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Everest Challenge road bike stage race: 29,000 feet of climbing
I’m back to road biking again, and I’ve been training seriously for over a month now. Looking forward to my new Trek Madone 6.9 with Shimano DI2 and SRM power meter, with carbon fiber tubular (sew-up) wheels/tires.
The goal of my training? The Everest Challenge. It’s not easy, with lots of DNFs, 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. So far, I’m ahead of schedule.
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
