"Fiendishly simple, yet brutally hard, everesting is the most difficult climbing challenge in the world" (Hells 500 Everesting, 2020)
Statistics
Distance: 170miles
Elevation: 29,028ft
1 ascent: 700ft elevation and 2miles
Reps: 43
Elapsed time: 12hrs 44mins
Everesting background
After a year of cancelled events and challenges due to the coronavirus, I jumped onto the recent trend of everesting: from local riders and friends testing themselves against the Derbyshire hills to pro cyclists breaking ridiculous world record times every day in the UK and worldwide. An Everest is a simple concept where you cycle up one hill repeatedly to equal the total elevation gain of Mount Everest at 29028ft/8848m. It is a rather ludicrous challenge when you begin to depict the stats, especially when the hill I had planned would be 43 repetitions that totalled 170miles; this appeared bonkers before I even looked at the elevation statistics! Nevertheless, I love climbing on my bike and pushing my physical and mental robustness; I couldn't think of a more suited and personal challenge to aim for during the current global pandemic.
To date, there are just under 7000 worldwide confirmed everesting completions, thus it required detailed preparation of the challenge to ensure I had the best possibility to get anywhere near to completing such a mammoth undertaking.
Preparation and the Hill
Beeley Moor
I ensured I picked the correct hill that wasn't too steep and would destroy my legs or too shallow that id be cycling for more than 24hrs. Thus, Beeley moor was the best option; it had been Everested before, it was close to home, it was 2 miles long, averaged 7%, had good turning spots at the top and bottom of the climb, suitable parking for the support crew and riders and even had a slight westerly tailwind. And to top that off it us part of the top 100 climbs in the UK.
Prep/tapering
From the point of view of selecting the correct hill, I had no excuses, I just had to let my legs do the talking which I ensured were as prepared as possible from doing a large number of 100-mile rides, a 200-mile ride and lots of hills which isn't too hard when you live on the periphery of the Peak District. The most challenging aspect prior to the event was tapering, I'm not very good at not exercising and a week of just 2 short rides seemed mentally painful, with the time on your hands you begin to question if you are losing fitness, or have trained enough or are even capable, but fortunately, Jo's sporting and professional expertise kept my mind at rest and ensured I hydrated, carbo-loaded, stretched and recovered sufficiently from previous training for the duration of my taper week (I hadn't had a recovery day for 2 months).
Having reccied the Beeley hill a week prior doing 3 reps in an hour, I began to work out some sort of schedule, this appeared more difficult than I imagined as I had never done an event like this before. Although, having seen previous Everest times on Beeley ranging from 16hrs-19hrs, I put down an optimistic aim of 16hrs to complete the Everest in order to try and break the current Beeley record.
Support riders
I set up a spreadsheet and began to rally the troops to help me on my challenge, needless to say; it didn't take much to get a fantastic turnout of 16 support riders. I ensured I had a rider for each hour to pace me up the hill and more importantly to ensure I descended safely back down the hill after envisaging fatigue would hit me as well as becoming complacent to cornering the hill due to the monotonous repetitions. It's humorous to look back that I did 170 miles of cycling and that I didn't go any further than 2 miles from where I started! The support riders were briefed about the social distancing guidelines, pacing and general strategy. Then within the week, I had all hourly slots filled, it consisted of my Belper Harriers running club (transferable athletes), my Bob graham group of ultra runner maniacs and friends that I have met through other cycling challenges. It was an incredible experience to meet up with friends from all different sporting backgrounds, recalling events and challenges that we had done together and generally feel a sense of normality of seeing friends that we had been long waiting for due to the country being on lockdown.
Death zone
The worrying aspect of this challenge is the infamous everesting 'death zone' (above 7,000m) from physical/mental exhaustion and lack of sleep. Fortunately, I had done a significant number of 15hr+ sporting events, so I knew the effect of this, but to minimise descending in the dark when I was fatigued I planned on starting my everesting at 4 am.
Body and the Bike
The body
Having read journals about the power to weight and aerodynamics affecting cycling performance and times I began to consider the Sir David Brailsford mindset of marginal gains. On the day I weighed 67.5kg, was 6% body fat, had shaved legs, wore fully tight-fitting lycra and tried to remain aero on the descents to get as much free time without working any harder. I even regimentally ensured that Jo measured out 175ml of tailwind each rep rather than having a whole bottle of water for a climb; it became that obsessive! It's hard to say if this made any difference, but, mentally and from the research, it should have!
The bike
To accompany my skeleton of a stature and obsessive mindset, I began to look at my Rose xlite climbing bike for miniature gains; I wanted full confidence and to reduce any book of excuses for a failed attempt. Every 1kg saved for a 100 metre climb is a 2-second saving, in the context of Beeley Hill that would be just over 4 seconds saved every for every 1 kg reduced from the total rider and bike weight; that is quite a lot of time, and effort saved when you multiply that by 43 times. My body was as light as it could be without losing any power; hence, I had the pleasure during the run-up to my everesting attempt of being a weight weenie and weigh every bicycle part and seeing where I could save a few grams. Before modifications my bike was 7.4kg, but I got it down to an incredibly 6.7kg featherlight bike which included one bottle cage and lights. I did it on a super tight budget through shopping around on eBay for swanky carbon parts and a group sets; it was just an enjoyable process pimping up my forever lightweight summer climbing bike!
Back up bike
Having read about peoples’ legs exploding from small gears (I had a compact chainset paired with a 30t on the rear cassette) and the mental suffering from an Everest due to the excruciating elevation or mechanicals leading to failed attempts, I ensured I had a backup bike. My cyclocross bike had ridiculously spinny gears which were set up for my North Coast 500 trip which unfortunately had been cancelled. I didn't carry any spare tubes, pump or even multi-tool when riding, as again…you guessed it…all those things are just too heavy for the attempt. Hence, I envisaged if I did have a mechanical, I would quickly swap my road bike for my cross bike and continue the challenge. Although jumping on Richard's Downhill bike seemed tempting! Fortunately, I didn't need to use my spare bike at all, and I had no significant mechanicals. Although my bottom bracket wore out, which highlighted the strain the bike went through during the Everesting attempt; it was a recently fitted bottom bracket!
The day of my Beeley everesting challenge
4am
Having met Todd a year ago when we were supporting Jonathan Kinders 24hr BobGraham running round, I knew he was the perfect rider for the first 2 hours. He is calm, sensible, knowledgeable and would keep me on schedule without me blowing up due to spikes of adrenaline and excitement.
6am
During the first few hours, the alarm bells began to ring to the support riders; I was significantly above schedule doing over 1 additional rep ever 2 hours; some of my support riders were struggling to keep up for one rep. Jo made me aware of this and ensured I kept to my nutrition plan of 175ml of Tailwind (carb drink) every repetition with the odd jelly baby here and there. Due to my sensitive stomach for long events, my nutrition is straightforward: carbohydrate drinks and jelly babies with the occasional nibble of some crisps or a biscuit to satisfy the tastebuds.
However, despite being ahead of plan, I was riding on feel and listening to my breathing; everything seemed to be in check, so I kept to the current pace and soldiered on. Rep after rep, tailwind drunk and conversations with all of my fantastic support riders, the day began to flyby.
Midday
By midday, the everesting seemed to be a bit of a breeze; people kept asking if I was okay; I think they were expecting me to blow up because of the pace I was setting. Thus with this in mind and having read about the ‘Death Zone’ alluded to previously, I cautiously ate a little bit of proper food which previously never works with my temperamental stomach and I had my first couple of minutes rest.
Afternoon
The afternoon was incredible, I was still riding in the big gear on the climbs, and the support riders planned in for the later afternoon soon heard I was way ahead of schedule (thanks to Jo to informing them all of my updated predicted time). They came out of their way to arrive early and ensure they came to see and ride with me. I had one sit down stop for 5 minutes to reset the mindset for the last 5 reps; this is where consolidated my thoughts, double-checked my remaining elevation, had a drink of tea to cleanse the pallet and push on to aim for a sub 13 hour ride. I never had any long stops and only had 17 minutes for the whole duration at a standstill (this included 2 wee stops, track standing for traffic, turning around at the bottom of the hill and nutrition/fuel supplies).
I did one additional rep of Beeley to ensure I had no strava/Garmin GPS miscalculation issues of being cut short of the required elevation gain. I saw from previous Everest record attempts that this had even caught out the professionals; a couple of feet lost via the GPS each rep soon adds up to a large number. The final climb was epic; I was climbing as good as I started at 4 am and had brilliant support of riders and friends, they even blew their party hooters as I crossed the bunting line that was held across the road for me to finish!
Summary
I can’t express how appreciative I am to all of the Belper Harriers running club and friends for coming out to support me in some shape or form; I couldn't have done the everesting challenge without you. I consistently completed each repetition (ascent/descent) within a 5-minute window leading to over 7 reps every 2 hours being completed. I knew my legs were strong from 200-mile road rides and hard mountain bike riders, but myself, along with most of the support riders were shocked how comfortably I completed the challenge. It's a bit of anticlimax when retelling this challenge. Typically, endurance events above 12hours tend to have low physical/mental points where you have to push beyond the demons in your head and overcome the questions of why on earth am I putting myself through such incredible self-inflicted pain. Although, this just wasn't the case for this challenge; it was simply an epic day out!
Fabulous friends
It was refreshing to complete the challenge without any dark moments and have the most amazing team and friends around me for another successful challenge. This is the most pertinent point I took away from the day: I have amazing friends around me from all different sporting backgrounds whom we know we can rely upon each other. I wouldn't want it any other way, and the challenge couldn't have gone any better!
Conclusion
To conclude, from writing this post I have broken The Beeley Everesting record time by over 3hours and 15minutes. However, I will not be surprised that within a few days or weeks some other lunatic will have his/her eyes set on regaining the King of the Mountain for the Everesting record on a genuinely iconic climb in Britain.
Acknowledgements and recognition
Support crew
The everest would not have been possible to complete without the support crew who do the hard work behind the scenes: Jo and my Parents. Jo had impeccable timings, kept me hydrated, fuelled throughout the entire challenge as well as supported me through all of my training for the event (2-300 miles a week). My parents had an intensive role in feeding and hydrating all of the support riders who came throughout the day. They provided endless cups of teas, bacon cobs, croissants and other food to indulge in
Support riders
Sam: A long friend who never fails to join me for a silly challenge through cycling Lands End to John o Groats together and bikepacking. He did an impeccable job as a domestique speeding ahead to notify the support crew of my hydration and kit needs. Thanks for being a great mate Sam; I hope to be part of your sub 30minute 10km run!
Alan Billington: It was a delight to see Alan on my attempt, he’d been checking the group messages and that I was above schedule and came up earlier than planned to ensure he was part of my big day. Since meeting him over 5 years ago through fell running, my addiction for adrenaline-fuelled activities has grown, he's always took me up incredibly steep hills, bonkers challenges and put me through much physical pain through running and biking (see his blog here (Click Bloglink) to view some of his epics: the Bob Graham Round, one of few to do the Pennine Bridleway double in under 24hrs to just to name a few)
Jack Harrison: For the fastest descending speeds on the day
Richard Hickling: He supported from the very start at 4am, put a smile on everyone's face, from changing bikes to being the stig on his downhill bike and being an incredible friend to have alongside me for the day.
Phil Basterfield: For doing a large stint of strong support riding on the ascents and descents.
Kristian Brindley: A sprinter by appearance but climber by heart, well I hope he is now he did a large number of reps and stayed until the final closure of the event for moral support. He did an excellent job of cleaning out my parents coffee and food reserves in their campervan!
Alan Busuttil: After meeting him through strava after seeing some incredible challenges and dethroning each others KOM’s on obscure running segments. He is often seen cycling with 21kg on his bike, to hill repping offroad climbs that you wouldn't think would be possible to walk up without a climbing rope. Overall he was the most lovely and kindest person; he even brought spare equipment and food in case I needed it despite never meeting him before. It sums up the incredible community of people that endurance challenging attracts.
Another everetsing attempt
Congratulations to Max States. He was also undertaking the everesting on the same day and the same climb. However, he was primarily doing the challenge solo and doing a slightly different rep to me. Unfortunately he did not finish the Everest but still did an impressive 100 miles with 15,000ft of elevation.
Support riders
- Todd Coxhead
- Richard Hickling
- Samuel Moakes
- Karolina
- Alan Bussuttili
- Jack Harrison
- Kristian Brindley
- Phil Basterfield
- James Ward
- Shaun Bott
- Anthony Marchant
- Phil Byard
- Alan Billington
- Mark Steele
- James Bailey
- Martin Perry
Team support
- Parents
- Jo Coates.
Morale support
- Ian Hays
- Lewis Billington
- Keith James and his wife
- Andy Paisley and his wife
- Edward James
- Helena Houghton
- Bethan Birdsey and Lawrence
- Lucy Mcquoney
- Sara Louise Mcavoy
Bike setup
I went to BelperBikebarn for servicing, setting up my gears brakes, groupset and everything mechanically possible to ensure I had no mechanicals. Check them out; a super friendly new bike shop with an attached campsite, bike jumps and local mountain bike trails nearby.
Quoted comments from friends
"I've just finished my hour, and I'm not kidding, I couldn't even stay with him on the descent, let alone on the climb. He is so comfortable it's unreal. I'm hanging, and I only managed three at my own pace!!"
"Beast! Well done"
"Amazing achievement and great support. Cracking pace right until the end"
"Fantastic achievement, fab support and a fab day."
"He's doing amazing! Well done Wyke!"
"I wouldn't bother slowing him down, he's a machine. I can imagine him speeding up as he gets closer. He won't be red lining it at all"
"I'm knackered, he's not"
"Absolutely stunning effort Wykeham . I'm in awe of your capabilities as a person and rider. Humbling experience meeting you. You are THE man"
"Great achievement Wyke! ...congratulations”
"Amazing achievement Wykeham. Reckon you could've done it twice as you looked like you hadn't broken sweat with 6 reps to go!!"
"Absolutely chuffed to bits for you Wykeham, a superb achievement! You have done your local area proud"
