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Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge 2015

10/05/2015 - Grasmere The English Lake District - Sportive

Rating: 97.8% based on 43 reviews -
Previous Years Rating: 95.2% based on 151 reviews

Previous Years Event Ratings

Rated Event: 88.889%

JohnLeighton wrote:

Bloody hard but fun.

Rated Event: 94.444%

AlexFitzGerald wrote:

Other than releasing the draw results when it was done, rather than an additional delay, it was really well organised

Rated Event: 85.556%

CraigFisher wrote:

Quite well executed and organised. On-course marshalling was excellent. Could do with looking at resourcing the race HQ differently. Long queues and ran out of food.

Rated Event: 96.667%

RossHarrison wrote:

Brilliant event. Well worth doing at least once. Hopefully get an entry next year - have unfinished business with Hardnott. ...

Rated Event: 100.000%

eLBee! wrote:

The new HQ and the fact that the local community in Grasmere appears to have embraced the event has significantly improved that part of the Fred Whitton experience, which was already excellent.
As always, the information provided to riders about the nature of the route and pointing out the areas that need riding with care is excellent, and the marshaling at the traditional 'oops, misjudged my ability on THAT' spots was fantastic and improves year on year.
I quite liked the new route which is the same distance and only has a very small decrease in overall ascent/descent, and is completely offset by the convenience and increased efficiency that the Grasmere HQ provides to the logistics of registering, parking, feeding and supporting 2000 cyclists.
A superb event, always tough, always a bit different (that'll be the Cumbrian weather) and one to ride as often as you can*

* my own opinion. Others are available ;-)

Rated Event: 96.667%

TimGlenie wrote:

what a top event, would definitely recomend.

Rated Event: 97.778%

ChrisMcKenna wrote:

Excellent day hope to be lucky enough to get in next year

Rated Event: 85.556%

RuthWard wrote:

Amazing team of volunteers run this event for such a worthy cause. Hopefully entry online will continue to improve and hopefully make life easier for these volunteers. Keep up the good work guys!

Rated Event: 78.889%

GerardMulligan wrote:

Overall, this is a great event. Very well run. you wouldn't know there were 2000 cyclists there...it all runs so smoothly. Marshalls & volunteers were great. The setting is awesome. The only thing that took away from the day for me was the cold & wet. The weather in this part of the UK is terrible. I think that if this event were run in July/August it would make it much more enjoyable. At least it would be warmer.... To combat the cold, some tea & coffee at the first food stop would have been nice...

Rated Event: 100.000%

EdwardHodgson wrote:

Fabulous event and a real must on the bucket list of sportives!

Rated Event: 95.556%

PaulTurner1 wrote:

Brilliant event. Route is superb. Marshalls/helpers were great. It's a big event (2,000+ cyclists), but it somehow retains the feel of a small/local/personal event, which I like

Rated Event: 95.556%

paulbaker wrote:

The hardest and the best sportive in the most beautiful place on Earth.

Rated Event: 91.111%

ColinAngus wrote:

Ace

Rated Event: 98.889%

BenD wrote:

It's brutal but worth it. Exceptional organisation in all aspects.

Rated Event: 97.778%

MikeGannon wrote:

Slick, well organised, new start location improved the event. Having nexy year off, back in 2016

Rated Event: 97.778%

DavidTracey wrote:

Favourite event I do, more than a sportive really. The Lake District seems to have taken it to heart and it's a totally different vibe to anything by the commercial enterprises such as Kilo To Go. More thoughts on my blog at: http://deetsman.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/fred-whitton-time-again

Rated Event: 88.889%

MarkFreeman wrote:

Superb sportive very challenging with the long distance and amount of ascent. Small crits are long way to 1st feed station and parking facilities not great if wet.