The fastest-ever Indian over Goa–Ooty–Goa — and the perfect dress rehearsal for RAAM.
On 30 January I became the fastest Indian to finish the 1,750 km Ultra Spice Race from Goa to Ooty and back. I set a new course record of 95 hours 47 minutes, improving the previous mark by over three hours.
This race proved to be a perfect preparation set-up before RAAM 2019 — for me as a rider and for the crew. Our strategy, nutrition planning and sleep pattern were all put to the test to extract the most from the event.
About the event. Starting on Bogmalo beach, Goa, the 1,750 km course turns inland at Honnavar and climbs through Jog Falls, Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Bhage, Wayanad, Sultan Bathery and Ooty before returning to the coast — exposing riders to everything from betel-nut, pepper and coffee plantations to tea estates. The cumulative gain is about 22,415 m, the toughest in India. The race began on 26 January 2019; Bharat covered it in 95 hours 47 minutes for first place and the course record.
