The Fred 2022
The Fred Whitton Challenge 2022
From the Fred Whitton Challenge website..
"The Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge is one of the most popular sportives in the UK and is also famed as being particularly difficult. Riders rank it alongside European events such as the Marmotte in terms of difficulty. Consisting of a 112 mile sportive around the Lake District, starting at Grasmere and taking in climbs of Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott & Wrynose and Blea Tarn passes, the very top riders complete the route in just under six hours but eleven hours and over are not uncommon for the average Sportive rider. This is a very tough route and going on rider feedback the hardest one day ride in the UK, the event includes all the Lakeland passes and the 30% gradient of hardknott comes at 94 miles."
From the Fred Whitton Challenge website..
"The Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge is one of the most popular sportives in the UK and is also famed as being particularly difficult. Riders rank it alongside European events such as the Marmotte in terms of difficulty. Consisting of a 112 mile sportive around the Lake District, starting at Grasmere and taking in climbs of Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott & Wrynose and Blea Tarn passes, the very top riders complete the route in just under six hours but eleven hours and over are not uncommon for the average Sportive rider. This is a very tough route and going on rider feedback the hardest one day ride in the UK, the event includes all the Lakeland passes and the 30% gradient of hardknott comes at 94 miles."
An area of oustanding natural beauty that hosts some of the hardest roads you're likely ever to ride.
Kirkstone
Newlands Valley
Blea Tarn climb
The 22nd edition of the Fred Whitton Challenge brought to you by the photographers of steveflemingphoto.com
Steve Fleming, Marian Fleming, Matthew Fleming and Carlos Reina
Newlands Pass
The timed climb out of Buttermere after the first foodstop.
Hamish has a victory wheelie celebration close to the summit, we'll be seeing Hamish again later.
Too many riders in your photo?
Before
Order one of our PhotoShop packages
After
Some advice for the motorist on touring the Lake District in the early 1950's.
Moody Hardknott is waiting for you.
I think the Hares will be here first.
Joe Boothroyd, Giant Kendal-Sidas UK, first rider onto the Hardknott.
Joe pushing on towards the hairpin bend, he has the place to himself.
Simon Warren 100 Climbs giving some roadside encouragement
What do you do if Simon Warren has left and you wanted a photo of him cheering you?
Put Steve and Photoshop to work.
Always someone to lend a helping hand.
A Hardknott story with a happy ending
Whoops!
Steady now!
He's done it - Chapeau!
Friendly riders
Six hours on Hardknott for the photographers - it's always nice to get a smile.
This is how it's done
Looking up to the summit
Strike the pose
Magazine cover
Hardknott hairpin bend - over 30%
Looking for something different?
Digital processing
Select Digital Processing - at least 12 high res images with a different treatment.
Digital processing
Meanwhile lower down the slopes
Whether you completed the course inside 6 hours or 11 hours we say chapeau to you, an amazing achievement that will stay with you forever. Many riders say never again and the following year we catch them with our cameras. It's that sort of event that gets under your skin and keeps luring you back each year.
There are so many images (11,687) that we could have included in this blog- so be sure to check out our 2022 galleries to see if you make an appearance in the photographs.
Fred Whitton Challenge Photography
Fred Whitton Challenge Home Page
Wheelbase Home Page
What do you do if Simon Warren has left and you wanted a photo of him cheering you?
Put Steve and Photoshop to work.
Before
After
Some respite between the steep sections on Hardknott.
Harrogate Nova on the middle section of Hardknott.
Hardknott ramp - like climbing a wall
Climbing to the bend
Riders in the way?
Before
One of our PhotoShop packages could be the solution.
After
These photographs are brought to you at some risk.
Always someone to lend a helping hand.
A Hardknott story with a happy ending
Whoops!
Steady now!
He's done it - Chapeau!
Friendly riders
Six hours on Hardknott for the photographers - it's always nice to get a smile.
This is how it's done
Event sponsor Wheelbase team riders.
Oliver Dawson Wheelbase third fastest rider in 5:50:34
Oliver higher up the pass.
Fastest rider of the day Giles Drake Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli covered the 112 miles in 5:36:26
Looking up to the summit
It still climbs steeply after the hairpin bend
Strike the pose
Yup, Hamish again, yes we got your good side.
Put yourself on the front cover.
Magazine cover
Hardknott hairpin bend - over 30%
MacMillan cancer charity rider
Looking for something different?
Digital processing
Select Digital Processing - at least 12 high res images with a different treatment.
Digital processing
Climbing out of the bend towards the summit
Dig in - the final push to the top.
Meanwhile lower down the slopes
Anyone that rides a tandem around this course deserves all the praise they can get.
Popular with riders is the classic Hardknott montage.
Don't forget to check your times when looking for your pictures.
Newlands - the photographer was just below the summit.
Hardknott is about 20 minutes riding time from Eskdale.
Late afternoon, Hardknott bathed in sunshine welcomes the remaining riders.
Whether you completed the course inside 6 hours or 11 hours we say chapeau to you, an amazing achievement that will stay with you forever. Many riders say never again and the following year we catch them with our cameras. It's that sort of event that gets under your skin and keeps luring you back each year.
There are so many images (11,687) that we could have included in this blog- so be sure to check out our 2022 galleries to see if you make an appearance in the photographs.
LINKS
Plenty of information on how to find your photos here:
Fred Whitton Challenge Photography
Fred Whitton Challenge Home Page
Fred Whitton Challenge Home Page
Wheelbase Cycles - Event Sponsor
Wheelbase Home Page