You may have heard of the 'Three Peaks Challenge' but perhaps not like this. To run up each of the three highest peaks in the UK, (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon) is a no mean feat, but to do them all and cycle the distance between is something else - especially considering each peak is in a different country.
Chris McKnight is prevalent in the local cycling scene, through his presence at local races & events taking photos and his cycling focussed travel business. But those who know Chris well will know he is not opposed to a challenge, and this was his biggest challenge to date...
663km of riding with over 5000m elevation gained, and 46km of running with 3,500m of climbing...all in under 48 hours.
We sat down with (a tender) Chris, a couple days after his challenge to discuss what it took to complete the three peaks by bike in under 48 hours, and why he decided to raise money for Reuben's Retreat.
VB: Firstly, congratulations Chris, that is a huge and almost unquantifiable 'day' out. How is the body feeling and can you give us the total distances/other metrics of the challenge?
CM: Thanks! To be honest the body isn't feeling too bad! The running off the bike actually felt great, which I'm putting down to a lot of focus on strength work in the gym and essentially building the resilience up to the challenge for the last few months.
The total distance on the bike was 663km on the bike with over a marathon's worth of running. The ride was split into two legs, 380km and 280km. I'd love to share my power data but my power meter got so wet it stopped working, due to the torrential rain throughout the weekend!
VB: Wow, so the rain certainly didn't help. How did that affect your motivation and how on earth do you fuel for something like that?
CM: I was able to draw on experience riding ultra-distance events in similar weather, not that it made it anymore pleasant. But the support, following and donations meant I had an extra level of motivation and desire to not pull out, or let people down.
Fueling is something which takes lots of trial and error, but I often find it easier to use lots of easy to digest products such as the STYRKR gels and drink mix. However, I did stock up at LIDL with Kelloggs' Squares bars and peanut butter & jam sandwiches. (Chris did say if you want any custard he has lots of spare boxes leftover). All of this had to essentially replace the calories I burned during the weekend which was in the region of 20,000 calories.
VB: And can you tell us a bit more about Reuben's Retreat and why you chose to raise money for their cause?
CM: As many people know I run my own business through Travel Counsellors and as a business we do a lot of work with Reuben's. When I went to visit in January the fundraising team told me about something called 'Dad's Club', a support group specifically for dads who have lost a child and I decided then, that would be the focus of my fundraising. The target was to pay for Dad's Club for a year, and we are well past that now with over £4,000 raised.
You can still donate to Chris' JustGiving page, here.
VB: Great stuff! What is your next big challenge and where can people follow your adventures?
CM: I found myself planning my next challenge almost immediately (the day after), and had to stop myself! I'd like to do more ultra-running, so Ultra Trail Snowdonia is top of the list to enter next year. You can follow me on Instagram, @chrismcknight___, or contact me on my website www.chrismcknight.co.uk.
