note; It is very very tough to find support for races that sponsors consider as a no-return investment, no realizing that these athletes actually bring a revolution in the way a sport is looked at. Not touching the topic of whether RAAM or Brevets are popular in India, ahead of each other, Samim, by having dreamt to do RAAM, PBP and BMB as a way to let young folks know that limits when pushed open up a whole world we do not know about. By doing so, today, look at the number of riders who train and plan for Brevets, folks wanting to have the RAAM qualified tag and the contingent at PBP? By projecting a thought of these races being mere boosters for the organizers, we actually do a lot of damage to the foundation on which the sport blooms and thrives in a new region. 

Next time around, look to support these athletes who are aiming high, for the sake every athlete, old, new, and yet to be born. Contribute in any which way you can, time, money, effort included and see how you change the landscape. 

Hari, no, no one is fighting. Healthy discussions can actually happen as well, when those discussing are mature enough to handle feedback when it doesn't go with their own flow of thought. 

Best

Kavitha. 

[Gautam Raja]

>But on the facts - it is just a 10 miles an hour average with support vehicle.

And summiting Everest is just an 8.5km hike with sherpas. 

[deepakvrao]

LOL. Spot on.

[Opendro]

I don't know the conditions. But I assume they are not too bad as the leaders were riding at an average of 36 kmph in the initial days.

Samim completed the distance though missed a "Finished" tag by 40 minutes. Hats off to him! He has inspired many, not just by RAAM, but by his standard of brevets too. To answer your question, I am NOT better than Samim. But I don't know the current guy.

For guys attempting PBP, the very "least" thing to do before going all the way to France is to do the Bangalore 1000 km brevet in June end or July early or 1200K on 8th October if the route includes Ooty, Munnar, Kodai and Yercaud. I will definitely register for the later if the route is finalized on the same. I'm not an athlete, but a parent of two school going kids and having a full time job. But I too love to test myself and for that I need opportunities. Same goes for many people in this group.

[Opendro]

Throw in a decent prize and there will be many lined up for the same. Simply doing some stunt and making it sound an impossible task is not right.

Why would anyone want to do the summit? It is purely passion. It is probably tough, but nothing that an average guy cannot achieve with some training. Now, please don't ask me to do it first before saying the same.

[Shyam Sundar S Iyer]

I agree .....Show me the Money...!!!!

 

Any average Joe will be motivated to stunt....atleast to wake up and go for the ride!