Everesting Challenge
The concept of "everesting" as a cycling challenge originated in 2014 when George Mallory, an Australian cyclist, set out to climb the equivalent of Mount Everest on his bike in a single ride. He called his challenge "Everesting" and it involved climbing a hill or mountain repeatedly until the total elevation gain reached 8,848 meters, the height of Mount Everest.
Mallory completed the challenge on a hill in Victoria, Australia, and shared his achievement on social media. The idea quickly gained popularity among cyclists and became a viral phenomenon within the cycling community. Soon, cyclists around the world began attempting to "Everest" their local hills and mountains.
In 2015, the first official "Everesting" world record was set by British cyclist, Hugh Walton, who completed the challenge in just under 9 hours. Since then, the record has been broken several times, with the current record held by Belgian cyclist, Philipe Gilbert, who completed the challenge in just under 6 hours.
The "Everesting" challenge has since evolved into a global phenomenon, with organized events and challenges taking place in many countries around the world. It has also inspired other endurance challenges, such as "Double Everesting" and "Triple Everesting", which involve climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest two or three times in a single ride.
Training for an Everesting challenge requires a lot of time, effort, and dedication. Here are some tips on how to train for Everesting:
Increase your weekly volume: To prepare for the physical demands of an Everesting challenge, you should gradually increase your weekly training volume. This can be done by adding more rides, increasing the distance and duration of your rides, and incorporating more climbing into your training.
Focus on climbing: Since the Everesting challenge involves a lot of climbing, it's essential to focus on building your climbing strength and endurance. This can be done by incorporating hill repeats, long climbs, and intervals into your training.
Practice pacing: Pacing is critical in an Everesting challenge, as you'll need to maintain a consistent effort level over a long period of time. Practice pacing by doing long rides at a steady, sustainable effort level.
Train for mental endurance: An Everesting challenge can be mentally challenging, especially during the later stages when fatigue and boredom can set in. To prepare mentally, practice mental exercises, visualization techniques, and focus on staying motivated and positive throughout your training.
Nutrition and recovery: Proper nutrition and recovery are crucial to support your training and ensure you're ready for the challenge. Eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and get enough rest and recovery time between training sessions.
Equipment: Ensure your bike and gear are suitable for the Everesting challenge. Make sure your bike is in good condition, with the right gearing and tires for climbing. Use gear that you're comfortable with and that will support you throughout the challenge.
Remember, Everesting is an endurance challenge that requires careful planning and preparation. Train consistently, stay focused, and take care of your body and mind, and you'll be well on your way to completing the challenge.