Ten enterprising Foyle members convened in merry England’s scenic Lake District to tackle Sunday’s(May 13) Fred Whitton(FW) classic. The Fred Whitton Challenge is a grueling 176 km sportive challenge ride for charity around the Lake District in Cumbria. It starts & finishes at Coniston, and includes the climbs of Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott & Wrynose passes, of which Hardknott and Wrynose are considered the two hardest climbs in England!
To ensure that the elite of the club(sic) would not be wiped out by a cataclysmic ferry or road disaster various means of transportation were used to ensure that Chris P., Shaun K, Ciaran H, Fergal Mc, Brian Mc, Geoff R(supported by the lovely Rhonda), big Al L., and your scribe joined those FCC men permanently based on English soil Robin G and Nigel S who were also up for the challenge.
Traveling in Philson’s machine which was fully equipped with cooler, drinks cabinet and all the health food relevant to the athletic FCC rider, we three, Chris, Shaun and your scribe, used the draft from big Al’s BMW to ensure a swift trouble free trip to our first port of call, the registration for FW which is located in the scenic village of Coniston and where we were joined by Nottingham’s FCC rep Nigel.
The level of organization at all stages of the FW was apparent by the seamless manner in which our details were checked, our timing dibbers were issued (everyone got a timed ride) and final instructions for the morrow were issued. We then repaired to our accommodation which was located
in nearby Broughton for further instructions on how to make beds and assemble for early breakfast by our hostess for the week-end, charming Val, whom we did not see again until breakfast on Monday!
We had some time to ourselves until Fergal and co were to arrive and after much debate(!!) we repaired to the local Manor Arms for our first encounter with such local brews as Spring Fever and Dizzy Blonde(aptly named in our case). Sitting in the sun and communing with nature on a pleasant Saturday afternoon it was hard to believe that the forecast for our challenge was bleak with heavy winds and rain supposedly on the way (thankfully it did not turn out that way) for the morrow’s attempt at the total 3800 meters climb!
Our reverie was broken by the arrival of Ciaran and co in an up-market VW bus which was only missing a free mini bar to make it truly luxury. They had yet to check out the accommodation so we dispatched them to Kepplewray as Fergal was eager to learn the finer points of duvet assembly and Brian needed to check out the facilities for his bike mechanics work yet to be completed.
Dinner that nite was taken at the High Cross Inn and doctor on call Robin made his appearance before we had completed our meal to complete our party. After a brief encounter with Lofty, the man behind the FW classic, who encouraged us to “take it easy on the climbs,” we left our two fresher English friends, Nigel and Robin, in the pub and headed back to our lodging regretting that our lack of stamina prevented us from joining them at the blues session still to come.
Ace mechanic Brian was still busy when some of us headed to our cosy bunks as compacts and high numbered cassettes had still to be set up for the steep hills of the morning to come. Despite best efforts to enforce a 10 o’clock curfew phone calls from Derry were still being received into the small hours interrupting the best plans of several in the party to get desired pre-ride rest.
Next day dawned early with an 0500 start on everyone’s agenda. The smell of fresh coffee, warm porridge, toast and eggs wafted through our excellent quarters as we wandered serenely to the Kepplewray breakfast lounge where we were greeted by ace chef Mike eager to demonstrate the finer points of English cooking.
In no time flat we had fuelled up and were on the narrow winding road leading back to Coniston and FW headquarters, only leaving Robin slightly behind as he at this point seemed to be somewhat off our early morning pace.
With over 1700 cyclists on the start line parking was difficult in the still sleeping village but when we had eventually been directed to the appointed spot we quickly assembled, bikes, computers, bottles, shoes, helmets, and all the other paraphernalia which goes with a long day in the saddle.
The first climb of the FW comes after 2 km and making an early selection we decided that Ciaran, Fergal, Chris, Brian and big Al would head off together leaving the rest to meander along at their suited pace. Unfortunately, Robin was further delayed by a registration problem and became disengaged leaving Geoff, Shaun, Nigel, Rhonda and your scribe to depart together after first getting our dibbers clocked with an official start time.
As part of a cunning plan and well managed preparation for the upcoming Wicklow 200,
Rhonda had decided that she would cycle the first part of the route taking in the climbs of Hawkeshead and Kirskstone before heading back on a separate route thru Keswick.
After 2 km, we were climbing the first hill to Hawkeshead where Geoff’s eagerness and superior climbing fitness got the better of him as he disappeared in to the early sunshine to be met again many hours later at the finish line in Coniston. Our party was then reduced to three as Rhonda slipped gracefully to our rear as the hill became steeper.
We then settled down to the ride ahead and after summiting Kirkstone pass, the high point of the day at 450m, plunged down to Ullswater lake where we were driven along by an ever strengthening SW wind as we headed past some beautiful Lakeland scenery on the way to one of the steeper climbs Honister pass.
Honister pass is fairly short at just 2 km but as it rises up to 30% needs to be respected by the cyclist. Weaving across the road in my lowest gear, 34×30, I was dismayed to hear the call, “bus coming” and when it charged by at a decent speed I barely managed to avoid its threatening wheels and stay upright.
Heading downhill we saw our first injured rider who had come adrift on the steep, bumpy road which often required caution and good bike handling skills. Fortunately Lofty later assured us that casualties were at a minimum during the day and no one required an overnite hospital stay as a result of the ride.
There were two feed-points on the route and as we were comfortably inside any cut off times we were keen to enjoy the sandwiches, veda bread, scones, bananas, energy drink and treacle squares which were in plentiful supply and ensured we would be hard put to suffer hunger knock. Timing checks were also carried out at a further two points and those interested in improving on previous efforts could track their performance.
Ascending 3800 metres vertically whilst covering 176 km horizontally makes for a ride which does not often travel on the flat. The FW ride is mostly about going up or coming down a hill. Many are fairly steep but can be managed with reasonable effort and gearing similar to what is used in our part of the world. Spectators lined the course in many out of the way areas and the way they rang their cow bells, beat tin pans and cheered raucously made for a really atmospheric European type ride. Junctions were all signposted and most were well marshaled which meant that slowing down at intersections was rarely necessary.
The king of the hills is Hardknott pass and as this comes after almost 160km have been covered it presents the tired rider with an extra challenge. Approaching along a relatively flat Eskdale valley the pass rises up ahead and the snaking road can be seen ascending upward with the riders strewn on the hill ahead accentuating the climb to come.
Those of us who had experienced Hardknott previously were better prepared and had assembled more suitable gearing on our bikes. The strong westerly wind aided my cause and yet as I struggled over the cattle grate at the bottom where you are quickly at 25% I knew again the full magnitude of what lay ahead. The 3km climb hardly dips below 25% and is often above 33%. The exertion of the other riders either encourages or dismays, depending on one’s philosophy. All are suffering in their attempt to conquer the pass. Failure can mean a long walk but if it can be controlled it may be preferred to falling in a heap in desperation.
My speed was soon close to defying gravity but somehow I managed to stay upright. I was passing numerous walking cyclists and dodging cars which presented an extra impediment. The road became ever steeper. Nigel passed me and looked to have an extra gear as he zoomed towards the top. Still I kept moving and then ahead Nigel was on the ground. However, he was gracious in his disappointment and his shouts of encouragement renewed my effort. I gritted my teeth, again, and rode past him all the way to the 400 metre summit.
It was great to have conquered this climb after 3 previous attempts! (When I learned later that only 50% of the FCC group had made the top it felt good to be among that number.) Going down was also difficult and here big Al earlier met his Waterloo completing a perfect fall with great impact. Being awarded a spot prize for its beauty hardly eased his pain but knowing him he kept his cool. Granted the surface was rather shabby and he did suffer a rear tyre blow-out(Continental!) but maybe his speed was more than conditions would have warranted!
All that remained after this was the ascent of Wrynose and the final 15km push for home. Even though it is 25% plus in parts it now seemed relatively easy. We were soon coming down another rough road which although presenting a further challenge to our bike handling skills was easily navigated.
The road back to Coniston rolled up again for a short distance and our weary limbs were glad to enjoy the final downhill to the finish line and another large, welcoming crowd.
Chris, Rhonda and Geoff were there to greet us and to hear of our adventures. Whilst Rhonda was somewhat fatigued after completing a hilly 70 mile run alone and into the strong breeze she still felt it important to guard Geoff’s Zipp bedecked bike leaving him free to partake of the post match refreshment with his mates. Heading to the food tent we also met two friends from Bann Wheelers, Kay Hack and Gary Kendal who had finished slightly earlier and were full of their adventures.
Unfortunately the meal left a little to be desired and the nutritional value of the mushy peas and Cornish(?) pastie was called in to question by many of the participants as well as those in the FCC party. Still it was small blot in the event organization.
Back at FCC headquarters in Broughton we met up with Ciaran, Fergal and Brian who were refreshing after a hard day’s cycle. Unfortunately, Brian had met with tyre problems coming off Wrynose, suffering a severe rip which forced him to abandon. His ride time to that point had been noteworthy and it was easy to understand his disappointment. Ciaran had finished shortly ahead of Fergal in an excellent time. All three had seen good and bad sides of the event.
After a more than satisfactory meal at the Ship Inn, Coniston, where we rejoined the exhuberant Reilly family, Fergal, Ciaran and Brian repaired to our lodgings as they had to start again at early dawn to catch the ferry for Belfast. Shaun, Chris and your scribe had a much more leisurely agenda and so we decided that we would enjoy some more of the local Cumbria brew.
Seated comfortably in the Manor Arms we fell in with a mixed crowd of cyclists and event organizers. Chief event organizer Lofty welcomed us again to the FW and told us of the adventures of other riders in the event. We were also happy to exchange memories of the day with a foursome from Manchester, one of whom had completed the FW after consuming 12 pints the previous evening. They were a lively bunch and as their number also included a Londoner of Polish-Irish, extraction they were keen to come to Derry in August to try our own Inishown 100. (With such credentials and expertise they surely meet our requirements!) It was a good nite’s craic and rounded out an excellent day’s cycling and a great week-end of fun and challenge.
The Fred Whitton is a hard event over some of the longest, steepest, climbs in Britain and Ireland. It is well organized and well supported. Some of the roads may be poorly surfaced but they do not take from the enjoyment of the event. Personally it is an event I would recommend to others in our club.
Mark
