Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

31,000 feet climbing in 1 Day

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

31,000 feet climbing in 1 Day

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-14-13, 08:45 PM
  #1  
recneps345
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
31,000 feet climbing in 1 Day

I just saw where a guy in Birmingham climbed 31,000 feet today. This guy lives around me, and he lives on his bike. I am still shocked at how much climbing he did. I think it took him 150 miles to get it. Anyone doing this much climbing, or is this as big a feat as I am thinking it is.
recneps345 is offline  
Old 07-14-13, 09:03 PM
  #2  
Savagewolf
KingoftheMountain wannabe
 
Savagewolf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Independence, Oregon
Posts: 1,152

Bikes: V.O. Pass Hunter & Specialized Hardrock

Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Sounds like a masseuse is in order. This is far from being the norm. People climb up a lot less elevation than they think.
Savagewolf is offline  
Old 07-14-13, 09:11 PM
  #3  
Homebrew01
Super Moderator
 
Homebrew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,889

Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales

Liked 1,013 Times in 648 Posts
I did 10,000 in one day. And that was a huge effort for me. The Everest Challenge does some huge amount of climbing over 2 days.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.

FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Homebrew01 is offline  
Old 07-14-13, 09:15 PM
  #4  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,863

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Liked 3,111 Times in 1,418 Posts
10,000 in a day (Haleakala) is my record too. I cannot even conceive of 31,000. That is insane.
caloso is offline  
Old 07-14-13, 09:36 PM
  #5  
znomit
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk
 
znomit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 4,757

Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Trek Marlin 6, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2

Liked 819 Times in 415 Posts
I've managed 14,000 ... took 24hrs though and 260 miles though.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/151364436

Hmmm, with elevation correction turned on Garmin tells me I did much more.
znomit is offline  
Old 07-14-13, 09:42 PM
  #6  
Vicegrip
Senior Member
 
Vicegrip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
jebezus. 31K in a day? That is nuts. I did just under 12K in a day and was just about enough for me. Never got more the 10 miles or so from home too. https://app.strava.com/activities/51280242
Vicegrip is offline  
Old 07-14-13, 09:45 PM
  #7  
Lanceoldstrong
Family, Health, Cycling
 
Lanceoldstrong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Concord, CA
Posts: 1,590

Bikes: Roubaix S-Works, Univega Gran Turismo

Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
Those of us who have done the Devil Mountain Double in Northern California have done: 20,000 feet in 206 miles.
I have done it twice. The first time was like an out of body experience so I went back the next year to prove to myself it really happened. Yup, 2 time finisher.
Lanceoldstrong is offline  
Old 07-14-13, 09:46 PM
  #8  
Leinster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: location location
Posts: 3,036

Bikes: MBK Super Mirage 1991, CAAD10, Yuba Mundo Lux, and a Cannondale Criterium Single Speed

Liked 297 Times in 207 Posts
31k feet and 150 miles? You're supposed to switch off electronic devices before the plane takes off.
Leinster is offline  
Old 07-14-13, 09:52 PM
  #9  
ILUVUK
en fuego
 
ILUVUK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Davenport, IA
Posts: 2,685

Bikes: Trek Madone 3.1

Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
That's insane. I've never done more than 6000 feet in a day and that was over 106 miles. Can't even fathom 31000!
ILUVUK is offline  
Old 07-14-13, 10:57 PM
  #10  
RoadMike
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
That's ridiculous. I rode a little over 150 miles a week ago and didn't even break 7000 ft. I consider 100 ft/mile a pretty damn hilly ride on the road. I only approach 200ft/mile when mountain biking.
RoadMike is offline  
Old 07-14-13, 11:02 PM
  #11  
zonatandem
Senior Member
 
zonatandem's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016

Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single

Likes: 0
Liked 23 Times in 14 Posts
22,000 feet over 325 miles in 3 day event. Finished in Phoenix, AZ and temp was 103 degrees.
Oh, we did it on our tandem.
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
zonatandem is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 12:52 AM
  #12  
Ritterview
Tandem Vincitur
 
Ritterview's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 3,317

Bikes: BMC Pro Machine SLC01, Specialized Globe, Burley Rock 'N Roll tandem, Calfee Dragonfly tandem.

Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by recneps345
I just saw where a guy in Birmingham climbed 31,000 feet today. This guy lives around me, and he lives on his bike. I am still shocked at how much climbing he did. I think it took him 150 miles to get it. Anyone doing this much climbing, or is this as big a feat as I am thinking it is.
Lets see the upload, on Strava, or Garmin Connect, then gush.

Here's a century I mapped out, that would have a lot of climbing. So, this route for 165 miles would do it.


Start: Los Gatos, California, US
Distance: 99.4 mi
Elevation: + 18663


__________________

Strava Tandem Club
Ritterview is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 03:48 AM
  #13  
loneviking61
Senior Member
 
loneviking61's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 378

Bikes: Schwinn Trailwise, Surly Pugsley

Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I'm not saying he didn't do it, but I sure would like to see some video excerpts. Birmingham, AL doesn't have the big mountains we do out west, and to complete that in 150 miles on lesser hills would be interesting to see. We just had the Alta Alpina challenge here that takes in 8 mountain passes and 20,300 feet of climbing in 198 miles!
loneviking61 is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 04:46 AM
  #14  
fa63
Senior Member
 
fa63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,586

Bikes: A couple

Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
If it was Brian Toone then I say it is completely possible.
fa63 is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 06:14 AM
  #15  
recneps345
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by fa63
If it was Brian Toone then I say it is completely possible.
It is Brian toone. It is legit. I am sure you can follow on strava to see the ride. I think the
Fact that we have so many hills so close to each other makes it easier, as you can use your momentum
Going down one and get up the next hill with much less effort. Either
Way it is impressive, but I would like to see how much he could on a ride like the one posted above.

Don't know why phone chopped up my post like that.
recneps345 is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 06:48 AM
  #16  
merlinextraligh
pan y agua
 
merlinextraligh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,475

Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike

Liked 894 Times in 458 Posts
Originally Posted by Homebrew01
. The Everest Challenge does some huge amount of climbing over 2 days.
29,029, hence the name.

First year I did it, the first day had to be shortened due to snow,and they lengthed the second day, so the second was closer to 16,000.

31,000 would be extremely tough. I think I could do it, if you gave me a full 24 hours, extrapolating from EC, and figuring a bit slower pace and some breaks, but I'm not going to try.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
merlinextraligh is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 06:53 AM
  #17  
merlinextraligh
pan y agua
 
merlinextraligh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,475

Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike

Liked 894 Times in 458 Posts
Originally Posted by loneviking61
. Birmingham, AL doesn't have the big mountains we do out west,
Dirty Knaza has more than 10,000 vertical feet, and that's friggin Kansas.

Heck, you could do it in Jacksonville. It's only 517 trips across the intracoastal.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
merlinextraligh is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 07:00 AM
  #18  
Barrettscv 
Have bike, will travel
 
Barrettscv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284

Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2

Liked 294 Times in 161 Posts
It's possible but not very credible. That's about 15 Cat 1 climbs.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Barrettscv is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 07:03 AM
  #19  
rm -rf
don't try this at home.
 
rm -rf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 6,048
Liked 579 Times in 393 Posts
31,000 feet in 150 miles is 206 feet per mile. If you only go uphill or downhill, no flat sections, that's 412 feet per mile uphill, or 7.8% average grade. If there are any flat roads connecting the climbs would need even steeper grades. A very long day of 8% grades.

Vireo was planning to ride the Everest Challenge in one day, that's 29,000 feet in 200 miles. But road closures canceled it. Here's the BF thread he started.

Last edited by rm -rf; 07-15-13 at 07:22 AM.
rm -rf is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 07:06 AM
  #20  
dalava
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247

Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride

Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
31k feet over 150 miles is like climbing 150 miles straight on a 4% gradient (if my math is correct). Sounds like mega-froom-wattage.
dalava is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 07:16 AM
  #21  
rm -rf
don't try this at home.
 
rm -rf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 6,048
Liked 579 Times in 393 Posts
Brian Toone is on Strava.

7/14 part 1 13,000 feet in 57 miles. "before church"
7/14 part 2 18,000 feet in 94 miles.

I see he was including short hill repeats in the middle of the first part. That would be necessary to get enough elevation gain. The highest elevation on the ride is only 1070 feet, lowest 430 feet.

On the second part, the highest elevation is 1150 feet. There's a few sections of hill repeats in here, too. Hill repeats on a big day like this would be brutal.

The downhill grades are mostly very steep. That helps to shorten the mileage, but doesn't his effort any easier.

EDIT -- 12 hours 40 minutes total time, 10 hours 48 minutes ride time.

Last edited by rm -rf; 07-15-13 at 08:40 AM.
rm -rf is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 07:49 AM
  #22  
recneps345
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by rm -rf
Brian Toone is on Strava.

7/14 part 1 13,000 feet in 57 miles. "before church"
7/14 part 2 18,000 feet in 94 miles.

I see he was including short hill repeats in the middle of the first part. That would be necessary to get enough elevation gain. The highest elevation on the ride is only 1070 feet, lowest 430 feet.

On the second part, the highest elevation is 1150 feet. There's a few sections of hill repeats in here, too. Hill repeats on a big day like this would be brutal.

The downhill grades are mostly very steep. That helps to shorten the mileage, but doesn't his effort any easier.
Yes, you can check out the route on Strava. I live in the middle of where he is riding, so I can tell you it is not hard to find the hills. Like was said above, there is no huge elevation change. Just a bunch of up and down. My driveway has an average grade of around 20%.

Last edited by recneps345; 07-15-13 at 08:01 AM.
recneps345 is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 08:09 AM
  #23  
WhyFi
Senior Member
 
WhyFi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,521

Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo

Liked 9,462 Times in 4,673 Posts
Originally Posted by Ritterview
Lets see the upload, on Strava, or Garmin Connect, then gush.
Gushing yet?
WhyFi is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 09:31 AM
  #24  
Bostic
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Isn't that the rider who normally gets like 2 million feet per year? I've done 21,000' in a day over 199 miles, just a few weeks ago on the Alta Alpina 8 pass double century.
https://app.strava.com/activities/63786952

Not to discredit the accomplishment as 31k is still 31k but it's certainly easier on the body when the elevation is 1000' max versus 8000'.
Bostic is offline  
Old 07-15-13, 09:43 AM
  #25  
MattFoley
Senior Member
 
MattFoley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bostic

Not to discredit the accomplishment as 31k is still 31k but it's certainly easier on the body when the elevation is 1000' max versus 8000'.
I disagree...to get those numbers at such low elevations means climbing lots of short, steep hills...in my experience, that is much more difficult, both mentally and physically, than longer, shallower climbs at higher altitudes.
MattFoley is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Your Privacy Choices -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.