Fundraisers complete 'Everest' bike challenge in Dales

A father of three has completed a pedal-powered challenge which saw him climb the equivalent of the height of Mount Everest by cycling up a hill 90 times.

James Badger, from Harrogate, took on his latest challenge in memory of his wife, Philippa, who died in 2022, two days after being diagnosed with blood cancer.

The ride, at Lackon Bank in the Yorkshire Dales, took 22 hours to complete and saw Mr Badger and his fellow cyclists climb a total of 29,528 ft (9,000m).

In 2023, he raised more than £200,000 by cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats, and he said he hoped to raise a further £100,000 with his latest challenge.

Before taking on his latest fundraiser for the Blood Cancer UK charity he said it would present physical and mental challenges.

However, he added that his late wife would help him through it.

"I will be going past where my wife is buried 90 times," he said.

"Every time I feel like I cannot keep going, I will just look across and get that inspiration."

The challenge started at 03:00 BST on Saturday and finished at about 01:00 BST on Sunday.

Speaking during the ride, Mr Badger told BBC Radio York: "It's a lot harder than Land's End to John O'Groats.

"There's no rest time: it's straight uphill and straight back down.

"At 3 o'clock this morning, there was no-one around. You could hear the owls and it felt very peaceful. It felt very, very appropriate."

Mr Badger said he and his fellow cyclists had "lots of support" completing their challenge.

"We've had lots of family and friends come and cycle a few laps with us and cheer us on with cow bells on the side of the road. That makes all the difference."

Mr Badger has so far raised more than £25,000 from the latest challenge.

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