WARNING: unsuitable for the faint-hearted!

Described as ‘The Daddy’ of UK sportives by Cycling Weekly, the Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge is one of the UK’s most famous – and most feared – cycling events.

Riders can look forward to several strenuous hours in the saddle, wrestling 112 miles of the Lake District’s winding roads on one of Britain’s toughest routes.

With 3,366m of elevation and gradients of up to 33%, you’ll tick off some of the nation’s greatest climbs, including Hardknott Pass, Kirkstone Pass, Honister and Cold Fell.

The Fred Whitton Challenge team will be on hand to support you throughout the day as you take on one of the hardest single-day rides you will ever complete.

You’ll be spurred on with two feeding stations en route and an exciting event village serving food and drink, as well as live entertainment.

If you’re a beginner, we encourage you to gain experience in a 100-mile sportive before you enter – and plenty of climbing!

Pedal powered life-saving

You’ll have a true sense of achievement as you cross the finish line, knowing you’ve helped the Great North Air Ambulance Service save lives.

A contribution of your entry fee from the Fred Whitton Challenge will go towards our mission. If you would like to help fund our service through sponsorship too, please let us know, and we will send you a fundraising pack full of useful information and materials to help you smash your goals. 

Because of people like you, we were able to respond to 62 cycling-related incidents across the North last year. The Fred Whitton Challenge raised more than £24,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service in 2019.