An Everest and a Ben Nevis as cyclist raises over £2,500 for Nepal

Cyclist Justin Gage successfully Everested one of his nastier local hills yesterday - then went on to climb the height of Ben Nevis, as one friend put it, "just to make sure".

Accompanied and cheered on by family, friends and well-wishers, Gage rode Winsley Hill, between Bath and Bradford-upon-Avon 91 times, six more than necessary to complete an Everesting — climbing the height of the world's tallest mountain, 8,848m.

Gage has so far raised over £2,500 for the Disasters Emergency Committee to help victims of the Nepal earthquake, smashing his original target of £1,000.

Justin's Strava record of the day

He was rapturously congratulated by friends and followers on Strava. Henry Stevenson posted: "I'm in awe - Everest and then Ben Nevis just to make sure!"

Andy Stewart said: "Brilliantly done! It was great to be there to do the last few. I feel a fraud just doing 11 though! Amazing efforts, by you, Emma and Mya and Arthur.

"So many brilliant quotes you were coming out with too: "it's been easy really" No! 20 hours and 91 reps is "awesome", not "easy", that's just typical Mr Gage underplaying a huge achievement :-)"

The weather wasn't kind to Gage, with intermittent rain and temperatures in the low-to-mid teens.

Over a little more than 20 hours Gage clocked up 234.6km of riding and 10,612m of ascent on the 105m climb. He burned almost 11,000 Calories, the equivalent of 23 Big Macs.

On the Strava record of his epic ride, Gage posted: "A massive, massive thank you to everyone who came and supported me. I really don't think I could have done that without you.

"The number of people who rode with me, stood and cheered and of course sponsored me was truly overwhelming. Thankyou for making a hard task that much more bearable.

"xx J"

Donations are still open via Justin's Just Giving page