Everesting for Choc
NORTHCLIFF – Three local cyclists successfully 'Everested' on Northcliff Hill.
Nigel Laver, Sean Lemmon and Ogies Cornelissen completed the ultimate cycling challenge – the Everest.
The three cyclists attempted to cycle up and down Northcliff Hill until they had cycled the equivalent of the elevation of Mount Everest which is 8 848m
This all in the name of Choc, the Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa that acts as a support group for parents of children with cancer, by parents of children with cancer. The team raised R11 140 surpassing their initial goal of R8 848.
It took the cyclists 25 hours to complete 8 848m, ascending Northcliff Hill from Weltervreden Road to the tower base on 14 January from 3pm until the following day at 4pm.
“It was 18 hours moving time and ended up being 49 repeats with an extra 100m for good measure,” Laver said after completing the challenge.
The community, after hearing about their attempt on the I Love Northcliff Facebook page, came out in full support. One resident, Trevor Ou Tim, supported the cyclists in E.T-inspired dress-up, carrying an E.T. replica on the front of his bike.
“Many friends and strangers came to do a number of repeats – the distraction of chatting through those laps really helped make them fly by,” added Laver.
The challenge took longer than expected. Initially, the plan was to finish by 9am on Sunday, but the trio ended up cycling until 4pm.
But it was spending the night at the base of the tower that proved to be the most challenging. Laver said they were fatigued, more likely due to the lack of sleep than riding.
“At 3am, we started again after a long tea and coffee break,” he said.
Beagle Watch Armed Response also supported the team and their families by keeping watch at the tower through the night.
It was when day broke on Sunday that their spirits lifted again because now the end goal was in sight.
It was not the first time this challenge was undertaken on Northcliff Hill. Laver said eight people successfully ‘Everested’ on Northcliff Hill before.
But through it all, the cyclists said every time things got a little difficult, they would think about the children suffering from cancer and realised that the children’s struggle was bigger.
To donate to the Choc foundation, go to www.givengain.com/ap/madcoweveresting
