My alarm went off at 5:30am and it easy to get up. Easy for the wrong reasons. I was already awake. I pretty much had been all night. I was waiting for the alarm. By 5:30am I was done with the whole trying to sleep bit. Let's get over this thing.
I put my contacts into sandy eyes. Utterly unpleasant but necessary. I was going to be sweating all day, and glasses were going to be a nuisance. I got into my (first set of) kit, and mostly paced around the house. I had overprepared. I had nothing to do! All my food was ready. All my drinks were made. My whole set up was ready. 20 minutes to eat a banana. And pace.
I had decided I wasn't going to have breakfast until my first descent. Just get through the first climb. Treat it as nothing. The thing before Breakfast. A little psychological trick. There was a ton of food beside the bike anyway. Very clever, I was - pottering around the house with no breakfast to make at 5.45am on a Saturday. I couldn't even start early. I'd made a group ride as a mechanism for people to join, to invite people to the day, to get me up on time. And here I was ready to rock and roll and... 5:48 .... FFS!!
I could at least get everything started up now. Signed into the group ride. Sat their on the side of the virtual road on my virtual turbo. Nobody there. No surprise. 6am on a Saturday morning, and I had told most people that the help would really be needed later in the day. I spun my legs in anticipation.
Please have something today.
I had been on nothing but light spins the last 2 and a half weeks, and my legs had not been right the previous 2 and a half weeks. I had completely overdone it the last 2 months and it had finally caught up with me. After months of riding the wave of new found fitness, I was in the position of just getting something back to get through today. Even spinning the legs while waiting, they didn't feel entirely great. I thought back to when I was winding down to Ironman - I'd started feeling all sorts of weird pains in my legs. Meaningless niggles that were always there but had previously been masked by the the training load on my major muscle groups until I was resting.
That's probably it.
6am and I finally got unleashed at the mountain. Well, kind of - due to the nature of the route that delivered me to the Alpe, there would be about 4km lead-in before 8.5 ascents of happy Alpe climbing. Also that may have sounded like I took off like a greyhound out of the traps - think more like the gate dropping and an old tubby Labrador pottering out at an assured and sustainable pace.
I started with a nice surprise too! 2 zwifters had answered my call - Jim Cornock & Peter Forster. Jim is Carmarthen Tri Club, and had followed me on zwift after I put a post out on Pembs Tri Chatter about zwifting. Peter Forster is Australian, and must have started following me after we were both in an event together or something. Long story short, I had not met either of these people. Complete strangers really, and yet they took the time out of their Saturday (at 6am for Jim, and approx 5pm) to lead me out on this crazy attempt. How amazing is that? What a boost to start me off on an epic day.
Halfway through the 4km lead-in, I was taking stock of things. Legs didn't feel great, but would probably warm-up, everything seemed to be in order... but something didn't feel right. You know that feeling you get when your phone isn't in its normal pocket or you're out on the bike and you're slowly realising you forgot your helmet. My spider senses were tingling.... Ah FFS! Half an hour of wandering around the house all overprepared and I couldn't even think to get my bottles onto my bike. Embarrassingly I had to tell the guys I was stopping. I got off my bike left the Mayan jungle to get my bottles out of my fridge in Pembroke.
Right, where was I - ah yes, all of it left!
Before I start Writing About That Thing I Can't Seem to Get Around to Actually Writing About...
This is a bit of an orientation chapter, so you know precisely when and where things start falling apart later! YAY!
The Alpe comprises 21 hairpins and are numbered on the map in Zwift to countdown toward the top ie the 1st hairpin on the climb is #21, the last hairpin before the top is #1. From my various multiple climbs and familiarization with the climb I had the climb broken down into 3 main parts in my head. The bottom switchback (hairpins 21 - 16), the middle switch back (hairpins 14 - 7) and the final switchback (hairpins 6 -1) with the bits connecting those switchback being the tedious bits for me as the spacing between the hairpins was a little stretched. The bottom switchback is the steepest part of the climb, the middle switchback contained the psychological boost of midway hairpin 10 and the top switch back was always good, as I always felt I was closing in on the top at this stage.
8 and a half times.
The output plan was to do 60-65% of my FTP, which equated to about 185-200w and would result in climbs of about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I had done all my previous multiple climb attempts at a higher power. On my first Basecamp I averaged about 225w on the climbs and the last half ascent was pure torture. My second basecamp to 5000m, I averaged 215w and was burnt out for well.... since! I knew from the start, from reading forums that it was supposed to be 60-65% but I felt I need to try and fail - I was all jumped up and fit and excited about testing my limits all summer. My brain had all the facts, but my body had decided to stupid its way to this point. Below 200w felt low, but my burnt-out legs whispered 'try it' and I figured, better to half more energy than none on the last 2.5 climbs!
The nutrition plan was straightforward, having being developed from tweaks on previous multi-climbs. I had home-made dextrose energy drink with salt tabs, haribo, energy bombs, fruit and 'extra treats'. Every hairpin I would take a swig of drink - this generally equated to about a bottle an a half a climb, something I had established through a few 'sweat tests' earlier in the summer.. Every odd hairpin, I would have a haribo. On hairpins 10 & 1 I would have an energy bomb. Then on the descent I would have a bit of fruit. Apples were particularly good for getting the sugary gunky buildup and taste out of the mouth! The extra treats were there for variety, and if I just needed the extra boost of comfort food.
I would be completely changing kit after every 2 ascents and sorting myself out as much as I could (toilet breaks, changes, restocking of bottles) in the 11 minute windows I had on descent, with allowance for a 20-30 minute stoppage for lunch
Okay, Back to That Thing You Came to Read...
CLIMB 1
The legs felt rough as I started the first climb. Oosh, not a good start. The first section on average is the steepest part of the climb - I struggled to keep my power as LOW as 200w. I think my cadence was on a about 55rpm to do so. This was going to take some focus.
I had been chatting to the guys on the lead in, a bit of small talk that I tried to continue on the climb. I felt an obligation to make conversation. These guys had taken the time to ride with me, it was the least I could do. But chatting was difficult. Chatting was txting, and txting was using the phone, and using the phone involved testing all sorts of awkward positions on the bike. It was incredibly difficult to focus staying within my pretty small power range.
The guys were good though - they just got on with it, with the occasional blips of chatter. I needn't have tried so hard. It was great to just push on with my effort level and have these two guys just hover around me. It hadn't taken much, but I was beginning to feel like a GC rider, the one who needed to be protected to the finish line. The climb went mostly smoothly without really having any sense of it passing by, which was exactly what I hoped for. I found out through light chatter that Peter had never gone up this climb outside of a workout or group ride so I encouraged him to fire on ahead after the half way point as it was clear he was struggling to stay back. Jim, on the other hand had fallen back - wifi issues. So the group kind of crumbled on the final 3rd but I just carried on and was pretty happy with the climb at the turnaround point. Pretty much bang on predicted ascent time with 1:14:46.
The first descent I didn't feel I had any sorting out to do, no loo breaks, no kit change, just made some porridge for breakfast and loosened the legs and before I knew it I was back on for climb number 2.
The guys had gone now - I had given my appreciation towards the top, but we had lost each other on the u-turn and and descent, and I was asking myself had I given any kind of farewell or appropriate parting statement. I had thought about so many things in preparation for this but I hadn't fully considered the etiquette for how I interacted with people who joined me. I felt an obligation to be good company and give detailed notes about what I was planning to do. Over time I came to the conclusion that I just had to do my thing and my sherpas would figure it out!
CLIMB 2
I was on my own for the 2nd climb, but this was fine. I had Adam & Joe podcasts on for company and was just giggling to myself to their zany brand of rambling while I tried to hold the numbers. Being on your own had it's own perks but I still had a sense of resignation that there was no-one due to climb with me on the 3rd one too. It was okay though - Adam & Joe had my back. Another bang on climb - 1:15:55.
Had my first kit change and loo break on descent 2. I wasn't getting excited about my progress just yet, but I was pleased that it was still very much morning time, about 9am after 2 climbs. I got to the bike just going through the motions, and got a nice surprise when I looked at the screen . Another random zwift follower, Martin Threadgall, was descending beside me and would be joining for the next climb. Another person that was just following me after random event somewhere, I found out through initial small talk that this guy I'd never met (66 years old by the way) before would be joining me for two climbs! Flipping amazing. Complete strangers, turning up and putting in a shift for me. This stuff was making my day.
CLIMB 3
I didn't however feel particularly great. I was holding the numbers and staying in the zone and probably could for this climb, but it didn't feel sustainable for the day. I just felt out of sorts. I got a call from Ange - she was going to be trying to join me later in the morning for support and was setting up zwift for the first time. I was trying to talk her through it, during which time it became increasingly difficult to hold my numbers. I tried to give her the information she needed before carrying on.
Jesus, I didn't feel great at all - I even had a few spells of light headedness when I sat up on the saddle. I looked down and realised I'd neglected to restock bottles and was now running low. Goddammit! Then I realised I need to go to the loo, I'd only just been on the descent!! What on earth was wrong with me? Climb 3 and already falling apart? Not good! People were starting to msg about where I was and things were starting to get busy in my head. I was struggling to juggle thought processes. I had to stop and take a loo break but managed to reasonably hold out till hairpin 10, halfway on the climb and got bottles on the way back.
I felt a little better for the break after I came back, but not much. Lightheadedness became dizziness and headaches (I don't typically ever get headaches) and genuinely nearly fell sideways off the bike at one point.
I checked myself - I was drinking about the right amount and I wasn't dehydrated. I lay off my haribo frequency a bit and took an unscheduled fruit. I just wanted to finish this climb and get my head straight. Martin was great though - whatever I was doing he did a great job of gluing himself to the front of me. I really don't know how he pace matched ahead of me so well, this little digital avatar in front of me seemed to have a real sense of duty about him. He chatted when I needed to chat but otherwise got on with it, which was perfect. I stuttered to the top for the turnaround - I was bursting for the loo AGAIN. Considering my stoppage, 1:17:22 was pretty on point but didn't really tell a story of how that climb had felt for me.
I went to the loo and took an aspirin. Had a quick glass of just water too, and tried to compose myself. It was too early to dwell on the number of climbs I was on just yet. I wasn't going going to feel on top of this (no pun intended) until I was at least half way. I tried my best to stay regimental in my approach. CLIMB. Descend & Get Ready. CLIMB. Descend and get ready.
CLIMB 4
I managed to get back to the bike before the end of the descent and do a quick turn around immediately at the bottom to start climbing again. If you didn't pay attention at the end of the descent, you'd get fired down the long flat road at the bottom, so it was satisfying to avoid any unnecessary flat cycling. Martin was stuck to me like glue. Again, not much conversation, but having this sherpa hovering around me was a real boost.
Rounding the first hairpin, I saw another orange dot on the map - this meant it was another person that I knew was now on the climb. It was Ange. She had spent the morning trying to get herself set up on zwift, just to try to get on the climb and show her support. It was a lovely gesture and a real boost. In the distraction of trying to send her a message through the companion app, I didn't realise I had passed her and had left her behind. I felt quite bad about this, but there was not an awful lot I could do about it - again this conflict about what is my etiquette when people were so kind to join me and support me on this day - at the end of the day I had to cycle to my numbers and get on with it! Ange didn't seem to mind though, she'd spend the guts of an hour doing whatever induction zwift ride needed to be done, so she wasn't going to be on for long. She was enjoying just experience this climb for the first time, and we were able to chat through the app as we went our separate paces. Honestly it was even just nice to see her as an orange dot on the map. It was all a great boost.
I don't know if it was that I was feeling better, or I was just pleasantly distracted, but it was seeming easier to get through the climb this time around. My spells of dizziness and headaches were gone and I was in a bit more of a rhythm of getting on with it, following my plan. Just after halfway up the climb, I got the boost of seeing another orange dot on the map. This time it was Marc Gelona of Milford Tritons. I think Marc was a fellow Strava follower since we crossed paths on a sea swim a few years back and otherwise knew him to see him at the local TTs, but all in all we do not really know each other - so again it was really nice to see just someone from the local cycle community just get on and support me. It was really appreciated.
Within another hairpin another orange blip on the screen - Peter Lloyd from the Tri club. Then another blip - James Dicks from the Tri Club too. All of a sudden, with the ever dutiful Martin still plugging away in front, we now had a group of 5 people. 4 people cycling away in their own respective houses, pacing around me as I tried to complete this ridiculous challenge. It probably sound repetitive now, but each person made such a massive difference - it was such a pyschological boost, as well as a nice distraction from what was becoming the sameness of unrelenting climbing. Through the small talk, I was asked I was getting on - it was only now I properly acknowledged the time I had been cycling - 5 hours!! I couldn't believe it. The passage of time was not tangible at all. It felt like I had been riding a while but maybe 3 hours tops - all of the little tricks to distract me from the overall scale of this thing were working.
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| A crowd forming on Climb 4 with Martin, Marc, Peter and James |
They HAD to work. I wasn't even halfway yet!!!
With all the company, the bit of chatter and just plain getting on with it we were reaching top again at the end of a solid effort of 1:15:06. Was delighted with that, the pace holding nicely. I did message the group saying I was turning at the banner, but nobody seemed to get the memo, and the whole group disintegrated as we all descended at different times. I couldn't hang around to explain. I had to do my own thing, stick to the plan, and run off for another kit change. The mood had definitely changed - I was really looking forward to my next climb!
CLIMB 5
Again, got back to the bike before the end of descent turn around which was satisfyingly efficient. Martin was descending alongside me, but had already said his goodbyes. Luckily I had expressed my gratitude for his amazing shift of 2 climbs (3+ hours) for a complete stranger, before i had finished the last climb - what an incredible effort.
The rest of the guys however, were all over the place! They must have cycled the loop at the top of the climb which is a good 2-3 minutes of unnecessary (for me) flat cycling. They u-turned as they crossed paths with me on their delayed descents, and by 3 or 4 hairpins in, we were all together again. Fair play to all of them. Peter, Marc and James. They knew the deal - I was doing my thing, they were doing their best to work around me.
Up to the end of climb 4, it had been the podcasts of Adam & Joe keeping me company in my conservatory but it was time for some new stimulus. I put on the Giro live and aptly they were climbing too. I wasn't really paying any attention to the standings but it was motivating to see these guys powering up the climb while I was doing the same thing. Particularly with my little group of satellite cyclists constantly orbiting me, I felt like a GC rider myself! This climb passed so quickly. I didn't even notice when I passed 'basecamp' (4424m elevation) and barely copped it when I passed 5000m elevation. At this stage on previous efforts, I clearly remembered counting these metres down 1 by 1 as these numbers were in that context the end that I just wanted to get to. Not today though. Another steady climb done, 1:16:13.
I thanked the lads for the efforts at the turnaround before my descent, and went for a prolonged break for lunch, knowing I had now broken the back of this challenge. 'Only' 3.5 ascents left, and I was feeling good.
CLIMB 6
Even though it was quite nice to just sit at a table and eat proper real food, I was a little bit on edge. It was partially the buzz of what I was doing, but partially the paranoia that my legs may cool down while I sat there. I was constantly shaking my legs, trying to keep them loose. Nathan Miles of the Tri club msged to say he would be joining me on the next climb. Awesome. It was great to know before even starting my next climb that I would have company. But then I felt under pressure. I was taking an extra 20-25 minutes beyond my descent to have some lunch, and despite him acknowledging this, I was picturing him just sitting there waiting on his turbo. I was enjoying my break, but dying to get back. I was definitely entering the twitchy mentalist stage of the day!
I got back to my bike and Nathan was waiting dutifully and we got going. Immediately I felt horrendous. Legs didn't want to play at all. I was actually expecting this but the happening of it was no less grim. Whereas ordinarily I struggled to stay under 200w on this initially steep bit of the climb I was now struggling to get over 150w. A concentrated effort maybe got me to 170w, but this was not a day for a concentrated effort. I still had a good 5-6 hours left. Oh god, or more? I was now 30% slower afterall. A couple of switchbacks in and my mind was drifting, getting lost in negative mathematics... how much slower was this climb going to be?... how was that going to multiply out? .... how much slower was I going to get?
It must be the altitude.
I was also starting to feel the effects of doing anything for a long time, how the little things were adding up. Example - I was wearing a fresh sweat band on every climb, I had the fan on and was comfortable but was occasionally still having to wipe sweat from my brow. This wasn't even a regular an occurance but at this stage, my brow was red raw from this accumulative action.
It was around this time, a couple of hairpins in, that I received a call from Paul. I'm not sure exactly what we said, but I know he was on a recieving end of a sort of negative running train of thought from me - not my complaining or moaning as such, more the sort of grim wondering out loud about things, my mechanism for making peace with the shit that I knew lay ahead. He didn't so much talk me out of anything, but we talked it out. He gave me some perspective. There was no cut off time, no one racing me.
I'm just out cycling for the day. If it's a bit longer, it's a bit longer.
He reminded of the time we cycled up to Cardiff for the Carten. Aside from the fact that it was 200km into headwinds and the wettest conditions I have ever cycled in, we had stopped for lunch in Carreg Cennen Castle and I ended up in a similar feeling funk for about 2 hours after. This made me feel better. It was just my body dealing with the food, the blood getting away from my muscles. There was a chance this would pass. Just the probability of betterness was a massive boost.
We did chat for a bit. Paul was supposed to be doing the same today, but it hadn't worked out for him. But he was checking in and watching and supporting. That was really cool. It was quite difficult to chat on the phone while trying to focus on numbers and Nathan on screen, but overall it was very good to be chatting with him. During this time, my friends (and single habitant support bubble for the Covid Police out there!), Flo and Carwyn arrived, and ultimately I had to hang up. They would be setting up on zwift and taking turns on the spare smart trainer to support me. It was taking them time to set up, so it was looking like Carwyn would have to some kind of induction cycle on my next climb (7), then would cycle the Alpe with me on the next climb (8) then Flo would cycle with me for the very last bit (8.5).
Here we were on climb 6.... where even was I, it was so hard to pay attention.
I had to get quite a bit involved in helping the guys connect to devices and troubleshoot problems. My mind was a little all over the place. I was bloody terrible company for Nathan, it was so good that he was still roughly pacing off me, while I floundered on the hill side. I never realised I could get so disorientated from being in my conservatory all day. In the midst of all this chaos... I made a stark realisation.... there was nobody else on the map. The once crowded Alpe was now empty, I was know cycling this epic climb all by myself. Oh shit, the internet was out!! There was panic. If Zwift crashed now, I could potentially lose everything. There would be no record of it, and it wouldn't be officially recognised as it all had to be recorded as one activity. Then there was peace. In a full 30 seconds of an intense emotional rollercoaster of thought process, I made my peace with the thought that, if Zwift crashed right now, that would be that. But in the meantime, I would keep cycling.
5 minutes of solitude on the mountain later and boom, all of a sudden I was surrounded by the virtual population of Zwift again. Internet restored.
Shite, I was going to have to finish this thing
Such was my focus on the screen, that it felt like I was also back in the room with Carwyn and Flo too, and I had time to take stock of my surroundings. Jesus, this climb was taking forever, the legs feeling no better than than they had at the beginning. I felt bad for Nathan, I had been so distracted this whole climb by everything I hadn't really engaged with him at all. I couldn't get my head straight. I put 'the Armstrong Lie' on the telly with a few hairpins to go. I wasn't really paying attention to the subject matter, but the cycling footage was getting me going again.
I stuttered to the top for the turnaround. 1:25:27. I got off for the descent, off for a kit change. Everything was all automated now. No sense of where I was, how I felt or what was left.
Just do the next thing
CLIMB 7
I got back on the bike. 9 and half hours on the clock. Jesus.
This time Jonathan Harwood from the Tri Club was there waiting to climb with me. Excellent. Every new person was a new boost. I apologised in advance for how off pace I was going to be. He replied with something reassuring but but effectively along the lines of 'don't be ridiculous'.
John was very good, matching me for pace as I struggled even more than last climb. At times over 135w was a struggle. No pain, no shortness of breath, just nothing to give the bike anymore. It wasn't so bad though. Carwyn was doing his induction cycle next to me, the Lances exploits were distracting me on the telly as I grinded out another climb. I was psychologically in a better place now.
My appetite had changed too. I was now for the first time going for the variety 'treat' snacks, the chocolate caramel waifers, the yoghurt biscuit things. I don't think it was energy needs or cravings - it was just comfort food to get me through the tedium of how slowly I was now trudging my way through this. As we approached about halfway, I saw another orange blip on the screen ahead. Jonathan Pickford from my office. Excellent, another boost and another little group forming.
It might have been the spirit of being in my little Jonoton group, it might have been the Lance induced boiling of my blood, but my legs were starting to come back to life again. 170w, 180w, 190w.... with a focus I was touching 200w again. Oh this was unexpected! I was hoping to come out of the dip, but was not expecting to come all of the way back! The last few hairpins were actually exciting, as the energy came back into my legs.
Another blip on the map ahead. Who was this? Ange again!! On for the second time!! How amazing was that - so great to see her support! We passed her on the 2nd to last stretch before getting to the top.
1:27:51, the slowest climb of the day, but I got off the bike a different person from the person who started.
I was now ready finish this thing.
CLIMB 8
A quick sorting myself out and restock of bottles and I was on the bike again. This climb couldn't start soon enough. I wasn't getting too carried away, but the end was now in sight and my mind and body were aligned again after a turbulent 3 or so hours.
There was a bit of a crowd waiting too. The two Jons were staying on for a second climb, Carwyn had now done his induction cycle and was waiting to start and there was a fourth person - Paul O Brien.
Fucking yes. I was so surprised and happy to see him there. It was so shit for him that he couldn't take part in the challenge today, so I knew it was great for him to be a part of it. It was obviously a massive boost to me too that he managed to make it. Totally unexpected. Party of 5 for a second time today, how great was that.
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| Waiting with Paul & Carwyn at the start of climb 8 |
LET'S DO THIS!!
The legs felt absolutely great as I started the climb. 185 - 200w no problem. There was a bit of chatter as we climbed. The Lance Armstrong documentary was still on the telly, fueling my adrenaline with my hatred for the guy. Carwyn working away on the trainer beside me. Just getting through it. I write best (read:excessively) about things when there is adversity. I have barely anything to write about this climb - it was too good.
The Armstrong Lie ended, and I put on the Pantani documentary immediately after. Seeing footage of this legendary climber, particularly on the Alpe d'Huez, spurred me on even further.
About halfway, Carwyn started to drop out of the group. The efforts of my previous climbs had suggested he'd happily pace with me on this one, but I was on rude form now. Carwyn, to be fair to him, worked his ass off to keep pace but just couldn't go anymore at that rate. He fell off the back and continued to grind away. I on the other hand was starting to push beyond my zones. 200w, 210w, even 220 at some points. It just felt good to do so.
We powered up the final stretch and completed the climb on 1:16:15, nearly 12 minutes faster than my last climb and my 4th fastest climb of the day (only 2 seconds slower than my 3rd fastest). Utterly Insane.
Sorry Carwyn.
CLIMB 8.5
I ran up from the Alpe to my bedroom for a final kit change on the descent. Probably a bit unnecessary, but it felt ceremonial. Only half a climb left! How had something so far away gotten so close all of a sudden? How was I feeling so good? It was pretty surreal.
As Carwyn had fallen behind on the last climb, Flo would be starting the climb late, (but would still be cycling beside me). The two Jons had put on a great stint with 2 climbs and I was very lucky to have Pauls company for one climb. So it effectively meant I was on my own for this final bit.
The company had been so important to me on this challenge. Every climb had a different personality as a result of it, and I don't think anyone would appreciate just how much that meant to me unless they did it themselves and experienced the same.
However, being 'alone' on this climb didn't matter so much. I no longer needed the company. I only had eyes on the invisible finish line halfway up the mountain. Well, two finish lines....
As I would pass 8848m I would get the Zwift Everesting achievement, for matching the elevation of Everest in one activity. However, to be officially recognised on the Hells500 hall of fame for Everesting, it would need to be 8848m elevation on the same climb. As there was a 4km lead in, with 20m elevation, I would have to do at least an extra 20m of climbing. I was going to round it up to 8900m, for insurance.
I started the climb as I had finished the last one. Make no mistake, I was in pain, but I still was surprised with how good I felt. I thought back on my Basecamp Everesting back in July. That last 0.25 of a lap to complete was utter torture. This was different, it was becoming a tt effort to the end. Numbers were no longer being followed, I barely dropped below 200w - sometimes, in fact i peaked more towards 300. I was starting to put myself into the red to finish this, because I could. It felt so good to be in this position.
I counted down the hairpins and watched the elevation steadily climb. Flo was cycling beside me. Carwyn standing beside her, shouting words of encouragement. I came up hairpin 10 and that magical banner appeared. Zwift Everesting completed. Great. Keep cycling. I almost put in a sprint finish... but my legs quickly told me I was now getting carried away. I powered on and shortly after hairpin 9, it was definitely done. I had passed 8900m I had Everested!!
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| Everesting done, much to the approval of Pantani! |
It was almost an anticlimax. No banner for this bit. Just end activity, and hope to god it saved successfully. Then I was back in my conservatory, and a little 'wooo' and 'yay' between me and the guys, a quick shower later by 7pm and we were watching the Wales France rugby with some beer and pizza.
Quiet appropriately, my head was in the clouds for the rest of the evening.
It's a long way back down to earth from Everest and it took a while to get grounded and appreciate what I had done. Especially 2 days later when my effort was recognised in the Hells 500 Everesting Hall of Fame
The Stats were a little crazy:
- 13.5 hours of an activity
- 13 hours 18 minutes official Everesting
- 1 hour 50 minutes of descending
- Approximately 11.5 hours of cycling
- Crucially 8900m of elevation
- Only 6692 people have officially Everested (though I'm sure plenty unofficially have too), of which only a fraction of have vEverested
- 12 cycling sherpas made the effort to join me on the day, 3 of whom were random Zwift followers who I have never met. At 2 separate points during the effort i was cycling in a group of 5 for a whole climb. I cannot thank you guys enough - you really helped me carry the load of the day up that bastard of a mountain!
I got a neat little 3d print of the route to acknowledge the effort on the Brian Shrine. It was just nice to have achieved something at the end all the training during this year, and nothing epitomised the spirit of 2020 for me, than to climb the height of Everest from the comfort of my conservatory.
Thanks for reading all.
Who wants to join me for the Real World Everesting next year?
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