EC '04 Wrap-Up/Results

HammerNutrition - Donated HEED and Endurolytes for all the aid stations, and Sustained Energy, HEED, HammerGel jugs, bottles, and Endurolytes for awards.

Footloose Sports - bike shop and ski shop in Mammoth Lakes that donated water bottles for the aid stations.

Thanks again for all the great volunteers and the great racers and cyclists who make this such a great event. Despite a lot of loose ends this year due to family crises, the event went off remarkably well. Volunteers are always in short supply in this very small community. The event depends on them. We are discussing continuing the event and would welcome any volunteers. We greatly appreciate the families of riders that chipped in and made many of the aid stations more helpful and efficient!!!!!! EC may depend on this. Unfortunately we had less than half of the volunteers that we needed this year. Any sponsors or service organizations that are interested in helping out, PLEASE contact us @ everestchallenge@aol.com.

There were more women entered this year than ever before and in the USCF race 12 out of 13 finished the first day!!!! And 10 out of 10 finished the second day!!!! The tandem finished in an awesome time. And 4 of the non-competitive climbers finished both days!!!! This was by far the highest completion rate of any of the EC's. This was in part due to the cooler temperatures this time of year, but also riders learning how to ride an event like this and excellent aid station supplies donated by ClifBar and HammerNutrition. We would greatly appreciate you dropping a note of thanks to the sponsors and supporting these great sponsors of cycling!!

Congrats to Chris Walker and Mark Weiderman - 4 time finishers of the Everest Challenge!!!!

If you left something, please snail mail $5-10, your address and a description to 2335 Sunset Drive, Bishop, CA 93514.

"Just wanted to send you a quick note of thanks for
organizing another great version of the Everest
Challenge. It was great to see the big turnout of riders and
seemingly more volunteers. The bottle hand-ups this
year were great and much appreciated by us all. The
aid stations are also perfectly placed - one is never
wanting for more opportunities to hydrate. Of course
the finish line crew is second-to-none with the
portable high altitude cafe replete with the
friendliest service in the Sierras:)

I wanted to send a note of thanks and a compliment

to Hammer Nutrition. I had never heard of
HEED before this race but drank it at every
opportunity this weekend and am very impressed. I've
already ordered a couple tubs online.

Anyway, thanks again for putting on my favorite race
(and I've done the big ones:)."

Sincerely,
Greg Drake

P.S.
"I also wanted to make a special request regarding the
prize money. I would like it if you could reinvest my
winnings back into the race in some fashion. Maybe use
it to donate to a volunteer group for assisting in the
race next year etc. You'll know best where the need
is so I'd like to leave it up to you.

My main interest is that this race continues into the
future. You've got a great thing going.

Thanks again and best regards,"
Greg Drake

Hello,

This email is to thank everyone who helped put on the Everest Challenge this year.
You were all wonderful!!!! Everyone at the aid stations was positive, encouraging,
and doing everything they could to get riders what they needed. This was the first
time my husband and I have done this event. And although I had done the Death Ride,
I still wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I do know that w/o such great support
I wouldn't have finished both days. The food at tops of the final climbs was
crucial - you even provided hot chocolate!

I will definitely consider being a volunteer next year if I don't ride it again
(can't believe I am already contemplating it!). The scenery was spectacular, and the
weather was completely manageable (not sure I would have finished it otherwise). If
I do decide to ride it, I will definitely see if I can bribe a volunteer to come w/
me.

Thanks again to everyone. I had a great time preparing for this event, and met a
lot of great people. It definitely takes one's cycling to the next level!

Natasha Perry
Santa Cruz, CA
Women's Cat 4

Team Labor Power (Louie Amelburu, Chris Walker, David Worthington, Donovan Douglas) would like to thank Tom Reid in his vital and huge efforts to make Everest a grand Stage race. We would like to also thank the volunteers and especially our great cooks at the end of each stage. Without the Volunteers this race could not happen. This race is the hardest two day event known to man kind. They talk about time trialing as the race of truth, " I doubt that"!!!!!!!!!! Everest will test your will power, strength, heart, body and soul. After you finish this race (god willing) you will know what you are really made of. A testament to the "Race of Truth". Once again we applaude Tom and his small staff (lets make it bigger in 2005)in conquering another year. Keep it going, we love to suffer!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Team Labor Power.

Just wanted to tell you that of the three times I’ve participated in your extreme event, this was the best. The aid stations were well placed and stocked with the right stuff, recovery food at the last climbs and bbq picnic were great. And of course the weather was the best. Thanks for bringing it all together.

After Greg Drake donating back his $500 award and offers for sponsorship from Lindsay Blount and others, and offers for volunteer support next year, we will organize this race again next year. Probably at the same time of year. The dramatically increased completion rate speaks for itself!! It is very tough as a single working father of 3 boys to devote the time to organize this event. But the feedback from appreciative racers is a tremendous reward!! - Tom