Mark Cavendish and Luke Rowe complete Everest rides on Zwift
The former team-mates seek pain in order to keep themselves entertained during lockdown
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Mark Cavendish and Luke Rowe have been keeping themselves busy during lockdown by completing a virtual Everesting on Zwift.
The former team-mates spent more than 10 hours in the saddle as they ascended 8,848m, the height of Everest, in the Zwift virtual world.
In total, the pair rode 211km in a time of 10 hours 37 minutes and 32 seconds, with Cavendish saying afterwards: "We had the idea when we knew the weather would be bad. I take my hat off to anyone who's completed it in whatever capacity, it was grim."
Cavendish and Rowe aren't the only ones to try this challenge, with other riders, both professional and amateur, attempting to vEverest.
>>> ‘No one has ever lived through a season like this’: How pro riders are dealing with lockdown
Trek-Segafredo's Giulio Ciccone managed to climb 10,000m in 237km last month, losing 2.1kg and consuming 9,000 calories during the ordeal.
However, one amateur from a London cycling club, albeit a former 12-hour TT champion, beat Ciccone's time during a club climbing challenge to raise money for the NHS.
Alice Lethbridge of Kingston Wheelers became the fastest woman to complete a virtual Everesting on the Alpe du Zwift by setting a time of nine hours and 24 minutes and hadn't even thought of attempting the virtual Everesting when she started the charity ride.
Two other riders also completed Everesting rides as the club managed to climb a combined 200,000 metres and raise more than £13,000. One rider, Mark Aldred, was celebrating his birthday on the day of the ride and got a tow on Fabian Cancellara's wheel on the Alpe du Zwift, while other members saw Mark Cavendish out on the road completing a half-Everest ride, clearly a warm-up for his full Everest a week later.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
From false promises and heartbreak to hope - How Heidi Franz is bouncing back from the last-minute collapse of B&B Hotels
Mind games, false promises and a life left in limbo. How American Heidi Franz navigated the B&B Hotels demise and found a kickstart to her new European life
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Volta a la Communitat Valenciana: Biniam Girmay takes stage one sprint
It's another one in the bag for Intermarché-Circus-Wanty after Challenge Mallorca success
By James Shrubsall • Published
-
Speed Demons of the peloton: The six best sprinters of 2022
We take a look at the standout performers of the fast men and women in the professional scene this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
British UCI Continental team makes pitch for Mark Cavendish’s signature
Saint Piran boss Ricci Pascoe says he would gladly provide a short term place for Cavendish, if it helped him to achieve Tour de France dream
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
B&B Hotels, the team that was set to sign Mark Cavendish, collapses
Multiple riders left scrambling to find places on alternative teams after demise of French ProTeam confirmed
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
B&B Hôtels boss: 'Mark Cavendish wants to be with us. I want him to be with us.'
Team's hunt for sponsors intensifies after missing UCI registration deadline
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Time running out for B & B Hotels, the team expected to sign Mark Cavendish
Team still without major sponsors as UCI impose deadline of 22 November for team to complete registration for new season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Movistar quick to quash Mark Cavendish signing report
Italian press speculation over future of sprinter denied by Spanish team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mark Cavendish: Tour de France 2023 has 'ample opportunities for bunch sprints'
Fast man thinks there might be seven or eight sprint chances, but he has to find a team first
By Adam Becket • Published