and led six to 21,000 feet on Mount Everest.
Next up? The -mile mountain bike race on August 14. Below, the Golden, Colorado resident shares his thoughts on mountain biking blind.
Why Leadville?
It usually starts at a neighborhood party in somebodys garage, drinking a couple of beers. Someone will suggest an adventure and were all high five-ing and then I wake up the next morning and think, Oh no! What did I commit to?
So your riding partner, John Lemon, is your neighbor?
Yes. Hes 47 and an animal. Hes a really good mountain bikera freak on the downhills, hes like insane. Hell look at something and say, I think we can ride this, but if you fall, dont fall right.
Describe your ride.
Full-suspension Ellsworth. 40 pounds. Aluminum. Tubeless tires.
Can you shift or brake?
I have another mountain bike thats not full suspension that I shift and my wife steers. But on this bike, Im just sort of the power. I try to pedal as hard as I can while staying quiet in the back. I have to mirror everything my partner doeseverything he does, I do. I try not to be an issue. When somebodys on a tandem mountain bike, if the back person wiggles a lot, its really hard. Its a long bike with 170 pounds on the back wagging.
Is it scary in the back with no control?
Its like Mr. Toads Wild Ride in Disney World where youre in a train going toward a fire and youre going to crash into a wall but the wall opens. Thats how it feels on the back of a tandem. Im 175. My partner is 160-170 as well. So thats 350 pounds or something coming down hillnothing is designed for two people barreling down a hill. We almost need a third brake. Coming downhill, weve cracked two rotors in the front because they scorched.
Whats your training been like?
We started training four months ago. My longest training ride has been 10 hours. Ive also been working on . The soldiers get in tomorrow, and this week Ill be teaching them all the climbing basics. So that project has been simultaneous with Leadville.
Do you have a time goal at Leadville?
Theres never been a blind person to do the race. I would love to get somewhere close to 11 hours, definitely to break 12 hours. Its taking us seven hours, 20 minutes to 60 miles now, so wed have four more hours to do 40 miles. If we could do 11:20, Id be pretty psyched.
You were my fifth grade teacher, do you remember me?
I remember your voice.
Do I still sound like a 10-year old?
No!
–Erin Beresini
Photo by Paul Foster. Erik Weihenmayer and John Lemon ride near Rollins Pass.