An Irishman is back in the saddle this week on a 12,000km cycle from Cork to Mount Everest base camp – after monsoon conditions scuppered his previous mission in July.

Daragh Cronin, 24, was devastated when he was forced to abandon the trek in Mumbai, India, and return to his native Cork after a gruelling 143 days on his bike.

But on Thursday, the avid hurler from Blackrock flies from Dublin to finish what he started, facing a 2,500km cycle across India and into Nepal.

Once he reaches the foot of the world’s tallest mountain, he plans to put his bike over his shoulder and hike up to Everest base camp, more than 5,000m above sea level, in a first for an Irish citizen.

Part of his training has involved carrying his bike up and down Carrauntoohil in Kerry – Ireland’s highest peak.

The Project Blackrock to Base Camp cycle intends to raise €30,000 via idonate.ie/roaminwithcronin for the children’s wards at Cork University Hospital.

Mr Cronin, who works with Irish Pioneer Works (Fabricators) in Cork, said: ‘Every day, my vision is seeing myself at that base camp rock; every decision I’ve made has revolved around it.

‘I’m very nervous about going out again; that day in Mumbai broke me; that was one of the lowest moments of my life.’

He hopes to complete the mission by mid-December.