Welcome to The Fred Whitton Challenge

One of the UK’s most revered and gruelling cycling sportives. Known as “The Daddy of them all” by Cycling Weekly, this legendary event is not just a ride—it’s a true test of endurance that rivals Europe’s toughest cycling challenges, such as the Marmotte. For those who conquer it, the sense of achievement is unmatched.

This charity event is steeped in tradition. It honours the legacy of Fred Whitton, a passionate advocate for cycling in Cumbria and North Lancashire. Respecting Fred’s ideals, it remains what it was always meant to be: a challenge.

The challenge spans 112 miles of breathtaking yet punishing terrain in the heart of the Lake District, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Riders will take on iconic climbs like Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott, Wrynose, and Blea Tarn passes.

For the elite, the course can be completed in just under six hours, but for most, it’s an all-day epic, with finishing times often exceeding eleven hours. With gradients as steep as 30% at the 98-mile mark, this is widely regarded as the most challenging one-day ride in the UK. This ride will be your ultimate test if you’re ready to push your limits and embrace the challenge.

Grasmere showground

SPECIAL CHARITY ENTRY
NOW OPEN

This entry will give riders a guaranteed entry ahead of the ballot
You can enter with a special charity entry for one of our three special entry charities: the North West Air Ambulance, the Great North Air Ambulance and the Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue.
The cost of the entry is  £205 + processing charges

The next Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge will be on Sunday 11 May 2025

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NEW for 2025

In 2025, each rider will receive a tracking device, allowing friends and family to follow your ride. This is powered by local Cumbrian company Open Tracking and is automatically included in your entry fee. 

WHEELBASE

The main sponsors of the event. Established in 1992 we are the UK’s largest cycle store and online retailer. Based in the heart of the Lake District with some of the country’s best riding right from the store.

FRED WHITTON

The person who inspired the ride, and whose untimely death moved us to ride the route and raise money for charity in his memory.

CHALLENGE

That’s exactly what it is – 112 miles on the toughest route in Britain. We make no bones about the ride, it is hard, and will probably be the hardest one day ride you will ever complete. It will take a lot of effort and willpower to finish the event, please don’t take it lightly, and don’t attempt it if it’s your first sportive.

3 MONTH TRAINING PLAN
HOW TO FUEL YOUR FRED
VOLUNTEER

YEARS

CHARITIES

TOTAL RAISED

Since 1999

Fred Whitton & The Challenge

The Challenge has been raising money for charity since it began in 1999, but who is Fred Whitton – and why is it named after him? Until his untimely death in 1998 at the age of 50, Fred Whitton was an extremely popular member of the Lakes Road Club. Not only was Fred the main instigator behind all the clubs’ activities, but he was also always there on the club runs and training weekends.

Living near all the big Lake District steep climbs, Fred would have known them all, so the year following his death we decided to cycle the route in his honour and use it as an opportunity to raise a bit of money for charity.

 

Fred-Whitton
Four-Charities
FWC two million charity cake

Twenty five years later that ‘bit’ for charity has now surpassed the £2,000,000 mark!

In recent years the event has given MacMillan Nurses an average of just over £100,000 each year. Along with this, the event has shared the donation of £608,000 to the two Air Ambulances in Cumbria, The Mountain Rescue and Various youth Cycling projects.

 We like to stop and think of Fred’s reaction to the event on the day and wonder what he would have made of it all!

Serving the Community Since 1999

The Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge was the first Cycle Sportive in the UK and is now regarded as the hardest one-day cycling event in the British Isles, it also has the title of The Daddy of Them All. What started off as a club ride for a friend, has grown to be one of the most famous cycling events in Europe, never in our wildest dreams did we think the event would be still running after 24 years and would generate such a fantastic amount of donations for our Special Charities.

After 15 years Starting and Finishing in Coniston, the event moved to the Grasmere Sports Ground and has proved extremely popular, with over 5,000 riders applying for just over 2,500 places. The ride has participants from Holland, Norway, Spain, Belgium, France, Russia, Switzerland, and two riders made the trip all the way from Australia especially to ride in the event.

rider-finishing-FWC

Dates for your Diary

Sunday 11 May 2025

The next Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge 

Pre-ballot Entries

Friday 1st November 2024
Special Charity entry / Overseas entry / Deferred entry / Volunteer entry

Ballot Opens

Our ballot will open on Monday 2 December 2024.

Ballot Closes

Wednesday 11th December 2024
General ballot places close for entry
The ballot announcement will take place on Monday 16th December 2024 

Friends of the Fred

macmillan
Bowness-Brewing
Pixel Tweaks Graphic design

Want to get involved?

It takes over 350 registered volunteers to keep the Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge going. If you’d like to help out at the event jobs for volunteers vary depending on location, time of day and skills. Please register your interest before the event. All volunteers are guaranteed a place on the following years' ride.

Or you can donate to any of our chosen charities. All donations are well received and go to helping fund these fantastic services in the community.