The Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge : 13th May 2018

Many of you now will have noticed that we have a change of route towards the end of this year’s ride to include a small additional climb over into Great Langdale. The decision to do this was taken for safety reasons for riders and marshals on the Three Shires and Elterwater part of the route, and to do away with the crossing of main road in Langdale by all riders.

Blea Tarn sign post

After the success of the closed roads over Hardknott and Wrynose passes last year, this change of route gave us the opportunity to extend the closed road into Great Langdale without too much disruption of traffic in the area.

Although it adds approximately 2 miles to the ride, we are sure the riders will appreciate the fantastic ride along the length of Great Langdale (almost all downhill) to Ambleside, and the views of the Langdale Pikes from the top of Blea Tarn.

Enjoy your day out in one of the best parts of the UK ,Unesco has awarded the Lake District a World Heritage site status, not many sportive can claim this, so take time out and enjoy some the countries best scenery.

A safe and enjoyable day out to all taking part. from all at the Fred Whitton Challenge

OUR NEXT EVENT IS MAY 2019

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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.

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