The Down Lane #EquinoxEveresting Challenge

Everest stands at 8,848 metres above sea level. The highest mountain peak, and one of the greatest climbing challenges on earth.

'Everesting' is a concept dreamed up by an Australian club Hells 500, and the rules are pretty simple: climb the same route, descend the same route; until your cumulative elevation gain is equivalent to the height of Everest.

The idea of a riding an 'Everesting' found its way onto my Bucket List a while back. As someone that uses the #insearchofup hashtag a lot, it seemed a fitting masochistic challenge.

This year, I've decided to tick it off.


For a good cause - The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

The date chosen for my Everesting actually sits almost exactly mid-way between the two equinoxes, close to the summer solstice. The 'Equinox' side of the challenge has a deeper meaning though; my hope is that through raising sponsorship, the challenge will help to support an Isle of Wight based charity, which tries to provide a more equal and normal childhood for cancer survivors: The Ellen MacArthur Trust.

The EMC Trust is based in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight. The Trust is a national organisation that supports and empowers young people aged between 8 to 24 in recovery from cancer, through the power of sailing. Trust sailing trips provide children with the opportunity to try something new and exciting, with others who have experienced a similar distressing journey. The activities help to rebuild self-confidence, which is vital to their long term recovery.

The EMC Trust helps to bring a smile back to many young children's faces, after the months or years of uncertainty and discomfort caused by cancer. It is an incredible worthy cause, and one that I feel particularly strongly about; having enjoyed many years of sailing with family, but also lost close family members to cancer.

I am hoping to raise £250 from the challenge - please show your support with as much as you can, by clicking the button below

JustGiving - Sponsor me now!



I'm raising money for the Ellen MacArther Cancer Trust



My Down Lane #EquinoxEveresting


My attempt, the Down Lane #EquinoxEveresting will take place on Saturday 24th June 2017
(weather conditions and health permitting).

Details

  • The location is St. Boniface Down on the Isle of Wight. From the clock tower on Ventnor Seafront, to the radar station at the top of Down Lane, there is an elevation gain of 230 metres, over 3.3 kilometres. 
  • The climb will require 38 repetitions to reach the 8,848 metre target
  • The ride distance will total 250 kilometres
  • An expected average speed of 18 kph will mean it will be 14 hours of riding (16 hours including stoppage time). That is the reason I've purposefully scheduled it for as close to the summer solstice (mid-way between the two equinoxes) as possible. 
  • Planned start time: 05:00
  • Planned finish time: 21:00




The St. Boniface Down Climb contains sections of 25 percent gradients


38 times from sea level to the top of St Boniface Down



Kit for an Everesting

My #EquinoxEveresting kit is the lightest and fastest kit I could find in my collection. It comes from brands such as Mavic, GripGrab, Neil Pryde Bikes and POC Eyewear.

Clothing and accessories from Mavic and GripGrab



The Neil Pryde Bura SL with Mavic wheels

Find out more about my bike build for the challenge in this post: 'Bike Profile - Neil Pryde Bura SL'

Neil Pryde Bura SL


#insearchofup



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SwissStop Disc Brake Pads Comparison Test Review – Are All Disc Brake Pads Made Equal?

Recipe – The Ultimate High Energy Flapjacks

Review – Selle Italia SLR Boost Gravel Superflow Saddle S3

Review – Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 TSA Road Bike Bag

Review – TRP Spyre SLC Cable Disc Brakes