1 Million Vertical Meters: Jack Thompson First to 'reach space' in One Year of Riding
52 goes at Everesting with a small addition of 2,068m of climbing on his ‘off days’
In 2022, Australian endurance athlete Jack Thompson will become the first cyclist in space. But unlike Bezos, Branson or Musk, Jack will embark on this world-first entirely under his own steam. With pedal power only.
This is not an April fool. This is legit. Jack plans to go where no cyclist has gone before. He will break new boundaries. Explore the impossible. And will spearhead cycling’s first-ever space expedition. All in the name of mental wellbeing.
Throughout 2022, Jack will ride 1 million metres of elevation – two and a half times the height of the International Space Station into the Exosphere of Space. And will aim to raise €1 million for four worldwide charities – Kids Helpline; Outride; StrongMinds; and Amna – the latter aimed specifically at supporting families impacted by recent tragic events in Ukraine.
In order to become the first cyclist in space, Jack will complete 52 ‘Everests’ throughout 2022 – one per week. This mind-bending feat alone will still only give him just under half his intended goal. Jack’s 52 Everests will be supplemented by an average of 2,068m elevation gain per day, not including his paltry 52 rest days throughout the year.
Jack’s Challenge began on January 1, 2022. But there has been a media blackout until now. By the time 1,000,000: A Space Odyssey is revealed to the public, Jack will have completed 13 Everest Challenges, one a week since the turn of the year. But things ramp up further from here, as his mission to become the first cyclist in space really takes hold.
Simultaneously, a series of events and activations will be announced, including Everest Locations, Weekly Training Rides, Train with Jack opportunities, and speaking engagements.
In an ‘almost’ post Covid-19 world, the event ethos will be strongly focused on ‘getting involved, riding with others and developing a community.’ Striving for inclusion and awareness of those suffering from mental illness.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession has negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new barriers for people already suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders. During the pandemic, 4 in 10 adults in the US reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders, a share that has been largely consistent, up from 1 in 10 adults who reported these symptoms from January to June in 2019. A 30% increase in mental health-related illness over the course of two years.
Jack’s aim in embarking on this incredible mission is to drive awareness for mental health both within the cycling world, and also in the corporate workplace, and support those in need from recent humanitarian disasters.
Website – http://jackultracyclist.com
Charity Site – http://give.jackultracyclist.com
