“When the support personnel advised me to go 100 feet past the finish line to see the beauty of South Lake, it became an emotional experience I will never forget. Everything sunk in. The organization of the race and all the time you folks must have put into it, how great the sponsors were to select this race as one of their host events, the volunteers and HOW SPECIAL they all were AND for a lasting impression... this kick ass web site. You brought biking back to where it should be. Thanks.”
“Your epic event was phenomenal. Thank you for all the effort. Those 6,000 ft climbs were truly humbling. The way they went from too hot up to thin air with so much incredible scenery along the way was memorable. I think those huge climbs should become a hallmark of the E.C. Thanks again for a great event.”
“These are the most serious climbs available en masse apart from the alps.”
“Awesome race! Totally ‘beyond epic’...like two tough mountain stages in the Tour de France. I would not change the time of year, your race makes for a great late season target. 107 starters in your first year is a good indication that the time of year is optimum. I think there is potential for attracting racers from all over the United States once the word gets out. The E.C. could become famous because of the challenge and have a draw like Mt. Evans, Mt. Washington or the now defunct Killington Stage Race. I thought the 7:00 am starts made for reasonable temperatures. Strong work on putting on such a great race!”
“Through it all, a few things stood
tall.
1. The volunteers.
The volunteers made this race. They were so gracious, always accommodating,
fully understanding and really into it. Please let them know how special they
were.
2. The sponsors.
The sponsors also made this race. Literally, every product at every race station
now has two new patrons. I am an expert mountain biker and my fiancé is a
pro. We will spread the word about these products BIG TIME.
3. The setting.
How much more beautiful can you make a race. It would be my suggestion to
keep everything the same for next year. I actually thought day 1 was harder
than day 2. As far as the date, I am not familiar with the weather on the
top of the climbs but it was great this time of year. While it was hot down
at the bottom, if you change the race too early in the season, it will most
likely conflict with lots of other road and mountain bike races and if you
change it too late, it might be freezing at the top.”
“I have one major regret, I did
not soak in the sights enough!
I raced my heart out and had a personal best but with the exception of a few
overlooks on the way down from climb#3 and the overwhelming vista at South
Lake I pretty much kept my head to the pavement. Like everyone I was pretty
wiped out by the end of each day but I'm disappointed that I didn't muster
the strength to enjoy the surroundings. Perhaps you could better emphasize
that yes this is a tough, challenging race but it also has some of the most
rewarding scenery anywhere.
THE couple of volunteers at South Lake stood out in a stand-out-group of helpers.
They were all great Thank you.”
“Congratulations for pulling this off as a first time USCF road stage race. It should become an epic...check that...it already is!!!”
“Everything about this race was perfect. From the website to the literature, from the reception Friday night to the volunteers, from the race course to the towns of Big Pine and Bishop, the experience was something I will remember always.”
“I’d suggest you add prize money to get pros to show up at this great race !!!!!! This race kicks a$$. I've raced all over states. This is the hardest race I've done. Even harder then USPRO championships.”
“A few comments from the riders – ‘brutal’; ‘the toughest 2-day event in the US’; ‘what a wonderful view’ and so on. I suspect that many of them were totally unprepared for the rigors of heat, dryness and altitude over 2 days. As you saw at Schulman, it was a massacre with bodies lying all over the road.” Marie (finish line volunteer, day one)
“Please don't change format! The finish of the second day is a great climax for a two-day stage. My family will be coming next year, hopefully.”
“This was the hardest ride I have ever attempted. This ride makes all others look easy. This race puts every other ride/hill into perspective.”
“GREAT EVENT. PEOPLE WILL BE TALKING
ABOUT THIS ONE FOR A LOOOOOONG TIME.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER ADVERTISING IT AS...
’FINISHING GIVES YOU BRAGGING RIGHTS GALORE!’”
“I can say the only word that matters:
FINISHERS !
Congrats, Just rolling up to the start the second day takes huevos grandes.”
“i hope you like your prize, everyone else there did (not to mention, the
other prizes were like---"he has all this stuff and better kinds/types")”
“Hard to imagine actually trying to race for that distance. That takes some
grit. Brett was cramping on the 4 mile run in to finish, a mere 5% grade.
We gave him a banana and some Tums while he rode. I'm not sure he recognized
us. He then rode the last 15% pitch with leg cramps. I have trouble even imagining
the pain he must have felt.
Once again, you guys all are on another level now.”
“Congratulations to Grit, Clem and Brett on their completion of the EC2001!!
This was the sickest thing I have ever attempted. Relentless unbelievable
climbs, triple digit heat and altitude!!!, Folks it just doesn't get any harder.
Congrats again!!!” [names were changed to protect the guilty]
“They don't make words that can describe the E.C. All you guys who finished.......AWESOME........you
definitely earned it! Have a look a the carnage in all of the categories!
We all should be really proud for talking on the challenge! ....or institutionalized”
“I had no problem with not enough energy drink or water. I followed the race organizer’s advice and had three bottles in my bag at Mosquito Flat and three at Pine Creek (I froze two, and I had to stop to pee at Millpond). But other people didn’t plan ahead and many were dry or cramping. The website while, awesome, may have been too wordy for some. Perhaps you should have a very simple page – To Finish, Do This.”
“The feed station and finish line workers were the friendliest I have ever met. They were wonderful in that they filled water bottles, dispensed food and offered support. I had a great experience and wanted to thank those that spent two hot days supporting the riders!”
“To all who put on and volunteered
at the Everest Challenge,
A big thank you goes out to you for putting on a great race. I came down
from Roy, Utah and the trip was well worth it. Some of the most
physically and mentally challenging courses I have raced on.
Also thank the volunteers that manned the water stations they are angels.
I felt like thy cared about me, and that is important when you have come
a long way and are taking on such a demanding task. I did not get names (I
would not have remembered any way) but thank them all for me. I would
like to see this race continue. Next time I will bring friends.
Sorry I was unable to stay for the awards to thank you in person, but it
was late and I had a long drive. Thanks”
“I congratulate the director, volunteers, everyone that worked to put on the event. You all did a wonderful job. The volunteers at the aid stations were unfailingly patient and encouraging. The courses are magnificent.”
“The open road and mountain air of your E.C. was so wonderfully different.”
“Although I dropped out day 1 and headed STRAIGHT home to mommy, I thought this event was VERY well organized.”
“I think with the profile of the
courses, and similar organization, you could EASILY grow this into a much
larger USCF event. The volunteers were great. Not enough can be said about
how well they did the job. They surprised me with their thoroughness.”
”The musette service was a great idea, my friends used it but I did not.”
“This event was fantastic and very well organized. I think you could easily ask for more entry money because the return for the rider was great.”
“I declared at the finish Saturday that your event will either become huge because it is so difficult and everyone will want to try it or it will die because it is so difficult and nobody will want to try it. I hope it is the former. Thank you every much.”
“I should have taken the gearing recommendations. My DNF was a result of miles of 40 to 50 RPMs out of the saddle in my 39/23 – stupid. Always listen to the locals!!”
“The Everest Challenge -- what
an insane course and sick event to hold during 100+ degree August heat. And
then there was the altitude (4,000 - 10,250 ft), the distance (209 miles),
the climbing total (29,000 ft), and the smoke looming from the fires! The
combination of these forces put me into a serious world of hurt that I have
never visited before. Nor will I soon return to again!”
“Congrats to all my friends who rode their hearts out, too! Yes, I "raced"
the event – at least until the last 10k of the last climb when my legs muscles
turned into giant locked spasms of pain. As I continued to push down on the
pedals, they said "never more" twice and I had to dismount and stand
for a second as my whole leg was freaking out on me. I thought, "Here
I am, I've climbed so far, and I'm so close to finishing, but yet so far."
I had 5 miles to go, and I could go no faster than 5 - 6 mph. I knew that
meant an hour of struggling and it was almost too unbearable, yet I continued
on...wondering if I'd make the finish… I don't know how I made that last mile
with 15% grades, but I somehow pushed the pedals down jerk by jerk (while
standing of course) and made it across the line; one giant cramp! It was over.
Thank God.”
“Back to the racing part. It sure was exciting climbing with the lead group
at the starts of both days, but it payed it's toll in those last unbearable
10k on Sunday. I rode every climb as hard as I could trying to save just enough
to make it up to the finish on Sunday. I ended up with 5th place in the Pro/I/II
category and I'm completely satisfied with that. It took me 4 hr 44 min on
day 1 to climb 13,500 ft over 86 miles. Day 2 took me 7 hr 36 min to do 15,500
ft over 120 miles. Total time was 12 hr 20 minutes! Ouch.”
“Signs that told me I'm in deep trouble:
1) Foot and leg cramps for the next 2 hours after the race finish.
2) I went for food after the event and I had to lay down in the booth in the
restaurant.
3) I was dizzy in the restaurant after the finish. My eyes were buggin out.
4) I got up Monday morning to dress for work and my favorite pair of jeans
fell down below my waistline!
5) I then got on the scale and (after eating a whole pizza, junk food, tons
of Gatorade and water all the way home Sunday) I still only weighed 144 on
Monday morning. My usual weight lately has been 152 in the mornings!
Final thoughts: I'm so glad it's over!!! I think I have had my fair share
of
climbing for this summer; it's now time for something easy like Cyclocross!
My perspective of cycling difficulty had just risen 10 fold. But first I
think I'm gonna rest for a while. I need it.”
“I have to say, as much as I suffered in this race, I loved it. It was great
to have a race that provided a challenge to any of level cyclist. Whether
the goal was one climb or the full six, this event brings it to a whole new
level.”
“This was a very well organized race - good job, especially since it
was your first year. the web site is the best race site i have ever browsed.”
“Thanks for all your efforts in organizing such a unique and challenging event!”
“YOU GUYS DID ONE HELL OF A JOB!
WEB-SITE, (INCREASING AID STATIONS ON THE FLY) POSTING RESULTS,,,,ETC., ETC.
WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE DIFFICULTY OF THIS EVENT.
MANY OF THE "DNF"ERS WILL BE BACK ALONG WITH THEIR DISILLUSIONED
ROOKIE FRIENDS.......... “
“Just wished I could have finished the ride.... my knees gave out on the way up Bristlecone road and had to turn around. I'll be back next year and will bring a few more friends who also have an addiction for events like this.”
“Must do better training and race slower and with a bigger cassette, 30 or 32 should be mandatory apart from Chris W!”
“PS... I think you should check Chris Walker and make sure he's human.”