Champion cyclist and Steadfast Athlete Amandeep Singh recently delivered an impressive performance in the fifth edition of the North Cape 4000 bike race, cycling for 3800 km through the distance of 4000 km. The race is the most popular ultra-distance bicycle adventure in the world.
Having set off from Rovereto in Italy on July 23, it took Amandeep only 21 days to travel by cycle, without any support whatsoever, to the North Cape, deep within the Arctic Circle. During this exhausting journey, the 30-year-old crossed six countries, including Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Finland, and finally Norway.
To cycle such a long distance through so many countries, and deal with extreme weather variations is tough. Although Amandeep has done numerous long-distance cycle races ranging from 200-1000 km, it was no easy task for him to adapt to European weather conditions. From bearing the excessive heat while riding in 40-degree Italy to combating the speedy winds of icy cold Norway, the journey threw all possible challenges in front of him, but Amandeep’s determination made the goal seem just a ride away.
The distance of the North Cape 4000 Bike Race was nearly twice as long as the Tour de France and more than three times as long as the Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) bicycle race, in which he participated in 2019. Covering an average distance of 200 km for 12 hours each day is no mean feat.
To be able to cycle for a long time, Amandeep chose not to carry heavy eatables or drinks while riding. Instead, he kept several Steadfast Nutrition supplements and energy drinks, which were easy to carry and provided him with both instant and sustained energy.
Commenting on the support Steadfast supplements provided him during the adventure, Amandeep said, "Steadfast Nutrition supplements are easy to carry. Staying energised while not carrying a lot of food or drinks on your back can be a big challenge in itself, but for me it was easy. My bag was full of light-weight Steadfast Carborance and Snergy sachets. While Snergy provided me with instant energy for my climb, Carborance gave me the energy to sustain myself for longer durations and helped me ride without taking any long breaks,” said Amandeep.
Amandeep has always been active in sports, but he began cycling in 2014 only as a method to lose weight gained while preparing for his CA examinations. He developed a passion for cycling and that has only grown. He began participating in 50-80 km rides quite frequently and participated in his first 600 km brevet (a long-distance cycling sport) in August 2014. The ride led to a love for ultra-distance cycling adventures and he subsequently participated in great races like Paris-Brest-Paris and the North Cape 4000.