The above challenge celebrated it’s 10th anniversary this year and I was glad to be part of it. After getting up at 04.45 (!!!) to a clear and still morning, I stuffed my face with porridge and headed for Coniston with Ange being kind enough to get up and drive me there. Setting off at 06.50 ish to a now overcast sky and cool temperatures, I spun a nice low gear to thoroughly warm the legs through. Hawkshead Hill and the unclassified climb up through Troutbeck came and went without problem, offering some beautifully panoramic views over Windermere. Kirkstone, as always on the Fred, was the first real challenge, however it seemed easier than usual and the wonderful descent into Patterdale was far more memorable. In fact everything which would normally be challenging such as Matterdale end, and the lumps prior to the A66 to Keswick were a breeze and for the first time of my three rides at the Fred, I had chance to appreciate the scenery instead of grovelling and staring at the tarmac 2m in front of me.

Honister pass arrives at about 48 miles…..and it kicks ass! It’s long and hard (ahem….stop it Steve….) with gradients of 25% in places followed by a treacherously steep descent, which thankfully was dry this time. The first feed at Buttermere comes about 5 miles from the top of Honister, and I arrived in 3.17:44, filled the bottles and troughed a banana and set off again….straight into Newlands pass, a long, straight grind at about 20%. After the descent the scenery is spectacular and quite lumpy leading on to Whinlatter pass which I seemed to remember as being fairly easy. I have now altered this to fairly hard as it is quite long with steady sections and steep sections climbing up through a forest. A geat crowd greeted the riders at the top reminiscent of Tour of Britain crowds on Holme Moss, it was brilliant.

The climbs of Ennerdale/Calder Bridge were bathed in warm sunshine and the view out to the coast as you head towards Gosforth kept the pain at bay. I reached the second feed in a time of 5.45:12 and took 15 mins rest to swallow a fly cake and stretch off a little. I set from here with a group for the first time on the whole ride. We cruised along at decent pace taking turn at the front, until a couple of miles from Hardknott pass and I started easing back to rest my legs. It didn’t work…..I nearly made it over the first steep (25% !!!) section coming at 100 miles, but niggling cramp stopped me. I walked up to the middle section which is easier and got back on the bike. Again, as I hit the 33% top section, the cramps stopped me again. My first failure up Hardknott. I got back on for the awful descent when the heavens opened and the temperature plummeted. I sailed up Wrynose while being pelted by hailstones!! The road coming off Wrynose was coated in hailstones, not nice when you’re tired, cold, wet and slowly riding down a 30% slope!!! The lumpy last few miles in to Coniston passed in sheet rain and after hastily grabbing my certificate, Ange drove me home while I shivered and moaned about cold and cramp…..brilliant ride, as always….cheers Fred.