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The Fred Whitton Challenge, recognised as the UK’s toughest cycling sportive, takes place each year on the doorstep of our Wheelbase HQ in the heart of the Lake District National Park. So it’s rather fitting that after years of involvement providing technical support for this gruelling event Wheelbase have now become title sponsors for the fast-approaching 2022 event.
The 30% gradient of Hardknott Pass is unforgiving.
Set to take place on Sunday the 8th of May the Fred Whitton Challenge can claim national-level infamy within UK cycling culture thanks to its demanding 112 mile route which includes over 3,000 metres of elevation and takes in some of the Lake District’s most iconic climbs including Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott, Wrynose and Blea Tarn. Riding the ‘Fred’ should not be underestimated, with the UK’s most challenging sportive featuring a particularly cruel sting in the tail when the 30% gradient of Hardknott comes towards the end of the route at 94 miles.
The UK’s toughest sportive should not be underestimated.
The Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge starts and finishes in the charming Lake District village of Grasmere where we’ll be on hand to provide technical and practical support for both the event’s organisers and the thousands of participants poised to take on this 112 mile epic. Look out for us on the road too as our elite Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli road racing team take on the Whitton and try to set the fastest time of the event. Our instantly recognisable green and black Wheelbase squad have a rich history in the event with the record time of 5 hours 40 minutes set by one or our team riders a few years ago.
94 miles in, facing 30% gradients, there’s no shame in getting off and pushing.
During Wheelbase’s long relationship with the Fred Whitton Challenge we’ve enjoyed watching the event grow to become the UK’s premier sportive. Running for 23 years this charity event which is named in honour of Fred Whitton of the Lakes Road Club who passed away in 1998, has to date raised nearly two million pounds for a wide range of charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Great North Air Ambulance, The North West Air Ambulance and The Duddon & Furness Mountain Rescue Team. Wheelbase’s close friend Paul Loftus MBE, who is also the grandfather of one of our Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli road racing team riders Tyla Loftus, received his Member of the British Empire honour in recognition of his hard work and fund raising over the years, from organising the original Fred Whitton Challenge in 1999 to his ongoing work as President of the Fred Whitton Challenge.
As title sponsors we’re looking forward to cheering you all on at the Fred Whitton Challenge.
We hope that all Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge participants are preparing well for the upcoming 2022 event and we wish you all the best of luck for this iconic cycling event. We’ve got everything crossed for a weekend of good weather and are looking forward to welcoming you all to the Lake District and cheering you on as you take on the UK’s most grueling cycling sportive.
Written by Johnny Dodgin
Photos by Dan Monaghan
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