My Biggest Challenge yet – EVEREST
Like many cyclists I set goals for myself. The best ones are those with a reason behind them which gives added motivation.
Over the years some goals have been achieved whilst others have missed the target but still managed to take me in new and worthwhile directions.
This year one of my main goals is a double whammy. I am going to cycle the height of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the World at 8848 meters in a single day, and I want to raise one euro for every meter climbed for two causes that I really want to help.
The South Tipperary Hospice provide incredible dignity and comfort to people who are at the end of their life’s journey and their families. When my Father passed away the Hospice care was incredible.
The Asthma Society of Ireland is another charity that I have had personal experience of. As a person with Asthma since I was a child and having a daughter with Asthma I am very aware of the positive work that they do.
George Mallory whose grandfather of the same name lost his life on Everest, has both cycled the height of Everest and climbed the mountain itself and concluded that the cycle was the tougher of the two challenges.
To get to a height of 8848m I will have to climb to the very top of Tickincor and Powers the Pot over twenty one times.
The road just after Ferryhouse bridge which is my start point is 15.47m above sea level.
The top of Tickincor is 293m
The cattle grid above Powers the Pot is 399m.
The highest part of road in the Comeragh mountains a few hundred meters further on is 433.06m.
The difference between the highest and lowest points is 418m so in order to reach a height of 8848m I will have to ride up from the very bottom to the very top over 21 times.
Starting at 5am I probably won’t finish until after 9pm that night.
Training on Powers the Pot
The day won’t be easy but if I know that for every meter that I climb someone will have made a donation that will help the two charities, that will give me the extra push needed to make it to the summit.
I would like to thank everyone who has donated so far and all who may do so over the coming weeks as May 30th approaches.
If you would like to donate just follow the link to the mycharity page here ;
Thanks again,
Barry
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