Fred Whitton Challenge

Britain's most feared one-day sportive packs the Lake District's big passes into about 112 miles and 3,500 m of climbing from Grasmere: Kirkstone and Honister early, then Hardknott and Wrynose back to back late on, with Hardknott's 30 percent gradient arriving around 94 miles in. None of the climbs is long by Alpine standards, but they are steep enough that low gearing matters as much as fitness, and checkpoint cut-offs add pressure. It is a charity ride held in memory of Fred Whitton, and places are limited and sought after. For the 2027 edition on Sunday, May 9, the general ballot runs from December 1 to 10, 2026, with charity, deferred and volunteer places offered first. Expect anything from sunshine to cold rain on the fells.