This past weekend, after months of training, planning and prep, my fiance rode his bike up a hill, 19 times, without sleep, all as a fundraiser for the Kettle Society and to shed light on mental health issues.

Everesting is the act of riding a bike up one mountain, as many times as necessary, to reach a total elevation of 8,848m. This is equal to the elevation of the world's tallest mountain, Mount Everest. Corey, my fiance, chose to do what is called a double Everest...which meant riding 2x 8,848m in elevation. Riders who complete an Everest can submit their ride data to be enlisted into the Hall of Fame, regulated by Hells 500.

Corey had previously completed single Everest climbs, and decided that a double Everest would be much more of a challenge. Especially a double Everest on one of our more steep local mountains. This is how his idea for Fight Your Demons 2017 was born.

"Why would anyone want to do such a ride?" is one of the comments I heard a lot over the weekend. Fair enough, it's a pretty big feat. Well, cycling is the one thing that has helped Corey stay happy, healthy and fight his depression and mental health issues, since he was young. Corey has struggled throughout his life with depression, and has found that cycling keeps him level. It's his own form of therapy. Some people chose to run, some people do drugs, and Corey, well, he cycles. A typical bike ride for Corey would be 200-400km in a day, followed by a similar ride the next day. Corey enjoyed big miles and big hills.

Just over a year ago, Corey was in a cycling accident involving a motor vehicle. Although he walked away from the scene, with little visible physical damage, the accident set him back into a depressed state, because of soft-tissue injuries caused by the impact. He could no longer ride his bike without severe pain, and he struggled with himself and not knowing how to heal. Corey saw doctors, took pain killers, had to stop working, stop cycling, and began seeing a physiotherapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, kinesiologist, and eventually a therapist. It's been over a year of appointments and hard work to get back to his pre-accident cycling shape, and though Corey struggles less mentally, he still needs pain killers and therapy to be able to enjoy his rides.

Corey has originally planned on completing a double Everest in 2016, but due to the motor vehicle accident, he had to reschedule. There was no way his body would allow him to complete the ride.
In the last few months, Corey has challenged himself to complete rides with the BC Randonneurs Cycling Club, and even completed a couple single Everests as training.

We spread word about his plans to do this ride via Facebook and in-person to our friends and family.

The Ride Begins

Fight Your Demons 2017 began on August 19 at 5 AM. Along with four other cyclists, Corey began lap number one of Mount Seymour, in the dark, in the cold. About an hour and a half later, he was back at the bottom of the mountain, at our base camp, and ready to begin lap number two.

First Lap of the Day; Photo via Katrinna Roth

Each lap, different people rode with Corey. Some laps there would be as few as four riders, other laps there were as many as 15. All throughout the day, friends, family, members of the cycling community, locals and strangers stopped by base camp to cheer Corey on, to make donations, to see what was happening and to provide encouragement. Some cyclists even came so far as Kelowna, just to ride with Corey and support the cause.

Base Camp; photo via J'Ok Photos

Riding Up; photo via J'Ok Photos

As the evening approached, and darkness set in, the numbers dwindled, but at no time was Corey ever alone. A few close friends put in extra efforts and rode with Corey through the night. Some friends drove cars up and down the mountain with Corey, helping light his way and ensure he and the other cyclists were safe on the roads in the dark. We kept base camp going all night, and kept riders warm with a propane heater, blankets and hugs. Some of us caught a bit of rest, others struggled to keep their eyes open all evening. Corey recounts lap 13 as being one of the hardest; it was dark and cold, he was tired and shivering. His muscles were tired and it was his slowest lap. He struggled to stay awake on the ascent, but managed to get his second wind for lap 14 and beyond.



As the morning light came out, more cyclists and supporters came out. The morning light instilled a new sense of excitement in Corey, as he knew there were fewer laps left to complete and he had more energy and warmth.

Eventually, Corey was down to his last few laps. The end was in sight. The day was warm, he was able to shed some of the layers he wore all night.

Cyclists who rode with him commented that they struggled to keep up to his pace, saying that even after 10 laps, Corey has an endless amount of energy. Throughout his ride, his lap pace remained quite constant. Corey's pace on a normal day is quite fast, and on this ride, was not much slower.

Between each lap, Corey received an endless amount of encouragement, hugs, handshakes, tears and stories. It was incredibly touching to be a part of this ride.

Corey completed 19 laps at approximately 5 PM Sunday August 20.
This ride took 26 hours of moving time, 36 hours total time, 17,719m in elevation gain, 495.9km in distance.

Suns out, Guns out; photo via Andrew Couzens

Ride complete! Photo via Andrew Couzens

View Corey's ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/1144146261

A big shout out to the cyclists who rode with Corey!!! Whether you stuck in for a half lap, one lap, or numerous laps, your efforts were amazing! There are so many of you to thank!

Supporting Corey's Fight Your Demons 2017 Fundraiser

Our donation page, which was started to raise money for the Kettle Society, Corey's chosen donation recipient, received an endless number of donations throughout Corey's ride. The GoFundMe campaign will be up until the end of August, to allow last minute online donations.

Donations can still be made: https://www.gofundme.com/2X-Everesting-vs-Mental-Illness

Global News Coverage on Corey's Ride

Sunday afternoon, Corey was joined by Pat from Global News, who followed the cyclists on one of their laps, filming and photographing their ride. You can view the news clip through the link below. Kristin Robinson articulated Corey's story so well!

http://globalnews.ca/video/3684018/cycling-mount-seymour-for-mental-health

Being filmed; Photo via Chris Mallinson

Vancouver Sun Online Coverage of Corey's Ride

Gord Kurenoff put together a very well-written article on Corey's ride, focusing on the reasons WHY Corey is doing a double Everest, and touching on depression and mental health. You can read the full article through the link below.

http://vancouversun.com/news/community-blogs/cyclist-gears-up-for-double-everest-to-tackle-depression-demons-awards-piling-up-for-legendary-lenore

Thank-you! For all the support!

Corey's success on this double Everest challenge would not have been possible had it not been for all the support we received. Thank you!

Neither of us ever imagined this ride reaching so many people.

We have both been in tears so many times since word of this event started circulating. The comments we have received, the generous donations, the encouragement, the stories, the hugs.....

The ride may be finished for this year, but let's keep this momentum going! Mental health is obviously an issue that needs to receive more light and discussion. Keep on the look out for the event next year, and keep your ears and heart open for your loved ones who may have things they want to say.

Thank you as well, to our sponsors for the event -- who did more than help us get ready and stay fueled, but actually rode multiple laps during Corey's ride!! Thank you Four Winds Brewing and Andrew Couzens of Rip Stix Nutrition.

Smiles every lap; photo Chris Mallinson