Congratulations to our MD Tony Burton who this weekend undertook an immense challenge and completed the Fred Whitton Challenge. Finishing in 9 hours is a huge achievement, as you can see from the official wording below.
One of the UK’s most revered and gruelling cycling sportives. Known as “The Daddy of them all” by Cycling Weekly, this legendary event is not just a ride— it’s a true test of endurance that rivals Europe’s toughest cycling challenges, such as the Marmotte.
This charity event is steeped in tradition. It honours the legacy of Fred Whitton, a passionate advocate for cycling in Cumbria and North Lancashire.
The challenge spans 112 miles of breathtaking yet punishing terrain in the heart of the Lake District, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Riders take on iconic climbs like Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott, Wrynose, and Blea Tarn passes.
For the elite, the course can be completed in just under six hours, but for most, it’s an all-day epic, with finishing times often exceeding eleven hours. With gradients as steep as 30% at the 98-mile mark, this is widely regarded as the most challenging one-day ride in the UK.
