A WHITEHAVEN man is set to take on an epic cycling challenge in memory of his late wife. 

Gerard McCarten, 85, plans to cycle the combined height of the highest mountains in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales in three days. 

The combined height of the four peaks is 4,466 metres - but Gerard will travel no further than 50 metres from his front door. 

He is hoping to raise awareness of the forthcoming Asthma and Lung UK campaign for funding research into bronchiectasis. 

He is set to start the challenge on July 1 to coincide with World Bronchiectasis Day. 

Margaret McCarten Margaret McCarten (Image: Supplied)

Mr McCarten said: "I've read that within the population, 1 in 200 will have bronchiectasis. My wife Margaret was a long-time sufferer before her death in October 2023. 

"This has made me want to raise awareness of the little known lung disease."

Former professional cyclist and Olympian, Mike Cowley of Thornhill, will be supporting Gerard with the challenge. 

Gerard was a former teammate of Mike in the Derwent Valley Wheelers.

In 1964 Mike was involved in the Olympic Road Cycle Race covering a distance of 194.8km. Mike found himself in the lead with world-renowned rider Eddy Merckx of Belgium and a third rider. 

Gerard and Margaret Gerard and Margaret (Image: Supplied)

As the trio raced through the rain into the last corner, the third rider tried to come through on the inside of the bend, however, he lost traction in the wet conditions and brought Mike down with him. 

He would go on from the Olympic Games to be a multiple-stage winner in several Tours of Britain.