Widely called the hardest one-day sportive in the UK. Around 112 miles and nearly 3,900m of climbing through the Lake District, and it saves its cruellest wall, the ~30% Hardknott, for mile 90 when your legs are already gone.
The route
Around 180km and nearly 3,900m of climbing across the Lake District passes, out from the Grasmere and Ambleside area. The crux is Hardknott, roughly 30% on tight hairpins at mile 90-plus, after five earlier climbs. A ballot field of about 2,050 riders.
Early-May, Grasmere / Ambleside
Highs around 12°C and lows around 7°C, but it has dropped to 0°C. Rain on 50% of days. Pack for the cold end, not the average.
Who finishes, and how
Training for the Fred Whitton Challenge
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