Pune: Srinivas Gokulnath, the first Indian to complete the world’s toughest 4900-km Race Across America (RAAM) solo, has been appointed new brand ambassador by Starkenn Sports.
As a part of this association, Starkenn handed over Giant’s two bicycles, Trinity Advanced and Propel Advanced Disc to Gokulnath during a small ceremony at the newly-opened Giant Starkenn Cycling World (GSCW) and Starkenn Technical Center (STC) in Chinchwad on Wednesday.
RAAM is considered as world’s toughest cycling race. Unlike the Tour De France, RAAM is a multi-day event where the participants have to cycle continuously for hours together, which tests them physically and mentally.
Gokulnath threw some light on his cycling journey so far during an interview with Sakal Times.
“It is all about being efficient and how we use the equipment to our advantage at any given point of time at ultra races. Every second you save exponentially will create a buffer for you. Since the consumption of fluids is about 18 to 20 litres, I have to get down from the bike to attend nature’s call every hour which consumes around three minutes. If I do it from the bike, it consumes less time,” explained Gokulnath about how to use the cycle and save time.
“So the marginal gains that you get either from your equipment or from the strategies will help you after 130 hours. So that is the idea,” he added.
“I am sharing my story all across the country for the only reason which is to make people not hesitate and achieve their dream. People hesitate to dream big and think big. All the time when they think or dream about something, they will attach a price tag to it and then go ahead with it which is a wrong way of approaching it,” he said.
“Make your passion so big or be so desirous that you carve your path out. One needs to accept difficulties as challenges. Then you will transform. It is not only in cycling, you can put this into practice in all walks of life,” Gokulnath elaborated.
“In India there is so much of expensive stuff that a professional cyclist has to buy. So awareness has to be created so that cyclists get the required community support so that they do well,” Gokulnath added.
We have always extended our support to athletes and those who are committed to creating awarness about cycling as a sport.
— Pravin Patil
(MD & CEO, Starkenn Sports Pvt Ltd)
