A further $750 in cash donations were collected for the University’s Student Hardship Fund as Dr Randal pedalled for 15.5 hours, up and down a virtual hill 66 times until he had ridden the elevation of Mount Everest (8,848m).
Dr Randal’s Everesting attempt began at 7am and with only a couple of short breaks, he reached the ‘summit’ at 11.15pm. During the day, students, staff, supporters and family kept him company, stopping by for a chat and to donate to the cause. The Lab café kept him fuelled with food and coffee, and his bike mechanic visited to make sure the smart trainer donated by Capital Cycles, was working efficiently.
“It was wonderful to have company, and it helped pass time more quickly. From a few hours in, my legs and hands started to ache and I couldn’t comprehend completing the ride. But then I took it 10 minutes at a time and things were okay,” he said.
Having a stationary bike added the extra challenge of having less movement when riding, making it physically harder than riding on the road.
The event is a lead-up to the major fundraiser where he and seven other Kiwi cyclists will ride the 3,329km Tour de France one day ahead of the pros in July.
With four months to go, the team has already raised over $18,000 for the Mental Health Foundation.
The cause is close to Dr Randal’s heart. “I’ve battled depression for most of my adult life, during which I’ve been a student and on staff at the University. So I know from experience—whether you’re sitting exams, writing a thesis or doing research—that mental health can affect your ability to be productive in the university environment.
“We need to talk about it more. Mental health is something a lot of people struggle with—nearly one in five New Zealanders will experience mental illness this year.
“For me, cycling and dealing with depression are interrelated. One of the single biggest factors in my wellness are the moments of calm and freedom I feel when I’m riding my bike. So riding the Tour de France route to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation makes perfect sense to me. It’s a way I can use cycling to help others suffering from mental health issues.”
To donate to the cause, visit John’s fundraising page on the Mental Health Foundation website.