Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 3: Dhanraj Karkera from Team WE R Cycling Mangaluru completed the 1750 km Ultra Spice endurance bicycle race, thereby becoming the first rider from the city to compete and finish this gruelling bicycle race. He is also the first endurance cyclists from Karnataka for having achieved this fete.
Ultra Spice is India's toughest and long distance endurance bicycle race, conducted by Inspire India. In it is 3rd edition; the race saw as many as 11 riders taking part in the event. The 1750 km solo category saw 5 riders including a lone lady rider Ila Patil.
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 Jog Falls, 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 22,500 mt, 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.
Flagged off at 7.10 am, 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 stuck in the form of dehydration, which threatened to jeopardize his attempt at the race. However, the crew with the help of local government hospital revived him back. He was administered IV fluid, tablets for nausea & 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 is 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. By mid afternoon of Day 5, Dhanraj reached Chikkamagaluru and by the end of day he was nearing Sagar. He took a nap again in Sagar 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 8hours and smashing several KOMs on the way. Finally he completed the 1750km ride 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 though 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 and his support crew for this outstanding performance.