Cyclist summits Everest from home for charity
Through the help of the Zwift online app, Frantzeskou's bike trainer adjusted its gradient frequently to allow him to cycle 230km and reach a final elevation of 9km (the tallest mountain in the world has a peak of 8 848m but Frantzeskou wanted to go a little higher)
Climbing mount Everest is an amazing feat, and so is cycling up it virtually from a bike trainer at home.Fairland resident Michael Frantzeskou (30) did just this to raise funds for charity.
Through the help of the Zwift online app, Frantzeskou’s bike trainer adjusted its gradient frequently to allow him to cycle 230km and reach a final elevation of 9km (the tallest mountain in the world has a peak of 8 848m but Frantzeskou wanted to go a little higher).
Specifically, the app required him to cycle the ‘Alpe du Zwift’ hill repetitively until reaching that elevation.This took him 11 hours and 27 minutes.
Frantzeskou hoped to raise R10 000 for the Gift of the Givers Foundation, whose proceeds go towards equipment and supplies for medical facilities across South Africa to combat the coronavirus.
But he far surpassed this goal and raised just over R32 000.”Physically, my legs took strain and hydration was an issue. I think I drank 12 litres of liquids during the ride,” Frantzeskou told the Northcliff Melville Times.
“I live-streamed the ride on YouTube and just seeing that, whether there was one person watching or 30 people (besides my wife), it inspired me more than anything else to keep going.”
He said he had the idea to raise funds for a medical supplies when he realised he wanted to do more than sit at home to save lives.
“I wanted to use my fitness to do some good during this difficult time.”Frantzeskou is a running and cycling enthusiast and has completed the Iron Man, Cape Town Cycle Tour and Comrades Marathon.
He said during the lockdown, we should all focus on what we can control and worry less about what we cannot control. “We are all in this together. It sounds cliche but we need to spend more time with our families. We need to be mindful of the situation we are in and be grateful for what we have.”
He is still raising funds for the foundation and encouraged anyone interested in supporting it to contact him or visit the BackaBuddy page online.
Details: Michael Frantzeskou mfrantzeskou@hotmail.com
