The Fred 2025
For this year's edition the weather was going to play a key role in success or failure, but not for the usual reasons of rain and high winds. This time the sun and heat would influence the day for many of the riders.
Before that happens, the riders must navigate the winter months with steady miles and plenty of hill training come rain or snow. Train hard - Ride easy is the saying but it still requires hundreds of miles and thousand of feet climbing to be in good condition.
As the winter snowline recedes above Grasmere the calendar seems to gather a speed of it's own as the weeks count down to the event.
Grasmere sports ground in it's winter coat biding it's time until May.
The big question was would the good weather hold out for one more day?
Well the day dawned bright and sunny.
Early starters were encouraged by the good weather to make the most of the calm conditions and Kirkstone Pass did not disappoint with magnificent views in beautiful light.
Our photographer Darren Athersmith was there to capture these early images.
Kirkstone
Approaching the summit and the famous Kirkstone Inn.
Lake Windermere in the background.
Team GCN topping out on Kirkstone and aiming for a sub six hour ride.
The descent into Paterdale should always be a cautious affair, although the new road surface encourages speed.
We're going to let the riders get on with it and rejoin them later.
Glenridding and Paterdale and then along the shore of Ullswater.
Not much time for the riders to enjoy the view through Borrowdale as they head towards three big climbs and we join them at Newlands Pass.
Our photographer Carlos Renia was just below the summit to capture the action.
Scott Mitchell pulling a wheelie - this event was his final preparation for a world record attempt to cycle through every county in the UK - spoiler alert - He did it! Chapeau!
Scott is on his way to raising £10,000 for charities associated with muscle wasting conditions.
check out his YouTube channel here:
Cycle the Nation
Hardknott
Team Fleming armed with their Leicas and Nikons waited to capture the action on this notorious climb.
Most riders would expect and prepare for these conditions, but not today, instead Hardknott wss going to use sunshine and heat in an attempt to break them.
It's here at last - The dreaded Hardknott Hairpin bend
The remote camera primed and ready. It took over 9,000 images, each one 2 seconds apart.
That's a lot of editing!
Marian was the first to capture the action on the "flat bit" of Hardknott Pass.
The camera 2 shot that is sought after by riders.
Matthew on camera 3 captures Olympic champion Ed Clancy storming up Hardknott Pass on his way to the fastest time of the day in 5:44:31 - chapeau!
Keeping the weight on that front wheel will help to avoid unexpected surprises.
The steepest road in England?
Simon Richardson, Team GCN, still doing a ride despite his filming commitments.
A Barrow Central Wheelers rider rounding the hairpin bend, that reminds me......
In 2018 young Oliver Oldham rode up the Hardknott with a relaxed proud dad to watch the Fred Whitton Challenge riders.
Fast forward to 2025 and dad now has got his work cut out and doesn't look quite as relaxed - still proud though - he tells me!
Oliver Bridgewood GCN, Hardknott panorama stretching up to the hairpin bend. The clock is counting down on his 6 hour target - did he do it? Watch the GCN film here:
GCN FILM
It's always great to witness a tandem team attacking the climb cheered on by spectators and riders alike.
Wow! What a great effort.
We do have a reputation for being in the right place to capture these moments.
Oh! I felt that! Keep the camera rolling.
"Did you get it?"
I do love a good shadow to compliment the action shot. So here are three of the best.
The classic Hardknott landscape shot captured by Matthew on camera 3.
Tony Houlihan says hello every year "Would you congratulate Marian on her Ventoux successes"
I certainly will, see you next year.
There'll be no living with her now!
The Belgians tour of the Lake District must have been an eye opener for them. They assured me that they had enjoyed it and were hugely impressed by the scale and organisation of the event.
A regular rider / client Iain Nussey ordered a composite image from the remote camera, See our Photoshop service for more details.
Gareth Allen's effort captured leading up to the Hairpin Bend. See our Photoshop service.
Wrynose
A new location for steveflemingphoto this year and Mike Brogden was there to record the action.
Full Fred Whitton Challenge kit - chapeau!
Strike the pose - great action shot by Mike.
Inst360 camera recording
Now you see him - now you don't
We offer a Photoshop retouching service - visit this link...
Photoshop
Simon Richardson GCN, looking a little happier now, go on Simon!
I bet she buys that picture.
Phillip Lovett - check out his YouTube channel - Bike Racing Without Mercy
Bike Racing Without Mercy
Classic Wrynose image with Hardknott in the background.
Late afternoon made for some great / challenging lighting conditions. Check out our Wrynose edits gallery here:
Wrynose Edits
Blea Tarn
Added in recent years this sting in the tail climb provides a fitting climax to the event and Darren Athersmith has moved across from Kirkstone Pass to capture the action.
Yup! 25% climb just to finish the legs off.
Time for some victory salutes - the relief of topping out on the final climb.
The descent off Blea Tarn climb and what a way to complete the ride as riders sweep through the Langdale Valley to Ambleside and on to the finish at Grasmere.
Summary
Another year of memorable images from all our photographers.
Yet again the weather played a hand in making the ride the challenge it is. Each year the standard seems to rise in the number of riders that ride past me on the steepest part of Hardknot Pass. For some it is a supreme effort and a grimace to get past me and get "that photo" for others it can be a comfortable smile as they glide past. The walkers usually share a few words with me, they often have to be reminded what an achievement it is to have got this far and to press on to the finish.
No matter what time you did it is a cycling day out that will live long in your memory and to all those that said "never again" we will see you next year!
Before that happens, the riders must navigate the winter months with steady miles and plenty of hill training come rain or snow. Train hard - Ride easy is the saying but it still requires hundreds of miles and thousand of feet climbing to be in good condition.
As the winter snowline recedes above Grasmere the calendar seems to gather a speed of it's own as the weeks count down to the event.
Grasmere sports ground in it's winter coat biding it's time until May.
The big question was would the good weather hold out for one more day?
Well the day dawned bright and sunny.
Early starters were encouraged by the good weather to make the most of the calm conditions and Kirkstone Pass did not disappoint with magnificent views in beautiful light.
Our photographer Darren Athersmith was there to capture these early images.
Kirkstone
Approaching the summit and the famous Kirkstone Inn.
Lake Windermere in the background.
Team GCN topping out on Kirkstone and aiming for a sub six hour ride.
The descent into Paterdale should always be a cautious affair, although the new road surface encourages speed.
We're going to let the riders get on with it and rejoin them later.
Glenridding and Paterdale and then along the shore of Ullswater.
Not much time for the riders to enjoy the view through Borrowdale as they head towards three big climbs and we join them at Newlands Pass.
Our photographer Carlos Renia was just below the summit to capture the action.
Scott Mitchell pulling a wheelie - this event was his final preparation for a world record attempt to cycle through every county in the UK - spoiler alert - He did it! Chapeau!
Scott is on his way to raising £10,000 for charities associated with muscle wasting conditions.
check out his YouTube channel here:
Cycle the Nation
Hardknott
Team Fleming armed with their Leicas and Nikons waited to capture the action on this notorious climb.
Most riders would expect and prepare for these conditions, but not today, instead Hardknott wss going to use sunshine and heat in an attempt to break them.
It's here at last - The dreaded Hardknott Hairpin bend
The remote camera primed and ready. It took over 9,000 images, each one 2 seconds apart.
That's a lot of editing!
Marian was the first to capture the action on the "flat bit" of Hardknott Pass.
The camera 2 shot that is sought after by riders.
Matthew on camera 3 captures Olympic champion Ed Clancy storming up Hardknott Pass on his way to the fastest time of the day in 5:44:31 - chapeau!
Keeping the weight on that front wheel will help to avoid unexpected surprises.
The steepest road in England?
Simon Richardson, Team GCN, still doing a ride despite his filming commitments.
A Barrow Central Wheelers rider rounding the hairpin bend, that reminds me......
In 2018 young Oliver Oldham rode up the Hardknott with a relaxed proud dad to watch the Fred Whitton Challenge riders.
Fast forward to 2025 and dad now has got his work cut out and doesn't look quite as relaxed - still proud though - he tells me!
Oliver Bridgewood GCN, Hardknott panorama stretching up to the hairpin bend. The clock is counting down on his 6 hour target - did he do it? Watch the GCN film here:
GCN FILM
It's always great to witness a tandem team attacking the climb cheered on by spectators and riders alike.
Wow! What a great effort.
We do have a reputation for being in the right place to capture these moments.
Oh! I felt that! Keep the camera rolling.
"Did you get it?"
I do love a good shadow to compliment the action shot. So here are three of the best.
The classic Hardknott landscape shot captured by Matthew on camera 3.
Tony Houlihan says hello every year "Would you congratulate Marian on her Ventoux successes"
I certainly will, see you next year.
There'll be no living with her now!
The Belgians tour of the Lake District must have been an eye opener for them. They assured me that they had enjoyed it and were hugely impressed by the scale and organisation of the event.
A regular rider / client Iain Nussey ordered a composite image from the remote camera, See our Photoshop service for more details.
Gareth Allen's effort captured leading up to the Hairpin Bend. See our Photoshop service.
Wrynose
A new location for steveflemingphoto this year and Mike Brogden was there to record the action.
Full Fred Whitton Challenge kit - chapeau!
Strike the pose - great action shot by Mike.
Inst360 camera recording
Now you see him - now you don't
We offer a Photoshop retouching service - visit this link...
Photoshop
Simon Richardson GCN, looking a little happier now, go on Simon!
I bet she buys that picture.
Phillip Lovett - check out his YouTube channel - Bike Racing Without Mercy
Bike Racing Without Mercy
Classic Wrynose image with Hardknott in the background.
Late afternoon made for some great / challenging lighting conditions. Check out our Wrynose edits gallery here:
Wrynose Edits
Blea Tarn
Added in recent years this sting in the tail climb provides a fitting climax to the event and Darren Athersmith has moved across from Kirkstone Pass to capture the action.
Yup! 25% climb just to finish the legs off.
Time for some victory salutes - the relief of topping out on the final climb.
The descent off Blea Tarn climb and what a way to complete the ride as riders sweep through the Langdale Valley to Ambleside and on to the finish at Grasmere.
Summary
Another year of memorable images from all our photographers.
Yet again the weather played a hand in making the ride the challenge it is. Each year the standard seems to rise in the number of riders that ride past me on the steepest part of Hardknot Pass. For some it is a supreme effort and a grimace to get past me and get "that photo" for others it can be a comfortable smile as they glide past. The walkers usually share a few words with me, they often have to be reminded what an achievement it is to have got this far and to press on to the finish.
No matter what time you did it is a cycling day out that will live long in your memory and to all those that said "never again" we will see you next year!