Lt Col Srinivas Gokulnath today said power of the mountains helped him become the first Indian to finish the toughest cycle race, Race Across America (RAAM). The 35-year-old Gokulnath became the first Indian to complete the 4,900 kilometre RAAM in solo category. Beginning from California, he completed the race in eleven days, 18 hours and 45 minutes. Reminiscing about his postings at Siachen Base Camp and at 15,000 feet on the Uri mountains, the Army doctor, specialising in aerospace medicine, said the energy from mountains helped him achieve the feat of finishing the Race Across America as well. A solo rider has 12 days to finish the race and has to ride over 400 kilometres a day to finish it in given time. Sleep is for under 3-hours a day.