Climbing 17,925m on a Mountain Bike | Ben Hildred's Double Everest

If you find yourself thinking “Why?” You’re not alone.
A humble and quiet rider, Ben Hildred has been amassing a cult following for the titan efforts surrounding his rides. He isn’t quick to shout his efforts from the rooftops, and he isn’t what you expect when you think of a high-performance athlete, but Ben is a bruiser. The “Everest” is a feather few cyclists have in their caps, but Ben’s cap is full. So full in fact, he thought “why not do two?” The route? 18 laps of his local trails with an average lap time of 2.5 hours. If that math sounds wonky to you, that’s because it is. Rough singletrack and no sleep is the winning recipe for an ascent into madness, but for Ben him it’s just another ride. As for the “why” we'll leave that to Ben to answer.
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[@SRAM]

Questions for Ben?? Leave them below👇👇

[@dutzi]

What was the most difficult challenge? The Mental or Physical? Congrats Ben and the rest of the team! That's insane.

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Considering sleep deprivation, and your level of fatigue, how sketchy were the descents?

[@NeverRubARhubarb]

Bread or poppadom?

[@gravityprospect]

What saddle did you use? xD

[@19skiper89]

where the downhills more like resting or just another exhausting part of the challenge? Descending techy stuff while being this exhausted.

[@mahalomydude]

Absolutely insane! Congrats to the whole team, and especially Ben on this one.

[@Kengouru]

Holy shit, watching this was like riding a weird emotional rollercoaster. One minute you get a comforting feeling of euphoria and the next you feel the heebeegeebees creeping up. Ben's mental game is next level, I find him extremely inspirational. 🙌🏽

[@HUKIT.]

Every part of his body was telling to stop and his willpower won, well done lad that was incredible and inspirational to say the least.

[@cookingandlive]

"Riding solo turns up the volume in your head". That resonates with me. Top achievment and Film making

[@user-ww2xb7yt2s]

The song at the end is 'I Don't Ask Why' by Kelora btw

[@ewanalston593]

Nice song!

[@maxifaehnrich2129]

Thank you that saved me a lot of time searching 😅✌️

[@user-zk2ed4gg1f]

I am 58 and just got new hero and inspiration, you are the last Avanger. Compliments on this massive endeavor and well done film!!! Greetings from Italy.

[@benhildred2847]

Thank you for the comment! Hope you're out there on the bike, going further :)

[@chrisodowd94]

This is the most superhuman effort I've ever seen

[@blablubdubdub]

That is a piece of art! Absolute incredible and outstanding performance. I cant even image how he must have felt.

[@williamholroyd1488]

I used to ride with Ben about 20 years ago at Hamilton Hill near his hometown. He was a crazy rider back then. It's great to see that some things don't change in this world. Idea for the next challenge ride the distance between Market Rasen (UK) and Queenstown (NZ) 11,677 miles!

[@HristoMitev123]

I clicked because I thought "Damm that's impressive". Then I saw its on an MTB, offroad. Bloody hell.

[@Ambient.outdoors]

- ‘You’re almost there!’ - ‘fuck, if you only knew..’ 😂😂😂

[@caspian5473]

Ben is an inspiration!

[@AyooJoey]

I teared up at the end. Takes so much strength to finish a challenge like that.

[@gregvoyer2461]

This is mental. Man, congrats, This is something else. And thanks for bringing back my Queenstown memories, what a place/community/scenery that is!

[@MTBMA]

Beyond unfathomable. Insane display of mental and physical gusto!

[@spinthatup3851]

Truley inspirational! Also just hilarious words said throughout the piece as well. Truly humbling

[@benhildred2847]

What do you call a dog with no ears? - Anything you want, it's not going to come to you.

[@berkeserdarmenderes]

That’s inspirational. Thanks Ben.

[@dialedhealth]

That was so rad! Well done 👏

[@tams_adventures]

mind over matter! incredible job Ben!

[@magodize]

what an absolute legend! Amazing display of pure mental strength

[@philippjansen8545]

Absolutely incredible!

[@dopeyzombie]

It's beyond impressive! Love the team support.

[@fjodorgrigorow3851]

Congratulations!!!! That was unbelievable!!

[@michael_emtb]

Absolutely incredible!! Well done just doesn't seem enough!! Superb Ben, an inspiration!!

[@joeswann2115]

You guys captured the humour and vibes so well. On ya Ben!

[@user-nd3oz7ov5s]

This video really puts into perspective the depth of the hurt locker you were in. I’m still bummed I couldn’t join for some laps and repay the random facts and dad jocks you helped me with. Keep on being Big Ben and doing big things mate!

[@ianzinnerphoto]

The definition of beast mode💪

[@RogerThompsonPhotography]

totally mad and totally amazing!! Bloody well done! Love Queenstown, need to get back soon!

[@zwingler]

What a beautiful trail.

[@joshgillmtb]

Epic video. Insane achievement, congrats Ben!

[@benhildred2847]

Thanks Josh, appreciate it.

[@aaronnull8950]

Unreal. Way to go Ben!

[@lejake]

Awesome achievement and really nice video production :)

[@warriormc1986]

Deep Respect to Ben, just an epic and amazing Legend is he now.🔥💯👍💯😎😎✌️🚲🚲🚲⭐⭐💥💥🔥🔥

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Simply amazing. I’m speechless🎉🎉🎉🎉!!

[@tommy-trump-1967]

you crazy legend, totally awesome ✊✊✊👋👋👋

[@johnpersona638]

Congrats! ❤

[@hamedia207]

Such a cool project!

[@sTekSOo]

Superb editing!

[@ronanp9411]

Ben you are a beast!

[@Bananajoejoe84]

Beautiful

[@vincent5525]

I’ve done a single Everest, and it was tough. I can’t imagine doing a double. Well done sir.

[@mauort6870]

A single is nuts .how long sie it take?

[@vincent5525]

@@mauort6870 it took me nearly 22 hours. It’s pretty brutal.

[@mauort6870]

@@vincent5525 Madness. Did you train for it or just take your general road/ mtb conditioning and say F it let's suffer?

[@vincent5525]

@@mauort6870 I did several months of training. Each weekend I would do 1/4 Everest on the hill (5 hours). Choosing the right hill to do the challenge on can be very difficult depending on where you live. My hill was short so I had to do 450 laps. It totalled 115 miles. I’m contemplating doing another one soon.

[@Matt-vp6eq]

I'll never complain about Swinley Forest again!

[@keirenferguson6486]

Wow bro 😳 superior mental game 💪

[@thomasbjelic5675]

That's it. I'm ditching the cliff bars for baby food. I'm looking for a word beyond "Epic" to describe Ben's double Everest assault. "Hors Categorie" doesn't quite cut it. Ben's effort is legendary.

[@Eltoca21]

Madness... but like crazy good incredible insane madness.

[@lluis1999]

Super Human!

[@hmcgfilms]

Inspirational

[@m8rky]

So good 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@joelducrot1107]

Yeah Ben!!

[@MarkusFinholt]

Masterpiece

[@ImSueeb]

The GOAT

[@descending_dudu]

Legend

[@reidh]

Sweet!

[@returnofthemilk]

Very good

[@mountainbikerides]

"Are you still human?" "just about duck" Good to see you still speak East Midlands despite all the time away mate!

[@kieftoker]

Respect

[@tannermccormick4995]

Most people struggle to do 1 "Everest" on a road bike. On a closed course. On smooth tarmac. The fact he climbed a mountain 18 times with an enduro bike is just crazy.

[@mauort6870]

For real. Riding an actual mtb trail while sleep deprived and hallucinating leaves me without meaninful words

[@michaelk.4965]

Gears? Give him the same gears or let him get on a roadbike without his easy 1x12. He wont do it.

[@bearburrell6104]

gnarly

[@Frorideism]

Well... it's officially not ok to ever complain about that 37 minute climb on your local trail

[@blake_n_mtb]

HOLY!

[@MyGtmax]

During this time, i am actually dead after 1000 D+ for 20km. LOL GG man !

[@camd3041]

Just watching this gobsmacked. I can’t pass any judgement sitting on the couch eating malteasers

[@Summitpavingcontractors]

Awesome job! I wonder if he rode, locked out, trail mode or shock fully open!

[@benhildred2847]

Thanks Wayne! Ah man, have you tried the lock out on those new Super Deluxe Ultimates? It's super solid, that with the VPP platform and you're laughing. In my sleep deprived stupor though I'd forget to open it at the top a few times.

[@Summitpavingcontractors]

@@benhildred2847 No I haven’t, I’ll see if I can have it installed on my Tallboy 4! Damn that’s crazy!! You are a once in lifetime type of rider! The climbing you do is of the charts!

[@ginger_monkeey]

Flat pedals 😮 Crazy challenge. Isn't the descending harder than the climbing?

[@benhildred2847]

Cheers dude, at one point the climb was the rest bite form the descending haha, there wasn't much let up.

[@kylelongstaff]

Ben's on another level if its not for his riding its for his peanut butter and marmite wraps. Lol savage.

[@martinmoshin]

Like what the hell!

[@BlurB97]

incredible ride! really impressive! i’m not a doctor, but you should maybe get your heart checked. i just heard of a road cyclist (heinrich hausler) who had the same symptoms, didn’t get it treated correctly and almost died.. turned out he once had a myocarditis

[@Lamboz0]

Did you take any quick naps?

[@josecarvalho4200]

Courageous, Incredible, I just don't understand why the cotton shirt, it would be difficult to put on a more effective equipment, what is the rivalry with effectiveness, temperature and sweat free... Once again congratulations

[@benhildred2847]

Thanks Jose, Ah I just like wearing cotton Tees when pedalling, a weird preference maybe. It was as stiff as cardboard when I finally took it off though, with the sweat ha.

[@andrewmitchell5807]

How many people have done this, like ever??

[@19skiper89]

"Padded Shorts - Dont need them" excuse me?!

[@benhildred2847]

Just get a well fitting saddle and you’re away :)

[@19skiper89]

@@benhildred2847 I've seen a device at my lbs that does this. I thought its something for roadies but will give it a try 👍 + youre insane dude!

[@donpalmera]

I think I could do this.. over the course of a year or so 🤣

[@majoromg449]

Isn't he the same who rode one million vertical feet in 200 days?

[@benhildred2847]

That’s me aye

[@willarnold91]

As much as this is inspiring, it's a bit unsettling.

[@tomus___]

75 meters💀💀💀

[@Red-ju4mi]

They couldn't buy him some gloves damn. I know he's a masochist but comeon. he might as well have done it in jeans as well

[@matth8924]

This can’t be healthy, can it?

[@antoncvelbar6297]

use ebike lol

[@bellalujosie7794]

Barkley is 54k ft of climbing and the same descending. try harder

[@benhildred2847]

Noted, will do.

[@TENNESSEETRACKHAWK]

Regular MNTB bikes are boring AF. Get an Ebike with some power!