As entrees to the official ‘Hall of Fame’ continue to rise,
it seems the word ‘Everesting’ is here to stay. A new climbing craze that’s
grabbed the attention of cyclists all over the globe, myself included. When I attempted
my first (Great Dun Fell) it was out of curiosity, the second (Hardknott Pass) was
more to see if it was possible. But by the third (Off-Road Chapel House Wood)
it was about working towards something…
After claiming Great Dun Fell, I received an email outlining
plans of a new Elite category of ‘Everesting’ named SSSS. As if riding the
height of Mt. Everest in one ride wasn’t enough, this new category would raise
the bar even higher. The challenge would comprise of completing four separate
‘Everests’ of a specific type. SSSS stands for - Significant (An iconic climb)-
Soil (An Off-Road climb)- Short (Under 200km/124miles) and Suburban (An
Urban/Metro climb) One of these four rides must also be over 10,000m/32,808ft
of elevation. This was a challenge on top of what was already a big
undertaking, however, if someone dangles a carrot, its only human nature to try
and take a bite.
When I tackled Hardknott Pass it was because I wanted too,
and I would have done it regardless of any ‘SSSS Category’ as 30x up that hill
was a challenge in itself. I did however know that by doing so I’d already have
the ‘Significant’ and ‘Short’ rides ticked off my list. It was at this point I
really started thinking about the SSSS, I needed an ‘Off-Road’ and ‘Suburban’
and one would have to be at least 10,000m. It seemed a big ask but I started
sussing out climbs anyway, and after another three weeks I’d tackled my off
road ride of Chapel House Woods in the Lake District. With three now under my
belt, I had my eyes on completing the challenge before winter arrived. Up until
this point I hadn’t really considered who else might be trying to tick off all
four rides, I knew no one had completed it yet, but needed to find out if
anyone was close. With a bit of investigation, I found that an Australian man
named Jon Van Seters was almost there. Jon already had his Significant, Short
and Suburban rides, and was only in need of an Off-Road effort to make him the
first to complete the challenge.
As Australia’s spring time was just around the corner, our
days here in the UK were beginning to shorten.
I knew Jon was planning his next ride but didn’t know exactly when it
would be, I did however know that if I left mine until the following spring, he
would undoubtedly beat me to it. With this in mind, I finalise the location for
what will be the fourth and final ride.
It’s 4.30am on September 2nd, less than ten weeks
since first setting out to attempt the challenge and I’m on my way over to try
number four. Not such a long drive this time as I head towards Hexham, only a
30 minute drive from my home village of Nenthead. It’s still dark as I get
parked up at the top of the climb, I get kitted up and set off riding at 5:30am.
I’m soon at the bottom and starting my first ascent, the climb I’ve chosen is ‘Causey
Way Hill’ perfect for a Suburban showdown. Starting in the heart of Hexham I
climb straight passed a school and then up through a housing estate, before
eventually reaching the top right by a Caravan Park. It’s an average 9% climb
that reaches 16% in places, this is all over a distance of 0.9 miles with a
total ascent of 453ft. Usually this would mean climbing the hill 64 times, but
due to one of the four rides needing to total 10k (32,808ft) it would need
tackling 73 times.
By now I’m starting to get the hang of these all day epics,
so soon settle down in to a steady rhythm. A full rep takes around 11 minutes,
this means 5 reps an hour including 5 minutes for grabbing water etc. on my way
past the car. The sky is beginning to brighten but it’s still early, most
people are tucked up in bed so it’s nice and quiet, but it won’t be for long. As
I listen to breakfast radio and the first 3 hours soon tick by, it’s now 8:30am
but no longer quiet. Cars, Busses, kids walking to school, people heading to
work, runners, dog walkers and more, Hexham has awakened. To be honest I didn’t
mind the extra hustle a bustle, as it was all a good distraction from the job
in hand. 
By now the sun had risen on what was turning out to be a beautiful,
crisp and clear day. As it approached 10am and I climbed the hill for my 23rd
time, I was joined by Mike Jones my first support rider. I’d first met Mike only a
couple of weeks earlier, this was during the annual Beacon Wheelers club hill
climb event on Great Dun Fell. I’d had a decent ride and thought I’d bagged the
quickest time with a respectable 26:45, this was until Mike came storming up
the climb over a minute quicker leaving me to settle for second. It was nice to
catch up and we chatted about all things cycling, including the upcoming
National Hill Climb he’d set his sights on later in the year. Dave rode with me
for about an hour before having to head off, he seemed keen on staying the
whole day if he could have and was definitely up for attempting the challenge
himself at some point.
Whist riding with Mike I’d passed 11,000ft (3,350m) and so
one third was done, I was back to riding on my own with just my radio for company.
It was a beautiful day so I just enjoyed it, and at just over 7 hours I passed
half way. I was feeling ok and doing pretty well on time, another hour passed
passed, and then another. After 9 hours in the saddle it was 2:30pm and I’d
just pasted 20,000ft (6,000m) I’d not had to many breaks but I allowed myself
10 minutes to stuff my face with the usual ‘Everesting’ goodies. I was sticking
with the same old fuel of bananas/rice pudding/sandwiches/energy bars/gels etc.
all of which seemed to be going down ok. It’s probably fair to say that at
around this point things started to get harder, and after another 3 hours of
riding they were defiantly getting harder. It was 5pm and I’d been riding for
not far off 12 hours, I’d not had any support riders since my encounter with
Dave in the morning. It was a bit of a mental battle that was becoming more physical
by the minute, my reps had slowed and I couldn’t help keep trying to work out
what time I might get finished.
Not long after 5pm I get a phone call off my girlfriend
Mairi, she’s heading over and should be with me about 6pm. This is welcome news
indeed and spurs me on to keep clocking up the reps, as I finish my 57th
she’s waiting at the top, armed with extra supplies and a friendly smile. After
checking a have everything I need she heads in to town to grab batteries for my
garmins backup, by now I’ve realised it’s going to be a longer ride than
originally hoped. I keep on grinding out the reps all be it a little slower
than earlier in the day, and by the time Mairi returns I’m approaching my 64th.
I’d essentially completed an ‘Everest’ with 29,029ft (8,848m) but to claim the
SSSS I had to hit 32,808ft (10,000m) By now my Garming was getting low, I
hooked up the battery backup I’d bought after nearly losing my last ‘Everest’
data during my Off-Road attempt.
After another few more reps I was joined by Jamie, he’d
come over to ride the last couple of hours with me and I was more than glad he’d
made it. Jamie was also from Nenthead and had ridden a couple of reps of Great
Dun Fell during my first effort. With 6 reps remaining the sun had dropped and darkness
was back, it was quiet again as people hid in their cosy houses, in front of
their TV’s. I could hardly blame them, as I quite fancied putting my feet up on
the sofa instead of riding up this bloody hill.As we rode to the top I completed my 8th and
Jamie kept me chatting
with random conversations that would help distract me, until eventually we were
climbing the hill for the final time. As we reached the top it was 10.30pm, I’d
clocked up 137 miles over 17 hours and
climbed 33,140ft (10,101m) It was a great feeling to have ticked the fourth and
final ride off the list. I’d managed to be the first to complete the SSSS Elite
Category although Mr Jon Van Seters had certainly made it a sprint for the
line.View Ride On Strava.
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