2017 Race Across of America and 2018 Trans Siberia Finisher Amit Samarth to Compete in the Second Edition of Shivalik Signature

By Tricitynews

Chandigarh 02^nd September:- 16 time Ironman finisher and Race Across America (RAAM) finisher 39-year-old Dr Amit Samarth will be one of the participants in the second edition of Shivalik Signature, one of India’s qualifiying events for Race Across America. Samarth, who belongs to Nagpur, will compete in the 615 Km event, which will start from October 19 from Chandigarh and end at Chandigarh on October 20.   

Dr Amit Samarth, during a press conference at Chandigarh Press Club said that it’s exciting to be in Chandigarh, a city known for planned roads and cycling tracks. He will be competing in the second edition of Shivalik Signature, an Indian  qualifier for Race Across America. Chandigarh and its surrounding areas apart from places like Hoshiarpur and Pathankot offer some enduring rides and it will be a challenge for the riders. Completing the 615 Km race in 30 hours will be the challenge for riders and it needs to be done in a planned way. It’s a team effort and he is sure more and more cyclists from the region and other parts of India will compete in the event.

Samarth, who had become second Indian to finish Race Across America in his first attempt in 2017, also competed in the Trans Siberian Extreme race held in Russia last year. The Trans Siberian Extreme race, which sees riders cycling for 9100 kms, happened from Moscow to Vladivostok in June last year and Samarth completed the race in less than 25 days.

He added that competing in ultra cycling event does not happen in a month or so. One has to prepare for more than one year and train accordingly as such races pose different challenges in terms of terrain and conditions. One rides in deserts, mountains, plains and that’s the most challenging aspect of the race. When he competed in RAAM 2017, the toughest part was to ride through Arizona desert and also cover some tough mountain tracks. But then finishing the race keeps you motivated. In the Trans Siberian Extreme, we have to complete the race in 25 days and the terrain also passes through Siberia, where there are different climbing routes. The total elevation gains are more than 76,000 meters, which is equal to climbing Mt Everest 7-8 times.

The first edition of Shivalik Signature saw the participation of 57 riders from the all over India a total of 49 riders completed the race. The event happens in Solo, Team of 2, Team of 3 , Team of 4, Team of 8. Saran Preeti, Race Director said that last time we saw the participation of more than 50 riders. This time we are sure that more riders will come in the event. Assembly of the riders will be on October 18 and the race will start on October 19 morning. Cyclists can compete in solo, team of 2, team of 3, team of 4 and team of 8 categories.