Considering an Everesting attempt
Discussion
Daveyraveygravey said:
Done! Have you raised 5 grand from 6 people!? ????
Tell us your story
7 people, thanks to you Tell us your story
More details can be found in a PH thread which I'll link to below, but here are the main points....
I was a runner for many years, from probably around 2002 to 2014, I was not bad at it, I was healthy but one day I was sick, thought I had eaten something dodgy and carried on. 5-6 days later, I was sick again....bit odd. Then the sickness got more and more frequent until it was as near as makes no difference a daily basis. This went on for some time, I had numerous tests, tried lots of meds to no avail. It did randomly disappear, but a few months later it came back and it carried on getting worse. Over a 15 month period I'd say I vomited on about 9 of those months every day. Trust me, it wasn't fun. I started to show other odd symptoms such as struggling to swallow, but it wasn't too bad. Eventually, as all other tests were clear, I had a head MRI which showed a 3.5x4cm brain tumour in a difficult to get to location. 3 weeks or so later I was in theatre having an 8 hour operation. It was a case of "don't have the operation and you'll die; do have the operation and about 20% chance you'll die." Operation it was then, around 6-7 weeks before my 25th birthday.
Upon waking up I had very bad diplopia (double vision), I lost the ability to move my tongue (and therefore I couldn't speak a word), I couldn't swallow (so my saliva was either going into my lungs or out of my dribbling mouth), I had numbness in my legs, it was found I also had a paralysed vocal cord.....a s
t load of other not very nice symptoms and I can honestly say I'd rather have been dead if I stayed that way.Because I couldn't really breathe by myself I was put on a ventilator in ICU where I remained for I think 10 days or so. After the ventilator came out, I still couldn't breathe well at all so ended up needing a tracheostomy. Because I couldn't swallow I also needed a tube put into my stomach so I could be tube fed. Out of hospital New Years day (yep, Christmas and NY eve in hospital!) and I was a right mess. I gradually began to walk on my own accord again and kept trying to set new "distance records" every day. Gradually things improved and I tried going for a run after probably 4-5 months, but the paralysed vocal cord obstructed my airway....so running was out of the equation, which really upset me as it was a huge part of my life for so long (I ran for Southampton AC, I was a sub 17min 5k runner....so not a slouch). I took up cycling. I did a ride for a brain tumour charity that year and raised over 10k. My recovery has been rather miraculous and despite a few little quirks I'm generally OK now, certainly well enough to get by! My recovery has surpassed all expectations and the surgeons have said that due to my initial fitness (resting HR is 35bpm...!) I am still here. Due to infection post-op my HR NEVER went below 100bpm for 1 month in hospital, 3x normal resting HR for 1 month would have killed many people. This is why, despite not being able to run, I have tried to maintain a very good level of fitness, because it saved my life.
It is a bitter sweet story, I have met some amazing people along the way, I have made friends, I have lost friends, but overall I feel more complete as a person since this ordeal. If you fancy an in-depth read (I'm talking a good hour or more) take a look here. It gets "interesting" from October/November 2014. A few pictures of me in hospital can also be found in the fund raising page, using a google drive link. It wasn't my finest hour!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Daveyraveygravey said:
Wow! I feel like I've had my share of medical episodes, but that takes the cake. I wish I could have contributed as much as the others, but times are hard.
Hmmm...... Cake 
Unfortunately these things in life happen. We are all dealt with a hand and whilst we can often choose our own paths and roads, sometimes we are forced down certain ways. I was dealt my hand and I dealt with it the only way I saw viable.... There are only 2 ways, 1 is feel sorry for yourself and give up (believe me, this would have been easy!) and the other was to accept fate but try to be the best you can be despite these things.
Plus..... I can assure you that your donation is very, very much appreciated! No matter how big or how small it is a case of it all adds up! It means a great deal to me. This team at Wessex Neuro were nothing short of amazing to me, and it feels fantastic that, thorough your help, I am able to do something for them and give back. So, thank you
Edited by E65Ross on Thursday 15th November 11:40
One of the guys on the Trainerroad podcast did an everesting attempt:
https://soundcloud.com/trainerroad/ask-a-cycling-c...
https://soundcloud.com/trainerroad/ask-a-cycling-c...
From what you've said, I think you have the physical fitness, it's the mental side of these things that is harder.
I would be tempted to ride your hill through the rush hour (both ends of the day) a couple of times, to get a feel for how bad it will be. I've just realised, that's near the Royal Armouries, isn't it? Is it that actual road?
I have a wet weather jacket which has a phone sized pocket on the chest. I've played music through the speaker a few times; it isn't loud (if you get to 15-20 mph you can't hear it, never mind when traffic is around) but it is quite a nice way to blank the passing of time on long rides. It seems loud in the dark up on the South Downs, anyway. Sir Guylitespeed advocates using one ear bud which is another approach. Of course it will run the battery down on your phone which is another thing to worry about charging on the day so may be better to not bother.
I have a playlist on Spotify which I use for training and hill reps, can send it to you if you like? It's themed along cycling/mountains/struggle/pain, mainly classics of the post punk scene in the early 80's but it has a couple of Classical tunes and some metal. I keep meaning to try an audio book too.
I would be tempted to ride your hill through the rush hour (both ends of the day) a couple of times, to get a feel for how bad it will be. I've just realised, that's near the Royal Armouries, isn't it? Is it that actual road?
I have a wet weather jacket which has a phone sized pocket on the chest. I've played music through the speaker a few times; it isn't loud (if you get to 15-20 mph you can't hear it, never mind when traffic is around) but it is quite a nice way to blank the passing of time on long rides. It seems loud in the dark up on the South Downs, anyway. Sir Guylitespeed advocates using one ear bud which is another approach. Of course it will run the battery down on your phone which is another thing to worry about charging on the day so may be better to not bother.
I have a playlist on Spotify which I use for training and hill reps, can send it to you if you like? It's themed along cycling/mountains/struggle/pain, mainly classics of the post punk scene in the early 80's but it has a couple of Classical tunes and some metal. I keep meaning to try an audio book too.
Just realised Ross there's probably a good chance we've run either at the same meetings or even in the same races as I think you're a similar age to me, I used to run for Medway A.C / Medway and Maidstone AC, we were often in the same leagues and events as Southampton AC- red and white striped vests IIRC?
Daveyraveygravey said:
From what you've said, I think you have the physical fitness, it's the mental side of these things that is harder.
I would be tempted to ride your hill through the rush hour (both ends of the day) a couple of times, to get a feel for how bad it will be. I've just realised, that's near the Royal Armouries, isn't it? Is it that actual road?
I'll be riding it on a Saturday, and it's not THAT busy a road. It's near the Armouries, but not the actual road, no I would be tempted to ride your hill through the rush hour (both ends of the day) a couple of times, to get a feel for how bad it will be. I've just realised, that's near the Royal Armouries, isn't it? Is it that actual road?
lufbramatt said:
Just realised Ross there's probably a good chance we've run either at the same meetings or even in the same races as I think you're a similar age to me, I used to run for Medway A.C / Medway and Maidstone AC, we were often in the same leagues and events as Southampton AC- red and white striped vests IIRC?
Yes, red and white stripes! Oh - and thank you for the donation mate 
Dannbodge said:
Shared on Facebook on "cycling advice" page
(If that's alright)
Of course, thank you!!!(If that's alright)
I'm both really looking forward to, and really dreading this now
It has certainly given me something to aim for over the winter though! Although I will miss some of the shorter but hard sessions.....it's just about tempo/sweetspot now! And time....lots and lots of time!
I don't want to do too much too soon having only been back on the bike for 1.5 weeks after a 2 week layoff. But I managed to do 2hours 10mins Sunday and felt pretty good averaging 4W/kg for my NP and felt fairly strong. I'm going to knock that back though and build the time up. I haven't done any rides over 4 hours for a long time. I know I can do them easy enough but just need to knock the pace back.
Will be leveling up on Zwift quite quickly if the weather stays like this
Reps up Alpe Du Zwift, anyone?
It has certainly given me something to aim for over the winter though! Although I will miss some of the shorter but hard sessions.....it's just about tempo/sweetspot now! And time....lots and lots of time!
I don't want to do too much too soon having only been back on the bike for 1.5 weeks after a 2 week layoff. But I managed to do 2hours 10mins Sunday and felt pretty good averaging 4W/kg for my NP and felt fairly strong. I'm going to knock that back though and build the time up. I haven't done any rides over 4 hours for a long time. I know I can do them easy enough but just need to knock the pace back.
Will be leveling up on Zwift quite quickly if the weather stays like this
Reps up Alpe Du Zwift, anyone?
E65Ross said:
Will be leveling up on Zwift quite quickly if the weather stays like this
Reps up Alpe Du Zwift, anyone?
Haha what a good plan, I am firing up the Tacx Neo right now!!! Mind you it did take me an awful long time last time I did it, nearly 2 hours sitting at 2.1W/kg but then I am old enough to be your dad and I am powered by 3 stents and a double heart bypass!! I will expect you to overtake me.......twice!!!Reps up Alpe Du Zwift, anyone?
Fund is going well, just added my contribution!
Edited by Mr Ted on Wednesday 28th November 11:31
Mr Ted said:
Haha what a good plan, I am firing up the Tacx Neo right now!!! Mind you it did take me an awful long time last time I did it, nearly 2 hours sitting at 2.1W/kg but then I am old enough to be your dad and I am powered by 3 stents and a double heart bypass!! I will expect you to overtake me.......twice!!!
Fund is going well, just added my contribution!
Thank you!! My initial target of £1000 has been somewhat smashed Fund is going well, just added my contribution!
Edited by Mr Ted on Wednesday 28th November 11:31
amazing generosity from a lot of people. Really is rather touching! Training is going well, although it's largely been indoors due to the pretty rubbish weather, but a Wahoo Kickr and Zwift/Trainerroad/Sufferfest have proven valuable assets!
This week I have done over 11 hours of riding at a fairly high intensity for most rides and got 737TSS.
I have spoken to my LBS who will be converting my 52/36 to a 50/34 setup, I think I will keep this set up. 52/36 has been absolutely fine for me, although it is very rare I "spin out" using 52-11, and so I can't see 50-11 being much of an issue, it just gives me easier gearing for climbing. I have fitted an 11-32 cassette which is working absolutely fine, although it doesn't shift QUITE as crisply as it did with the 11-30.
Now....I'm torn as to whether to buy a medium cage rear derailleur and perhaps even go with 11-34 for everesting! Clearly, however, I wouldn't want this for normal riding as I just don't need that. The question is, will the medium cage R8050 DI2 rear mech (which allows for 11-34) work fine with 11-30? I think I'll go back to 11-30 after Everesting and probably keep 50/34 up front, but I don't want to buy the rear mech if it won't work well with 11-30....but if it works well, I could buy it and then sell my old di2 mech for £50 or whatever.
Anyone know whether it'll work crisply with 11-30? Cheers!
This week I have done over 11 hours of riding at a fairly high intensity for most rides and got 737TSS.
I have spoken to my LBS who will be converting my 52/36 to a 50/34 setup, I think I will keep this set up. 52/36 has been absolutely fine for me, although it is very rare I "spin out" using 52-11, and so I can't see 50-11 being much of an issue, it just gives me easier gearing for climbing. I have fitted an 11-32 cassette which is working absolutely fine, although it doesn't shift QUITE as crisply as it did with the 11-30.
Now....I'm torn as to whether to buy a medium cage rear derailleur and perhaps even go with 11-34 for everesting! Clearly, however, I wouldn't want this for normal riding as I just don't need that. The question is, will the medium cage R8050 DI2 rear mech (which allows for 11-34) work fine with 11-30? I think I'll go back to 11-30 after Everesting and probably keep 50/34 up front, but I don't want to buy the rear mech if it won't work well with 11-30....but if it works well, I could buy it and then sell my old di2 mech for £50 or whatever.
Anyone know whether it'll work crisply with 11-30? Cheers!
E65Ross said:
Training is going well, although it's largely been indoors due to the pretty rubbish weather, but a Wahoo Kickr and Zwift/Trainerroad/Sufferfest have proven valuable assets!
This week I have done over 11 hours of riding at a fairly high intensity for most rides and got 737TSS.
I have spoken to my LBS who will be converting my 52/36 to a 50/34 setup, I think I will keep this set up. 52/36 has been absolutely fine for me, although it is very rare I "spin out" using 52-11, and so I can't see 50-11 being much of an issue, it just gives me easier gearing for climbing. I have fitted an 11-32 cassette which is working absolutely fine, although it doesn't shift QUITE as crisply as it did with the 11-30.
Now....I'm torn as to whether to buy a medium cage rear derailleur and perhaps even go with 11-34 for everesting! Clearly, however, I wouldn't want this for normal riding as I just don't need that. The question is, will the medium cage R8050 DI2 rear mech (which allows for 11-34) work fine with 11-30? I think I'll go back to 11-30 after Everesting and probably keep 50/34 up front, but I don't want to buy the rear mech if it won't work well with 11-30....but if it works well, I could buy it and then sell my old di2 mech for £50 or whatever.
Anyone know whether it'll work crisply with 11-30? Cheers!
Hi Ross, first a disclaimer, I am a Sram man but I am sure Shimano will be the same, as long as you adjust the B screw to get the correct height as per the instructions for the particular cassette that you are using, a medium cage mech should work just as well as a short cage on the 11-30. This week I have done over 11 hours of riding at a fairly high intensity for most rides and got 737TSS.
I have spoken to my LBS who will be converting my 52/36 to a 50/34 setup, I think I will keep this set up. 52/36 has been absolutely fine for me, although it is very rare I "spin out" using 52-11, and so I can't see 50-11 being much of an issue, it just gives me easier gearing for climbing. I have fitted an 11-32 cassette which is working absolutely fine, although it doesn't shift QUITE as crisply as it did with the 11-30.
Now....I'm torn as to whether to buy a medium cage rear derailleur and perhaps even go with 11-34 for everesting! Clearly, however, I wouldn't want this for normal riding as I just don't need that. The question is, will the medium cage R8050 DI2 rear mech (which allows for 11-34) work fine with 11-30? I think I'll go back to 11-30 after Everesting and probably keep 50/34 up front, but I don't want to buy the rear mech if it won't work well with 11-30....but if it works well, I could buy it and then sell my old di2 mech for £50 or whatever.
Anyone know whether it'll work crisply with 11-30? Cheers!
I am very lightweight like you, 58kg, although no where near your ftp so I don't produce many watts so having a bottom gear of 34:34 (gravel bike) is a life saver at times, in fact my long distance road bike has Sram 1X11 with 11-42 cassette and 40tooth chainring and that crawler gear is brilliant for the odd 25% slopes that I keep finding around here!!!
Good luck, Martin
Bit of an update....and this will be a long post.....
Training has been going really, really well. I have been doing 3-4 weeks "on" where I've been doing between 12-15 hours per week of riding, averaging anywhere between 700 and 850TSS per week (for those who use power meters) and I have then been having an "off" week where I've been doing 4-5 hours easy, maybe only 200 TSS or so.
My FTP (last checked early Jan) is now 255W, up from 249W and my weight has actually come down another kg so I'm over 4.7W/kg for my FTP now.
I have been using my indoor trainer (Kickr along with a Kickr Climb - on Zwift and Sufferfest) doing a lot of simulated hill work, lower cadence stuff and generally I have been feeling really strong.
Yesterday I did a night-time reccy run of the chosen hill and, according to Strava I need to do 98x, although....my Garmin is saying I need to do 102x, so 102x it shall be. 10 reps gave me 2861ft of climbing. I took my 1st 5 reps very gently (up and down, barely pedaling on the way down) to give me an intensity factor of anywhere between 0.6 and 0.65 and it worked out approx 8:30 per rep. I then did a few harder efforts to build some fatigue, and my final effort was crazily easy to see just how little power I need to get up without toppling over....it was about 50% FTP at 60rpm using a 34/32 (I'm glad I went for a compact chainset....Although once this Everesting is done, I'll be ditching the 32T cassette as the ratios are too wide for me).
I initially figured it should take 16-17 hours to complete....but if I base each rep on 8:45, 102x reps is a little shy of 15 hours. I don't tend to stop very often so I figure averaging 10mins per 3 hours on average is a reasonable expectation.....this would take it to just under 16 hours....add on some extra time for complications then we're looking at my original expectation of 16-17 hours. I recently did a 6hour 30min ride where I didn't stop pedaling where possible and my overall stop time or not-pedaling time was just 7 minutes AND it had an intensity factor of 0.76....I was tired but not completely spent....so this is promising considering that's 15% more average power than i anticipate doing.
I have been incredibly anal with organisation, I have made a huge spreadsheet of everything I need to do in terms of equipment to take into my work building (doing this the night before....so everything is at work, I just need to wake up early, drive to work and I can just get going)...including spare clothing, loads of nutrition, drinks, bars, sandwiches, tools etc etc. I have my nutrition strategy planned comprehensively knowing what works well for me and what it's physically possible for the body to absorb (60g carbs/hour, but a bit more with fructose as well) so I won't be having too much or too little. I plan to not ride with any spare tubes etc.
I will be having help on the day, some riders for moral support, some friends/family who will be doing various things.....I don't want to go into my work building often, and so friends/family will be bringing me my nutrition in "stints"....I'm going to put my gels/bars etc into sandwich bags....with enough per bag to last me approx 3-4 hours. So at the end of each "stint" they can pass me them at the bottom of the hill, rather than me having to go back to work, as doing this several times over soon adds time (and distance). The hill is never far from work, my saddle bag weighs 500g, if I can save carrying that the whole time, it might add up, if I get a mechanical, a friend or whatever can bring what I need to me. I'm even contemplating riding with only 1 drinks bottle at a time if I can get someone to bring another bottle to me when I'm almost empty. Whether that'd make a noticeable difference....I'm not sure.
Fundraising is going well, again, I'm going to put in a shameless plug
https://www.gofundme.com/hw565t
I am also thinking of bringing it forwards. I initially said sometime in April, but I may do it any Saturday from March 16th providing the weather is remotely decent. As long as it isn't too cold, not too windy, and isn't wet....I'll go for it. I want it doing by the end of April, it will have to be on a weekend, so this gives me 7 opportunities, whereas if I say April, I'm limited to 4.....Plus, I'm feeling ready (or as ready as one can ever feel!!!!).
Thanks for reading!
Training has been going really, really well. I have been doing 3-4 weeks "on" where I've been doing between 12-15 hours per week of riding, averaging anywhere between 700 and 850TSS per week (for those who use power meters) and I have then been having an "off" week where I've been doing 4-5 hours easy, maybe only 200 TSS or so.
My FTP (last checked early Jan) is now 255W, up from 249W and my weight has actually come down another kg so I'm over 4.7W/kg for my FTP now.
I have been using my indoor trainer (Kickr along with a Kickr Climb - on Zwift and Sufferfest) doing a lot of simulated hill work, lower cadence stuff and generally I have been feeling really strong.
Yesterday I did a night-time reccy run of the chosen hill and, according to Strava I need to do 98x, although....my Garmin is saying I need to do 102x, so 102x it shall be. 10 reps gave me 2861ft of climbing. I took my 1st 5 reps very gently (up and down, barely pedaling on the way down) to give me an intensity factor of anywhere between 0.6 and 0.65 and it worked out approx 8:30 per rep. I then did a few harder efforts to build some fatigue, and my final effort was crazily easy to see just how little power I need to get up without toppling over....it was about 50% FTP at 60rpm using a 34/32 (I'm glad I went for a compact chainset....Although once this Everesting is done, I'll be ditching the 32T cassette as the ratios are too wide for me).
I initially figured it should take 16-17 hours to complete....but if I base each rep on 8:45, 102x reps is a little shy of 15 hours. I don't tend to stop very often so I figure averaging 10mins per 3 hours on average is a reasonable expectation.....this would take it to just under 16 hours....add on some extra time for complications then we're looking at my original expectation of 16-17 hours. I recently did a 6hour 30min ride where I didn't stop pedaling where possible and my overall stop time or not-pedaling time was just 7 minutes AND it had an intensity factor of 0.76....I was tired but not completely spent....so this is promising considering that's 15% more average power than i anticipate doing.
I have been incredibly anal with organisation, I have made a huge spreadsheet of everything I need to do in terms of equipment to take into my work building (doing this the night before....so everything is at work, I just need to wake up early, drive to work and I can just get going)...including spare clothing, loads of nutrition, drinks, bars, sandwiches, tools etc etc. I have my nutrition strategy planned comprehensively knowing what works well for me and what it's physically possible for the body to absorb (60g carbs/hour, but a bit more with fructose as well) so I won't be having too much or too little. I plan to not ride with any spare tubes etc.
I will be having help on the day, some riders for moral support, some friends/family who will be doing various things.....I don't want to go into my work building often, and so friends/family will be bringing me my nutrition in "stints"....I'm going to put my gels/bars etc into sandwich bags....with enough per bag to last me approx 3-4 hours. So at the end of each "stint" they can pass me them at the bottom of the hill, rather than me having to go back to work, as doing this several times over soon adds time (and distance). The hill is never far from work, my saddle bag weighs 500g, if I can save carrying that the whole time, it might add up, if I get a mechanical, a friend or whatever can bring what I need to me. I'm even contemplating riding with only 1 drinks bottle at a time if I can get someone to bring another bottle to me when I'm almost empty. Whether that'd make a noticeable difference....I'm not sure.
Fundraising is going well, again, I'm going to put in a shameless plug
https://www.gofundme.com/hw565t
I am also thinking of bringing it forwards. I initially said sometime in April, but I may do it any Saturday from March 16th providing the weather is remotely decent. As long as it isn't too cold, not too windy, and isn't wet....I'll go for it. I want it doing by the end of April, it will have to be on a weekend, so this gives me 7 opportunities, whereas if I say April, I'm limited to 4.....Plus, I'm feeling ready (or as ready as one can ever feel!!!!).
Thanks for reading!
E65Ross said:
JPJPJP said:
Sounds great
Although I am getting a little nervous, but I think that's more excitement and the knowledge of impending pain and suffering
It's difficult to maintain form/plan to "peak" at the right time, when you don't know the exact date!!
I'm thinking of trying one this year in Aberdeenshire (Cairn 'o mount) - been done from the steep side, but not the other side, although the steep side would probably suit me (and the prevailing wind conditions) much better, so may just do a repeat.
No real specific training (and no plans to specifically train for it, more a tweak my normal training), but I'm pretty comfortable climbing and the distance/time in the saddle doesn't scare me - it is a lot of vertical ascent, but from reading (and my own experiences of doing silly things on bikes) once you get past a certain point, everything is mental if you fuel/pace right.
My FTP is a bit lower than yours (265 @72kg) but i'm hoping it will be closer to 280 and me closer to 70kg by the summer to touch the magic 4 watt/kg.
My preparation so far consists of buying a steep, uncomfortable, heavy aero bike to replace my light, comfortable climbing bike - I wonder if it against the spirit of the rules to descend on a different bike you went up on?
No real specific training (and no plans to specifically train for it, more a tweak my normal training), but I'm pretty comfortable climbing and the distance/time in the saddle doesn't scare me - it is a lot of vertical ascent, but from reading (and my own experiences of doing silly things on bikes) once you get past a certain point, everything is mental if you fuel/pace right.
My FTP is a bit lower than yours (265 @72kg) but i'm hoping it will be closer to 280 and me closer to 70kg by the summer to touch the magic 4 watt/kg.
My preparation so far consists of buying a steep, uncomfortable, heavy aero bike to replace my light, comfortable climbing bike - I wonder if it against the spirit of the rules to descend on a different bike you went up on?
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