A KNUTSFORD dad has cycled hundreds of miles close to Britain to increase a lot more than £50,000 for charity.
James Whittaker, who life on Toft Road smashed his authentic concentrate on of raising £25,000 for intercontinental charity WaterAid, in his epic month very long mission to cycle the total coast of Britain.
Immediately after biking 3,500 miles, consuming and burning just about 250,000 energy, the father of three accomplished his 31 day obstacle on July 30, increasing in excess of £52,000 in the approach.
Over 310 folks and firms have presented to the Cycle Blighty WaterAid fund and 50-yr-previous James is now hopeful that because of to the generous providing from so several, two water stations can be provided to African communities who want it the most.
At the other conclude of the state, John O’Groats, Mark is joined by James Whittaker, Gaz Shaw and Bryn Clement who drove the motor property.
The herculean effort and hard work was only achievable following two several years of focused teaching which has seen James cycle on typical 15 several hours a week all through the Cheshire countryside and over and above.
Nonetheless, his efforts compensated off when he crossed the stop stage of his obstacle, at the well known 18th hole at St Andrews Golfing Training course, the place he was cheered by loved ones and mates who developed an arch, aptly from golfing clubs, for him to pass via.
James finished the experience with just a handful of slight accidents just after crashing into a wall to stay clear of a automobile immediately after skidding down a steep hill in the course of a major downpour in Devon and remaining pushed into the pavement by a car or truck.
He plotted the elaborate on-off street route more than a variety of months, which would entail covering at least 115 miles a day. It initial took him down the East coast, around the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh and by means of the rugged coastal landscapes of Northumberland, Lincolnshire’s seaside town Skegness and down to the Norfolk Broads in advance of calling in to Chatham Waters for a do the job linked photocall.
Colleagues and close friends joined him on a journey from North Wales to Liverpool and Wirral Waters ahead of heading up to Cumbria
The spectacular Jurassic Coastline beckoned with energetic encounters with cattle as he handed by means of fields and random paths in order to get as close to the coastline as attainable. By the time he reached Falmouth he had to contend with apocalyptic rain but unfazed he ploughed on to the legendary Land’s Conclude signpost.
As he headed up the West Coastline he stopped at Bristol, crossing the magnificent Clifton Suspension Bridge just before travelling alongside the Mumbles in South Wales, at some point reaching North Wales where by a large group of family members and close friends greeted him in Rhosneigr, Anglesey.
Heading up north he pulled in a stop by to Wirral and Liverpool Waters right before cycling by means of the Lakes, finally reaching Scotland wherever, more than 10 days, he navigated himself via the most remote locations of the United Kingdom with the guidance of brother Mark Whittaker and mates Bryn Clement and Gary Shaw applying a borrowed motorhome which Bryn drove as a base to try to eat and rest.
Buddies, family members and colleagues ended up glued to James’ social media movies on LinkedIn, Twitter ad Fb documenting the trip he experienced carried out that day made more-specific as they had been edited by James’ own 10 12 months aged daughter, Jessie.
James Whittaker finished a staggering 3,500 cycle all around the British coastline, raising more than £52,000 for WaterAid
It was on the northern coast of Scotland when his large spec bicycle broke due to a snapped de-railer. Having said that, the stars were aligned and by prospect a regional experienced bicycle owner had the section he essential acquiring been despatched the crucial spare a few weeks in advance of. Thankfully, James was again in the saddle in just a few hours.
Very similar to Forrest Gump’s famed operating journey where by he amassed fellow runners together the way, in excess of 20 previous college, college, rugby and work colleagues joined James at various points alongside the way which includes fellow Knutsfordians and pals Robin Maxwell and Charlie Williams who joined him for part of the Scotland leg.
James reported: “This has been just one of the most wonderful adventures of my lifestyle.
“I have been absolutely bowled in excess of by people’s generosity and kindness even though I’ve been on this unbelievable journey.
“From good friends making it possible for me to stay at their homes and feeding me with copious amount of food and drink to the professional cyclist who actually dropped almost everything to get the component to me as rapidly as he could, to my cycle buddies who stored me likely on tricky days, the strangers we achieved who gave us income for the fund and the mates who adopted me in their cars and camper vans to make positive I ate properly and had a spot to continue to be at night time.
“My friend’s brother even turned up with his boat so I could cross the Menai Straits.
“I simply cannot thank men and women ample for their generous supplying not only to the fund but in their unconditional help.
“We are living in an unbelievable place and I come to feel so lucky to have observed all of its magnificence.
“I hope it conjures up others to get on their bikes and put on their climbing boots to investigate more of the British isles.”