Bishop Auckland businessman, Jonathan Plautus, is planning to take on the Fred Whitton Challenge – arguably one of the hardest races in the UK.
The challenge is in the form of a 112-mile cycle in the Lake District and takes you through Grasmere, Ambleside, Kirkstone Pass, Patterdale, Keswick, Honister Pass, Buttermere, Newlands Pass, Whinlatter Pass, Loweswater, Cold Fell, Eskdale and then finishes with the brutal Hardknott and Wrynose Passes.
However, this only motivated 45-year-old Jonathan, who has been a keen cyclist since the age of eight.
Due to a misunderstanding, Jonathan failed to realise he had secured a place in the race which takes place on Sunday 8th May. The challenge is very popular and it was notoriously difficult to get a place!
Places are decided through a lottery draw system to be as fair as possible to the riders.
Jonathan was unaware that a second draw had taken place and that he was one of the lucky riders selected.
It wasn’t until cyclists were supposed to be halfway into their training that Jonathan learned of his place in the race.
With encouragement and support from his wife Anne, with whom he lives in Crook, alongside their nine-year-old son, Jack, Jonathan pushed the setback aside and entered an intense training regimen, training six days a week sometimes for ten to twelve hours a day.
However, he says that after the first five weeks, he felt the strongest he’d felt in years.
So far the dad has raised over £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support but his goal is to get up to £600!
He said; “I’d love to give a big thanks to those who have sponsored me so far including local businesses who have helped me gain sponsorship.”
They include JP Fitness in Willington, C&S Hair & Beauty Suppliers in Spennymoor, Indian Cottage in Crook and, Jonathan’s own business, Plautus Hair & Beauty in Bishop Auckland.
Jonathan said: “I’m going to carry on receiving sponsorship after the race up till Saturday 14th May.”
Anyone who would like to donate to this worthy cause or sponsor Jonathan can do so by contacting the fundraiser at his salon (Plautus Hair & Beauty 221 Newgate Street, opposite Halfords).
The Fred Whitton Challenge is in memory of Fred Whitton, the Lakes Road Club racing secretary for many years and promoter of many road races, who died of cancer aged 50.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
