The Zwift community has always been about more than watts, KOMs, and virtual badges; it is a global collective that routinely rallies to support each other through challenges on and off the bike.
This June 19th, in recognition of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, professional cyclist Magnus Kulset and his close friend Amon Polierer are teaming up to take on one of the most grueling endurance milestones the platform has to offer: a Virtual Double Everesting on Alpe du Zwift!
The duo will be riding to raise critical awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, directing support to the life-saving work of Befrienders Worldwide.
Here is everything you need to know about the ride, the profoundly personal story behind it, and how you can be part of it all.
Event Logistics & Pace
- Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
- Start Time: 5am UTC/6am CET
- Location: Alpe du Zwift (Open World)
- Target Pace: The duo will target an uphill power of 4 W/kg for as long as possible.
- The Scale: A Double Everesting means climbing the equivalent of twice the height of Mount Everest in a single, continuous effort – over 17,600 meters (57,700+ feet) of vertical elevation gain without stopping.
The Backstory: A Personal Battle Against Silent Struggles
While Magnus brings his professional cycling pedigree to help pace the massive 16-hour expected riding time, the spark for this monumental challenge came from Amon. For him, the mission is deeply personal.
Last year, Amon’s mother attempted to take her own life. What followed was a long, exhausting journey marked by severe depression, multiple hospital admissions, and countless medical interventions.
“As a family, we experienced firsthand how devastating mental illness can be—not only for the person suffering, but also for everyone who loves them,” Amon shared. “Watching someone you care about fight a battle that often remains invisible changes your perspective forever. It taught me that mental health struggles can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstances. It also showed me how important it is to talk openly about mental health, to listen without judgment, and to ensure that people know support is available.”
Breaking the Silence: The Sobering Reality
Mental health struggles often remain hidden. Many people suffer in silence, believing they have to carry their burdens entirely alone. Magnus and Amon want to use the massive reach of the Zwift community to start vital conversations and highlight the staggering global impact of suicide:
- Over 720,000 people die by suicide every year worldwide—approximately one life lost every 40 seconds.
- Around 1 in every 100 deaths globally is due to suicide.
- For every completed suicide, there are an estimated 20 suicide attempts.
- It remains among the leading causes of death for young adults aged 25–29 globally.
- Every single suicide directly fractures families, friends, colleagues, and athletic teammates.
“Behind every statistic is a human life, a story, and people left behind,” the team notes. “This challenge is not only about climbing 17,600 meters on Zwift. It is about reminding people that there is always hope, even in the darkest moments.”
Why a Double Everesting?
For both riders, cycling has always been a tool to clear the mind, reduce stress, build psychological resilience, and forge genuine human connections.
An Everesting attempt is physically exhausting and mentally punishing. In a small way, pushing through the deep physical discomfort reflects the immense effort required to continue moving forward through dark personal moments, and emphasizes the necessity of relying on others when you cannot carry the weight alone. While physical suffering on the Alpe eventually ends, many facing a mental health crisis feel permanently trapped. Magnus and Amon hope this ride serves as a beacon to break that isolation.
Supporting Befrienders Worldwide
All efforts and awareness from this ride are dedicated to Befrienders Worldwide, a vital global network of emotional support and suicide prevention organizations. Their network ensures that people in the depths of a crisis can find a compassionate, confidential volunteer to listen, understand, and care.
Their core message aligns perfectly with the ethos of this event: Talk. Listen. Reach Out. Sometimes, a single open conversation is enough to save a life.
How You Can Help
Whether you want to follow their journey, share their story on social media, join them in the open world to offer a draft, or simply use this as a reminder to check in on a friend, you are helping fulfill the mission.
Because mental health affects all of us. Because nobody should have to face their darkest moments alone. And because life is better with you here.
Follow the Ride & Training
- Instagram: instagram.com/magnus.kulset
- YouTube: youtube.com/@magnuskulset
- Strava: strava.com/pros/3527582
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