David Kleynhans received a major confidence boost from a successful simulation ride ahead of his upcoming “Everesting” attempt.
Kleynhans, 46, who is working towards cycling the height of Mount Everest, achieved a total of 204km of hill-climbing, which was just short of the 234km target he set himself at the end of the month.
He carried out the successful 19-hour ride in Camps Bay late last month. This was his second simulation ride before his second attempt, after the first one did not go according to plan.
“I was very impressed with my overall performance, especially as I did not have any discomfort or pain,” Kleynhans said.
David Kleynhans enjoyed a successful training ride ahead of his upcoming “Everesting” attempt. Photo: Facebook/Awareness 8 Support
“It was a major boost ahead of race day.”
He said he started out at midnight on the Friday night of the ride, which took place along Kloof Road on the back of Lion’s Head. The route runs between Table Mountain’s lower cable station and Clifton.
He said he had planned to cycle for roughly three hours at a time.
“I started out early as I knew it was going to be a very long day in the saddle.
“For the first two hours I managed four laps per hour and on the third I rode three laps an hour. I didn’t stop after each hill repeat, only after 10 repeats or three hours of riding.”
At each pit stop he made sure to take in enough nutrition before refilling his two bottles with water and cooldrink and setting off again.
“I suffered my only puncture after riding for 120km, so the rest of the day was trouble free.
“The traffic was also light, with only a few joggers and hikers on the road.”
Kleynhans, who is raising funds for the elderly, said after being on the bike for 19 hours he completed his 204km hill-climbing cycle.
“Now I’m training constantly every weekend but I don’t need to go the full distance again as I’m almost there.”
He will do one last training ride this weekend before the big race.
“I will then rest and prepare for the weekend of the 23rd where I’m considering not only doing an Everest but a Double Everesting attempt – over 30 hours of riding.”
The highest mountain in the world, Everest in the Himalayas, has an elevation of 8 848m.
