Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
I have lost two grandparents to cancer and have an Aunty who is currently going through treatment for cancer. Therefore this cause and charity which I have chosen are very close to my heart. My father did a cycle challenge last year and another friend and mentor has done a number of challenges which has now inspired myself to do one.
The challenge I am going to undertake is ride my fixed gear bike up the legendary Alpe d'Huez, not once, but eight times over a four day period. Why eight I hear you ask? Well Alpe d'Huez is considered by some as the Mount Everest of mountains in cycling. It is 13.8 kms long, has 21 hairpins, an average gradient of 8.1%, but a maximum of 13% and has an evelvation of 1,124 meters. Mount Everest stands at a height of 8,848 meters, therefore by climbing Alpe d'Huez eight times I will have cycled beyond the peak of Mount Everest.
On an average bike this climb will take a normally fit person around an hour to complete, however, I am going to cycle up the climb using my fixed gear bike, which means it will probably take me up to two hours for each ascent. This will be non stop pedalling as there is no free wheeling.
With weather and road conditions I am looking at doing this over a four day period and will aim to do a morning and late afternoon climb. Therefore missing out on the harsh midday sun and heat. Although I will be alone I will be supported by my father, who may even try and do an ascent or two.
The challenges I will face will be many, but with your support, encouragement, advise and assistance I hope to overcome these and prevail.