Stunning Views…
Stunning Views…
The Fred Whitton Sportive takes you past some of the most breath-taking scenery in the UK
‘The UK’s ultimate one-day challenge’ – Cycling Weekly
‘The UK’s ultimate one-day challenge’ – Cycling Weekly
Volunteers…
Volunteers…
Are always appreciated – let us know if you’d like to help out at future events
Got the Jersey?
Got the Jersey?
The official Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge Jersey is available to purchase
Well done everyone - Good effort!
Full details of how to enter next years ride will be on our site on December 1st. There are various ways to enter the event and all the information will be available then.
Next years ride will be on Sunday 12th May 2019
The Fred Whitton Challenge
The Fred Whitton Challenge is one of the most popular sportives in the UK and is also famed as being particularly difficult. Riders rank it alongside European events such as the Marmotte in terms of difficulty.
The ride is a real challenge and everyone who completes it has a true sense of achievement. The Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge is a charity event in honour of the late Fred Whitton who was a great advocate for cycle sport in Cumbria and North Lancashire. It is with respect to Fred and his ideals that the event remains just that, ‘a challenge’. Fred, who died aged just 50 in 1998, was an extremely popular member of the Lakes Road Club.
The Fred Whitton Challenge consists of a 112 mile sportive around the Lake District, starting at Grasmere and taking in climbs of Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott & Wrynose passes.
The very top riders complete the route in just under six hours but eleven hours and over are not uncommon for the average Sportive rider. This is a very tough route and going on rider feedback the hardest one day ride in the UK, the event includes all the Lakeland passes, one with a 30% gradient and this comes at 98 miles.
There’s an excellent description of the 2018 ride from Ollie Bridgewood from Cycling Weekly. Ollie completed the ride in under 6 hours (one of only three riders to do so), on a slightly longer course–including the Blea Tarn climb and the whole of Great Langdale. He made a great video of the ride too. A big thanks from all at The Saddleback Fred Whitton. You can see the video here.
Latest News
Jun
Big Night Out
posted under: Fred Whitton Challenge, Lake District Rides
Big Night Out The Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge next big event is to be on Wednesday 4th July 2018. Join us for our annual Presentation Night, the Lakes social event of the year, a 30 mile ride around Coniston Water starting from the village of Broughton-in-Furness from 6.30pm and afterwards…
Action packed weekend for riders and spectators at The Fred
posted under: Uncategorized
Organisers launch spectator guide with a weekend full of activities! With just over one week to go until the iconic Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge (13 May), event organisers have created a spectator pack which hopes to make the weekend an enjoyable experience for specators as well as participants. 2,500 riders…
Organisers seek nominations for “The people behind The Fred”
posted under: Uncategorized
NOMINATIONS OPEN for Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge Golden Jerseys. With less than four weeks to go until the 2,500 riders, lucky enough to secure a place through the hugely oversubscribed ballot, tackle the infamous Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge, organisers are launching a special set of ten Golden Jerseys to honour…
