On 20 September 2014, Kevin Benkenstein rode Old Howick Road in Pietermaritzburg (PMB), KwaZulu-Natal 17 times to raise funds for Qhubeka. The ride he did is called “Everesting”. Everesting is simple in theory: the cyclist chooses a hill of his / her choice and rides it repeatedly in a single ride until ascending the equivalent height of Mt. Everest above sea level – 8,848m.
Kevin says he’s known about Qhubeka for awhile and has wanted to get more involved. Everesting seemed like the perfect opportunity to raise funds and awareness for Qhubeka. “There is a great tie-in between me riding a bike to raise the money and Qhubeka’s mission of mobilising people with bikes,” he explains. “Bicycles are the most incredible things, and in so many different ways to so many people. For me, my bike gives me freedom and the ability to explore my country. For the beneficiaries of Qhubeka, the bicycle is a way to give themselves the ability to do more with their day and their money. For both of us, it provides a way to better ourselves and our lives. Contributing to that just seems natural.”You can support Kevin by making a donation to his Everesting project through our secure donations platform, Given Gain. “Most of us are very fortunate to have more than we really need in life,” says Kevin. “Giving a little to those who need it most will make a huge difference in their lives.”
Kevin has been great at posting updates of his Everesting ride on Instagram so we thought we’d list them here so you can follow the timeline of his ride:
10 hours before Everesting attempt: Kit ready. Food ready. Bike ready. Body, I hope so.
Two hours to go: Last couple of hours before #everesting. Thoughts are exploding in my head. So I wrote them down.
Gear choice.
Nutrition.
4am: Go time.
Lap 1. Into the dark.
Lap 2. 1000m climbed.
Lap 3. Staring at stems. Accepting the solitude.
Lap 4. Admiring the view. Guaging the effort.
Lap 5. Support.
Lap 6. Mates. 3200m climbed. Brendon Davids joins.
Lap 7. Chelsea Buns. 4500cal so far.
Lap 8. I’m being chased by a twig.
Lap 9. Past half way. Stats.
Lap 10. 5400m. New climbing record. And a new member, Jaco Pelser.
Lap 11. Drama cause I dropped my phone, but all sorted. Time to go again. More recruits.
Lap 12. Attacks left, right and center from Philip Rutkiewicz. Fresh legs. 6400m now. 2/3rds done. Past Base Camp in theory. Home stretch.
Lap 13. Purpose. 216km. 20:30hrs moving time. 6937m. R9 505 raised to put kids on bikes. Turning into a metronome.
Lap 14. Into the twilight zone on what feels like De Muur van Old Howick.
Lap 15. It’s dark. 8000m done. 1080m to go. Robert du Preez all the way from Durbs to join in. Mates.
Lap 16. 8535m. Still climbing. Empty. Broken. Not stopping.
21:25: Old Howick consider yourself Everested.
For you Burry, as promised.
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