The ‘Fred’ is a fundraising ride of over 1000 riders riding over some of the hardest roads in the lakes. It raises funds for the Dave Rayner Fund (raises money for young road riders in England ). Fred was secretary ofe local road club and died at 50 so the other charity is Macmillan Cancer Care. It spends 112 miles combining Kirkstone Pass (highest pass in the lakes and site of Britain’s 4th Highest pub), Honister Pass, Matterdale Edge then a couple more minor peaks and at 100 miles you hit Hard Knott Pass with its sections of 1 in 3 (it is argued which is the steepest climb in Britain, this or Rosedale Chimney in Yorkshire). It manages another 1300 foot summit and another wee hill before you finish tho’
On Saturday afternoon Chris Johnstone, No Helmet Al, Gerry Cleary and myself headed down to Coniston for Sundays Fred Whitton Stag Ride. As you may know Gerry and I have been going out a bit at the weekend and on the Thursday Road Rides. You may know that Al has been out training in Australia from November to March and his ridden Sportives here and in Flanders since. Chris has also been training regularly. He trained once in February, once in March, once in April and also once in May. Good Prep!
The Fred starts on a nice easy climb then as seemed to be the way of the day had a wee climb up and descent before you reached the real climb. Kirkstone was the first and tho its the highest is probably the easiest…. to go up. On the way down we saw a rider lying down wrapped in a sleeping bag at the side of the road- never a good situation- waiting for emergency help. There were two crashes on that corner.
Honister was the next real climb of note. This one was tough. The descent was miserable. A few hours and more two passes later we got to the timing dibber control at Whinlater Pass. The marshal was advising anyone coming through on our time to turn round and call it a day as the second half was twice as tough. Red rag to a stag bull! We climbed the next few passes and hills fearing a change in the weather and the sting in the tail of Hard Knott followed by Wrynose at 100 miles .
Hard Knott is the daddy of them all. Think of climbing the Crow Road to find the Kyber Pass has been placed on top. Except someone has tipped the whole thing up so it is twice as steep..It has two genuine 1 in 3 sections lasting about 100 metres or more each. Almost everyone on a double chainset has to walk. I think the Kyber Pass road climb is maybe 1 in 6 at worst. Double it then make it last.
On the descent of Hard Knott, I was coming down behind Chris and was just thinking how steep it was and suddenly a few corners later I couldn’t see him. Each time I had a view ahead I scanned the riders in the distance, still descending, I could see Gerry, Al but no Chris. I was beginning to assume the worst…. But he showed up- probably glad that as we hit 106 miles or so there were on two named climbs to go the Wrynose Pass and Little Langdale. The former was a bit of a let down after Hard Knott. No one in threes here; I could swear it never got steeper than 1 in 5? To put this in perspective Alpine passes sit about 6 – 8%-maybe 1 in 16 to 1 in 12. All safely over we rode the little climb to Little Langdale and flew down into Conniston. never has there been a more welcome cheese pasty and mushy peas – yum!
I spoke to Gerry last night.S: How you feeling? GC:Like I just got off a flight with jet lag… The more I think about it the more that sums it up …
Aye. It’s a classic ride. Rode it last year on a bit of a whim but loved it. Remember descending Hard Knott and contemplating dropping the saddle. Started in Ambleside and rode the Struggle straight out the door. So much for the warm up! Anyhoos, a brilliant ride made easier with a triple on the crosser. Quite fancy doing it in reverse. I reckon Wrynose is even steeper in reverse. A definite two puddings ride.