The Climb | Everesting Challenge | Cycling Weekly

[@GilletNickOrme]

Thats the best series of Cycling Weekly videos I have ever seen. It was really interesting from start to finish, beautifully shot and very relatable for us normal enthisiastic amateurs. It was also a joy that it wasnt the oh so predictable white wash of 'yeah we did that, it was tough but we did it'....the fact that you didnt make it despite all your best efforts and preparation, made it even more real as a story, as it was totally understandable. It also has the added benefit of setting you up for your next attempt, with all your lessons learnt, i just hope you video it, as I am sure many of us would like to cheer you on your way......well done, chapeau!

[@dschumbonn]

First of all: hats off for the more than respectable effort and the balls it takes to take on a challenge such as this in the first place! 5,000+ meters in a single day is certainly no small feat (if that even means anything coming from someone who's never done more than about 2,500 in one day). That being said: watching the two first videos you guys released, I was actually pretty certain that the actual attempt would end up pretty much the way that it did. Sure, 35°C on a windless day in late July in the South of France can hardly be called ideal conditions for any sort of physical effort, let alone an Everesting attempt. I do believe, however, that the critical factors that eventually led to failure here (if you even wanna call it that) were a combination of bad planning (that 12-27 cassette wouldn't have done the job even in the most ideal of conditions, to name just one thing) and, with all due respect, an overall negative attitude/mindset right from the start: seemed to me that at every possible turn during both the preparation period as well as the attempt itself you focused mostly on everything that could possibly go wrong and all the reasons why you wouldn't be able to pull this off... Either way: great video series, inspiring stuff, and once again hats off to you for even taking on a massive challenge like this! And: better luck next time I guess...

[@brianmessemer2973]

You didn't fail at Eversting, you succeeded at "El Altaring" (look it up). It's so refreshing that you shared this video of your effort. It's a cliché but it's true: we learn a lot when things don't go according to plan. Others below already mentioned that the choice of region to ride, the chosen climb itself, and the season, all aren't conducive to Everesting. Also I would consider doing a 6500 meter ride, the "75% of target effort", to further condition your body before your next attempt. It's good that you went to the limit, hit the wall. Ultimately this ride made you a stronger and wiser bike rider. If that's not what these things are about, I'm not sure what the point is. Thanks for sharing, kudos to you and your cousin for an epic ride.

[@mattbarbet9336]

Brian Messemer Thanks Brian. I think the term “Kilimanjaroing” may also have been uttered on that day too...

[@carlosflanders518]

Bad luck! Good effort. Aiming to do it in 13h is lunacy. Need to be an ultra-strong climbing or singlespeed nutter to achieve that. 16-18h would be realistic. Start at 3 am, ride at a snail's pace when it gets hot and take lots of breaks. Ramp it up again when it starts to cool down. Choosing an unfamiliar climb in temps well above what you're used to was only your second mistake. The climb is also too long and the extended descents will really kill your rhythm and recovery. Nothing wrong with your HR targets or nutrition. Don't change them. You'll get it the next time!

[@Nomgoose]

I was so surprised he started at sunrise. I thought for sure he'd start after sundown, ride through the night and rest through the heat of the middle of the day.

[@davefitzpatrick4841]

Video quality is getting better & better Cycling weekly, some very cinematic shots! 👍

[@LegSpinna]

This has been a enjoyable series of vids to watch. Hopefully we'll see you make another attempt soon.

[@jonburnell532]

Great effort Matt, sorry you couldn't make it. I hope you try again and you manage to do it. This has been a great series. Thank you.

[@Bearded.Wonder]

Thanks for sharing your experience Mark. Appreciate you being real about not completing the effort. Seems strange to me that everyone expected you to completely succeed on your first attempt. I know I learn more from my failures than successes.

[@frazergoodwin4945]

It is a fantastic climb the col de Braus - did it on a great ride a couple of summers ago. From Menton up the col de Madone, down the other side and then over to col de Braus before then cutting across after the cafe near the top to the col de Ablé & col de l'Orme to come out half way up the col du Turini. After cresting that its 50km down hill to the sea via Castillon and Sospel. Except for a 2km gentle climb after Sospel. Trouble is my shifters broke at the start of the descent so I was stuck in the big ring for the climb. Still a fab day - and only 2900m so way short of what you did, let alone Everesting!

[@RobFinch1971]

Well done Matt for achieving what you did and thanks for sharing the journey with us. If it is a fail, then it is a First Attempt In Learning. Next time you’ll nail it!

[@bmurd45]

Great effort mate, should have tried it in the Uk. Up here in Scotland some lovely climbs for Everesting and definitely wouldn’t need to worry about the heat

[@simonguard5087]

Watching this in the Drome two days after completing 3 X ascents of Mont Ventoux. End of August I picked a day with a weather forecast of highs 26 and chance of rain. Guess what 32. I r ode on a 50/34 with an 11/32 and used the 34/32 from the start. I'd say you need those extra gears and consider time of year. 8hrs 7 mins, 85 miles and 14777 ft of climbing - I was spent so I tip my hat to you for that ride.

[@nehallavey-khan7209]

Great collection of videos. Really enjoyed watching the all aspects of this challenge. Unlucky on this occasion, and best of luck on your next attempt!

[@briangrissom9115]

Well done! You've had your biggest day of climbing and you've learned a lesson (probably more because you didn't complete the task). Win. Win. Good luck on your next effort!

[@neiltruswell2122]

Great effort Matt and your not bad at this media stuff !! Enjoyed the series hope to see more of you on here doing what you obviously enjoy 👍

[@SPN-78]

Well done Matt, sorry it didn't end how you wanted but it's been really enjoyable watching the series of videos.

[@rdcanyon]

South of France in July - #fail on the planning

[@mattbarbet9336]

Ryan Sharp You live and learn. Just glad I lived...

[@pballasiotes]

What I was thinking too. But yeah, great effort still. That heat must have been brutal

[@gregg1571]

Good effort/bad planning. Just arrived in Nice today. Doing Braus and Turini tomorrow, looks great!

[@georgehugh3455]

Good effort but got burned by your lack of attention to detail/hubris - ref Lessons Learned. Prior comments and Yanto all suggested lower gears - do you think we were all lying? 13h or bust? Hot weather there...was a surprise? Night riding - did you even have lights? Didn't even tryout/practice ON THE INTENDED CLIMB - that's not SERIOUS preparation. Darn respectable amount of climbing on a hard course under the hot sun. You're obviously a monster athlete compared to my geriatric friend and me, but we had done five build-up runs on the various courses under consideration, the last reaching 6500m in preparation for the 24h event. Who would switch to a new kit/chamois right before a single bike race, let alone a marathon event like this? Your cousin is a hero if he's willing to do 3/4's of an Everesting to keep you company. Did you plan for a method of recharging the Garmin so it didn't reset? Did you carry two back-ups to ensure your feat was recorded? Yeah, you may have made it if not for the heat (assuming the high % ramps didn't cause cramping), but your preparation was in no way a prudent example for normal cyclists attempting this challenge.

[@mattbarbet9336]

George Hugh So many questions...! Firstly, I hope people learn from my mistakes. That’s the main thing. On the gearing, Yanto thought I’d be fine. On the heat, it wasn’t quite forecast this high. On my cousin, yes he’s a legend. On the climb, I had done it before - but you can’t anticipate Everesting to the degree you say if you have other things in your life, as I do. On the kit, the clothes and Garmin worked brilliantly. On lights, I had some. On hubris, I hope this reply disproves that!

[@georgehugh3455]

Thanks for the response. As you say, your example will be useful to others.

[@zeuszuki6698]

@@mattbarbet9336 you forgot - "normal cyclists" wouldn't attempt this challenge ;)

[@jamescreed6259]

Wow George. You should consider becoming a motivational speaker.

[@AntonSostaric]

Great effort Matt. You need to plan for this type of challenge. Utilize the very useful knowledge of sports scientists. They are worth their weight in gold. If you have to climb at this time of year you could start a lot earlier, say 2-4am (even earlier) and enjoy the quiet and cool night. A compact ring with 32 on the back is a no brainer

[@markknight5480]

Great video again. Really enjoyed watching it and having a better understanding and appreciation of why these challenges are challenges. Honesty appreciated.

[@Lemond75]

Great effort Matt, and sorry it didn’t quite work out for you, but it certainly seems that the experience has set you up for a successful attempt in the future. I’m sure I’m not alone in this, but you’ve inspired me to think about having a go at Everesting one day so thank you for that. All the best for your next attempt, and like many others have commented, well done on a great series of videos 👍

[@rononyourleftretired5144]

Matt, I've worked in the desert (US) and learned that using *ice* cold wash cloths around the neck helps the body tremendously. And so if you have a support vehicle you can swap wash cloths with one that is in ¾ ice + ¼ water.

[@SMNEL2006]

An inspiring video with plenty of great content. Matt, well done on the effort, the experience from this can be taken to the next attempt. Having not thought about doing an Everest challenge myself, this video series has inspired and motivated me to think different. Great content cycling weekly.

[@on2a]

Great effort and awesome series. Hope this isn't the last series you do on here! Clearly the heat was a big factor but I think gear choice for the bike would've contributed a fair bit to fatigue too. How about spring next year in Scotland spinning on some 32 cog plates in the rear! All day long

[@anthonyd9984]

Solid effort! Looking forward to your Everest attempt v2.0!

[@RixterNow]

Good try. Great video. I learned a lot. I’m hoping to try one next year. 13 climbs up a 11km 6% hill. What kills me is my feet. HUGE hot-feet issues after about 3,000m. Any tips? I wear Sidi Wire on my feet

[@casefarley5744]

Great effort. No doubt you were disappointed not to complete the challenge but you left it all on the road so hopefully no regrets. You were unlucky with the brutal heat (or maybe mixed luck - it could have been windy!). Also you deserve credit for managing your nutrition and hydration in those conditions. 32t rear cog and recce the climb for the next one and I look forward to a different result. Shoutout to Cousin Rick for riding support. It's a long day in the saddle.

[@KetzalSterling]

Great vid. It's not a riding fail. You're clearly a great rider and very determined. It's a preparation fail. Why on Earth would you plan an Everesting in 30+ degrees?

[@mrstanhope1516]

An interesting series. Makes you realise how hard it is to Everest a climb. I’d struggle in that heat so totally understand them calling it a day.

[@jamesmann3556]

Massive effort! Bad luck on not finishing. I’ve ridden in the south of France and nothing prepares you for the change in temperature from sunrise even to just 10am. Riding in anything over 30 degrees get silly, especially trying to Everest! Really enjoyed the three episodes. Of course you’ll be gutted but well done all the same!

[@mattbarbet9336]

James Mann You speak the truth!

[@Rxticle]

Oh, damn. I have been conditioned into expecting a Hollywood ending and then this! Great series. Great effort. Great entertainment! Will attempt my Everesting in 6 days time... I hope you do try it again Matt. You have set it up for series 2!!

[@Rxticle]

Oh and I completed mine! It's a tough day out.

[@pieceoschmidt1]

Excellent effort. As most others have stated. Pick a cooler day, start earlier at 4am, put a bigger cassette on. Also a climb that doesn't have any 10% sections and stays at the 4-6% sweet spot. I've thought about making an everesting attempt but I'm not sure I'm in good enough shape or crazy enough. Thumbs up to you for giving it a go and best of luck if you're crazy enough to try it again

[@lmankj]

Nicely done, there’s always a next time and you’ll be better prepared. Curious about your nutrition, pre, during and post, did you only use the SIS products exclusively or other food as well?

[@SteveBrill]

Sterling effort Matt. I can't imagine what that was like in those temperatures, so pat yourself on the back and live to fight another day.

[@sasatrifunovski]

Very good effort Matt - you should feel proud, this is a massive feat! I just made my first climb in Zagreb on our local hill Sljeme. Took me just a bit under 1 hour, 10 km climb, roughly same gradient - a bit more than you - absolutely destroyed me! Haven't been cycling there in about 12-15 years so I'm really happy I made it...However - repeating it for 10-12 times - no freaking way...ask me in 4-5 years of daily riding :D

[@Whippasnapper]

Good effort, I live in Malta and I don't ride after 8am during summer as its just too hot, I have done 8-10 hour days here but definitely feel ill after it, sun is so strong, just not worth it. You really should give it another go in early spring or late autumn.

[@peter_kropotkin_]

Cragg vale in west yorkshire might be good to everest, 968 feet over 5.5 miles , longest continual ascent in England at 3% average and no switchbacks. I calculate 30 ascents and guarantee sub 30 degree temperatures. check for headwind though and get a 32 or larger rear sprocket

[@mattbarbet9336]

facilitytime Noted for next time!

[@grahamtibbot3329]

facilitytime Except that it would be a 300 mile ride!!!!! You need high gradient to make the distance short enough. And Cragg Vale is so flat you need to pedal the descent too. I would get a good coach, train the 4 areas of endurance riding that are the keys to success (aerobic efficiency, threshold, torque and muscular endurance) and have another crack, maybe up Hartside Pass or Great Dun Fell. And find a 32t cassette for when your muscular endurance and torque begin to fail you later in the day.

[@chrisspray8010]

Great effort. South of France in July! Come on! Try Great Dun Fell In Cumbria. Awesome and virtually traffic free.

[@jesuscruz836]

Great video and great effort. Hope to see you try again and succeed.

[@stephenappleton2486]

You have my sympathy. I lived in S Spain for a few years and couldn't ride between 11-16:00 because of the heat. And trying to climb 8+ k metres would be beyond me. Well done for even trying....

[@spin2win721]

Great effort considering the conditions, but like I said in your previous video; too much emphasis on bike weight not enough on gearing. Looking at your cadence/pain face looks like you were down in 60s which is essentially grinding. Works for a regular day in the saddle but for an Everesting attempt it’s just asking for a long day of pain. Considering you said you typically sweat a lot perhaps starting at night and going to the day would suit you better? Again great effort, take what you learned and improve on it.

[@ChrisKrukMusic]

I really enjoyed this series! A brilliant piece of presenting!

[@AlanCallow]

Great effort - shows just how tough the challenge is. At least you were in a nice location

[@orsations]

10:55 "not a drop of wind; not a breath at all" but if you look at the trees perched up behind them their branches are moving from the wind.

[@Rich_Mitch_Creative]

Firle Beacon down near me in Lewes is a really popular spot to Everest if you fancy another crack Matt. But you'd need a 32 on the back for sure. There's no shame in getting to your limit and calling it a day. That heat is hideous to do anything in let alone an Everesting challenge. You've done yourself proud. Nice one pal.

[@gingerpinny]

Really nice series Matt, thanks very much, great stuff

[@paulgalloway2629]

Excellent series of videos and how refreshing that it did not end in triumph, but you gave it a bloody good shot. Personally I do not understand the thrill of these endurance events, I guess I am not wired that way. I ride my bike on my own, when I want for pure pleasure and I enjoy it.

[@richardmcwhirter9396]

Absolutely brilliant effort,well done really enjoyed your video, currently I'm nursing broken ribs after a car knocked me off, really appreciate your content👍

[@mattbarbet9336]

Richard McWhirter get well soon

[@davidwoods8795]

Video 10. Effort 10. Mind Set 10. Location choice 0. Time of year choice 0. Position on my Christmas Card List 1st.

[@mattbarbet9336]

David Woods Haha! Comment: 10

[@rogercollingwood8234]

Great effort Matt, shame that you were defeated by the weather. My performance is seriously affected by heat as hydration is so difficult to maintain. I wondered whether it is really necessary to pedal at all on the downhill, isn't this just a chance for recovery? Hence wouldn't a 1x crankset be sufficient with a 30 tooth chainwheel and a 11-27 cassette. I would also suggest that the Col de Forclaz above Martigny in Switzerland would be a great venue for an Everest attempt. 1000 metres at a near constant 8% and just five hairpins.

[@out_spocken]

Failing means you pushed yourself to your limit! Nothing harder to accept, nothing better to realise in a few days...or a week..or month lol It's amazing how people don't properly prepare for the heat like they would with the cool. Iced bidons or ice in them. Super lightweight kit and cap, arguably stick one in the ice each rotation, double cars one up and one down to take on cool water so you are ready once you get down to the bottom. drench yourself (with lightweight jerseys you aren't really carrying much water. etc etc. There's ways. it's just a matter of preparing...and also yes...some people cant do heat, some cant do cool. Ride in the evening/night - which is actually incredibly serene and peaceful. But chapeau! Any everesting effort is a good effort. If it was easy it would be as rewarding as it is. 5 years on....have you now done one?

[@Darkswatt21]

What a bike ride so sad you can't finish it but because of you I will go for sure in this adventure sooner or later !!

[@AntonCor]

Like David Goggins said.... Most people give up at 40% of their body capability. You have a 24h window for everesting, if it gets too hot in the evening, take a rest and ride after sunset.

[@BenBrawn]

AntonCor there’s no time limit. You just can’t sleep.

[@willeigo8468]

Is it a 24 hours period ? If so, can you take a prolonged break ?

[@willeigo8468]

So you accomplished 5339 meters , excellent. That computes to about 60% of the quest. How much time did you spend to get that done ? What was your average uphill and downhill speed ? More data please.

[@andrewroozen9151]

The best Everest training is actually attempting one. It's always a lot harder to Everest a big climb like that one, around 200m is good. Well done.

[@plantfuelled8912]

I like to start at 10pm, that's so you're aiming to finish at, before, or not long after dusk the next day. Kill the night riding at the beginning - that works for me anyway. 6AM start is risky IMHO, because it means you'll be maxxed out tired when the sun sets, and it's posssible that you'll still need to go another 8 hours. Took me 20 hours total on 2nd attempt. Also if it's hot you'll have probably done 6000 meters overnight with cooler temps, so the heat of midday could be a rest period near the end.

[@MorrisOnions06]

I live in the South of France and am a cyclist, but I could have told you that July is not the month to try something like this here... maybe Lake District next time ?

[@feins]

Only 32'C u should come to Malaysia in July. We did Audax600 with 7000m of climb for 40hr ride at night 16'c and noon near 41'c.

[@mattbarbet9336]

Raymond Ng thanks for the invite!

[@zacmorrison4314]

That was amazing in that heat. End of September or early October, but even then it's tough. Onwards and upwards.Why? And I quote. 'Because its there'.

[@Yannerson]

I'm looking at doing this and was going to go with a wolftooth with a 40t on the back. Nothing in the video is putting me off this choice. Great effort on a 27t.

[@the23rdshadowdragon]

I know a guy that everested on a local 2min climb. It did it some 200+ time.

[@carlosflanders518]

Matt, I've made some critical comments about the Everesting. But, that said, I really enjoyed the videos and you have a lot of natural talent as a presenter. You have a superb voice and a naturally calming and pleasant demeanour. Your comments are never trivial. Please keep on at this presenting game. You could be a natural colour man or main commentator for any of the cycling commentary teams out there. A few have already gone past their best before date - gotta be some openings.

[@alanmitchell7762]

Top effort Matt. Really sorry for you that you didn't get the result you wanted. Sorry. I everested Blackstone Edge in Littlebrough a few weeks back. You should check it out. It's a great hill. Don't need to touch the breaks til the bottom on the decent. Switch off and rest. Turn round and go again. Wishing you luck for another go 👍

[@aemediainc]

Would love to try everesting some time, but we only have max 225m climbs around here...would take a LONG time and lot of repeats.

[@carlosflanders518]

I did it on a 110 m climb. 200m is close to ideal.

[@aemediainc]

The most I've repeated one climb is 6 times, and I just get bored :) I can't imagine 80 times! I did a climb in California which was 800m, which would be ~11 times, and I think I'd like to find a happy medium between 200-800m.

[@carlosflanders518]

Need to have a high boredom threshold to do an everesting. 200-250m is perfect for the logistics.

[@jeremyredford924]

My hill was only about 1km long with 40m of elevation gain. 229 reps and 239km and Everesting complete. www.fitandforty.org/everesting-on-a-brompton-bicycle-26-may-2018/

[@johntrussell7228]

Great effort! Maybe try again in the colder weather?

[@Lordash2000]

What's the smallest hill which has been Everested? Would be an interesting stat.

[@jeremyredford924]

I did a 40m elevation gain per lap and 229 of them, riding 239km. I think people have done smaller. I was on a small wheeled bike, though. 😀www.fitandforty.org/everesting-on-a-brompton-bicycle-26-may-2018/

[@Lordash2000]

@@jeremyredford924 that's pretty insane. I doubted it would be much below 100m, let along 40m. Well done!

[@BenBrawn]

18 m is the lowest I have heard of, they did it with terrible share bikes too! blog.strava.com/climb-for-nepal-10090/

[@lloydhopwood4331]

Excellent effort Gents.

[@grandad1982]

Things that really should have been said to you: You can never have enough gears - if it was me I would have stuck in a sub compact 48/32 and an 11/32 on the back! The south of France is hot (at least after you can have a beer in the sounth of France though). Good effort.

[@mattbarbet9336]

grandad1982 To be honest, I probably knew this and should’ve acted on it

[@thewisi88]

I would never judge someone on trying and failing! That challenge is hard and there is no reason to be ashamed about not completing it when you gave it all. Now I am training to break the Austrian record (my goal is sub-11hour) and every Everesting-video is helping me to find problems I have not thought. Will you try again?!

[@TurneyUK]

South of France 🇫🇷 is great for a holiday, not so great for Everesting. Plenty of climbs in the UK 🇬🇧 doesn’t have to be long. Box Hill is an obvious one, 5-6% smooth surface and nice even gradient. Wouldn’t be quite as nice for making a vlog tho. Maybe Alpe d’Huez or Mont Ventoux next time 😜

[@lokilawson]

That was a truly admirable attempt. And I do truly admire you. To me, it's not about believing that you can go out and do something that makes it inspiring or motivating. It's about believing that you might not be able to do something and yet you go out and make the attempt anyway. If you only reach within the bounds of what you know you are already capable of, are you truly accomplishing anything? Your attempt is very inspiring to me! My heart hurt for you when I saw how broken you were at not completing it. I don't know if you will try it again. But I sure hope you do. And if you climb one meter more (and even if you don't), I will be cheering for you as I watch the video. It's easy for folks to sit back and criticize your preparation when you've not met your goal, but you did the best you knew to do with the information you had. I'd say listen to their advice of course (and you already seem to have learned even without their advice) but don't listen to the ridicule. You are worthy of far better than that. To me, you are a hero. I hope that's enough.

[@johnlyons286]

Great effort, plan on taking a crack again with the lessons you learned??

[@mattbarbet9336]

John Lyons maybe...

[@griff9290]

Bravo, incredible effort, well done!

[@palmer3977]

Fighting too many things at once, the heat being the final straw, you should do another attempt here in the U.K. a lot cooler but that will be an advantage.

[@fa66ster]

As said previously - top effort! Can’t help but feel a bit duped none the less.......feel like I have watched an ad for garmin and le col! Why Everest in those conditions in the 1st place?! Like the bike BTW

[@rbailey6949]

Fair play to you extremely tough going that heat is ridiculous

[@veloman59]

Well done Matt - it's hard in any conditions

[@philg6757]

Good work mate,I bet you learnt a lot for the next time you give it a go. Way to hot,that`s coming from an Aussie as well.

[@dogsdangelies1]

Good effort . You learn more from failure that success ride on ...

[@alexleadbetter]

if at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again, you did well in that heat, but as you say you learned a lot, good luck for your next attempt

[@lisadifrancesco9557]

Matt, Great effort-in my books you did it mate!!!!!! 5300 meters x 1.76 heat factor = 8850 meters!!!! Steve D Call sign American Rider

[@JogieGlenMait]

27T cassette? tough choice, mate.

[@brycew.3871]

those are some nice shoes, what are they?

[@peterwelsh3380]

Good solid effort, far too warm though. Could see it just dripping off you, that's not a safe amount of fluid loss. Hard, but correct call.

[@barefeg]

Ollie would've done it tho... 😂

[@mattbarbet9336]

Prastt haha! In that heat? Not so sure

[@leejefferson7011]

😂

[@AndrewD1]

It was pretty hot yesterday on the Madone... www.strava.com/activities/1805501077 Great effort though!

[@briancohen1967]

well done mate much respect I couldn't climb 5000 ft

[@cyclingnut2122]

5000ft is easy, however Matt did 17.486ft !! Which is awesome for 1 ride....

[@chrisbayliss3532]

Unlucky Matt top effort , go again next year, early spring time but but in the uk

[@raymonddelorney4603]

Great effort. 5k meters climbing is pretty good!

[@jacksazzy7878]

Great video, fantastic effort! Congrats! You guys are either masochists or slightly mistaken doing it in MID JULY in the Sud...

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

Look at it as a training ride for the next attempt 👍

[@mattbarbet9336]

breathestrongcycling certainly am! Any race I don’t win is always good training instead

[@patrickbaker6978]

If you ever try it again maybe a winter cycling the hills on zwift might help at the moment they have alp d huez even indoors ten feet from a fridge full of beer it’s a brutal climb.Dont be too hard on yourself only people who try to push past their limitations risk failure.Real failure is a life where you never take that risk.I probably read that in a fortune cookie but doesn’t mean it not true

[@jcsrst]

Gearing and time of year! Monumental effort though!

[@MrDgm80503]

Great video! Really helpful info on planning an attempt. Ignore the criticism. If it wasn't a proper challenge it wouldn't have the risk of failure and you put it out there success or fail. Hope you get a second go at it someday.

[@willeigo8468]

Exactly, too many ramps at 10+ and too many hairpins. I think a good layout would be a relatively straight 20 km at 5%. That is a nice round 1000 mts per circuit. About one hour going up, 30 minutes going down. It would be about 10 loops of 90 minutes each. That equals almost 15 hours. Should plan for 18 hours. 34 on the drive ring, with 28/30/32 sprockets behind. Should stop to eat and stretch a few times.

[@davewalbancke2411]

Well done great effort amazing job in that heat👍

[@jaselikesbikes]

Good effort Matt but you must have known it was going to be tough, still the free trip to the lakes wouldn't be quite the same as overseas. Attempting it in the South of France Mid Summer! #Fail. Gearing #Fail Unfamiliar Climb #Fail. Better luck next time.

[@izmael_kneafcy]

Gearing #Fail

[@tecnociclista5342]

Breaking news: It's hot in the South of France in July! :)

[@theylivewesee1674]

next time try sub compact 48-32 or even 46-30 with 11-32 or bigger in the back, also ditch the campy go for custom build, something like Absolute Black chainrings, you are climbing the mountain not a local hill