Fred Whitton Report 2009. Alarm clock went off at 3am but I am already awake listening for signs of wind or rain. As I tiptoe upstairs trying not to wake the rest of the household. In the darkness I gather my cycle gear together trying to decide what to wear today. 112 miles of self inflicted torture around the passes of the Lake District , my first century ride, my first Fred Whitton, I must be crazy. Target for today is to finish, time is not important but secretly I feel I could do a sub 10 hr or even sub 91/2 hr . Bowl of porridge and a banana ,and a cup of tea and I make my way down to the village for the pick up at 4am. Bang on time, the remainder of St Bees tri arrive, Dave P, Dave W, and Andy B. We talk about the weather as we head over Corney playing hide and seek with the sun as it rises between the valleys and hills as dawn breaks. We are all nervous, I can feel little rushes of adrenaline as I imagine the route for the day. This is the conclusion of my year training from couch potato to cycling god (well not quiet). On arrival we are one of the first arrivals and watch as the organisers start to set up the hundred and one things they need to do for a successful event. Soon we have registered, been attached to our dibbers, and assembled bikes. It is 6am and there is no reason to wait now so off we go ,silently snaking through Coniston and on towards Hawkshead Hill. By now both Dave’s are powering ahead and I leave them to it and follow Andy’s wheel to base of Hawkshead. I feel ok now ride has started but anxious not to go off too fast . I overtake Andy and we say our goodbyes as I climb steadily up the hill. I reach Holbreck lane, can’t remember it being as long but slog up it having a short crack with other riders as they come past. Then it is the start of Kirkstone Pass and I select a suitable gear and get into a steady rythem. Although overcast ,it is warm and soon I can feel the sweat trickling down my forehead and dripping on the speedo in front of me. Forcing myself to drink and have a banana I pedal upwards towards the pub and soon it appears in the distance- First Pass climbed. Descending now towards Patterdale I let the wheels roll and control speed now and again to stay in control. Nevertheless quite a few riders come whizzing by ,enjoying the views as they reach the bottom and past the lake. I look round for a group to tag onto but there is no one around so I try to keep pace up as the road gently twists and turns to the turn off to Matterdale. Still drinking and eating to keep nutrition level up I turn onto the long drag to Matterdale End. About here I begin to feel the first twinges of cramp on my upper thigh , oh God , not so soon, what’ s going on I ask myself .More water and some more food taken on board and eventually I reach Troutbeck. Riders are strung out in singles or pairs as I join A66 for the 8 or so miles to Keswick. I wish I was in a group but no option but to carry on. I check watch and see it has taken over 2:15 to reach A66. I am going slower than I expected but the cramp is not getting worse. As I arrive in Keswick I make a scheduled stop just off the roundabout and meet up with my wife/physio. Explain about the cramp and she says I need more salt and will get some for me when we re meet at top of Whinnlatter.. I take it easy on run through to Seatoller as I know that Honister is a horrible climb. But as I start up out of Seatoller the cramps returns with a vengeance and both legs are almost in full spasm.I have to get off about 300m before cattle grid and walk up. Even remounting at the grid I feel the twinges return and aim just to turn the pedals at a speed that does not provoke a full spasm. I go so slowly up the hill towards the slate mine that at times I wonder if I can keep my balance on the bike. Not even half way and I am seriously wondering whether I am going to join the DNF list. Enjoy the drop down towards Buttermere hoping that the rest will help my muscles but every rise starts them off again and I am reduced to granny gear. I dib at Buttermere but don’t stop as my plan is to rendevous at Whinnlatter . Somehow I make it all the way up Newlands by just concentrating on the tarmac a few feet in front. I daren’t look up as I know I would stop and push. At the top the official photographer is waiting and at least that provides the incentive to stay on the bike for those final steep 20 metres. The descent is fast and long so it is really just a question of steering the bike most of the way. Halfway down I see the farm appear and reduce speed , ready for the sharp left then right turn. As I brake I feel the bike wheel slide away from under me and I try frantically to correct the bike before it hits the barbed wire fence. Somehow I turn the bike just in time but I am on the grass verge thinking a crash is enevitable- somehow I survive but that was a big fright . I reach bottom of Whinnlatter and get passed by scores of riders ,some in big groups , at probably at this stage Andy B passes but we don’t see each other. I concentrate on the stages up the pass, the view point with icecream van, the hotel and finally I can hear the crowd at the top cheering everyone on. Apart from my legs everything else is ok and I stop for a salt transfusion(.5 hours gone) Anna takes some photos and I change a shirt( morale boosting) but I am still wondering whether I can do another 50 odd hard miles. At least I know the streach really well and so the torture continues. Coming down into Lorton I get another twitch on the back wheel, not bad but enough now to spook me a bit. Passing through Loweswater I start to feel a bit better and the legs are not cramping any more. I climb Fangs Brow at a steady pace and soon I am at Ennerdale. At this point I begin to realize that I actually might finish this challenge ( I might be last but I will finish) I meander up Coldfell still nursing my legs in case the cramps come back . I have not been out of the saddle very much today and wary of provoking a terminal cramp I take it easy. The piper at the top of Coldfell heralds the descent to Calderbridge and the second feed station where I meet WAGS from St Bees who tell me that Andy B is about 20 mins ahead. I am surprised as I thought he was still behind ( 7 hrs gone now) I try to make up for lost time on the flat as I know that there is a lot of walking to come and soon I am up and over Irton Pike and passing the King George pub where I had watch many riders struggling past last year . Now I know how they felt.!! I reach Hardknott and the cattle grid where I plan to walk. Almost everyone else is , strung out like beads on a string necklace laid across the pass. As if on cue the rain starts and the wind which has been non exsistent all day begins to blow from the east. The rain is very heavy with hail for extra effect and I put my light weight waterproof on- thanking myself for not ditching it earlier. I push,ride,push to the top and look down the other side. It is awash with grit and streams of water everywhere. I want to finish, in fact I decide I don’t want to die so cursing, I walk down to Cockley Beck. I am not the only one!! Now I am tired and wet and just want it to be over. Like a snail I pedal onwards to Wrynose which I manage to cycle a lot more than I expected. At the top I decide that I must try to ride down as the clock is ticking and a sub 10 hr is not looking good. On second steep section again the back wheel slids away and this time my speed picks up in an instant and I am heading off road and down hill fast, I correct the slide somehow and now I am heading off the road on the other side towards the rocks. I manage to release a foot from the cleats and use leg to brake as well. The bike stops about two foot short of the rocks.Out of the corner of my eye I see the lady first aider rubbing her hands- is she cold or did she think that at last she had some business. She asks if I am ok, which I am but my nerves are shot. I dismount and walk down to a much flatter section near the bottom and continue. The home run now, just one small climb and the pleasure of the last couple of miles downhill to the finish . Dibbed and processed I go off to find the others in what has become the Glastonbury festival- well no music but the mud is inches deep with cars being recovered by a tractor and bikes and competitors caked in the stuff. Summary 10 hrs 17 min – not last but there are at least another 900 people in front of me. Set out a year ago to finish the Fred or die trying- I won My first century ride Left wondering if I should have pushed harder at different stages- probably yes Will I do it again- its addictive I’m not sure I can refuse. The Fred is a hard ride no matter what time you do.The guys and girls who where speeding past me(about 900) -total respect. Organisation fantastic- big thanks to Lofty and his team of marshalls,first aiders,Mountain rescue,caterers Finally HUGE THANKS to fellow riders on the day,fellow bloggers, for their support,camaradie, and those who have got me from couch potato to novice cyclist, |