Kostas Somarakis - First ascent of Everest!

Early in 2021 in a careless moment LFCC club member Kostas allowed a thought to enter his mind.

Could he in a single day ride the equivalent height of Everest, 8900 metres? Friends were consulted, vague promises of assistance and advice on a suitable hill were offered in a series of flippant responses that failed to gently enquire about his sanity.

The chosen day arrived – 26th June, closest to the summer solstice (max daylight), Kostas put the bike in the boot and drove out to Terrace Hill near Belvoir Castle, base camp was established and shortly before 6-00 am the assault on Everest began. 115 laps of 0.46 km with an average gradient of 10% lay ahead. Putting it simply this was going to be a brutal slog without respite particularly as ‘Terrace Hill’ has a variable gradient on which it was difficult to find a rhythm.

Never the less a rhythm was established with each lap taking around 6 minutes. Easy!! 6 minutes x 115 laps = 12 hoursincluding a bit of rest; – should be home by 8-00pm latest!!!!

Shortly before 9-00 am I arrived, the first of the promised support team, armed with coffee, water, flapjack, bike and lots of ‘bonhomie’ to supplement the base camp rations of water and energy gels. Coffee and flapjack were consumed with eagerness and sets of 10 laps were encouraged to provide intermediate targets.

But by lap 45 things were beginning to look very challenging. The enormity of the task was slowly sinking in and Kostas was barely beyond the foothills, the ‘South West Face’ of a further 70 laps lay menacingly ahead. It was clear that this was no longer a physical challenge, it was going to take Kostas into some deep holes where courage, and mental strength were going to be tested to breaking point.

By mid-afternoon extra support had arrived, Steve, Ed, Jamie, Henry, Allen and Kostas’ girlfriend Winnie. But the lap times had slowed, and the rest times increased. Winnie had clearly been told that Kostas was expecting an early evening finish and it was left to me to break the tragic news that a finish before 2-00 am would be a good result. This was going to test a relationship.

The laps continued to be ticked off, but an abandonment seemed increasingly likely. Thin encouragement was offered by reeling off the names of inspirational Greek heroes - Alexander the Great, Aristotle, Plato, Hercules, SpiridonLouis, and Kostas Somarakis. But our hero was struggling to smile. Different supporters would saddle up to accompany each lap, Jamie did 28!! I managed 18.

As night fell there were 25 more laps to go. Hot pasta arrived courtesy of Karen, I saddled up to offer some moral supportand for the first time in my cycling career was able to keep pace up a hill with Kostas but he was 7,000 metres ahead of me. As Midnight approached Andreos arrived with fresh legs, the equivalent of a Sherpa carrying extra bottles of oxygen for the final summit push. 10 more laps and it would be done. But, as with all such endurance challenges, the final push is the most difficult, the final 10% is as hard as the first 40%, each turn of the pedals on the steepest section was a mini achievement. As midnight passed and the clock ticked on towards 1-00 pm Kostas was on auto pilot, laps went by in a dreary haze until almost by surprise the summit was there. A final few turns of the pedals and it was finished. No more descending, no more ascending - IT WAS FINISHED!

The line was crossed with a whoop and a cheer – he was emotionally, physically and mentally drained. Kostas had no more to give.

What a guy! Our hero had cycled 257 Km, a fantastic achievement in its own right, but in the process he had ascended 9,130m, or for those who prefer 29,954 feet.

I have total respect for Kostas, the biggest achievement was keeping going, it was far more brutal than he ever imagined, he had to dig deep and continue turning the pedals when every part of his being wanted to stop.

Well done my friend you did it.

Thank you for allowing us all to be part of it.

CHAPEAU KOSTAS – KING OF EVEREST!

Thanks and credit to Graham Dunn for the write up.

Leicester Forest7 September 2021