Fred Whitton Challenge - May 2004
In 2004, four intrepid members of "The Velo" ventured north for a taste of the Fred Whitton. Joining Mark Harding (who had done it the previous year) were Pete Beisty, Paul Hartigan and Mike Mills.
The night before the Fred Whitton Challenge, we all went out for dinner and had a few drinks, ate lots of food and relaxed before tomorrow's challenge. We were all laughing and joking and certainly up for it, even retiring early for bed to be in top form the next day. Earlier that day we had bumped into Adrian Lowe, who out of blue appeared cycling up Coniston high street wearing his full Thames Velo gear with his brother looking in fine form and raring to go after secret winter training in Australia.
The team met up outside the start and took care of logistics with our director sportif, Claire. We had arranged to meet her at two points around the course apart from the two sign-on stops. Our director sportif wished us luck and made haste in the opposite direction of 360 odd riders. We all signed in and were off in good time just after 8 a.m. The weather somewhat cloudier than the previous two days of glorious clear blue skies. Each team member initially gambling on what clothing would be required.
Thames Velo Team '04
We rolled out of Coniston at the back half of the riders. It was an interesting site seeing 360 odd riders on a country lane slowly winding their way up the first knee warmer, Hawkshead Hill. Short and sharp, riders moved forward and backwards like people on an airport escalator at Heathrow airport. Pete and Mark found theirselves fairly evenly matched with Mike and Paul doing the same, we quickly got to the top and descended past the Drunken Duck towards Ambleside.
Pete and Mark were really chomping on the bit and each had to hold the other one back. It was going to be a long day and pacing yourself, alas was the order of the day. It was a this point Pete and Mark sat in a group of SIS riders before hitting the first big climb. Pete having had problems getting a bigger rear cassette was unfortunately sporting a lower gear of only 39*25 but was very confident of his abilities and Mark, not forming any real opinion in the knowledge of Pete's local knowledge and riding abilities. Mark having had the same problems resourcing a bigger rear cassette for Mr Trek 10 speed, opted for coach Lambourne's acquired steely Roberts with a lower gear of 30*25. Mike had resourced an amazing rear cassette sporting a 12*32 MTB thingy.
We all hit Kirkstone Pass and agreed to ride at our own pace and re-group with our director sportif at the top for a nice cup of tea and some Kendal mint cake (bliss!). Mark went up and sat on the wheel of the SIS boys and Pete came up behind, both riders on the 39 and well within themselves. Someone spotted Mark's jersey and commented on the website and some other stuff. It's difficult to climb and chat to another rider on Kirkstone, but he did his best. After over 30 minutes of climbing and 450m of ascent we pulled over under the control of our pretty, but very strict, director sportif. We took pictures, grabbed some bananas and more drink had a quick chat and the 4 intreprid and slightly mad individuals rolled over Kirkstone towards Patterdale.
Mike on Kirkstone - Smile please!
Pete having the decending skills of a sky diver disappeared at speeds, well, over 45 mph towards Ullswater reservior. Mark behind feathering the brakes and Mike and Paul taking it a bit easier having not been down this route before.
It was at this point Mark and Pete rode in a group of local riders from Honister 92. They immediately recocnised our strip and we started chatting to their webmaster. It turns out Trevor who owned the BMW X5, or Fat Trevor as they called him, was riding this year. Apparently he had sold the X5 and deceided on an M3. We all discussed the wise decision and unfortuate puncture he was fixing before Kirkstone, shared some north/south banter and then regrouped.
Mike was powering up the climb to Matterdale leaving the rest of us to pace each other up to the top, a fair old climb of around 200m, not so steep. The top was a bit blustery and in the distance to the West we could see a big old black cloud moving our way. Pete reminiscing of spending his youth camping and quad biking in the forests and his dad giving him a kicking on his MTB.
It wasn't long and we were turning west on the wide A6 towards Keswick. Marks gamble on the weather front took a turn for the worst as we hit a hailstorm. Being the only rider without a rain cape in shorts certainly got prestigious team advertising with the motorists. We rode in groups and jumped across a few as it was quite windy and then stayed with the Honistor boys through Keswick - noting that a few locals were taking a sneaky short cut of 500m through the back of town, tut tut.
Pete and Mark rode a bit more conservatively as we knew that the next climb - Honister was upon us, and at 25% you need to be prepared. Mike and Pete were in a group not far behind. On hitting Honistor, Mark used his get out clause and moved to his triple and seemed to power up ok. Pete on 39*25, put in an amazing and impressive effort and nearly made it the whole way there. Mike indicated that he stopped for a bite of Kendal mint cake.
A bit more climbing and head wind (great) and bit of undulation and the first sign-on stop arrived at Buttermere. A few drinks and bananas and then the first 9 o'clockers came charging in and rode up the gravel jumped off their bikes, signed in and were off again. Pete and Mark had agreed to go on, with Mike and Paul not far behind. The next climb was Newlands and this was seriously underrated. Pete's legs were now feeling the pressure and Mark, wanting to keep spirits up, agreed to ride on the middle ring all the way up. Hence to say Pete pulled away with Mark's legs screaming with the added annoyance of a rider saying 'hey mate, use the inner'. Pete waited for Mark whose face said it all and they pushed on over Newlands and coasted all the way down the windy descent to the start of Whinlatter.
Up Whinlatter, Caroline Alexander went past again like last year, sitting down chatting to some mates. Don't they ever ride on the flat round here? Pete and Mark rode in to the rendezvous point at the top of the pass to be greated by our warm smiling director sportif, where energy bars and drinks supplied and sanity checks initiated. Mark sensibly putting on a fresh dry baselayer, Thames Velo bullet proof top and leg warmers. Pete eating many a banana. Claire wished us luck and wanting us not to freeze set us off, eagerly awaiting Mike and Paul who were a couple of minutes behind. Mike stopping for a short break and chat and Paul riding on with Mike.
Mike on Whinlatter
It was around the 75 mile point and Mark and Pete realised that even with ample replenishments their legs were hurting. They sat in a group and rode the undulating push towards the Irish Sea and it wasn't long before they hit Cold Fell, Mark moaning that he had found this physcologically the worst part of the ride. Cold Fell lingers for ages and has several rises and at the top you're rewarded with a great view of the Irish Sea and .... Sellafield Nuclear power station! A short sharp twisty decent into Calderidge and then sharp left turn East inland and a nice tailwind and some sun put some smiles on faces.
The second sign-on stop at Gosforth greated the riders and pen was put to paper. Lots of drink and food eaten. Pete and Mark sitting on the grass silently scoffing and Mike arrived to sign in and we had a quick chat and laugh and Paul rolled in. He told us to push on as he wanted to stretch his legs and work on his tan in the Sun. Pete, Mike and Mark reluctantly agreed to continue knowing what was ahead for the last 20 miles ..
Mark seemed to slip off the back of the group, his legs hurting - but, having being beaten by Hardknott pass last year, wanted revenge. He knew that he wouldn't beat last year's individual time, so wanted another scalp instead. He paced himself along and prepared himself mentally for the task ahead - Mike wondering why Mark's mood changed for the worst.
On all 3 riders seeing the road shimmering in the sun and the height of the pass, Mike said something, that I'm afraid isn't repeatable. Soon enough the red telephone box signalling the base of the climb arrived and it was time to go over the top, again. Gears soon ran out and Mark put his head down with grit and determination - not stopping this time! Pete and Mike looked on as he struggled just to turn the 30*25 gear round. There were two hard sections - one 10 metre section at 35%. Mark reached it and luckily had no cars or other riders to worry about. He just buried himself and made it to the corner balanced around and just ticked it over. He was absolutely screaming to get off but wouldn't.
A car came up and quickly went past knowing that if he didn't go round and stopped, it would play havoc with his smoking clutch. The next hard section, over 30%, was two thirds of the way, and look as though 40 metres of tarmac had been literally chucked onto the side of mountain. With no more cars and riders around he only had to balance and push his way up. Mike and Pete looked on, Pete later saying he thought he wouldn't make it and couldn't believe what he saw! Mark pushed hard and only just made it up that part his face twisted and then instantly relieved on reaching the not so steep 20% part. He had made it, Hardknott had been conquered this time! He had had nightmares about this for weeks before ...
Mike and Pete got up the worst part, not having a triple or the lower gears, jumped back on the 20% part and pushed on up and over onto the descent to Wrynose, the last major pass. The descent is very steep and technical and care must be taken, especially if cars are present. There were two accidents this year involving cars and riders. One getting sandwiched between two cars.
Not long after the descent of Hardkott there is a couple of minutes rest bite before Wrynose kicks in. This is not such a problem after Hardknott pass, at 25%, is just a minor irritation really. The descent here is even more technical and very easy to lock up your back wheel, care must be taken.
After Wrynose there is a small steep climb up to the main road back to Coniston which after all that really is the last thing that your legs need! This year it seems the road sign saying 'Coniston 2 miles' was gone. It's actually more like 3.5 miles, which is probably the worst 3.5 miles of riding anyone can do at the end of a total of 115.
Many riders spoke to me and had read the website write up of last year's event, Paul Loftus the organiser, was amazed by the increase in the number of riders from 200 to over 360 riders.
A massive thank you goes out to Claire from all the team, for driving the Van around the narrow and steep Lake District roads and providing invaluable assistance and support.
Paul Hartigan's Story
Not having done any really big distance rides since last year's Etape, I approached the Fred Whitton with some trepidation, but this was soon dispelled by a couple of pints of Cumbria Way with the team the night before (actually I think 500ml of this in my bidon wouldn't have gone amiss).
Knowing from previous trips how steep Hardknott and Wrynose were, and with them both coming in after 100 miles, I made a conscious decision to pace myself early on in the race. The whole day was really a case of 'ride hill, repeat until tired', and it is amazing the effect a couple of 20%-30% stretches has - you start to think 10% or 15% hills are a chance for a breather.
I was pleased to get to the top of Honister - which averages at 12.5% and has stretches at 25% at a steady pace, only to be dismayed/impressed a short while later to see a group of Elite riders dancing up the next severe gradient as though they were on a gentle incline.
Paul approaching Kirstone Pass
I was very impressed to hear that Mark managed to ride all of Hardknott, England's steepest 'col' , on which at a couple of the 33% stretches I gave in gracefully and walked for 50 metres or so. The descents from all of the passes were both hair-raising and exciting - I touched 40 mph at a couple of points before sanity/fear forced me to rely on my new KoolStop brake pads - the best £12 I've spent in ages. I did hear that one unfortunate rider hit a dry stone wall at speed, and had to be taken to hospital with several suspected fractures; whoever it was, I hope they're in good shape.
All in all, a great day out, and a very well organised event - in particular, the apple pie supplied at Gosforth was infinitely better than any energy bar (I concluded after testing three slices). My computer showed a riding time of 8 hrs 52 mins for 114 miles, and 6158 (!) calories burned - who needs the Atkins diet when you've got the Fred Whitton Challenge.
I'm definitely up for next year's event, and hope that we can see a few more Thames Veloers at this unique event.
Results
The team rode round together and agreed to look out and make sure all were safe and well:
Mark Harding - Thames Velo 9 Hours 18 minutes
Pete Beisty - Thames Velo 9 Hours 35 minutes
Mike Mills - Thames Velo 9 Hours 39 minutes
Paul Hartigan - Thames Velo 9 Hours 49 minutes
Adrian Lowe - Thames Velo 7 hours 37 minutes (out for fastest Thames Velo club time, well done)
Other notables were :
Robb Jebb - 6 hours (winner, beat Gethin Butlers record of 6 hours 7 mins)
Steve Labram - 6 hours 28 (1st 8 o'clocker back, seriously well done)
Caroline Alexander - Lakes Road Club 6 hours 50 minutes
Barrie Clarke - Giant RT 7 hours 25 minutes