WEDŪ Segment Domination
In June, Lance Armstrong and his company WEDŪ announced a challenge: race up the Pilot MTN Road Climb segment on Strava on your own time during the Tour de France. The 3 fastest times in men’s and women’s open and U23, and many age-based categories will receive a huge cash prize, tons of swag, and bragging right for a lifetime.
With just a few days left in the segment challenge, STPC’s David Talbott and Erik Levinsohn set out to make their mark on the segment.
The Rules:
Must be completed during the Tour de France 2021 (6/26 - 7/17)
Must be STRAVA Premium Subscriber
Must be a WEDŪ STRAVA Club member
Must place WEDŪ category in STRAVA name, ex. Lance Armstrong WEDŪ 40
Must wear a heart monitor and use power meter connected to your STRAVA account to win cash prizes
Must post a selfie at the top (rock) with your STRAVA post #wedusegment
No Pros / Ex pros (No current or former pro licensure in any cycling sport - road, mountain, triathlon, cycle-cross, etc.)
No electric bikes
Must be 18 years or older
Full Race Info Here: Race Bible
The Segment:
Strava link: Pilot MTN Road Climb
While the segment says “Road Climb”, it is anything but. This road is paved with chunky, loose gravel, featuring technical switchback corners, and is as remote as it gets. Riders who want to attempt the challenge must find their way to Brevard, North Carolina, situated southwest of Asheville, squarely in the Smoky Mountains.
The 2.4 mile (4 km) pitch of road averages out at a gradient of 9.3%, with a few false flats and some wall-like 20% sections.
The Efforts:
On Thursday July 15, 2021, David gave the segment the first go. Posting a blazing fast 14:37, and taking the KOM. In his effort, he averaged a mind-boggling 6.2W/kg. David piloted his Felt AR road bike outfitted with nobby tires, not made for the frame or wheels. His first 4:15 of the effort he averaged 7 W/kg as he watched his lead grow on the live segment on his head unit. He got to the top knowing and knew it would take a big effort to be unseated. He snapped the required photo with the rock at the top of the KOM and mounted his bike to ride back to the base — only to notice he had flatted on the ascent. Thankfully it’s easier to walk downhill than up.
On Saturday July 17, 2021, the last day of the challenge, Erik made it to Brevard to make his run at the challenge. He’d incurred what seemed to be signs he shouldn’t go for the climb, but he overcame. Following a 24-hour shift for work, he caught a Lyft to the airport, which nearly ran out of gas on the way. Narrowly making his flight, he made it to North Carolina only to have issues with renting a car. He made it to his accommodations by 3 AM, ready to catch some shut-eye and give the segment a try the next day.
The forecast showed rain starting around noon, so Erik knew he needed to head to the road early. He gave the climb a few easy recon efforts, looked up to see grey clouds moving in, and decided to give the segment one full-gas effort.
Erik made it to the top in a staggering 14:15, setting a new KOM and averaging 6.1 W/kg. Erik piloted his Cannondale SuperX for the segment. After the climb he caught his breath and snapped his required pictures, rode down the segment, and made his way to Waffle House for celebratory fuel.
At the end of the day on July 17th when the competition ended, Erik held the fastest ascent with David close behind in 2nd; an STPC 1-2.
The Prizes:
The WEDŪ Segment offered an unbelievable prize purse of $54,000 in total plus incredible swag from companies like Hyperice, Normatec, AMP Human, Hammerhead, and Roka. The winner of the Men’s Open (Erik), receives $10,000, with second place (David) receiving $5,000.
It turns out us Zwifters know a thing or two about how to SŪFFER. We can’t wait to see what Lance and the WEDŪ crew dream up next.