vEveresting - A journey
Luke Holmes • March 30, 2021
It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves......
Its the cycling craze that swept lockdown. A simple but brutal task, accessible to all. One Climb, either virtual or out on the road, repeated enough times to give you the total altitude of Mount Everest. The highest point on earth.
Everesting is something that I have been interested in since last year, it seemed a great challenge when so many goals were cancelled due to Covid-19, but I had not got around to doing anything about it. Virtual Everesting seemed a good place to start as in and around Hertfordshire the hills are not exactly Mont Ventoux, and there was more that could be controlled, and I wouldn't look quite so foolish when I inevitably crashed and burned!
It was almost a spur of the moment decision to have a go at vEveresting - born out of a training plan that has been on going for 14 months with the Dragon ride being cancelled last year and, most importantly, a need to use up days off before the end of the financial year. As such my decision to attempt was made only a week before the "summit date"......
I had not prepped well - a weekend ride with Steve had topped over 100km was not exactly what I had planned but I'm a sucker for Gaddesdon row and the Dunstable Downs. I did make sure that in the weekly shop was Red Bull, flapjacks galore and bread to make some sandwiches that could be eaten whilst on the turbo. The Tuesday night I brought my turbo into the house, set up the speakers, did a power calibration and laid out my kit and gels.
So as the clock hit precisely 6.36am I was off. I had chosen Alpe Du Zwift, thinking that 8.5 ascents didn't actually sound like that many......I was wrong. The first two ascents were okay, a manageable pace and some upbeat music - I felt good! This was Easy! What was all the fuss about?
By the fourth ascent we had trouble. As I hit the 4,000m climbed marker I realised I had been going for circa 6 hours and was not even half way. A mental breakdown followed. On turn 6 of the Alpe I got off, lay on the floor and then ate two rolls and three slices of toast, with my legs up in the air. This is the never zone - you are already deep into the attempt so don't want to stop (really, start all that pain again in a few days - no thanks) but there is also a mental burden of just how far there is to go.
The food however did its job, and I felt much better. A more aggressive eating strategy followed, at times taking in 2 bidons, a banana/bar and 4 gels per ascent to be safe. The next dodgy moment came around 6,500m. Once again mentally and physically the exhaustion is starting to bite, but you are so close...."only 2,400m to climb" - try not to remind yourself that this is just under the height of the Galibier.
When my wife came home I knew I could make it - she sat with me for my 7th ascent and having a bit of human company made all the difference - as well as the thick chocolate milkshake she ordered for me which was waiting in the fridge.
The final two ascents were gruelling but with that giddy feeling that you know its within your power to complete. Some final texts of support from Paul (as well as a very odd image of him attacking some Horlicks) were all I needed, and at just past 9pm I got the notification I had been so waiting for "Achievement Unlocked - Everested - Climbed 29,029ft in one activity"
Would I recommend it? Well for the few days afterwards, no, no I wouldn't. But now looking back you know you have done something which not many have achieved, and thoughts turn to a long day out and having a go in real life........Never again? Maybe.......
The Stats: 213.03km, 8,867m Climbed, 13h 18m Moving Time. 14h 25m Total Time
Come along and find your next cycling bargain!
Training Runs: Saturday and Sunday at 9am from Cafe Nero in Enfield Town - usually go for a 40-60 mile circular ride at a fast-ish training pace, without stops. Sunday Touring Runs : Meet Cafe Nero, Enfield Town at 08:45 for 09:00 start unless an alternative venue/time is shown. Intermediate ride will be 12 to 14mph to morning stop, approx 20 to 30 miles. The relaxed ride is shorter and does what it says on the tin!
