I am doing this challenge in memory of my dad, John Willis, known to his friends as ‘Johnny Banjo.' My dad was an inspiration for my cycling, with his tales of 100 mile Time Trials and races in the 1950’s (when he once came 2nd to the now legendary Tommy Simpson). But he was more than that.  The way he lived his life was an inspiration in itself.  Johnny Banjo was unique, loveably eccentric (slightly nuts!), determined, (stubborn as a mule), but also kind and warm-hearted with a complete lack of concern for material goods/money and how others viewed him!  He followed his passions, whether they were cycling, whisky, concertinas, steam engines, and, of course, banjos.

I am not going to build any steam engines, or boats or musical instruments, and god-forbid I take up the concertina or the dreaded banjo, but I do share his love of cycling, and maybe some of his traits….. (most people seem to think my interest in cycling uphill is slightly nuts!)

‘Everesting’ means cycling up the same hill until you have completed the hight of Mt Everest - 29029 feet.  I love the challenge of hills on my bike.  I love trying for Queen of the Mountains on Strava (the social network for athletes). I love the simplicity of hill repetitions.  But I know that this challenge is going to be HARD. This is hill reps on a grand scale.  To have a chance of completing it I will need to do some seriously hard training. Many people take 24 hours to complete an Everest.  I hate getting up early. I don’t really like cycling in the dark.  I really need to buy new lights!  I’m worried that it will rain all day (I live on the west coast of Scotland).  But if it was easy it wouldn’t be a challenge!

I hope I can raise lots of money for Macmillan Cancer Support, because the nurses were really kind during the last few weeks of my dad’s life.  They are very special people, and an inspiration to us all.

I also hope that this little insight into my dad’s life will inspire people to follow their own passions in this life and see where they lead……. it seems mine are leading me up a very big hill (29029 ft hopefully!)

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