After the enormous success of last year’s Cycle Challenge Japan, where he cycled 3,647km in 21 days without support, Ollie is getting back on his bike in peak typhoon season to help put a stop to dolphin hunts in Taiji.

The hunting season starts again in September, and Ollie aims to put himself through days of extreme conditions in July to raise both local and global awareness for Dolphin Project — a non-profit who we have been working with closely since 2014). We are currently working on their new website, as well as providing ongoing development support and digital marketing.

“I can't sit back and continue to see the cruelty and murder in Taiji where thousands of dolphins are killed and forced into captivity every year,” says Ollie. “And with Ric O’Barry now banned from Japan, I’m even more determined to make this cycling challenge count.”

Over 11 days, Ollie will cycle up Mt Fuji as many times as possible, and expects to total around 25-30 ascents by bike. The biggest ride will be 143.7 miles, or 230km in one day, and the largest climb will be a huge 22,000ft, also in one day.

On two days he will ride up to the 5th stations and climb to the summit on foot. This will be solo, out of season, and with no support.

Ollie also hopes to set several world records as part of the challenge, including:

  • Most ascents up Mount Fuji on a bicycle in 9 days
  • Fastest time to ascend of all 4 road climbs up Mt Fuji in a day (Most ascents up Mt Fuji in 24 hours)
  • Most consecutive climbs up Mt Fuji on a bicycle

“Before I start, I’ll cycle from Tokyo to Futo to finally meet Izumi Ishii, an ex Dolphin Hunter. I'll then cover 1,770km in 11 days and climb 155,000 ft in that time,” says Ollie.

Mt Fuji is known for its unpredictable weather conditions, with hot and humid temperatures at base of the mountain in excess of 30 degrees which can plummet to -16c wind chill, even in the summer. At 3,776m (12,388ft) the oxygen on the summit has 40% less oxygen than at sea level — enough to cause altitude sickness.

“The difference in temperatures will be a challenge in itself — carrying kit for such drastic changes in weather conditions whilst being agile enough to tackle the huge amount of climbing every day,” he explains.

“Please donate what you can, share with your friends and give me even more motivation to complete this challenge.”

Where possible, Ollie will be keeping us up-to-date with his progress through the Facebook page Ollie’s Cycle Challenges.