11 May 2025
Grasmere, Ambleside
Starts: 06:00
Distance: 112 Miles
Entry Fee: £112.35
Prices include entry fee, card charges and admin; there are no hidden extras
FOR THOSE SUCCESSFUL IN THE BALLOT ONLY. CHECK YOUR EMAIL.
WELCOME TO THE FRED WHITTON CHALLENGE 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 2024 Special Charity entry / Overseas entry / Deferred entry / Volunteer entry 2st December 2024 General ballot places open for entry 11th December 2024 General ballot places close for entry 16th December 2024 Ballot places announced 11th May 2025 Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge
Organiser
Course
- Distance:
- 112 Miles
- Type:
- Road
- Profile:
- Hilly
- Laps:
See Map
- Entry limit:
- 3100
- Remaining places:
- 1111
- 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
Feed stations
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).
Entry Fees
The prices below include race fees, card charges and admin; there are no hidden extras.
| SUCCESSFUL BALLOT ENTRANTS ONLY | £112.35 |
Entry on the day will not be available. ENTER NOW to guarantee your place.
