Everesting II: Fabian vs. Hot Douglas
Following last years tandem assault on Observatory Hill, where Clay and Fabian spent a good 19 Hours to accomplish their first Everesting feat, Fabian joked that he would try repeat the ride on Mt Doug. One year later, and the joke about pushing an already insane feat deep into the realm of the ludicrous (not that Ludacris) is now very real. With his original partner in crime out of the city for work, Fabian was left to tackle the beast solo.
Mt Doug is an average of around 11%, with some serious kickers in there just to disturb any sense of rhythm you might be able to establish. On top of that, there’s a steady stream of of hikers, dogs, and cars crammed onto a single lane stretch of tarmac, ensuring that the decent is just as taxing as the climb. Just to make things a little tougher, Victoria’s wonderfully hot and dry 2016 had temperatures at the top of Mt. Doug pushing 30 degrees for the majority of the day. Hence ‘Hot Douglas.’
A quick refresher for those not familiar. Everesting is a challenge posed, tracked, and regulated by Australia’s Hell’s 500, to ascend the equivalent of Mount Everest’s legendary elevation: 8,848 meters. While there’s an ever expanding list of rules, the central idea remains: one ride; one hill; under your own power; Everest.
Why? To quote Mr. Blooms eloquent preamble to last years ride:
“The concept of elevation gain is of course central to any epic bike ride. Ride uphill, work hard for the summit, and search for transcendence in the descent. While extreme terrain on the approach to Everest pre-empts riding, the math remains. Cycle up enough, and you could achieve a similar level of magnitude.”
Broad Street Cycles: Most people don’t enjoy climbing Mt Doug once, never mind 58 times. Why the hell did you decide on Mt Doug as the best hill to Everest? How long did it end up taking you?
Fabian: Mt. Doug is possibly the hardest climb in Victoria for it, so I wanted to do it. It was 14 hours, 5 hours faster than last year.
This is your second time Everesting, after Observatory last year with Clay. Is this now an annual thing? Where are you thinking for next year?
F: I’m actually contemplating on doing another one this year, I find the mental fight and suffering kinda fun. Maybe John Dean park? It has a little bit of gravel on it too.
Las year you used full race gearing – any equipment adjustments for Mt. Dougs 10+% grades?
F: Yeah, it’s too steep so I ran 34-32. My knees were happy about that.
Anything you learned from last year that made this year easier/better/less terrible?
F: Starting really early and finishing before sunset was the right move.
Would you do it solo again next time? Or with another person? Or try rally a big group to ride together?
F: I like doing it solo, you get to do your own pace.
Were there any differences between riding with someone and riding alone? Were there benefits to riding solo? Any major unexpected downsides?
F: Yeah, company is key. Having someone to talk to for the whole day is nice. The benefit of being on my own was the pace for sure.
What did you do to get through the low points on your own?
F: Changed the music, screamed a few times.
What was your playlist strategy for the day? Multiple playlists? One 12 hour list? One song on repeat all day?
F: I’m an album guy. I’ll listen to an album or artist for a bit then change it.
If you had to listen to one song the entire ride, what would it be?
F: Bottled violence, Minor Threat.
Is there any songs that you can’t listen to anymore? Or that give you flashbacks to the ride? Any associated leg pain?
F: Nope. Although Bison’s ‘These are my dress clothes’ song makes me rage.
Best thing you ate during the ride? And why?
F: Watermelon, it was delicious.
Worst thing you ate during the ride?
F: Gels? Nothing was bad though.
Any standout post-ride meals? Or just a blur of food?
F: Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiizzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Post-Everest beer or champagne?
F: Popping a champagne bottle after the ride is the most satisfying thing ever.
It’s a week or two out from the ride, how are you feeling? How was the recovery in general?
F: I felt totally fine after, did a group ride the Monday after and Parker and I dropped the group along waterfront.
Riding on your own there you were all by your self for extended periods of the day. Did you ever think about just quitting and riding away while no one was watching?
F: Yeah I did. Then I called myself a baby a bunch and kept going.
Any other weird mental games that you weren’t expecting? Or was it just a chill ride in the park?
F: I went into it knowing I’ll fight demons in my head so I was ready for it.
What was the lowest point of the day, or worst lap?
F: The halfway mark through the 3/4 mark was the hardest.
What was the easiest part of the day?
F: The last hour when I couldn’t feel my legs that well.
Have you been back up Mt. Doug since?
F: Nope.
Is there anything I didn’t ask about that you just really want to tell people?
F: I think that’s pretty good!
Take a look at the horrifying elevation profile of Fabian’s ride here:
http://www.strava.com/activities/567839586/