Cumbrian cyclist Gerard McCarten dies aged 87

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 16:02 · Archive

Gerard McCarten, a prominent Cumbrian cyclist known for epic charity rides, has died after a short illness at 87.

Gerard McCarten, a prominent Cumbrian cyclist and founder member of VC Cumbria, has died after a short illness aged 87. He was part of a well-known sporting family and a member of the Derwent Valley Wheelers.

McCarten had survived prostate cancer detected around the turn of the century and suffered a heart arrhythmia attack in 2016 while on a regular cycle ride. He recalled that three Samaritans in Cleator Moor called emergency services and kept him conscious until they arrived. 'Since then I rode with an angel on my shoulder in the form of a defibrillator,' he said.

In recent years McCarten undertook charity work on his bicycle following his wife Margaret's illness. Margaret returned to their home in Hensingham in 2020 for palliative care and died in October 2023. In 2023, McCarten cycled for 100 minutes maintaining a heart rate of 100 beats per minute, transmitting ten thousand heartbeats to doctors, nurses and community carers as a tribute to Margaret. After her death he continued raising money for Bronchiectasis Research through challenges including cycling the equivalent of the UK's four highest mountains and Olympus Mons, the tallest known mountain in the solar system.

How it is being reported

• Cumbrian cyclist known for his epic charity rides dies aged 87ONE of the great names of Cumbrian cycling, Gerard McCarten, has died after a short illness at the age of 87.Cumberland News · 20 Oct, 15:33
• Cumbrian cyclist known for his epic charity rides dies aged 87ONE of the great names of Cumbrian cycling, Gerard McCarten, has died after a short illness at the age of 87.Whitehaven News · 20 Oct, 15:33

In this story: Gerard McCarten · Margaret McCarten · VC Cumbria · Derwent Valley Wheelers · Cumbria · Hensingham · Cleator Moor

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