The Fred 2021
The Fred 2021
It is fair to say that The Fred Whitton Challenge is tough at the best of times. A wholly unique event- not intended to punish those taking part- but to push riders’ ability, training, and willpower to the max.
It is named a ‘Challenge’ for a reason, after all!
2021’s Fred deviates from the usual norms of the event. After the May 2020 event was cancelled, and 2021’s was pushed back (due to the worldwide pandemic) to September, we knew this year would be no ordinary Fred Whitton Challenge.
A darker than usual start to The Challenge, inclement weather (perhaps the wettest Fred since 2013!) dominated the late morning and early afternoon on Hardknott Pass: making, what is an already gruelling 33% climb, something akin to cycling up a waterfall. Despite the weather, no ones spirits’ were dampened! Come mid-afternoon the sun was beating down on us all, a welcome opportunity to dry off from the rain that blew in across Eskdale.
What follows is a collection of images from the day- Newlands to Hardknott- rain and shine!
Can you remove the car?
Yes we can!
The compulsory wheelie.
Stay on that wheel!
Hardknott awaits.
33% tarmac.
Take a look down Eskdale the rain is coming!
Tom Stephenson Lakes RC first rider up Hardknott finish time 06:03:42
One of the early riders on the "easy" section.
Passing through camera 3 position just below the summit.
Take care on the descent.
Lakes RC rider with Hardknott to himself
Attacking the 33% gradient
Track stands on Hardknott.
No!......
Wet tarmac.....
Whoops!
I'll see you at the top....
Meanwhile.
A short advert for our Digital Processing
Before
After
A client's Photoshop panoramic image on Hardknott Pass
Be a cover star rider
Black & white fine art option Giclée print Hahnemuhle Photo gloss 260gsm paper.
Looking comfortable on the Ramp
Another wheelie!
It's officially raining.
Rebecca ripping it up the climb.
The hairpin bend.
And THEN the sun came out.
Coming out the other side of the bend.
Great shadows!
Doing the Hardknott Dance.
Always someone to lend a helping hand.
Battling against the gradient and coming out on top.
Climbing the ramp up to the hairpin.
Ian has ridden the event before and wanted to raise the bar this time...single speed!
95 miles in the legs and still a big smile.
We've got this!...
Sunny afternoon on Hardknott.
The iconic Hardknott hairpin.
Support.
In Closing...
The Fred 2021 may have been a little bit different than we’ve come to expect, but it was lovely to see you all out having a great time on the roads of the Lakes. We’ve missed live cycling events and missed photographing you all- it was great to see so many smiling (and grimacing!) familiar faces.
Congratulations to all the riders who took part, our thanks to the support team and organisers, many thanks for all your comments on our work- and, as always, “A Good Effort!”
We hope to see you all in 8 months at the Fred Whitton 2022
We could’ve included many more images on this blog- so be sure to check out our 2021 galleries to see if you make an appearance in any of the photographs.
It is fair to say that The Fred Whitton Challenge is tough at the best of times. A wholly unique event- not intended to punish those taking part- but to push riders’ ability, training, and willpower to the max.
It is named a ‘Challenge’ for a reason, after all!
2021’s Fred deviates from the usual norms of the event. After the May 2020 event was cancelled, and 2021’s was pushed back (due to the worldwide pandemic) to September, we knew this year would be no ordinary Fred Whitton Challenge.
A darker than usual start to The Challenge, inclement weather (perhaps the wettest Fred since 2013!) dominated the late morning and early afternoon on Hardknott Pass: making, what is an already gruelling 33% climb, something akin to cycling up a waterfall. Despite the weather, no ones spirits’ were dampened! Come mid-afternoon the sun was beating down on us all, a welcome opportunity to dry off from the rain that blew in across Eskdale.
What follows is a collection of images from the day- Newlands to Hardknott- rain and shine!
Can you remove the car?
Yes we can!
The compulsory wheelie.
Stay on that wheel!
Hardknott awaits.
33% tarmac.
Take a look down Eskdale the rain is coming!
Tom Stephenson Lakes RC first rider up Hardknott finish time 06:03:42
One of the early riders on the "easy" section.
Passing through camera 3 position just below the summit.
Take care on the descent.
Lakes RC rider with Hardknott to himself
Attacking the 33% gradient
Track stands on Hardknott.
No!......
Wet tarmac.....
Whoops!
I'll see you at the top....
Meanwhile.
A short advert for our Digital Processing
Before
After
A client's Photoshop panoramic image on Hardknott Pass
Be a cover star rider
Black & white fine art option Giclée print Hahnemuhle Photo gloss 260gsm paper.
Looking comfortable on the Ramp
Another wheelie!
It's officially raining.
Rebecca ripping it up the climb.
The hairpin bend.
And THEN the sun came out.
Coming out the other side of the bend.
Great shadows!
Doing the Hardknott Dance.
Always someone to lend a helping hand.
Battling against the gradient and coming out on top.
Climbing the ramp up to the hairpin.
Ian has ridden the event before and wanted to raise the bar this time...single speed!
95 miles in the legs and still a big smile.
We've got this!...
Sunny afternoon on Hardknott.
The iconic Hardknott hairpin.
Support.
In Closing...
The Fred 2021 may have been a little bit different than we’ve come to expect, but it was lovely to see you all out having a great time on the roads of the Lakes. We’ve missed live cycling events and missed photographing you all- it was great to see so many smiling (and grimacing!) familiar faces.
Congratulations to all the riders who took part, our thanks to the support team and organisers, many thanks for all your comments on our work- and, as always, “A Good Effort!”
We hope to see you all in 8 months at the Fred Whitton 2022
We could’ve included many more images on this blog- so be sure to check out our 2021 galleries to see if you make an appearance in any of the photographs.