Everest Challenge Stage Race

2011-02-08 • SEND FEEDBACK •
Related: Everest Challenge, hard core, Rides

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I started training seriously on Dec 31, 2010 for the Everest Challenge, after a multi-year break from serious road cycling.

The Everest Challenge is not easy, with lots of DNFs (“did not finish”), but I am proud to say that I finished 2nd in the “public” category in 2004 and won a free jersey. I need to drop 3 pounds of fat per month for 6 months, or I’ll be roasted meat on the climbs— with that much climbing, every ounce counts. So far, I’m ahead of schedule, with a minor setback (cold and hacking cough) in early February.

Safety

While the roads are largely free of puncture-prone debris, tire damage can occur— check your tires carefully at the start of each day for side-cuts and similar damage— you do NOT want to have a tire blow out during a descent, and remember that clincher tires can blow off the rim when too hot and/or over-inflated.

Everest Challenge synopsis

The Everest Challenge is the hardest two day stage race on the USA Cycling calendar. Each day features three monumental climbs, with a total elevation gain of 29,035 feet in 206 miles.

Cumulative time over the two days determines overall placing. But you do not have to be a USAC racer come to the Everest Challenge to test yourself against these amazing mountains. Cyclists love to rate and compare difficult climbs.

Climbs are rated the same way as they are at the Tour de France, using a system of numerical ratings. "Category 4" is the easiest rated climb, with Cat.3, Cat.2, and Cat.1 progressively harder. The very hardest climbs are rated "HC", or beyond category. Five of our six climbs are rated "HC" in The Complete Guide to Climbing (By Bike), complied by John Summerson, which is the definitive guide to the most spectacular climbing in the USA. Only the climb up Waucoba Canyon is "merely" Cat.1

DIGLLOYD: Waucoba Canyon (Death Valley Road) is a piece of cake compared to the other climbs.

Sierra Nevada in late September