28/05/2024
So, those of you that know me well know of a slight obsession I've had for the last few years with cycling an "everesting":
"The concept of Everesting is fiendishly simple: Pick any hill, anywhere in the world and complete repeats of it in a single activity until you climb 8,848m β the equivalent height of Mt Everest" - https://everesting.cc/
It all started one early March morning just before lockdown in 2020 when accomplished long distance nutcase Rik De Louche and I attempted a "base camp" (half Everest ascent, 4424m of climbing) which would require 40 ascents of Bouley Bay hill. Having only learnt to ride a bike in 2017, I'm also not built like a climber and have a self confessed preference for the short stuff, so this was my first foray into the ultra endurance world. Despite not training specifically for it, not making any modifications to our bikes, and winging it with the nutrition, we completed the challenge in a respectable time.....
.... and so it began - a journey that culminated last weekend with a "full everesting" - 8848m of climbing one local hill 215 times, something that took over 240k of riding and just over 14 hours in the saddle (just under 17 hours total including all the feed stops)
Despite Bouley being the "perfect" hill in terms of elevation and grade (the only previously submitted local everesting was there, Dean Robson in 2019), after riding every hill in Jersey, logistics led me to Les Ruisseaux - a short punchy 42m climb 1k from home - quiet, shady and sheltered, straight and quick to descend. Now any normal cyclist with half a brain would just bu**er off to the alps and do one big mountain ten times, but where's the fun in that? π
So at 4.15am, in some light drizzle and with only the company of small owl hooting in the darkness, I started what would end up being the hardest physical and mental challenge I've ever done....
... but this time I'd trained for it. In April I did a base camp of the same hill as a practice run, so knew what to expect, and with some sweet bike modifications courtesy of Richard Tanguy and the boys at Big Maggys Coffee & Bike Shop., a car boot full of treats at the bottom of the hill thanks to a detailed nutrition plan from Kit at True Food Sport Nutrition and Bond Street Health, training principles from Garry Palmer at Sportstest, altitude training at Strive Health Club and strength and conditioning from Dan at FX Fitness (he's really good, you should check him out....), I can finally say I've done a full everesting β°οΈ - https://www.strava.com/activities/11507591234
There were some wobbles on the day, but thanks to my amazing and supportive wife Tel O'Donoghue who came out and cheered me on, joined me for a few reps )on foot, on her bike and with gizmo the dog) and has been so tolerant of all my specific training these last 7 months, I ticked off my last rep just before 9pm. Big thanks also go out to Choola O'Donoghue and Matt for letting me use their drive as a base, and for the friends that came out to throw abuse at me on the day (you know who you are, you came at just the right time when it was really hurting), and those that couldn't make it but have goaded me on this path of stupidity for the last few years.
One and done, never again..... anyone want to buy a bike?
