Super cyclist Ross Duncan is embarking on a mountainous challenge to raise money for a Kinross-shire children’s charity.
The 34-year-old from Dunfermline aims to complete a virtual ascent of Mount Everest every day for the next two weeks.
He will start his first 8,848-metre climb on Saturday, with the aim of completing all 124,000 metres by mid-November.
The full epic journey will be carried out using a virtual training platform called Zwift.
The IT technician is raising money for charity CHAS, which operates Rachel House in Kinross, and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which funds vital research into Motor Neurone Disease.
Ross, who is originally from Broughty Ferry, said: “My latest challenge, to climb Mount Everest every day for 14 days, might seem to some as a bit terrifying, so it’s quite fitting that I’m starting it on Halloween.
“I’m actually really looking forward to it though, as I’ve always enjoyed challenging myself and proving that even things that seem impossible are possible.”
He said: “As an ultra-cyclist I’ve taken on various difficult challenges that have taken me way out of my comfort zone, and there’s no better feeling than completing a challenge that I have set for myself, such as this.”
Ross, who previously made £6,000 for CHAS by cycling 124km for 124 consecutive days, said: “People often ask me how I do it and I always tell them the same thing – it’s about having the desire to do it and from there you just break it up mentally.”
He said he had originally planned to cycle 2,500 miles in 20 days across the whole of the UK, but was forced to cancel his plans because of tightened Covid restrictions.
His virtual challenge will take place using the Alpe du Zwift route, based on the Alpe d’Huez, which has featured in the Tour de France race 30 times.
Ross will cover approximately three times the elevation gain of the Tour de France which is traditionally done over 23 days with two rest days.
He said: “I have checked with the Hells 500 team which adjudicates all Everesting attempts and no one in the world that has ever tried to do back-to-back days of Everesting days before so I’m really excited to become the first person to achieve this.”
CHAS senior community fundraiser Fiona Leslie said: “Ross has raised so much for CHAS already and we are so grateful to him for again taking on another Herculean challenge which will make such a difference to the lives of the many children and families we support who need our help now, more than ever.”
