Knutsford dad cycles around British coastline for WaterAid

A KNUTSFORD father has cycled 1000’s of miles all-around Britain to elevate additional than £50,000 for charity.

James Whittaker, who lives on Toft Highway smashed his primary concentrate on of elevating £25,000 for intercontinental charity WaterAid, in his epic month very long mission to cycle the full coast of Britain.

Following biking 3,500 miles, consuming and burning nearly 250,000 energy, the father of a few concluded his 31 day challenge on July 30, elevating above £52,000 in the method.

In excess of 310 folks and companies have offered to the Cycle Blighty WaterAid fund and 50-12 months-aged James is now hopeful that thanks to the generous supplying from so quite a few, two h2o stations can be delivered to African communities who need to have it the most.

At the other end of the state, John O’Groats, Mark is joined by James Whittaker, Gaz Shaw and Bryn Clement who drove the motor household.

The herculean effort and hard work was only achievable just after two several years of devoted coaching which has seen James cycle on normal 15 hours a week in the course of the Cheshire countryside and outside of.

Nonetheless, his endeavours paid off when he crossed the close level of his obstacle, at the famous 18th gap at St Andrews Golf Program, where by he was cheered by household and buddies who designed an arch, aptly from golfing clubs, for him to move as a result of.

James done the journey with just a several small accidents soon after crashing into a wall to stay clear of a automobile just after skidding down a steep hill through a weighty downpour in Devon and being pushed into the pavement by a car.

He plotted the complicated on-off highway route more than a amount of months, which would entail masking at least 115 miles a day. It initial took him down the East coast, about the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh and through the rugged coastal landscapes of Northumberland, Lincolnshire’s seaside town Skegness and down to the Norfolk Broads before contacting in to Chatham Waters for a operate linked photocall.

Colleagues and good friends joined him on a journey from North Wales to Liverpool and Wirral Waters just before heading up to Cumbria

The dramatic Jurassic Coast beckoned with lively encounters with cattle as he passed as a result of fields and random paths in buy to get as shut to the coastline as feasible. By the time he arrived at Falmouth he had to contend with apocalyptic rain but unfazed he ploughed on to the legendary Land’s Finish signpost.

As he headed up the West Coast he stopped at Bristol, crossing the wonderful Clifton Suspension Bridge ahead of travelling alongside the Mumbles in South Wales, sooner or later achieving North Wales where by a substantial team of relatives and pals greeted him in Rhosneigr, Anglesey.

Heading up north he pulled in a stop by to Wirral and Liverpool Waters right before biking as a result of the Lakes, finally reaching Scotland wherever, in excess of 10 days, he navigated himself by the most remote regions of the United Kingdom with the guidance of brother Mark Whittaker and buddies Bryn Clement and Gary Shaw making use of a borrowed motorhome which Bryn drove as a foundation to consume and sleep.

Good friends, spouse and children and colleagues were being glued to James’ social media videos on LinkedIn, Twitter advertisement Fb documenting the trip he had undertaken that day designed further-distinctive as they experienced been edited by James’ individual 10 yr outdated daughter, Jessie.

James Whittaker finished a staggering 3,500 cycle close to the British coastline, boosting additional than £52,000 for WaterAid

It was on the northern coastline of Scotland when his higher spec bicycle broke thanks to a snapped de-railer. However, the stars had been aligned and by possibility a area qualified bike owner experienced the portion he needed owning been despatched the critical spare a handful of weeks in advance of. Thankfully, James was again in the saddle in a couple hours.

Related to Forrest Gump’s renowned operating adventure where by he amassed fellow runners alongside the way, about 20 outdated school, university, rugby and perform colleagues joined James at several details together the way which includes fellow Knutsfordians and friends Robin Maxwell and Charlie Williams who joined him for portion of the Scotland leg.

James stated: “This has been one of the most awesome adventures of my daily life.

“I have been totally bowled around by people’s generosity and kindness although I have been on this outstanding journey.

“From pals making it possible for me to continue to be at their houses and feeding me with copious amount of money of food items and drink to the professional bike owner who virtually dropped everything to get the aspect to me as rapidly as he could, to my cycle buddies who stored me going on rough times, the strangers we satisfied who gave us income for the fund and the mates who followed me in their vehicles and camper vans to make confident I ate thoroughly and had a area to stay at night time.

“My friend’s brother even turned up with his boat so I could cross the Menai Straits.

“I just cannot thank individuals adequate for their generous supplying not only to the fund but in their unconditional help.

“We dwell in an amazing state and I sense so lucky to have observed all of its elegance.

“I hope it conjures up others to get on their bikes and set on their hiking boots to examine more of the British isles.”