Edale cyclist achieves equivalent Tour de France distance and Everest elevation

Jess Fawcett is a member of the worldwide InternationElles group of female riders who were prevented by the Covid-19 pandemic from taking part in the Tour de France one day ahead of the men.

Instead, the women cyclists embarked on a six-day challenge, starting with a non-stop team relay of 3,484km from home on static bikes over four days.

The five UK based riders then took on an Everesting challenge, climbing the equivalent height of 8,848 metres of Mount Everest in just 18 hours. In doing so, they joined a group of only 446 female riders from around the world who have successfully completed this feat of stamina and perseverance.

They rose to the Everest challenge on the Bwlch in Rhondda Valley, south Wales, where they each climbed a staggering 27 times. Rules stated that they had to complete the climb in a single attempt, with no sleep allowed. The climb represented 339m of elevation at an average gradient of 5%.

Jess, who is a communications freelancer, said she took part in order to “increase awareness and spark conversation around the lack of equality in cycling, whilst completing an epic life-changing challenge!”

As co-founder of a charity for women’s cycling, Sheffield-born Jess battles hard for equality.

Her fellow InternationElle cyclist Louise Gibson said: “I’m delighted that even though we weren’t able to go to France we were able to keep the conversation going about the inequalities that exist in cycling.

"Our challenge has coincided with exciting indications that a women’s stage race will take place in France in 2022 and we await a full announcement with great anticipation.

"While it is certainly a step in the right direction the InternationElles campaign has always been more than just a women’s Tour de France and we will continue to keep the pressure on for more developments within women's cycling to try and close the gender gap.”

Five members of the InternationElle group in the Netherlands, America and France mirrored the UK contingent’s climbing challenge feat.