Choosing an Everesting MTB route: How to find the perfect route for the elevation gain challenge

The rules of Everesting are simple: 8,848 metres of elevation gain must be achieved in a single bike ride. As it is well known that only one mountain in the world reaches this height, the feat is accomplished by repeatedly cycling up and down a fixed route. According to the official rules of the Everesting Hall of Fame, this ‘shuttle’ route must always be the same one. Gaining momentum on the opposite slope or completing a large loop are not permitted. However, it does not always have to be the full 8,848 metres of elevation gain. Half or quarter Everestings are also popular. But how does a mountain biker find the ideal route for Everesting? We’ve got some important tips.

The challenge

In principle, you can complete an Everesting on any climb. Is the only climb within reach just 100 metres in elevation? No problem – you’ll simply have to ride up and down it just under 89 times to complete an Everesting. And that’s precisely where the crux lies. Some cyclists cope better with monotony than others. Riding the same route over and over again can drive cyclists mad in the long run. Ultimately, endurance challenges like this are always a mental test as well. As a mountain biker, you’re tempted to break up the boredom by riding trails. However, as is well known, these require more effort, and very few dare to attempt a trail Everesting. The longer riding time can also quickly lead to problems with daylight. As a rule, for mountain bikers, this means an Everesting on gravel tracks.

The Everesting Hall of Fame lists over 36,000 entries from 124 countries. Most of these come from road cyclists. They have a wide choice of potential Everesting routes on the roads around the world. Potential routes are usually well documented and can be found online. The Everesting scene in the mountain biking world, however, is very small and limited to a handful of enthusiasts in specialist forums. Tips for a suitable route in your own local area are hard to come by. This is because, as well as the terrain, other factors must also be just right.

The Maths Game

Once the decision to attempt an Everesting has been made, the calculations begin. A good Everesting route offers the ideal balance of gradient, distance and recovery time. Interruptions for sleep are not permitted, but short breaks for food or to use the loo are allowed. Ideally, the route should include points where food, drink and a change of clothes can be stored. Cyclists are entered into the rankings based on the total time taken for the activity.

However, given the long ride time, it is advisable to use the descents for recovery. The route should therefore have as few bends as possible and minimal other road users. Particularly late in the day, technical challenges, pedestrians or oncoming traffic can pose a real risk. Even if it seems appealing at first glance, particularly long climbs in the 100-metre-elevation range are not ideal, as the duration of exertion is too long and the recovery phases take too long to come.

Distance presents another challenge. It stands to reason: a 150-kilometre mountain bike ride is demanding enough even without 8,848 metres of elevation gain. A good Everesting route needs to be steep enough to provide plenty of elevation gain over a short distance, but not so steep that your legs give out after just the first few laps. A steady gradient is recommended. The routes on which Everesting records are usually set are around two kilometres long and have an elevation gain of around 230 metres. On average, this corresponds to a gradient of 11.5 per cent. To reach the summit of Mount Everest, such a route must be completed just under 39 times. Please note when calculating: as the route involves not only climbing but also descending, the distance is effectively doubled. A route like this therefore totals 156 kilometres.

Our example

I, too, have set myself the goal of completing an MTB Everesting on gravel this year. I’ve chosen a route right next to my parents’ house. I know the path like the back of my hand. On weekdays, there’s hardly any foot traffic, and there’s a car park at the bottom where I can grab a bite to eat whilst still in the car. At both the top and bottom, I have plenty of space to turn round without losing much time. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

In terms of the figures, my Everesting route is slightly shorter than the record-breaking routes: one lap, including the ascent and descent, covers exactly 3.24 kilometres and 184 metres of elevation gain. According to a quick calculation, I’ll need to complete 48.4 laps to reach 8,848 metres of elevation gain. The total distance will end up being just under 157 kilometres. As I’m not aiming to set a record, I’d rather choose a slightly flatter gradient. With an average of 11.36 per cent and a peak of 15 per cent, I’m well served anyway. According to my measurements, a full lap at a relaxed pace takes me 16 minutes and 27 seconds. If I could maintain this speed, it would amount to almost 13.5 hours of pure riding time. However, I reckon the whole project will take me closer to 16 hours or more.

Conclusion

A suitable Everesting route for mountain bikes is characterised by a gradient that remains as constant as possible at around 11.5 per cent. This ensures that the distance does not get out of hand. A straight route on gravel and a route that is not heavily used but easily accessible are recommended. Short climbs of between 180 and 250 metres in altitude have proven effective. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

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