David Kleynhans plans to cycle the height of Mount Everest by doing repeated circuits up and down Bainskloof Pass, which features an elevation of 594m, from April 27.
The 46-year-old, who has chosen this challenge in a bid to raise awareness about and funds for the elderly, intends to do 24 laps and cover 572km in 24 hours.
“I have to select a segment of road that will continue going higher in elevation without any declines.
David Kleynhans plans to cycle the height of Mount Everest by doing repeated circuits up and down Bainskloof Pass. Photo: Facebook/Frail David Kleynhans McKenzie
“I then need to calculate the elevation gained and cycle that route continuously up and down until I reach 8 848m or higher, which is the elevation of Mount Everest.
“The piece of road I’ve selected is on Bainskloof Pass from the Wellington side, on the outskirts of Cape Town.”
Kleynhans said with each climb he would achieve 450m to 460m of elevation over a distance of 13km before cycling back down and starting over again.
“Each lap may take up to an hour or longer to complete.”
He added that he had been considering doing this challenge for a few years and, given his training over the last few months, had decided to push the limits and try to cycle the Everest in 24 hours.
“The obstacle will be to cover the amount of distance needed, but I’ll just take it one lap at a time as well as limit the amount of rest and stops I take.
“I’m looking forward to completing the whole challenge and proving to myself that I can do it.”
Kleynhans said he had a passion to help others through cycling and hoped to still tackle the Ironman.
He also plans to cycle solo from Cape Town to Pretoria and back, which will constitute a 3 550km unsupported ride over 12 days.
