Cyclist tackles Everest
On Saturday June 13, mountain biker, Marcel Eloff will attempt an Everesting in Barberton.
With athletes around the globe, he will help raise US$1 000 000 to help More Than Sport in their quest to provide food, shelter and education to the people of Nepal. On April 25 and May 12 Nepal was struck by two devastating earthquakes of 7,8 and 7,3 magnitudes. More than half a million homes were destroyed and more than 8 600 people died.
The term Everesting comes from the height of Mount Everest in Nepal, which is 8 848 metres. Eloff will endeavour to climb a minimum elevation gain of this height with his mountain bike on Saturday, but he will do so riding up and down the Makhonjwa Mountains.
“I will cycle up and down Lone Tree Hill Road a minimum of 10 times. The ground base will be at Kalei Deo School and College in Crown Street (past the town prison) where there will be a festive atmosphere. My turning point will be at the top of Lone Tree Hill,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to reach 10 000 metres in 12 hours.
There is little record available of someone who has attained this elevation with a mountain bike on gravel road, although it had been done with a road bike on tar. My aim is to raise R10 000 or more for the work of More Than Sport in Nepal.”
Eloff will start cycling at 06:00 and hopes to finish at 18:00. He is currently the only cyclist who will attempt this challenge.
The event will be verified by Veloviewer and Hells 500 and will also be visible on my Strava and social-media accounts,” he said.
Businesses or individuals who would like to sponsor a set amount per metre or who would be interested in making a once-off donation, are welcome to contact Eloff on 076-792-8080 or email him on m.eloff@hotmail.co.za. You can also find him on Facebook at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/BtnEveresting
He said, “This will be the first Everesting attempt in Mpumalanga as well as in Barberton and will be a highlight of my cycling career since I started again six months ago.
“I trust that you will consider being part of this massive endeavour in Barberton. It will be of great encouragement to me but more so help the people in Nepal.”
Statistics
• Lap elevation: 898 metres
• Lap distance: 14,5 kilometres
• Estimated time: 10 to 12 hours.
