The Fred Whitton 2021: The UK's Hardest Sportive incl Chaos on Hardknott Pass! 184km & 3800m
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- čas přidán 23. 10. 2021
- After our recce in June, Lee Baxter I take on the the UK's premier sportive 'The Fred Whitton Challenge'. Set amongst the beauty and imposing climbs of The Lake District 'The Fred' takes in 184km and 3800m of climbing - much of it steep and some of it perpendicular ! With 2000+ participants, all kinds of weather, and climbs to make you go literally weak at the knees we are all set for a day of amazing challenges, moments of chaos and a month's worth of flapjack all in the name of gaining a First Class Certificate!
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Lee was like a peak Ullrich seated in the big ring on Hardknotts! Well done guys!
That’s very nicely put, Chris 👌. Lee is strong on another level to me - how he can turn big power at low cadence for time always amazes me 💯💪. Thanks ever so much 🙏
What a bunch of friendly people, both riders and spectators. Awesome.
Absolutely Richard, a really wonderful event organised by incredible supportive people, plus amazing local support, and attended by loads of very friendly cyclists 👌 One of my best ever days on the bike 💯
Hats off to you Phil and Lee. Hard enough completing this event, but also capturing so much footage deserves a 1st class + .
Cheers Simon 🙏 - that’s really good of you to say that 💯. I was very lucky to have Lee chaperone me around the route - and it’s a pleasure and a hobby to figure out how to capture what it feels like to ride the event 👌
This guy just put a big smile on my face! So polite to everybody. Love it
Cheers, BADA BING 🙏 - so pleased you loved this vid - it was an incredible day for sure 👌🤩
4:11 "Unlucky mate" is just adding salt to the injury. I would be pissed lol
Well done Phil 👍👏 I'm a local cyclist who also done the Fred. The weather really was a test of character this year so kudos to you. It really does fill me with a sense of pride and joy when people from around the country talk so kindly about our wonderful part of the world. Keep making great videos and hopefully I'll see you in the lakes sometime soon 👍🚴♂️🏞
Thanks ever so much Ashley 🙏 And it’s a pleasure to be so passionate about your neck of the wood! I adore the Lake District - it’s got it all, and can’t wait to be back 👌🤩 Nice work for completing the Fred - it’s an extremely proud moment for us when we do it - and for sure I’ll keep making the vids, and maybe see you when I’m back up! 👍
18:02 How beautiful ! Cyclist paradise ? Thank you for sharing !
It is indeed a cyclist’s paradise, Saint 💯🤩. And the little part you allude to is perfection within paradise 👌. Our pleasure for sharing
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy saturday I rode one kilometer at 15% it was tough so I imagine your race !!!
I really like the way you Brits shrug off pain.
Thanks Karl 🙏 - an incredible event, but for sure the steep climbs bite 🥵
Wow Phil.. huge respect to you and Lee amazing efforts guys what a ride..chapeau
Cheers Pete 🙏 - that’s very very kind of you indeed 👍💯. And max kudos to Lee for shepherding me around - there were a couple of moments on Kirkstone and after Cold Fell where I didn’t think I’d get around 😅
The level of epicness is high ! Congrats to you two & all other participants. And respect for saying thank you to the public and the people who worked to make it happen. Nice edit !
Ahhh Pierre-Alain 😊! That’s hugely appreciated - was on another level of difficulty 😅. The people of the Lake District and the marshalls and organisers couldn’t have made us feel any more welcome - they were truly incredible - so max thanks always to them 💯🙏🙏. Jayne as ever says thanks on the edit ….it took about 10hours 😳
Epic ride in terrible weather. The way you were shaking there halfway mate... I didn't think you'd be able to finish that at that point. Massive kudo's to you and Lee, who is an absolute powerhouse.
Thanks Marco 🙏😊 - and for sure I thought I wasn’t going to make it round at the feed stop there 🥶. But was lucky to have the encouragement from Lee - who is seriously strong - a proper power house (ex mountain bike rider 💪)
Congratulations Gentlemen 👏👏👏
Thanks ever so much gdrp 🙏 - an incredible part of the world 🤩
Thx, for another great vlog Phil👌
And a incredible effort from you and Lee as well🥇 This worked for me as a great motivation when I was doing my first century ride on zwift yesterday😀 Keep them coming Phil, and congratulation to you and Lee for completing this Sportive, respect👏👌
That’s massively appreciated Gunnar 🙏- and we’re super happy that it helped you through your first century 💯. Congratulations - many more to come. My first 100 was also on Zwift 💪. Plenty more to come 👍
Great video! Greetings from Mexico by a Colombian. By the way, the red snack that you ate at min 11 is called in Colombia "Bocadillo" and is a widely used cyclist food!
Thanks ever so much Juanito 🙏 - that’s hugely appreciated 💯. Appreciate the heads up - and I can report that a Bocadillo helped me charge up the Col de la Madone today in France - absolutely incredible cycling food
Huge Kudos to you both Phil! great work 👍👏
Thanks ever so much Joshua 🙏 - an amazing day out 💯
Lee, what a hard man, great effort, hats off to both off you! 💪💪💪
You said it perfectly Paul 💯👍 - Lee is as tough as nails and an absolute Gentleman at the same time 💪. Thanks ever so much - super kind of you 🙏
great video, a joy to watch
Thanks ever so much Paul 🙏 we hugely appreciate your super kind encouragement 💯
Paradise 💖💜. What a beautiful place to ride.
Paradise indeed Sb Sb 🤩 - I absolutely adore the lakes - would love to live up there - but a little too far away from family … or work 😁.
Well done guys, looks absolutely brutal.
Cheers Kev 🙏 - brutal and beautiful (when not raining ) was the name of the game 😳🤩
It's a treat to watch your videos.
Thanks ever so much Ragavaniyer 🙏 - that’s incredibly generous of you to say so! And it’s a pleasure to make them! Am going to be posting a little more often going forward
First class 👏👏 respect to anyone who takes on that challenge , great video 👍
Cheers Brian 🙏 - first class indeed !! got to love a good certificate 😁. Really appreciate your positive energy 💪
Amazing efforts lads total respect for such a beautiful but gruesome ride.
And First Class is the wel deserved cherry on the cake. Well done to everyone who took part.
Thanks ever so much, Muttley🙏. I was super lucky to have Lee shepherd me around the route - it’s one to pace carefully and leave enough energy for the 4 steep climbs - that’s for sure 🥵. Beautifully organised and very professional marshalling - super fortunate to have such incredible event organisers and support from the locals 👌
Great video. Beautiful scenery. Cheers.
Cheers, AG 🙏 - the Lake District never disappoints, love it 🤩
What a rollercoaster of emotion with the climbing you had to endure in some good ol’ fashioned Cumbrian weather. Very well done to both of you, thoroughly enjoyable watch from the comfort of my couch with a fairy tale ending in the sunshine of Grasmere. Lovely stuff!
Thanks ever so much Chris 🙏 - I hugely appreciate such a positive high energy comment 💯. For sure - near the top of Kirkstone I really did wander if I’d make it round the course - but Lee got me back on track (and the same after the rain on Cold Fell 😅). There’s nothing better than the U.K. countryside in the sunshine - and Grasmere is a very special place for me personally - love to see it dappled in sunlight 🤩
Great vlog once again, massive respect to you and Lee for smashing it! I need to get this one ‘in the bag’, but would need a bit of sunshine to keep me going ☀️
Hi Rob - and thanks ever so much 🙏 Agreed with a bit less rain it would have been a fair bit more pleasant based on experience in June during the recce when we were blessed with amazing weather . Definitely worth a little recce before you go for it - gave me more confidence on the really steep stuff 💯
All kinds of awesome Phil (and Lee). Epic landscape, conditions and weather. The scale of that challenge was totally apparent by the number of very good riders walking or struggling to maintain forward momentum. Thanks for all the videos this summer, loved all of them,
Thanks ever so much Andrew 💯🙏 - really appreciate you saying that!! We’ve loved filming and editing the videos over the summer and have learned a lot in the process. This event is spectacular - must do for any cyclist in the UK - brutal, but beautiful - just need to have the right preparation / training, and hold back some energy for the really steep stuff. Hardknott at 145km - is a serious serious proposition 😅
Well done to both of you, incredible effort and incredible video, best thing we watched all night and we watched a lot 🚴🏼♂️🚴🏼♂️💪🙌👍
Thats a massive compliment and thanks ever so much Mark 💯🙏🙏 - very motivating for Jayne and I 👍. We love making the videos, and it makes it even better with such positive support 🙏
Another Epic video of an Epic Sportive!
Cheers Dominique 🙏 - it’s a truly special event - amazing organisation - incredible support and a super super challenging route ! Loved it - recommended Sir !
I'm glad someone captured the epicness on camera! Very big day out on the bike and well done gents for getting round so well!
Cheers afroshredder 🙏- really appreciate you saying that 💯👍. It’s a truly epic event - and a pleasure to film - the vistas and the cycling chaos make the job a lot easier 🤩
You make big efforts so enticing with your commentary! I need to prescribe your training recommendations ever I have the opportunity to ride that one. Sensational as ever!!!
Thats really lovely of you too say that Richard 🙏 - and for sure I’d recommend getting up to the lakes in the new year and giving some of these beasts a try. I reckon a strong base but also some high intensity training is essential - such as 40:20s and 60:30s plus some 1-3min VO2 max efforts 👍
Great video. Well done guys.
Thanks ever so much Rob 🙏 - without doubt the best event in the U.K. and one of the best in the world 💯
Chapeu - Great video, thanks for sharing
Thanks ever so much Lee 🙏 - out pleasure, they’re a lot of fun to film 💯
Well done and a really nice video 😊
Thanks ever so much Erik 🙏 - really appreciate you saying that. One of my favourite parts of the U.K. - and for sure an excellent and really well run event 👍
Thanks for the memories, superb video! I also put the rain jacket way too late and ended up shivering at the second feed stop, although HardKnott certainly warmed me up! Fantastic day out 👌
Congratulations for completing it, Mel 💪✊ - seriously tough! And I’m glad its not just me and Lee who made that little error 🤣 Hardknott certainly does get the blood warm though ….
Great video. Well done chaps. 1st class effort 😂🥳👏👏
Cheers Paul 🙏👍 - that’s massively appreciated Sir !! Certificates and cake is the new medals and cake 🤣
What a ride Phil, absolutely incredible! Kudos are not enough for what you and Lee accomplished, I’ve never seen hills so steep!👊👊👊👊👊👊
Thanks ever so much Larry 🙏 - thats incredible of you to say so 💯👍 I was very lucky to recce some of the climbs with Lee in the Summer - and have him on hand to guide me around, and for sure some of the ramps are even steeper when you see them IRL 😅
Phenomenal ride with stunning views, however the most impressive thing is how your bike handling skills have come on leaps and bounds! Incredible video and editing as always 🍻👍
I hugely appreciate you saying that Jinx 🙏💯 - all the time riding out has helped with my skills on the climb (my descending is still not the best though 😅). Jayne really appreciates you calling out the edit - was a super complex one - but worth it for all the views 🤩
looks sick - first time I have heard of this Sportive so thanks for the intro - looks stunning ride with some "gentle rolling hills" ......... UK style
You’ll love the “gentle rolling countryside” Glenn 😁 - definitely time to make your acquaintance with the Fred 💯 It’s on another level of organisation, support, beauty … and challenge - absolute perfection 👌🤩
two machines climbing up them mountain passes massive Kudos Gentlemen!!
Cheers Tom 🙏 - that’s very generous of you 💯. Lee is a lot stronger than me - I was lucky to have him shepherd me around 👍
That looks like an incredible ride… brings back memories of when I was in the lakes in the summer, that low cadence grind and the killer climbs 😅 Can’t wait to go back after watching this! Great video Phil 👍
Cheers Giorgio - definitely one of the rides I’m most proud of - and it was thanks to Lee that I made it round. He lives in the area (near Fangs Brow) - and is THE MASTER of seated low cadence at threshold - it’s a sight to behold (he’s an ex mountain biker by the way). The Lakes, Peaks, North Wales and Exmoor are all epic places to ride a bike - so no doubt I’ll be back there next year also 🤩👌💯
The angles you did some of the filming make it real how hard any part of this ridiculous ride is!!
Huge kudos for completing it in such style.
Thanks ever so much cwil 🙏 - I really appreciate you saying that. The different camera angles do bring to life the gradients and the slog (and the withered looks on the riders faces by Hardknott and Wrynose). Super kind of you 👍
good job Phil and Lee! The level of concern was..high!!!
Thanks ever so much Jerome 🙏 - and there is no doubt, at points the level of concern was at a peak !!! 🤣
Massive kudos for doing that I can only dream of doing something like that.
Cheers Paul 🙏 - that’s hugely appreciated 💯. And for sure about a year ago I could not have done this either - but the recces in the summer and the practice on the steep stuff plus some base building and a lot of support from Lee got me around 👍. Definitely something to build to 👌
Huge congrats 🎉🍾 🎉to you & Lee for an amazing endurance ride - much respect!!🤗👍🏼
Thanks ever so much Sun Dieter 🙏 - and I hope all is well in Hawaii💯 Am super pleased to have got this one done - and very grateful to lee for shepherding me around 👍
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy doing well in Hawaii…am a bit jealous of the fall temperatures that you are getting. I miss the cool days, have to get up extra early to try to beat the heat. Hope you and Jane are getting settled at your new home - keep up with your great rides/climbs 👍🏼
thank you for this wonderful presentation, which made me remember the 2019 edition, when I could take part... I would love to come back - you know, I needed more than 10hours... but I loved the Fred, I loved the Lake District... best wishes from Haltern am See... :=)))
Great to hear from you all the way from the Rhine, Heinz-Dieter 💯 - and so so pleased you love this little slice of English cycling paradise 🤩. Respect to getting all the way over and completing it in 2019, and hopefully 2022 will be a year where you and Fred can reacquaint ! 🤞
Just seen this. You are a natural presenter👌A very entertaining video. Many compliments. Best regards Martin ps. It’s great you thank all the Marshalls and volunteers you see on the route🔝
Thank you, Martin - thats extremely generous of you to say so💯🙏. I really do love filming the events, the riders and the scenery - and the process of adding some voice is another opportunity for some creativity 👌. And agreed, the Marshalls and volunteers go way above and beyond - out there in all the weathers, to keep us on course and safe - it’s the least we can do 👍
Very well done Phil 👏 Rhythm is a Dancer on those pedals 🕺
Cheers Phil 🙏😊 - thats really lovely of you 👍. And no choice for that event but to Snap! out of the saddle and get dancing on those pedals 😁
Phill that video was amazing. The quality of content you're putting out (and huge shout out to Jane's editing!) is unrivalled mate. Loved a good bit of Lee Baxter, the Tim DeClercq of the Lake District, happily leading you wherever you need to go. Need to get myself and my bike up there for sure.
Cheers Nick 🙏 - that’s beyond kind of you!! Jayne is super happy with the compliment too!! Nice comparison for Lee - he is indeed as strong as an ox - and keen to hit your Giro de Wales 💪. So for sure you need to get accross and up to him … but as you know Hardknott isn’t as hard as Cowlyd 😳😁. Wrynose from the other direction is perfection 🤩
Congratulations Phil. Wow all those Vo2 efforts must have taken their toll towards the end. Massive kudos to you both for lasting it out and posting such a good time 💪👍🚴♂️🚴♂️.. Very different challenge to La Marmotte…
Thanks ever so much Mark 🙏 - and you hit the nail on the head - it’s the repeated VO2 max efforts (and the cold rain….) that makes this so different to La Marmotte . Both super tough - but in very different ways
Another quality video what a brutal sportive. I think you’ve put me off it 😂👍👍well done Completing it👌
Cheers Rob 🙏 - we hugely appreciate that ! Brutal and spectacular for sure 🤩 It’s definitely one to train hard for - but worth it should you change your mind 💯
It’s gorgeous scenery!
Agreed Alex - I adore the Lake District 🤩 Sorry for the delay in my reply - had a bad crash 2 weeks ago 👍
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy sorry to hear that get better soon
i have maximum respect for anyone who completes this route without dabbing a foot on any climb👍. maybe one day i'll do it. (i managed the lakeland loop a few years back which is similar but misses out kirkstone, honister and newlands: but facing hardknott after all that elevation in the fred is next level)
Cheers Paul 🙏 - that’s extremely kind of you to say so 💯😊. Was a very very tough challenge for sure - and our outing for The Struggle Dales set the standard for challenging - that was proper proper difficult also 😅. The good thing about where Hardknott comes in the route is that there has been a decent transition to get there (plus Cold Fell is ok …. if not raining) and at the feed stop 3 flapjacks and a guava bar seemed to bring me back to life just in time 😅
This looks awesome dude, massive kudos on the climbs. Big well done and great vid again
Cheers Jason - that’s hugely appreciated Sir 🙏💯- was a proper tough day in and out the saddle 😅
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy i bet, it looked it with it been wet and slippery also. Great job 👏
well done Phil, you did a great time, it took me an hour longer. did see you at the calder bridge feed station from a distance but my teeth were chattering too much from the cold to say hello! thanks for the video, good memories!
Cheers Greg 🙏 - and Kudos for getting it done✊. Was proper difficult - and I too was not exactly on good shape at that feed-stop!! Cold Fell in the freezing rain nearly did for me 🥶! But an amazing day and incredible memories 💯
Brilliant Phil, really enjoyed the coverage. Kudos pal 👏
Thanks Barry - that’s very much appreciated 🙏Sorry for the delay in my reply - had a bad crash 2 weeks ago 👍
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy ah not good 😐 hope you have a speedy recovery Phil 🙏 take care God bless 🙌 . Keep us updated on the channel 😊
Well done!!
Cheers Bob 🙏 - thats super kind of you !
Kudos for completing, double kudos for doing it with a camera in one hand for a substantial part of the ride!
Thanks ever so much Baz 🙏 - I hugely appreciated you reaching out ! And for sure the cameras make life a little more complex - but I do love the process of capturing the moment 🤩
Cracking video Phill and an incredible, no doubt emotional day in some trying weather conditions. Those climbs are bad enough without the wet roads. Nothing but my total admiration and respect to you Phill. You absolutely bossed it. And topped off with the trophy of a Scandinavian loaf. Chapeau Sir 💪👏👏👏👏👏👏
Always a pleasure to hear from you Tony 💯 - and that’s a super super kind compliment thanks 🙏. Yes it was the selection of climbs - with the sheer gradients allied to the distance and the range of different weathers that made it such a challenge - and at the feed stop before Hardknott - I thought I was not going to make it around 🥶. But Lee shepherded me safely there - and the legs played ball 😅. And true - that Scandinavian loaf was on another level all together 👌👌👌👌👌. Hope all is well Sir 👍
All well here Phill, thank you for asking 🙏 Stay safe.
Good vid. I like the addition of the strava segment times ect.. Almost makes me want to do those climbs...
Cheers 🙏 - sensational part of the world, and for sure give them a go 💯
Brilliant Video and massive kudos for completing every climb 👏 especially in those wet cold conditions, the views do help though 🌄🏞🚵♀️
Thanks ever so much Michael 🙏 - I hugely appreciate your super kind encouragement and support - 💯 And there is no doubt that the vistas and also the camaraderie of all the other cyclists slogging it out plus the incredible support from the locals and the organisers and marshals with the cow bells make it a hell of a lot more fun and easier 💪✊
Top ride! Well done!
Thanks ever so much Graham 🙏 that’s lovely of you to say so 👍. Was proper tough 😅
Well done you 2 the Sothern and Northern Mountain Goats smash it.....you 2 are Masters of climbing on a bike FACT...
Cheers FTW 🙏 - too too generous ! But massively appreciated Sir! Yep was a fusion of North and South - and North dragged South round a good chunk of it 😅
Absolutely fantastic effort.
Cheers Olly - thats super kind of you to say so! 🙏 Happy Christmas
Can I ask what type of camera you use to record your onboard footage? I’m ideally after a camera/light combo like the Cycliq Fly12 but think they may have been discontinued…
@@Dadssoccerschool hi Olly - I have to accept the extra weight of the GoPro - I always carry 2 on my bike and x2 spare batteries - I use an 8 and 9 - they are excellent 👌
Wonderful sunshine to end what appears a very challenging day. I don’t how you do it Phill. Great to see the lakes from a cycling point of view. Great editing (Jane I guess👍) and commentary once again.
Hi Mark - hope all is well for you and the family 💯👍. And for sure - was a hard hard old day. Loved it - brutal and beautiful, but I don’t have many of those in me 😅 Jayne excelled on the edit - so thanks for saying - took about 10 hours ! ✊
Been looking forwards to this one!!!
Thanks Lee 🙏 - hope it lives up to expectation 🤞. Was a long while in the edit (we’ve had a bit of a backlog - and it was a complex one 😅)
Didn't disappoint, thanks for another great video, and of course; well done on the ride.
@@leedixon2113 Cheers Lee 🙏- super pleased you enjoyed ! 💯
Fantastic video phill and Jayne! And great camera work mister Lee Baxter!!
Did feel like I had seen/heard some of it before 🤔🤔😉
Bet you feel like the lived through the edit this weekend Paul! Coming Next week “Hamblett goes Up a Hill”……
A sense of deja vu ehhhhh Paul 🤣 Thanks for putting up with our last minute edit on Sat !! 🙏
@@jaynes6813 haha.. was highly netertaining!! watching the magic behind the videos!! Most would pay for it, and I got it for free!! :):)
Great viewing Phil, watching yourself and Lee on a challenge that I could only dream of being able to complete - Kudos to you both 💪😀
Thanks ever so much J 🙏 - I don’t have your power though 💪 Hope you and Ros are enjoying your new home and location - some epic rides going down on Strava 🤩
Yes it a nice area here - discovering Dartmoor and surrounding hills - not a lot of flat once inland. Now with a gravel bike there is additional exploring being carried out 😂 - I am looking forward to riding Exmoor again though.
wow what a great vlog
Thanks ever so much Simon 🙏 - thats massively appreciated 💯👍
Good job! I remember doing the Fred back in 2014, you're totally right, that 10% bit in the middle of Hardknott feels 2% at most!
Cheers Alex 🙏 - and nice one yourself - it’s one big milestone to get under the belt 💯 no doubt about it - that section must be the only Strava segment with a 10% gradient called the Cruising Section 🤣 - but it does feel good 👌
2 monsters , great job gents 🚴🏼💪
Thanks ever so much Sean! 🙏 And Lee is indeed on another level - monstering the power seared and low cadence 💪💪 - I had a few little wobbles - so very much the junior monster of that day 👿 😁
Excellent !...I was signed up for this but alas an 11th hour injury put paid to that...now rescheduled for May 22. The ride detail inc efforts , stats/numbers and real emotion make this a complete ride report which will go a long some way to aid in my preparation for the next May's event..... excellent 👍
Ever so sorry to hear about your injury Bootsy 😫 - and wishing you a full recovery! It may be a blessing in disguise, because the weather may be better. Am super grateful for your very kind comment 🙏 - and really pleased the video will help your own assault on the Fred 💪 Best of luck with the prep 🍀
Looks brutal . Well done to all 👍🚴👍🚴
Cheers Keith🙏 - it’s an absolute beast of a route - but stunning and so worth the effort 🤩 Generally I highly recommend a visit to the Lakes 💯
I've just watched the video of the 2021 Fred Whitton Challenge. You both passed me on the summit of Honister Pass. The weather was changeable to say the least. Despite the Weather, the Brutal Climbs & Sketchy Descents in the wet I loved it. This was my 3rd Assault and even though you wonder why you put yourself through it, the Accomplishment of crossing the finish line makes it all worth, I'll definitely apply again for 2022 🚴 😁 🚴♂️ 👍 🚴♀️
Maximum respect for completing it 3 times, 68Baldy ✊✊✊ - thats a sensational achievement. I loved the day and the accomplishment - and like you say coming into the finish at Grasmere is a very special moment indeed 💯👌 I’ll likely wait a year or 2 before going for it again😅. The weather made it tough didn’t it - but was a silly error not to put the rain jacket on earlier - I wouldn’t have been half as cold if I’d put it straight on! Best of luck for number 4 in ‘22 🍀
I have my successful ballot entry. I’ve paid my fee. Now I let it get into my head. The footage and commentary here is going to be so helpful. Thanks.
Oh, and very well done. Lee was the Beast of Hardknott Pass.
Thanks Geoff 🙏 - super kind of you, and for sure Lee is the beast of The Lakes 💪💯. Congratulations on getting your ballet entry - it’s an incredible experience. Make sure you build the endurance and also some VO2 Max for the steepest slopes . Best of luck 🍀
Well done Phill and Lee. Helmets off.
Cheers Chris! 🙏 Helmets off indeed! For a while 🤣
A good effort! I've been very lucky with weather both times I did the Fred - glorious sunshine and high 20s Celsius. I imagine it's rather a tougher challenge in grim weather, especially as it took me two hours more than you! (Walked up a good stretch of both Hardknott and Wrynose to boot.)
Kudos to Lee for the Red Dwarf reference at the end too. :D
In the summer there are few places better than the Lakes - absolutely spectacular 🤩 - and kudos for getting it done x2, Daren 💪. I was super lucky to have Lee shepherd me around - made a big difference - he’s a lovely guy - and as you say, sharp as a pin 📌 💯.
Thanks for this, great video and I love the on-screen graphics. For anyone thinking of doing the Fred Whitton, a bit of a heads up. As I'm sure you know, GPS calculated gradients are very inaccurate once the road gets steep. There are stretches of all these climbs which are WAY steeper than shown on screen, well over 25% and even over 30% in places. Very important for us cyclists who are north of 85kg - I need well over 350 watts just to keep moving forward on Hardknott 😕
Our pleasure Robin 💯 - and thanks ever so much 🙏. Very good points you make - because there is always a lag in the gradient shown on screen vs the one in real life - and for sure some of them are steeper - plus hard to traverse given loose gravel / moss / damp . Sustaining 350W up that demands max respect Sir ✊
@8:19 - he had a good old laugh at your joke didn't he 🤣
Another cracking video that captured the experience of this ride well, I was feeling the 🥶 sitting on my couch. Lee looks like the perfect riding buddy, he always looks like the calm guiding type.
He sure did Ben 😁 - i should do stand up 🤣 It’s an incredible challenge - and its in part the weather that ramped up the difficulty, I really did wander if I was capable of climbing Hardknott and Wrynose at the food stop..and so did Lee . Lee is a very good leader - super calm and super strong (ex MB) - perfect host to showcase the Lakes and a Gent 💯✊
Chapeau!
Thanks ever so much Malcolm - that’s hugely appreciated 🙏
Cool video, loved seeing parts of it again, first Fred for me, loved all the hills, climbed them all, excellent event and scenery wasn't it, ha you pass me at 5 mins 45 🙂
Cheers, Andrew 🙏 - Super kind of you to say so👍. Congratulations on completing it - a tough old day to say the least 😅 And for sure - amazing organisation and stunning scenery - loved it 🤩
Four seasons in one day. You chaps smashed it! Nice to have such an amiable companion but as much as the cake looked delicious i think a beer would have been on the menu…
Cheers Greg 🙏 - with Lee’s encouragement we prevailed ! Very true - an I’ve cold beer or two would have been perfect - but had to drive straight back down to London that afternoon - work was beckoning 😫
Wow. Just... wow.
Thanks ever so much Chris 🙏 - super kind of you 💯
Great video! I did the Fred 4 times, 2015 to 2018, due to injury marshalled on the 2019 event, then marshalled again at the Grasmere showground car parking this year. Hope I'll be injury free for the 2022 Fred!
Thanks ever so much for marshalling and making for such an incredible event Edd 🙏 - and kudos for completing it 4x !!!! ✊✊✊✊ - thats huuuuuge ! Really wish you the best of health for 2022 🍀
great video, thankyou...will be doing the Fred in may 22 having deferred my entry (and Marmotte+Etape in July)....so lets hope theres no rain ...i think we've all done the 'it'll pass, cannot be bothered to stop for the jacket" thing...
Nice brace of events Global Nomad 👌 - I’m going to do a comparison video in a month or 2. Very tough events - one attritional and absolutely draining but no big spikes of power needed - and the other less elevation but moment of sheer incredulity at the gradients and power needed ! 👍. Thanks ever so much - and indeed the rain coat lesson has been well and truly learned 🤣
Brings back memories of doing ‘The Fred’ back in 2017. Great day. Thankfully it was dry, I imagine it would be a bit grim in the wet. Some of those roads were an eye opener, especially the descents, seen nothing like that anywhere else in the UK or abroad for that matter. If you come off you’d be in a world of hurt, which as it happens seems to be fairly common.
Thanks TurneyUK 🙏- and nice work Sir for getting the Fred ticked off ✊. Yep - nicer in the dry, and the steep descents are seriously technical - and we went super super slow. There was a nasty crash behind us on Hardknott - carbon rim brakes failed - but luckily lots of marshals on hand to help and get medical assistance. Very well organised
That Wilier is beautiful.
Cheers Stu 🙏 - super kind of you to say so 👍
Well well well Mr Lovett - where to start!? Glad your day picked up considerably after dropping your sunglasses, camera and forgetting to put your rain cape on until already wet . Really well done and as always superbly captured and edited. Really enjoy seeing the bond you and Lee have created - much respect chaps. Jem
😊 Thanks Jem 🙏💪 - massively appreciate you saying that! Jayne and I love the process of making these vids 👌. Yep - this was a proper tough old day - and on Kirkstone I really did think it wasn’t going to be my day - and same again at the cold cold feedstop before Hardknott 💯. But to your point - Lee is an absolute Gent - and very strong rider and leader - so I was super lucky to have him coax me around ✊💪. I’ll be back in the Lakes in the new year 🤞
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy thanks for the reply sir ... In a funny sort of way Hardknotts might have come at the right time to warm you up!? Glad you bit enjoy the editing process.. we love watching them! Technical question re bike gearing...have you had to change yours at all with the marmotte, Wales and the Fred? Or is it just a standard gearing ?
@@jemjones563 Lee stuck me on the front to hit some tempo in and out the saddle for the 10km to Hardknott - and that got the blood warmed up just in time….. the flats to give some recovery. I never change the gearing. The Colnago is a Compact on the front and a 32 on the rear, whilst the Wilier is a 52:36 on the front and a 30 on the rear. I reckon both more than meet my needs - including on the flat. The Wilier gearing was perfect for Marmotte - never ran out of gears. And was just as good on the super steep stuff for the Fred as the Colnago with the 32 on the rear. If I was focussed on flatter crit races with sprints, I’d run a shorter rear derailleur and a 28 on the back.
I'm lucky to have done "The Fred" twice. Both times in glorious weather. Couldn't imagine tackling hardknot in the wet. Kudos!!
Cheers Matthew 🙏 - and kudos on your double ✊✊. Yep - the 2.5hours of rain did make life a tad less uplifting for a while 😅
I had the pleasure of doing it in hail (and sun, and rain, and wind, and … bloody Fred). Great ride!
@@markdeans6444 In the hail and rain would have been hellish on the steep bits , Mark 😳 - nicely done for getting it done ✊
Great video Phil 👍🏻 Rather foolishly I think I’m gonna make this a target for next year. Fear I’m biting off more then a I can chew but having seen the number of riders walking at least I’d be in good company! Sterling effort, chapeau.
Thanks ever so much Ian 🙏 - hugely appreciated. It’s a great objective for you next year - and plenty of time to train. Definately get the base built but do some high intensity work with the 30:30s 40:20s etc and some 2-3mins VO2 efforts. And get the nice climbing gearing installed - a compact with a 32 will be good (may need a longer rear derailleur) 👍 Best of luck with the prep 🍀
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy Great advice as usual Phil, I think you should become my coach! 😂
Strong Power 👊
Cheers Joachim 🙏 - super kind of you 💯
You guys made the climbs look easy ,having Done Honister newlands & whinlatters from both sides over the years & not always getting to the top without stopping there not easy.
Thanks ever so much Mark 🙏 - and I can certainly report that I found Honister, Wrynose and Hardknott to be super super tough 😅 And when we did the recce in the summer, even Lee confided to me that he hasn’t always made it to the top of Hardknott ! Albeit that’s because he went too hard at the bottom bit 😁
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy i haven't tried Hardknots yet i rode Newlands & whinlatters this year again in August but didn't get up Newlands going towards Buttermere my tire skipped on wet tarmac when i was out of the saddle so i got off.You need to have a trip to Arran & Mull in Scotland some nice roads & climbs there
Great video. I’ve ridden the Fred four times and may have to return one day
Wow - the double double ✊✊✊✊ - seriously impressive Ian 💪. And thanks ever so much 🙏 - I too will do it again (but not next year 😅)
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy I’ve been trying to get under 7 hours and missed it by just a few minutes last time. I’ll keep trying!
That looked truly challenging......but as ever you remained the 'unflappable Phill...(& Lee)'....awesome going! I've never seen so much support from the organisers and spectators on a sportive, wonderful to see. Signing up for next year???
Thanks ever so much Wayne 🙏. And I hope you are starting to recover your health? Yep - was the most challenging selection of climbs, weather, distance I’ve yet encountered 😅 - but I was super lucky to have the support and encouragement from Lee - and also the organisation of the event is incredible - as is the support from the local community - on another level. Very very special 👌. Not likely to do it in 2022 - but one day 💯
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy twice in 2 years would be excessive I agree, well done again a super challenging route for sure. I hurt my back helping a customer move a new matress, extremely frustrating trying to be helpful! On the plus I have a week of soon for some recovery then back to the bike!! Take care.
@@SILVERSNOWMAN72 ohhh Wayne 😳😫. Bad luck - but the good karma from helping folk and being a decent guy, will work with you soon 💯 Enjoy being back on the bike
That looked tough, weather didn’t look like it helped either!! Good to see Lee having raced with him quite a bit on Zwift recently 👍👍
Proper tough one that Stephen - and the weather was just like the first 2 hours of our ride - character building I’m assured 🤣. Lee is a much stronger rider than me - so a great guy to be racing with. Are you the same WTRL team?
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy Yes in the same WTRL team together, he’s an incredibly strong rider and consistently finishing in the top 10 every week
@@stephenpritchard6661 awesome - great team 👌. And it doesn’t surprise me . Looks seriously hard this year - the WTRL 😳
Just found you guys. Great vid
Pleased to meet you, Brett 👍 - Thanks ever so much for checking it out! Plenty more to come 💯
Signed up for May, doubt I'll be categorised as first class though :D Actually terrified.
Nice one Dave 👍💯🚀 - it’s an incredible day out, and will provide a big challenge at different points. Make sure you build both your endurance and also VO2 max for the steeper gradients - plus eat well the day before and plenty during the event ! Best of luck 🍀
Brutal
My thoughts exactly Jason 😅
Well I would say I’m gutted I missed it, but it looked wet and cold. 🤣🤣 seriously good ride Phil & Lee. I do hope it is sunny next year. I know you will already know but take it easy riding around London Phil, bike thefts by moped gangs is on the rise so look after yourself fella…
Cheers Simon - we missed you! But a little puppy is so much more important 😍 ! Yep - with a bit more sun it would have been perfection. And yes - thanks for the heads up on that - I’ve been shocked T the prevalence of this 💯
Hey Phil, I loved the Alpe d'Huez videos you did. Very well put together and the commentary is extremely articulate 👍🏾🙌🏾
How did you find this day of riding and climbing? What were your expectations regarding performance after returning from the altitude training?
What will you take from this going forward as far a training is concerned?
I look forward to your reply 👍🏾😊 oh and your mate Lee, is a bit of a beast 💪🏾
Thanks ever so much Julian 🙏 - we hugely appreciate you reaching out with such incredible support 💯 Both the Fred and La Marmotte are exceptionally hard days in the saddle - but both in a different way. La Marmotte is more attritional - but you can ride a sustained pace, whereas the Fred is much more variable in terms of the power and requires you to go super deep at times. I hadn’t spent long enough at altitude to get a proper acclimatisation nor adaption (only 1 week), so I didn’t experience any benefit for the Fred. My big takeaway is to focus the training on VO2 Max and sub anaerobic threshold - back to a polarised approach. It’s the biggest bang for your buck if you are time constrained. And for sure - Lee is as strong as an Ox - on another level to me !!👍💪
What a brilliant effort Phil...what was your choice of gearing for the Fred,chainrings and cassette..Thanks
Cheers Dave 🙏 that’s hugely appreciated 👍. A 52:36 on the front and a 30 on the rear - but during the recce in the summer on the Colnago, the Compact and 32 on the rear was just as good 💯