A CYCLIST has completed an "Everest" challenge by cycling up a Penarth hill more than 160 times for more than 20 hours for charity.

Joshua Dowdall took the climb 164 times equating to 120 miles on Saturday, July 29 from the Custom House to the top of Stanwell Crescent to raise funds for the mental health charity Mind in memory of someone he knew who took their own life.

Everesting is a cycle challenge where the rider does hill repeats until they reach the height of Everest in vertical climb, at 8849 metres.

He said: "The challenge was to not only raise money for mind but to raise awareness of mental health problems in general and especially in men, who often struggle to discuss their feelings."

Mr Dowdall started at 3am on Saturday and rode all day until 12.15am the next day, a total of 21 hours on the bike.

He had support from friends and family and the restaurant Custom House throughout the day.

Residents also cheered him on each time he made his way up the hill.

"For the last seven hours the rain lashed down continuously and each ascents gradually got harder and harder and each break longer and longer," he said.

"My bike was beginning to fail and started to become tired.

"Thankfully a number of my friends joined me on bikes and I was accompanied for the last 25 ascents by Penarth couple Tom and Rachel Dodsworth."

The challenge was finally completed just after midnight and has been independently verified by the everesting group Hells 500.

To donate please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joshua-dowdall