For 19 hours over the weekend Mr Alsop completed hillclimb loops of Mount William in the Grampians as part of the gruelling challenge known as Everesting.

The Port Fairy Cycling Club member rode 298 kilometres, or the equivalent of scaling the world’s highest mountain.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but it was worth it. I was stoked,” Mr Alsop said after the challenge.

“The feeling of accomplishment was great.”

Apart from a sore backside and tight legs, Mr Alsop said he had pulled up well, although hot weather on the mountain took a toll.

“The heat kept up and it was 41 degrees at one stage,” he said.

“Lap eight was definitely the hardest: it was about the halfway mark. 

“I was just a bit flat. 

I don’t think I’d eaten enough or drank enough.

“Luckily I had a friend there riding with me and he gave me plenty of words of encouragement and took my mind off the ride.”

Mr Alsop set off at 2am on Saturday morning with wife Michelle travelling by car behind for most of the challenge.

“A massive thank you to my wife. 

“Without having her there throughout the whole day it wouldn’t have been possible,” he said.

 Everesting, is a concept of the Hells 500 Melbourne-based cycling group.

“I checked the website this morning and I’m on the hall of fame for Everesting, so it’s official,” Mr Alsop said.

The keen cyclist now has his sights set on the Peaks Challenge at Falls Creek next month. 

He is hoping to complete the 235-kilometre event in under nine hours.

As well as the personal challenge, the ride also served as a fund-raiser for the push for a Koroit community pool.

Mr Alsop said he did not yet know how much was raised but was putting out another call for donations now the ride was over. 

To donate visit www.chuffed.org/project/everesting-for-koroit-community-pool