The Fred Whitton - a one day tour of all the Lakeland passes. By Phil Roberts

As someone always up for a challenge, but no longer keen on the stress of an out and out race, I decided this winter to enter the biggest one day cycling 'challenge' of them all! A 112 mile tour of the Lake District passes called the Fred Whitton Challenge to be held on Sunday 9 May. If you want to enter the Fred, as it is affectionately known, you have to get up very early indeed. Entries are taken over a 5 day window in January and the 1200 successful entrants are then pulled out of a hat, with countless numbers having their cycling dreams shattered. For the fortunate few there is the knowledge that some serious training is required and that their entrance fee will be of great benefit to Macmillan Cancer Care and the Dave Raynor Trust. Each year about £50,000 is raised for these two very worthwhile charities in memory of a dedicated race organiser of the Lakes Road Club. I for one have fond recollections of the Lakes Three Day 4 stage road race, which I finished one year, that was held on circuits around Barrow and the Furness Peninsula in wet and chilly April. On the morning of the Fred, Phil Morgan had arranged to pick me up at 6.00 am for the drive to Coniston, where the ride begins. Whilst many would likely have a rest day prior to a big day on the saddle, I could not resist a most enjoyable social 55 mile ride to High Bentham on a sunny but cold and windy Saturday with club mates from Garstang. And very glad I was too for joining the club ride as, company and glorious views from Tatham Fell apart, it stopped me being too frisky on the early Sunday hills where endurance for the later monsters was required. Phil and I arrived at the Coniston Sports Centre around 7.00 am, but had to go through the process of registering and picking up our Sportident timing dibbers and giving last minute preparation to our bikes. We left together at about 7.45 am in temperatures only just above zero, with Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, and the dual monsters of Hardknott and Wrynose to look forward to. Even after the first two miles of riding we had the normally significant climb of Hawkshead Hill to contend with, which we did together. After summiting Phil Morgan shot off in descent past the Drunken Duck and I only re- caught him at the bottom of the climb to Troutbeck and Kirkstone. Thereafter, we decided that we should ride at our own pace, me better on the climbs and Phil better on the descents. At Troutbeck I got in with a large group from Honister 92, but couldn't keep up on the descent into Patterdale, where most riders plummeted past me without a touch of brakes. Along the banks of Ullswater I was delighted to get a friendly wave from Justin and Sue riding the other way on their tandem, and about to ride up the 25% side of Kirkstone after a night of cycle camping at Pooley Bridge. At this point the next big objective was Honister, but still with 25 miles of lakeland ups and downs including the crossing of Matterdale Fell and the fast descent on the A66. At Seatoller, with 48 miles covered, we hit the first biggie, rising initially very steeply from Borrowdale and then easing off before the top at the Youth Hostel. Already, some cyclists were defeated by its 25% gradient and had to walk at the side and out of the way of those bravely zig-zagging across the road. You had to pick your way with care through the crowded slope, if like me, you were going straight up the middle. After the top, the descent was billed as dangerous and I exercised greater caution than most, being overtaken by many riders I had caught on the vicious ascent. The seriousness of the billing was made apparent when I passed two cyclists lying in separate pools of blood at a very tricky bridge half way down, their day spoilt by overcooking it. However, I arrived soon enough at the 52 mile Buttermere feed station, where I took on a couple of sandwiches and filled an empty bottle. Within a few minutes I was off again, immediately turning right for the 1:5 climb over Newlands. How on earth can route planners be so cruel - and for charity too! After Newlands there was the comparatively easy ride up to the Visitor Centre at Whinlatter. This was the widest, most easily accessible climb of the day and where the largest contingent of spectators and supporters had camped out to cheer on the riders. Their encouragement was greatly appreciated. This was also where the select group of top riders, who had set off at 8:30 am, finally overhauled me. From the Forest Visitor Centre it was another 35 miles of energy sapping undulations along quiet narrow roads on the less touristy Western side of the National Park before reaching the second steepest climb in the UK (only Rosedale Chimney in the North Yorks Moors is steeper, and an even steeper one way street in Harlech doesn't count). From the open moors of Cold Fell, the Isle of Man was visible in its entirety. And there followed another very welcome feed station at Calder Bridge after 86 miles covered. This was just another 5 minute stop before heading back east into lovely Eskdale and spectacular views of the Scafell range. And then at 100 miles covered, what everyone was fearing. The sheer enormity of Hardknott Pass looming ahead from miles down the valley. How can the organisers keep the worst climb till last and not early on when far more of us would be fresh enough to have an even chance of defeating its 30% gradient. The road rises like a wall - 300 metres of height gain with only 2 kilometres of tarmac to do it in. That's a 15% average, with a gentler section sandwiched between two near 1:3 ramps. Beside which the road is very narrow with limited passing. But after taking the first cattle grid in the saddle, I gritted my teeth and powered up the climb, weaving a path through the many walkers and not so many riders still with legs for the challenge. With lungs fit to burst I got round the two steepest ramps near the top and then eased off for the final few metres. I'd never dipped much below 5 mph on the ascent. But I never rose much above it on the descent into Cockley Beck, which ranks as the most terrifying descent imaginable. At near 30% with a dozen close and very tight hairpins and very broken up road, I wouldn't want that as a regular ride to work. By comparision, the ascent of Wrynose form the west was a breeze, but with riders passing me on the very steep but straighter descent, I was taking no chances. Passing the three Shires Inn in Little Langdale it was then only a few miles back on the main road to Coniston. Relieved and elated to finish I queued up for a print out of my time, which at 7 hours 25 minutes put me in line for a First Class certificate of achievement. Only 26 minutes off being amongst the Elite! And whilst digging into my veggie chilli and pitta, courtesy of Wlif's Mobile Cafe, I was able to congratulate Michael Gates who had done an outstanding 7 hours 11 minutes, after taking someone's prior entry. Unfortunately, I had to commiserate with Phil Morgan, whose slipping gears had forced him to abandon at Honister and limp back on gentler climbs via Dunmail Raise. He was off to France on holiday the following day, so at least I was able to wish him a great time to come. The day had been ideal cycling weather, cool and intermittently sunny with none of the wind of the previous day. The event itself was superbly well organised and over the 12 years of its running has become a national and international institution. Even attracting riders from as far afield as Switzerland! I would recommend it to anyone who wants to push their cycling to the very limit and have a great day out into the bargain.