A big day on a small bike shows the reality for this monumental ride as Tor Weiland and his friend Anders Johnson attempt to climb and descend almost 30,000 feet of mountain bike trail in Washington State’s Chuckanut mountain trail system. The duo chose to ride Double-Black, Double-Down, a borderline DH track, but on the Transition Spur, a bike most would categorize as a cross-country bike. A recipe for arm pump, mental fatigue, and a memorable experience that they likely won’t want to repeat anytime soon.
An Everest is pretty straightforward on paper, but in execution, it’s a behemoth. To be considered an Everest, you need to ride the equivalent elevation to Everest (29,032′) in one ride, all on the same repeatable climb and descent. This honest documentation offers a raw perspective on the highs and lows of attempting such an absurd mission.
Halfway through, Tor and Anders sit shellshocked and drained, sipping Yerba Mate in their car as they state a realization that seems to give them just enough motivation to get back on the cranks and pedal back up the hill: “If we finish this, we’re never doing it again – once is enough, but doing this twice is psychotic.”
After a mid-ride delivery of fresh-baked bread from a friend – something that might put the wind in their sails- the team found themselves face-to-face with what would be the hardest laps yet, but could they dig deep and find it in themselves to complete the mission?
Transition Bikes