A MAN in Whitehaven is completing a cycling challenge in memory of his wife. 

Gerard McCarten, 84, is cycling the combined height of the tallest peaks in the UK, all from the comfort of his own doorstep. 

Gerard is currently cycling laps of Balmoral Road in Whitehaven to raise awareness of Bronchiectasis, a condition his wife Margaret suffered from since 1980. 

He has hoped to raise £500 for Asthma + Lung UK and has already surpassed this target. 

Mr McCarten said: "It's been tough so far, and it's been much harder than I thought it would be. 

"I thought I'd be able to just ride through it but I've found that I've had to pace myself and not go at it as hard as I did on the first day."

Gerard is being supported by his friend and former Olympian Mike Cowley. 

Mike, of Thornhill, was involved in the 1964 Olympic Road Cycle Race in Tokyo. After finding himself in the lead with world-renowned rider Eddy Merckx of Belgium, Mike was knocked off his bike due to the rainy conditions and unfortunately lost his position in the race. 

Mr Cowley praised Gerard for taking part in the challenge. He said: "I think it's a good thing he's doing, and also for a man of his mature age it's hard to do. To do three days of it is tough and I admire him for doing it."

Mike started his cycling life at Solway Cycling Club in Whitehaven and went on to join and then moved to Derwent Valley Wheelers in Workington, where he met Gerard. 

Mr McCarten continued: "Many people don't know about Bronchiectasis, Margaret had the condition and after being diagnosed she saw a general decline in her health. 

"She had that with her all the time until she passed away in October 2023. She liked to go up the fells, but this became more difficult as the condition developed, and it eventually reached the stage where we couldn't walk up the fells anymore."

Ben McCarten, Gerard's grandson, added: "I'm so proud of my grandad for what he's doing. 

"The rest of my family and I are supporting him through the challenge."