Photos courtesy of Phil Golston or otherwise indicated, the report from Caley Fretz both from cycling tips website, with thanks
RONAN MC LAUGHLIN HAS SMASHED THE EVERESTING RECORD IN 6 HOURS 40 MINUTES
CyclingTips’ own Ronan Mc Laughlin has reclaimed the Everesting world record. The Irishman climbed the necessary 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) in a blisteringly fast time of 6:40:54, almost 20 minutes faster than the previous world record of 6:59:38 set by America’s Sean Gardner on October 3, 2020.
This isn’t the first time Mc Laughlin has broken the Everesting record by a considerable margin. In July 2020 the former-semi-pro-racer-and-coach-turned-tech-writer climbed the height of Mt. Everest in 7:04:41 – more than 20 minutes faster than the previous record, set by none other than six-time Grand Tour winner Alberto Contador. Mc Laughlin’s new record, set last Tuesday, March 23, was completed on the same ascent as his first record ride: the climb to Mamore Gap in the northern reaches of the Republic of Ireland. The 810-meter segment Mc Laughlin rode is a nearly-dead-straight section of road that pitches up at a punishing average gradient of 14.2%, climbing 117 meters in the process.
To reach the height of Everest, Mc Laughlin had to complete just less than 76 laps. He ended up completing 78 just to be safe. The elevation gain of his chosen climb was independently verified by geographic data systems company Integrated Informatics and his ride was officially verified as a new record time by Hells 500, the organisation that manages Everesting (headed up by CyclingTips’ Andy van Bergen).
“I have been lucky enough to do a lot on a bike, and get a lot in life from bikes,” Mc Laughlin said after his ride. “Undoubtedly though, getting this record again is right at the very top. I am usually my own harshest critic in terms of achievement, but I am already super proud of this one. “To work all the way through winter and then finally take another 19 minutes off the record on the very first chance I’ve got this year is special.”
Congratulation Ronan and the team behind you….already reining champion of the Donegal Ultra 555 and now reclaiming the Everesting World record holder title is some achievement … very proud of you sir!
