Everest Challenge Race Review

This cycling race report is from Heidi Nielson.  Thanks Heidi and AWESOME job on this crazy hard race!

Sometime last spring my brother-in-law Geno Smith, talked to me about doing the Everest Challenge. Now, at this point, all I wanted to do was think about it.  I really had no idea what I was getting myself into and I had only heard how hard it was.  I took up cycling a little over two years ago and have had some success, but I am 46 years old and felt too old to be taking on a goal like Everest. Being the somewhat competitive person I am, I decided to do it. After all, it is only a challenge or a ride and I could do anything as long as I did not have the pressure of racing. So, I embarked on the journey of training for this and also thought I would throw in LOTOJA (206 mile road race from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming) scheduled just three weeks before Everest.  I trained hard for six months and never missed a day of training.  I rode LOTOJA and things went really well for me there and now I was ready for this ride.  The biggest issue came one week before the ride when I was informed that this was not a ride, but it was a race. For some reason, this changed everything for me. Remember how I mentioned that I was somewhat competitive, I actually understated that just a little.  I am very competitive and I wanted to do really well.
     So, here we go.  What is the "Everest Challenge?" it is a 2 day stage race that climbs the elevation of Mt. Everest (29,035 vertical feet).  It is all about the climb, which is my favorite way to cycle. The steeper.... the better. The Everest Challenge is held in Bishop, California. A hidden treasure of beautiful scenery and incredible climbs located in the Eastern Sierras.  The mileage of the race is about 88 miles the first day and 70 miles the second day.  There is hardly any flat, except when traversing to the next climb. There is support along the way but I found to have my own support was easier and I could get the food and supplements that I had trained with. All in all, it was a well organized race and I truly believe the organizers do everything they can to run a great and safe race.
     I will give you a quick look at the two days that ruled my life for six months. First bit of advice, DO NOT  attempt this without proper training.  I had in place a great team.  I have an awesome coach by the name of Tyler Wren, who prepared me for a race ... not just a ride. He gave me a great balance of hard work and recovery.  His knowledge of the sport and how to coach was essential to my race.  I also ride with a great team.  MiDoule is a group of riders who love challenging themselves and who have helped me through my mistakes as a rider. Last, I have an incredible mechanic, Troy.  He puts my bike back together far too often. I am sure he spends more time on my bike than any other.
     Day 1 was a  88 mile day with 15,000 feet of climbing ahead of me.  I arose early for a 6;40 a.m. start.  My pre-race meal consisted of McDonald's oatmeal and an Egg Mcmuffin.  I take sport legs, some enduralites, advil and BCAA. It was chilly and the full moon was setting as the sun was rising.  The first climb was pretty easy and I took my spot on the back of the front pack. I hung with them and felt great until we hit a very steep portion at the top.  I didn't lose too much ground and the descent was fast and fun.
     So, one climb down, five to go. The second climb which was 8 miles went really well. I felt strong and was sitting in a great position.  I think at this point I  was maybe feeling a little too confident.  As we turned to descend this section, I couldn't believe we were already done with two climbs.  The descent was again fast, but this time, I made a crucial mistake.  First, I did not listen when the race instructor warned us about a really sharp turn half way down.  Second, my speed was far above my expertise.  I hit this turn and lost control.  I slammed on my brakes and went flying across the road into a pile of sage brush.  I remember doing a somersault and watching my bike fly over me.  My first thought was, "how will I tell Tyler that all that training  was a waste and that I blew it".  I immediately felt my tires, picked up my bike a ran to the road.  Three people were running towards me and I begged them to get my bike working. I was so mad and just wanted to get back in the race. To this day, I still can't believe that my bike was okay and that this amazing man was able to adjust a few things and get me back on the road.  I am the most fortunate person that I did not injure another biker or that a car was not headed up the road at this time.  If we do not learn from our mistakes, they are not worth anything.  I learned more in that few moments than you can imagine. I learned that nothing is so important that I would ever risk my life or someone else's safety or life. I learned that I need to always focus and be thinking at all times while on my bike. I also learned that I do have the will to keep going, even when unfortunate things happen.
     I rode from this point on with determination to make up the time I had lost in the crash. The adrenaline was pretty amazing as well. Off to the final climb of the first day. I believe it was about 20 miles and it was probably the best climb of my life. I finished strong that first day and felt great even with the crash and setback.  I ended the first day with a 25 minute lead over the second place woman in the Masters category. That day, six women finished under the seven hour mark and I was number six.  I was excited and ready to go again the next day.
     Day 2.... I was tired and a little banged up. I did not feel so hot. What did I expect? The only option was to get on my bike and ride. The first climb of the day was not steep, but it was a steady climb with little rest.  I stayed again with the front pack but was dropped on the descent.  I was a little nervous and did not feel like crashing again.  Also, this decent had a steep drop off on the downhill side. You would not survive if you went off this side, not worth going fast for. Just to add insult to injury, I flatted towards the bottom.  I was in a predicament, because of day one's events. My right hand was injured and I had little power if any in that hand to shift. I knew my hand would not be able to change a flat.  Again, another great guy stopped and changed my tube for me and had me rolling within minutes.
     On the second climb, I was a little deflated but not defeated. I just pushed my hardest and climbed to the best of my ability at this point. What was hard on this climb (again because I did not listen) was the fact that they had added three miles on to the end of the climb.  Mentally I was not prepared for this, but again the only option was to continue.
     So finally the last and final climb.  I was spent and done. I had been told this was the hardest of the climbs, but I was hoping I had been mislead and it wouldn't be so bad. Just twenty more miles of climbing and I would be done. It started out as a roller coaster type ride.  Up a steep short climb and then it would level off or go down slightly. This seemed to last forever, but then with a thousand feet left to climb it all turned. It turned into the steepest switchbacks I have ever climbed.  There were times when I thought , "Who cares if you quit?" I really thought I could just get off my bike and walk faster than I was climbing. Finally, I crossed the finish line and my husband Chris had to literally pick me up off my bike because I could not lift a leg to get off by myself. I had just finished the hardest physical thing I have ever done in my entire life.
     I just want to tell you how I got through the last climb. There are two reasons.  The first, I always ride with a name or two written on my wrist.  These names are people who are struggling or suffering with some sort of earthly trial.  One of the names I had on my wrist that day was Brock.  He had just passed away from liver disease at the age of 21. I never knew him, but think what you want, there is a reason I was able to ride after my crash. The second and most important reason I survived was my husband Chris. He followed me yelling encouragements and giving me nutrition and water.  His version of me yelling at him to feed me is quite amusing.  I will tell my biking would mean nothing if I did not have him to share it with. He supports me and loves me even though I tend to take this biking thing way too seriously. In fact, I believe he supported more than just me on the race. I heard countless stories of how he changed this flat or relayed a message for this group.  After the race we would walk in a store and someone would know Chris because he had helped them.  Only those of us who selfishly ride and train, know the critical importance of a support system and I will argue with anyone that I have the best.  Thanks, Chris.  I love you.
     The race is over. I feel accomplished and happy. I placed well and gave it my all. I have given birth to six great kids and a few other kids have joined our family and I will tell you I am blessed.  I love biking.  I love that I have met people like Steph Christensen through biking.  I have great friends because of this crazy sport and isn't that what life is all about, RELATIONSHIPS.  Should you do it?  Absolutely!  Never pass up a challenge !!!
Just a side note on nutrtion.  My coach, Tyler has me eat every hour.  I forgot to eat towards the end of the race and it really hurt me.  EAT,EAT,EAT. That is what he says. I got a little tongue lashing because we had practiced eating and I didn't keep to it the last day.  Yes, practiced eating !!!

What I like to eat..... Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, protein bars, bananas and sport beans. I do not love gels and GUS. It is all very personal.

What I like to drink.  There is nothing like EFS for me.  I love it.

I did not include all the specifics of the race. You can just google  Everest Challenge Bike Race and look it up.

This cycling race report is from Heidi Nielson.  Thanks Heidi and AWESOME job on this crazy hard race!

Sometime last spring my brother-in-law Geno Smith, talked to me about doing the Everest Challenge. Now, at this point, all I wanted to do was think about it.  I really had no idea what I was getting myself into and I had only heard how hard it was.  I took up cycling a little over two years ago and have had some success, but I am 46 years old and felt too old to be taking on a goal like Everest. Being the somewhat competitive person I am, I decided to do it. After all, it is only a challenge or a ride and I could do anything as long as I did not have the pressure of racing. So, I embarked on the journey of training for this and also thought I would throw in LOTOJA (206 mile road race from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming) scheduled just three weeks before Everest.  I trained hard for six months and never missed a day of training.  I rode LOTOJA and things went really well for me there and now I was ready for this ride.  The biggest issue came one week before the ride when I was informed that this was not a ride, but it was a race. For some reason, this changed everything for me. Remember how I mentioned that I was somewhat competitive, I actually understated that just a little.  I am very competitive and I wanted to do really well.
     So, here we go.  What is the "Everest Challenge?" it is a 2 day stage race that climbs the elevation of Mt. Everest (29,035 vertical feet).  It is all about the climb, which is my favorite way to cycle. The steeper.... the better. The Everest Challenge is held in Bishop, California. A hidden treasure of beautiful scenery and incredible climbs located in the Eastern Sierras.  The mileage of the race is about 88 miles the first day and 70 miles the second day.  There is hardly any flat, except when traversing to the next climb. There is support along the way but I found to have my own support was easier and I could get the food and supplements that I had trained with. All in all, it was a well organized race and I truly believe the organizers do everything they can to run a great and safe race.
     I will give you a quick look at the two days that ruled my life for six months. First bit of advice, DO NOT  attempt this without proper training.  I had in place a great team.  I have an awesome coach by the name of Tyler Wren, who prepared me for a race ... not just a ride. He gave me a great balance of hard work and recovery.  His knowledge of the sport and how to coach was essential to my race.  I also ride with a great team.  MiDoule is a group of riders who love challenging themselves and who have helped me through my mistakes as a rider. Last, I have an incredible mechanic, Troy.  He puts my bike back together far too often. I am sure he spends more time on my bike than any other.
     Day 1 was a  88 mile day with 15,000 feet of climbing ahead of me.  I arose early for a 6;40 a.m. start.  My pre-race meal consisted of McDonald's oatmeal and an Egg Mcmuffin.  I take sport legs, some enduralites, advil and BCAA. It was chilly and the full moon was setting as the sun was rising.  The first climb was pretty easy and I took my spot on the back of the front pack. I hung with them and felt great until we hit a very steep portion at the top.  I didn't lose too much ground and the descent was fast and fun.
     So, one climb down, five to go. The second climb which was 8 miles went really well. I felt strong and was sitting in a great position.  I think at this point I  was maybe feeling a little too confident.  As we turned to descend this section, I couldn't believe we were already done with two climbs.  The descent was again fast, but this time, I made a crucial mistake.  First, I did not listen when the race instructor warned us about a really sharp turn half way down.  Second, my speed was far above my expertise.  I hit this turn and lost control.  I slammed on my brakes and went flying across the road into a pile of sage brush.  I remember doing a somersault and watching my bike fly over me.  My first thought was, "how will I tell Tyler that all that training  was a waste and that I blew it".  I immediately felt my tires, picked up my bike a ran to the road.  Three people were running towards me and I begged them to get my bike working. I was so mad and just wanted to get back in the race. To this day, I still can't believe that my bike was okay and that this amazing man was able to adjust a few things and get me back on the road.  I am the most fortunate person that I did not injure another biker or that a car was not headed up the road at this time.  If we do not learn from our mistakes, they are not worth anything.  I learned more in that few moments than you can imagine. I learned that nothing is so important that I would ever risk my life or someone else's safety or life. I learned that I need to always focus and be thinking at all times while on my bike. I also learned that I do have the will to keep going, even when unfortunate things happen.
     I rode from this point on with determination to make up the time I had lost in the crash. The adrenaline was pretty amazing as well. Off to the final climb of the first day. I believe it was about 20 miles and it was probably the best climb of my life. I finished strong that first day and felt great even with the crash and setback.  I ended the first day with a 25 minute lead over the second place woman in the Masters category. That day, six women finished under the seven hour mark and I was number six.  I was excited and ready to go again the next day.
     Day 2.... I was tired and a little banged up. I did not feel so hot. What did I expect? The only option was to get on my bike and ride. The first climb of the day was not steep, but it was a steady climb with little rest.  I stayed again with the front pack but was dropped on the descent.  I was a little nervous and did not feel like crashing again.  Also, this decent had a steep drop off on the downhill side. You would not survive if you went off this side, not worth going fast for. Just to add insult to injury, I flatted towards the bottom.  I was in a predicament, because of day one's events. My right hand was injured and I had little power if any in that hand to shift. I knew my hand would not be able to change a flat.  Again, another great guy stopped and changed my tube for me and had me rolling within minutes.
     On the second climb, I was a little deflated but not defeated. I just pushed my hardest and climbed to the best of my ability at this point. What was hard on this climb (again because I did not listen) was the fact that they had added three miles on to the end of the climb.  Mentally I was not prepared for this, but again the only option was to continue.
     So finally the last and final climb.  I was spent and done. I had been told this was the hardest of the climbs, but I was hoping I had been mislead and it wouldn't be so bad. Just twenty more miles of climbing and I would be done. It started out as a roller coaster type ride.  Up a steep short climb and then it would level off or go down slightly. This seemed to last forever, but then with a thousand feet left to climb it all turned. It turned into the steepest switchbacks I have ever climbed.  There were times when I thought , "Who cares if you quit?" I really thought I could just get off my bike and walk faster than I was climbing. Finally, I crossed the finish line and my husband Chris had to literally pick me up off my bike because I could not lift a leg to get off by myself. I had just finished the hardest physical thing I have ever done in my entire life.
     I just want to tell you how I got through the last climb. There are two reasons.  The first, I always ride with a name or two written on my wrist.  These names are people who are struggling or suffering with some sort of earthly trial.  One of the names I had on my wrist that day was Brock.  He had just passed away from liver disease at the age of 21. I never knew him, but think what you want, there is a reason I was able to ride after my crash. The second and most important reason I survived was my husband Chris. He followed me yelling encouragements and giving me nutrition and water.  His version of me yelling at him to feed me is quite amusing.  I will tell my biking would mean nothing if I did not have him to share it with. He supports me and loves me even though I tend to take this biking thing way too seriously. In fact, I believe he supported more than just me on the race. I heard countless stories of how he changed this flat or relayed a message for this group.  After the race we would walk in a store and someone would know Chris because he had helped them.  Only those of us who selfishly ride and train, know the critical importance of a support system and I will argue with anyone that I have the best.  Thanks, Chris.  I love you.
     The race is over. I feel accomplished and happy. I placed well and gave it my all. I have given birth to six great kids and a few other kids have joined our family and I will tell you I am blessed.  I love biking.  I love that I have met people like Steph Christensen through biking.  I have great friends because of this crazy sport and isn't that what life is all about, RELATIONSHIPS.  Should you do it?  Absolutely!  Never pass up a challenge !!!
Just a side note on nutrtion.  My coach, Tyler has me eat every hour.  I forgot to eat towards the end of the race and it really hurt me.  EAT,EAT,EAT. That is what he says. I got a little tongue lashing because we had practiced eating and I didn't keep to it the last day.  Yes, practiced eating !!!

What I like to eat..... Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, protein bars, bananas and sport beans. I do not love gels and GUS. It is all very personal.

What I like to drink.  There is nothing like EFS for me.  I love it.

I did not include all the specifics of the race. You can just google  Everest Challenge Bike Race and look it up.