Updated 29/4/16 and 11/5/16 and 13/6/16. Please see foot of the page …
When you mention that you have entered the ‘Fred Whitton Challenge’ to a fellow cyclist or (fell) runner who has entered a few races and sportives in their time you usually get a knowing look and an understanding nod. It’s not an event to be taken lightly. It is 112 miles of pain and +/- 14,000 feet of climbing (even more pain). “Challenge” is probably an understatement given that it is considered one of the toughest one day cycling events you can enter.
This years event takes place on Sunday May 8th 2016. In order to guarantee a place The Angry Biker did a ‘Charity Pre-Entry’. This also guaranteed Macmillan Cancer Support a minimum of £250. Macmillan is an incredibly good cause, so please add a small donation on my Justgiving page if you are able to … The Angry Bikers Macmillan Justgiving Page for ‘The Fred 2016’.
I’ll be riding ‘The Fred’ with a good friend Dave Allan who talked me into entering the Fred. He has completed it once before (2014) and needed a mug mate to share the pain this year. We are now both diligently training in preparation for the gruelling day in May. This is a graphic of the climbs. The toughest (Hardnott) is saved for the 98 mile point!
And this graphic gives you an idea of the complete circuit we will be riding.
The Angry Biker has entered ‘The Fred’ riding under High Peak Cycles of Glossop. Jamie, Charlie and Stuart have entrusted The Angry Biker with product reviews, looked after his bikes at the drop of a hat and put up with his moans and sarcasm in the shop, so it follows that high Peak Cycles should be represented.
Training is 100+ miles of road work (+/- 9000 feet of climbing) over four weekdays and then a 10 or 13.5 mile fell run (+/- 2 to 3,000 feet of climbing) at weekend. If you want to follow my training on Strava then click on ‘request to follow’ … The Angry Biker on Strava
Thanks for reading. Wish me luck – and once again – THANKYOU to everyone that sponsors me.
29/4/16 – With just over a week to go the weather seems to be trying to hinder my final preparations. I’ve been commuting to work in -2 temps with some snow and rain and now (Friday 29th) it’s more snow. May in two days and we have snow. Terrific! Not.
Overall training has gone well. I’ve maintained riding 100+ miles in my three day commutes and have had lots of weekend hill sessions over the Snake Pass and Winnats Pass, culminating in an 82 mile ride with 9,000 feet of climbing a couple of weeks ago. I’d planned to do another today, but snow stopped play … for now. I’ve also been running half marathon fell runs with 2,700 feet of climbing to strengthen the legs up, so I’m hoping I’m well prepared as ‘shit just got real’ !
Charity wise I have raised £926.00 so far. With a week left it would be fantastic if I could break the elusive £1,000 barrier online, but we will wait and see on that. Whatever total I end up at I’m sure it will be well received by the fantastic Macmillan Cancer Support.
My preferred bike (The Cannondale Carbon 105 Synapse) is serviced and ready and I’m now the proud owner of my first every cycling Team Shirt courtesy of High Peak Cycles who have been great with bike support and sponsorship.
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11/5/16. Job Done!
Brutal.
F’king Hardknott.
Elated.
Think those few words sum up The Fred Whitton Challenge! Ha ha. It’s reputation as one of the toughest one day events is well deserved. The organisation is superb, the camaraderie between riders brilliant, and F’kin Hardknott (as it became known to me) was brutal. I was also blown away with the hundreds of people who turned up and lined streets and climbs ringing cowbells and cheering us riders on. Total finishing time (including stopping at the two feed stations) was 7 hours 29 minutes. Total moving time was 7 hours 2 minutes. Very pleased with that.
‘The Fred’ is challenging throughout, but the fact the hardest climb(s) are left until 98 miles in means you are mindful of that all the way round. Carefully trying to maintain good time, but keep something in the tank for the 20% and 30% gradients you know are coming. I was lucky that my riding partner (Dave Allan) had ridden the Fred in 2014 and is a regular racer. His experience/ knowledge of the route and riding plan to ensure a good time were invaluable.
In truth though – nothing could have prepared me for Hardknott. You have to ride it to understand. I think it’s probably 30% mental strength and 70% physical. Some riders were beaten before they got half way up. Either stopping completely, falling off, passing out (in the heat) or just walking their bikes up. There was a headwind which didn’t help, but you were so far into ‘the zone’ that even shouting “Rider Coming through” to the lads pushing was hard work. Making the top, riding all the way – past people lying down and pushing bikes gave a real sense of achievement. That only lasted as long as it took to get a view of the next very steep sting in the tail …Wrynose Pass.
We rode the strength sapping undulating road toward Wrynose. If there was anything left in the tank then this last climb wanted to steal it from you. You could see people pushing bikes, and the steep elevation of the climb ahead as you approached. Like Hardknott it’s a daunting site after 100 miles, but fortunately a lot shorter so you just have to hit it as hard as you can.
We went at Wrynose and span steadily to the top, wheel to wheel and the greatfuly grabbed a bottle of water from a lady handing them out as you went over the summit. Now we had 12 miles to the finish. The last five of those were quick and powered by a mix of adrenalin and elation that we were minutes from finishing. Crossing the finishing line, again lined with supporters cheering us home was a fantastic feeling. Three days later and I’m still wearing the same grin that spread across my face with a great feeling that I’ve accomplished something very special.
13th June 2016
Just one last update on the final total I raised for Macmillan Cancer Support. It ended up at £1,515.16 which I’m really chuffed with. Thanks to everyone of my sixty supporters who donated money to Macmillans. You are all stars and I’m sure Macmillans will appreciate every last penny.
The Angry Biker 