Because it is (virtually) there
expecting to get soaked at least once).
The hours of darkness and tiredness
are mentally quite tough, and when wet
meant that concentration was hard, but
the only thing to do is keep going.
Coming in to the dawn I was happy to
see the sun rise, but still had plenty of
reps to do. Moving into the late 50s for
repetitions was the hardest part, a lot of
climbing has been done, you are many
many hours in, but know that you still
have a lot to go. Hells 500 refers to the
time over 7,000 metres as the “death
zone”. The mental boost of getting past
60 reps was huge.
“It all started with a bunch of guys who
liked riding in the hills. Too much.” So
says the web-site o f the Hells500 Cycling
Club otherwise known as “the Keepers
of the Cloud” and the maintainers of
the Hall of Fame for those who have
completed the Everesting Challenge.
What is that? It is a challenge that asks
the cyclist to ride 8,848 metres, the
height of Everest, on one hill in one single
ride. As you have quickly worked out
there are no other hills in the world of
the same height so multiple repetitions
of any chosen hill are necessary to be
able to complete the height. Riders can
take natural breaks and stop to drink and
feed as they wish, but sleep breaks are
not allowed and the attempt must be a
single ride,
The first credited Everester was George
Mallory, grandson of the climber George
Mallory who was lost on the mountain
itself in 1924. The younger George
rode 10 laps of Mt Donna Buang in
the Victorian Alps whilst training for a
climbing attempt on Everest, and still has
one of the fastest times for the challenge.
News of the ride was picked up by Andy
van Bergen, a keen Australian cyclist,
who with a group of friends liked riding
out in the hills rather than racing on their
bikes.
In May 2015 with a group of friends I
took on the challenge on Box Hill. We
needed to complete 65 climbs from
Ryker’s Café and up to the top of the
famous Zig Zag road. Unfortunately
for me I suffered a knee injury on that
occasion and had to stop after only
completing 32 climbs. However, I was
determined to emulate the success of my
friends who were able to complete that
day, and were able to wear the distinctive
Grey Stripe kit that comes with entry
into the world-wide Hall of Fame for
successful Everesters. I had unfinished
business.
By the last few reps I was immensely
tired, but there was no way I was not
going to finish. The last rep was so
pleasant, and the descent to the finish
was a great feeling. After preparing once
for 2015, then having to wait to go again,
it was really satisfying to tick off the
unfinished business and email Andy in
Australia to say there was another shirt
order on its way.
By Dean Orgill
So I planned another attempt this
summer. More hours of daylight are an
advantage. I looked for a similar profile
of hill. You do want to balance enough
metres of height on each climb with a
gradient that is not horrific. Across from
Box Hill is Denbies Wine Estate, and
they kindly allowed us to use the hill that
runs up through the vineyard. A mere 73
repetitions would be required.
Setting off at 8.00 a.m. I expected to
be at least 24 hours to complete. The
first few hours passed very pleasantly,
and after a light shower in the afternoon
we were treated to several stunning
rainbows.
As night began to fall the temperature
began to drop, and just after dark the real
rain began to fall. Torrential rain caused a
few riders to pause. But I reasoned that
once wet I would get no wetter and just
kept going (I had packed 4 sets of kit
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