Fred Whitton - is this plan out of order?
rodgers73
Posts: 2,626
I didn't get an entry this year. Like a few people on here I got my entry form returned as being entered too late (despite posting on 4th Jan by 1st class).
If I turned up on the day and rode the route along with everyone else, would that be somehow out of order? I've thought about riding the route at another time of year, on my own or as part of a smaller group, but it wouldn't feel the same as being part of the crowd etc.
I'm not sure of the etiquette for this sort of thing and how I might be viewed by other riders. I wouldn't want to do it if it meant people were going to take issue with what I'm doing.
For the avoidance of doubt (before this post brings down a torrent of abuse) I should make it clear that I would have no intention of eating at or making use of the food stops (I might sneak a go on their toilets though!) and I'd make a donation to the chosen charities equivalent to the entry fee (or whatever share of the fee would have gone to the charities if I had entered successfully).
So, can I do this??
If I turned up on the day and rode the route along with everyone else, would that be somehow out of order? I've thought about riding the route at another time of year, on my own or as part of a smaller group, but it wouldn't feel the same as being part of the crowd etc.
I'm not sure of the etiquette for this sort of thing and how I might be viewed by other riders. I wouldn't want to do it if it meant people were going to take issue with what I'm doing.
For the avoidance of doubt (before this post brings down a torrent of abuse) I should make it clear that I would have no intention of eating at or making use of the food stops (I might sneak a go on their toilets though!) and I'd make a donation to the chosen charities equivalent to the entry fee (or whatever share of the fee would have gone to the charities if I had entered successfully).
So, can I do this??
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Of course you can. They're open public roads though I'd seriously think about what would happen if loads of people did this and it put future events in doubt.0
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Agreed. I'd be hoping that no one else did this so I could blend in!0
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I think you could still enter if you raise enough funds. See the website.
Nothing stopping you riding the route it's true but I think the concept of 'if lots of people did this it would be a problem' might apply.
I rode as a 'support' rider two years ago, to two female riders in case they had a mechanical/puncture, but only from Whinlatter onwards, when the field had spread out. I didn't feel guilty about it as I was only there to help and I carried all my own kit/food etc.Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer0 -
Yes, I'd be carrying my own food as well - or have a support car (ie a mate) meet me at the food stops with supplies etc.0
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just ride it on one of the other 365 days this year?0
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danridesbikes wrote:just ride it on one of the other 365 days this year?rodgers73 wrote:I've thought about riding the route at another time of year, on my own or as part of a smaller group, but it wouldn't feel the same as being part of the crowd etc.0
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Rodgers- if the Fred was some sort of rip off event I'd say go for it and pirate the ride.
But it isn't. The organisers are responsible enough to know that they could get double the entrants but then facilities would be under severe strain through the numbers. They have come up with the best compromise entry system that they can do.
I would recommend doing the Chris walker or wrynose or bust events if you want to ride a sportive in that area. Or alternatively just ride the course on your own on another day. I know you rode the over'tops route and seemed to enjoy that?
Finally I would also advise you to be active in this section of the forum and keep an eye out for entries coming available before the event. There were quite a few people dropping out in the weeks before.
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I'm not THAT comfortable with doing it without paying etc. Its not something I would ordinarily do and wouldnt consider it on any other event. But I did have my heart set on doing it this year as part of a general plan to tackle "the hardest" events in the UK this year and then move on to some of the European events next year.
I know it isnt esential that I do it on that weekend but I'm not sure about doing it on my own (worried about ending up being stranded, injured etc without anyone around to help, or if I do get a support car to come along just losing the will to finish being on my own all that time). I'm not in a club or friendly with any other "serious" cyclists and my attempt to get a bunch of people together from this forum to ride the route last August fell flat. So, this might be the way for me to go.
I'd happily buy an entry off someone who cant do it - my preferred option has been to pay for an entry all along - so if that is possible I'd be relieved. I just dont want to turn up on the day and end up getting some abuse if I'm not an "official" rider.0 -
It's out of order, as I suspect you know by the fact that you have felt the need to ask!
I'm sure if you write to the organiser a few weeks in advance you will get a place. I have done this in the past - The Fred seems to have quite a high drop out rate.0 -
shazzz wrote:It's out of order, as I suspect you know by the fact that you have felt the need to ask!
No, I wasn't sure. Hence me asking. In the two years I've been cycling I've found some surprsing things upset cyclists, and some stuff that bothers me doesnt! So, I dont trust my instincts anymore
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Ride the route on your own, its far better. You dont get idiots falling off in front of you whilst you're climbing hardknott.
But honestly, if you turned up on the day and rode, Im sure no one would mind. Afterall, they're public roads. Dont get mates to follow you round in their cars and meet you at the food stops, last thing anyone wants is even more traffic getting in the way.
Or alternatively, get a few mates together, pick a good day for it and jsut do it some other time. The weather on the FW last year was pretty hellish.0 -
I doubt it, I cant see how it would work unless the rider contacted the people at the sports centre in the morning (before final set off) and told them they werent going to do it and someone else could take their spot if they wanted.0
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I got in last year by E-Mailing the organiser (about a month before the event) asking if any spaces had became avaible, (E-Mail address will be somewherew on the web site I imagine) got an almost immediate reply saying yes and sent my stuff for entry.
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1. I agree with the comment that at the back of your mind, you know it is wrong otherwise you wouldnt have asked. I wonder how many people dont think like you and just turn up and ride it. As others say, it is a public road, but to me it is against the whole spirit of the event.
2. I am sure that they limit it to specific numbers for a very good set of reasons.
3. I really fancy doing it at some point. It didnt fit into the schedule this year and I must admit that driving two hours up just to do it on my own doesnt appeal. I can use those four hours driving time to do more cycling. However, it is there nagging at the back of my mind.
4. But the main reason for posting was to say that according to the Fred Whitton site, they do offer some sort of timing system where you can ride the course and get a time. That might work for you?
If there was some sort of unofficial ride organised later in the year then I would seriously consider it. It is there to be beaten!
Good luck
PS 50th Post! I've been saving up to say something useful (I hope)Top Ten finisher - PTP Tour of Britain 20160 -
I reckon I'll try and get a slot closer to the event if someone drops out. But if that doesnt work, I'm going to be sorely tempted to ride it anyway...0
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It is quite acceptable practice to free-load where the event is over-priced and poorly delivered or commercialised. However, the Fred is none of those.0
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Not a good idea. :roll:rodgers73 wrote:I reckon I'll try and get a slot closer to the event if someone drops out. But if that doesnt work, I'm going to be sorely tempted to ride it anyway...
The numbers are limited because of the narrow roads. If a lot of people took that course of action, there would be too many participants and the future of the event would be put at risk.
Try and get a group together to ride the Four Seasons version.
http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk/fourseasons.php0 -
As posted on the other thread I did not get a place this year either but last year I got an late entry when I rasied £250 for charity and it was fairly easy to do. Not an option for me this year as raising money for another charity.
If you did not get in the Fred then do the Lakeland Loop a whole month earlier. A tamed down version of the Fred that basically misses out the first 40 miles of the Fred and the the real climibing starts at Whinlater and the rest of the route is basically the same. I am in again for 2012 and its a great prep for anybody who is serious about doing the Fred. To be honest for me there are only 3 killer climbs on the Fred and the LL goes over the last two and only misses Honister.
There are still 80 places left and they will all go soon. I have found Hardknott to get up on the LL harder than in the Fred over the last few years (I cramped all the way up the last two years - still made it though :P )as its a whole month earlier than the Fred and if you live in the North you dont have much time to get real miles on the road after winter.Brian B.0 -
rodgers73 wrote:I reckon I'll try and get a slot closer to the event if someone drops out. But if that doesnt work, I'm going to be sorely tempted to ride it anyway...
Loads of people miss out on this event.......... so why not consider arranging an "informal" Bikeradar forum ride up there one weekend slightly later in the year (outside the school hols)?? Combine it with a night or two at a campsite and you'd probably soon have a decent sized group up for the challenge / few beers. Personally i'd love to do a Saturday ride on that route then a pi$$-up afterwards. Maybe a short ride Sunday morning then home.0 -
While no one could stop you, I think riding round without an entry would be an anti-social act and at the very least, disrespectful to the organisers of this highly regarded event. If you do ride the course on the same day, I assume you will not "take advantage" of any of the support facilities surrounding the event proper.
How about the Chris Walker Cycle Challenge http://www.chriswalkercyclechallenge.com (entries open in March)? More or less the Fred Whitton route but without Newlands and Whinlatter.0 -
I personally would not, don`t you think that you will feel like the `unwanted guest` at a party everyone else got into ?
Sorry that you didn`t get an entry, my second try at entering and luckily got in; BUT if I did not get an entry no way would I want to take part in the event by tagging along. I think you could find it very anti climatic to ride the event but not be part of it.
And what is the point ? roads will be very busy and as pointed out there is a 4 seasons Fred option too now, do that with a few cycling friends and I`m sure you`ll get best both worlds, riding the route but on quieter roads.0 -
Just keep training and buy someone else's place from them last minute. There will be drop outs. I know this because I dropped out last year due to a wedding.
I just logged on here and bought a Etape Du Dales place for the following weekend from someone who had to cancel that.
There will be places up for grabs.0
