GVR will introduce a performance-oriented Everesting-edition of the Milestone Challenge. The participants have to collect 8848 metres in altitude, which corresponds to 25 complete ascents of the White Stone. The start window opens between 5:00 and 5:30 am and runs until 11:00 pm. The starting places are limited to 25 women and 25 men.
Route and requirements of the Milestone Challenge
The Weiße Stein in Dossenheim measures 5.3 kilometres in length with 360 metres in altitude per ascent. The average gradient is 6.8 per cent. The dead-end road has good tarmac throughout and low traffic volumes. Finishers receive a limited edition Everest milestone and have their name added to the Everest list on GVR.cc. Of course, Everesting is also possible on your own - TOUR has its own Everesting training plan created. Also this year, there will be an Everesting in Oberhof.
Organisation and support
The organisers provide personal drop zones, a dedicated support zone with specific catering and mobile technical support. Defined cheering zones and a recovery area complete the infrastructure. The first Milestone Challenge in summer 2025 recorded over 300 participants without timekeeping or scoring. On the day of the event, the altitude metres ridden totalled more than 400,000.
Origin of the project
The Milestone idea was born in 2024 during a 4700-kilometre bikepacking tour by Birgit Kerber and Stefan Herr from Salzburg to Granada. The route led over classic Alpine and Pyrenean climbs such as Col de l'Iseran, Col du Galibier and Col du Tourmalet. The kilometre markers installed there with gradient and distance markings served as a template. GVR realised the concept in collaboration with the municipality of Dossenheim, without institutional sponsors or commercial sponsors. The official opening took place on 29 May 2025 with over 400 racing cyclists. All information can be found at https://www.gvr.cc.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
