"The stronger the roots, the taller the tree."
The same applies to races as well. The race is a well-collaborated and strategised performance. It is more than what is visible on the front. The rider is just the face of the race and his efforts show the combined hard work of a handful of motivated souls.
My journey has been a revelation in itself and this post is all about what balances my performance above my roots — the three pillars of an ultra-endurance cycling race.
Through all these years, with my experience, I have concluded that it is safe to quantify the rider, support crew, and equipment as those pillars. And believe me, all of these have to be equally strong to build the turf for a successful race. One can draw an analogy from a high-rise building: the sturdier the pillars, the higher the building can rise — and if any of the pillars go weak, the collapse is inevitable. Similarly, the race gets affected badly if any pillar falters. If any of the above-said pillars is weak, the overall structure of the race is compromised. So here I jot down what it takes to hold on to consistent performance.
1. The Rider
A rider is the one who has a bigger share of both success and failure. The rider is the one at the receiving end, whether it is applause or backlash. A rider has to be trained and seasoned for all-out performance, every day during the course of the race. Fitness is one of the many things a rider has to work on — without it, it is a sin to even think of participating in a race.
It is very much important for a rider to be at the peak of fitness, both physical and mental. Physical fitness can be very well achieved through a workout routine and correct diet. Your in-focus organs are the heart and limbs, for all endurance and strength. Reliable performance from the rider under extreme pressure is of utmost importance. Having faith in the race strategy and belief in self gives the much-needed mental strength. It also ensures that the rider trusts the crew and all its plans and decisions. In other words, leave the thinking and planning part to the crew since they will be able to make better decisions with a clear mind. He or she must be able to manifest those plans into actions through performance. So, with this, we move on to the next pillar.
2. The Support Crew
I have time and again mentioned the importance of the support crew throughout my expedition and I must very proudly admit that my second pillar weaves magic with their support. It is actually a bunch of motivated, technically sound, and experienced crew that makes a race successful. They are the ones doing all the planning, maintenance, nutrition, and countless other chores, which the rider is able to portray through performance.
However, being a support crew has its own physical and mental challenges during an ultra-endurance cycling race. The crew chief is one such position in the team which takes the maximum share of building strategies. It involves a reasonable amount of study of the rider's key characteristics as well as the route, which is of utmost importance for a comprehensive overall race strategy.
The job of the crew is not limited to strategising only, but to follow the rider throughout the race, assessing real-time situations and determining the future course of action, providing medical cover and doing physiotherapy, managing rider sleep and nutrition, carrying spares for equipment, and doing quick repair work whenever needed. Not to miss out — a backup plan in case of unforeseen hindrance also comes from the crew's kitty. Hence, an active and fit crew is as important as the rider itself.
3. The Equipment
Equipment is to a rider what a pen is to a writer. The bike and gear are key components chosen very carefully and tested well in advance before the race. The quality and type of equipment are chosen such that it suits the rider as well as the terrain to be traversed. A rider has not only to be well acquainted but genuinely bonded with the equipment. For such intimate bonding, seasoned riders use the same equipment while training for the race.
There should not be a speck of discomfort when the rider is on the saddle of the bike, as this will be the seat for multi-day races. Regarding equipment, the support crew also has much work to do. They have to be trained and professional in rectification of gear in case of a breakdown. To get resuscitation work done in the pinch of time, their familiarity with the equipment is also important. Last but not least, there has to be an adequate amount of spares with the team during the race for any replacement work. To sum it up — no new equipment should ever be used in a race.
The Foundation
Now that I have listed out all three pillars in detail, I want to shift focus to the foundation of the high-rise without which nothing stands. For me, it is always my benevolent family. They have been with me through all thick and thin, encouraging me to rebound every time I feel low and exhausted. My family infuses me with the realisation of my self-worth, drives me to follow my heart, and helps me achieve what I am capable of. Teams and equipment change, but family is the flame that never lets the spark for ultra-cycling inside me grow dim.
I thank the Almighty for blessing me with a robust support system in all respects.