Fred Whitton Challenge

teulk

Anyone done this ?

http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk/index.html

Me and a few mates are thinking about doing this on our mountain bikes. Ive visited the website and it looks tough and very steep in places. We have no intention of breaking any records and plan on taking our time and just trying to enjoy it. I recon on anywhere between 10 - 15 hours to do it or even longer ( now i realise that this is slow compared to the 5 - 6hrs some of you lot may do it in) but like i said we just want to enjoy ourselves and just finishing it would be challenge enough. We wont be doing it on the day of the event so we wont be holding anyone up

bigal.

The FWC is argueably the hardest sportive on the UK calendar. Might be worth looking at another one that is slightly easier if it is your first big sportive. Normally very difficult to get an entry as well.

teulk

bigal. wrote:

The FWC is argueably the hardest sportive on the UK calendar. Might be worth looking at another one that is slightly easier if it is your first big sportive. Normally very difficult to get an entry as well.

Not planning on entering the sportive ride, we are just planning on riding around the course next month perhaps but taking out time. We have no intention of setting any records (as already said) as just completing the course would be challenge enough. We are still however looking at completing it in a day, whether that be 10hrs or 15hrs we dont care.

The post wasnt specifically aimed at this section alone, i just thought more "road bike" riders may have done it.

Will Young

yes go for it! You'll love it, tthe scenery its something else. The Hardnott and it's little sister climb are an experience!

andy_wrx

Are you talking about MTB's with knobbly tyres ?
- if so, rather you than me !
I suspect it might be a seriously hard undertaking.

You could do it over two days, staying-off at a B&B or youth hostel ?

Or, particularly if you find you're struggling a bit on the day, you could cheat a bit and cut-off Newlands & Whinlatter by going straight on at Buttermere - you'd still get Kirkstone, Honister, Hardknott & Wrynose.

Have fun if you do it !

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12610352
- can I do the Fed on a MTB ?

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12621566
- see top of p3 for details of descents

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12568488

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12559832

nasahapley

Do it do it do it, this year's Fred was the best day I've had on a bike and I dearly hope to get an entry for next year. Doing it other than at the event proper, without flogging yourself daft trying to get an 'official' time, will probably be even better tbh. I'd definitely stick some skinny tyres on though!

LeighB

I would check the weather forecast before you come over as we have had some thunder storms and I would not like to be on the hills in the middle of one.
Regarding the route it has been mentioned that some time in the future you may be able to register your ride and ger your card stamped at points round the route like they do on some French rides.

AndyRubio

Go for it! Great scenery etc, enjoy it - and you might be tempted to get a road bike afterwards

Lunty

I'll be doing this ride with some friends soon too (don't suppose you're going with the ICBC lot, Teulk?), and was wondering if I'm likely to struggle with a lowest gear of 39/25? Can get a 12-27 cassette for about £40 and wondered if people would recommend going for it?

Thanks!

LeighB

If you are strong on hills you can get round on a 39 x 25 but you are better with something a bit lower geared. I have been over Hardknott on a 40 x 28 and this was ok. For the FWC this year I used a 36 x 28 and this was fine. The cassette I used was an 28-11 from my local bike shop, the brand is Sun Race and it was less than £20; as I am only going to use it once a year I don't think quality will be an issue. Having said that my cheap cassette looks as good as any other. Don't underestimate the hills, Honister, Newlands, Hardknott and Wrynose are very steep, when you get to the bottom of Hardknott after 90 hilly miles its extra hard.
Good luck.

nasahapley

Lunty wrote:

I'll be doing this ride with some friends soon too (don't suppose you're going with the ICBC lot, Teulk?), and was wondering if I'm likely to struggle with a lowest gear of 39/25? Can get a 12-27 cassette for about £40 and wondered if people would recommend going for it?

Thanks!

Without knowing how fit and handy on the hills you are it's impossible to be certain, but it's very likely that yes, you will struggle with 39/25 as a lowest gear. I wouldn't put too much stock in people saying they've breezed up Hardknott on big manly gears; I've managed it (just) on 39/25, but it was slower than doing it in my more usual 30/25, and I wouldn't care to repeat the experience in a million years! I'd whack the lowest gear I could on and try to enjoy it a bit more.

andy_wrx

Amen to that ^

rhnb

teulk wrote:

Anyone done this ?

Done the FWC 3 times now as a sportive - gave it a miss this year, you can have too much of a good thing ;-) and a couple of times as a 'reccy' ride.

If it's any help to you, take a look here for some reports on those (see 'Ride 2')...

http://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk/localrides/index.htm

39x25! in my dreams ;-)

Have a great day out.

Allan.