Race Calendar

Fred Whitton Challenge 2024 - BALLOT

12 May 2024

Grasmere, Ambleside
Starts: 06:00
Distance: 112 Miles
Entry Fee: £0
REGISTER FOR THE BALLOT

REGISTER HERE FOR THE BALLOT

The Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge is one of the most popular sportives in the UK and is also famed as being particularly difficult. Dubbed ‘The Daddy of them all’ by Cycling Weekly, riders rank it alongside European events such as the Marmotte in terms of difficulty. The ride is a real challenge and everyone who completes it has a true sense of achievement. The Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge is a charity event in honour of the late Fred Whitton who was a great advocate for cycle sport in Cumbria and North Lancashire. It is with respect to Fred and his ideals that the event remains just that, ‘a challenge’. The Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge consists of a 112 mile sportive around the Lake District, now a World Heritage Site. 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, one with a 30% gradient and this comes at 98 miles. Entries:- Pre-entries will be in November and the main ballot window will be in December 1st November 2023 Special Charity entry / Overseas entry / Deferred entry / Volunteer entry 1st December 2023 General ballot places open for entry 10th December 2023 General ballot places close for entry 14th December 2023 Ballot places announced 12th May 2024 Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge

Results

This event has no results.

Organiser

Course

Distance:
112 Miles
Type:
Road
Profile:
Hilly
Laps:
See Map
Entry limit:
3198
Remaining places:
0
Race licence:
TBC
Not suitable for wheelchairs

Facilities

  • Water stations
  • Toilets
  • No distance markers
  • No changing facilities
  • No showers
  • No baggage store
Race HQ:
The Showfield, Stock Lane, Grasmere, Ambleside LA22 9SL

Groups: If you are entering as a group, you can either enter individually, or one person can enter themselves and up to 3 others into the ballot. We will match group members (so you are entered as one ticket in the ballot) by matching your ‘group name’. This means that your group will either all get places or none of you will get places in the event; this will suit you if you only want to ride the event if your friends are also riding (e.g. if you want to travel together to the event). Please ensure you spell your group name the same as your fellow group members so we can match you up. Up to four riders can enter together in a group. Please make sure you have read all the FWC T&Cs, and please note anyone with multiple entries will be excluded from the draw.

Note: Your entry fee is not refundable or transferable if you cannot ride the event. However, if you cannot ride then please let us know as soon as possible by emailing entriesfwc@gmail.com and we can defer your entry. This means all your entry fee for this year’s event will go to the event charities, and we will keep a reserved place for you in the 2025 event if you want it (normal entry fee applies).

Previous Years