From the teams VC Melyd originally fielded for the Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge in the Lake District – a fair number didnt get the places they were looking for.
One way or another, for those riding, we are all in. I think I can say that for each and every one of us there was the elation of getting a place followed by the “what have I done?“. Plenty of the VC Melyd number now appear amongst the rider list – so chances are you are going to hear one or two of us mention it. So what is it all about?
Sunday 10th May sees 114 miles of joy with 11000ft+ of climbing – this is going to be a truly epic day out for the Melodians. Check out the list of named passes and ascents for amusement – if you should require a little insight – here we have the 2013 Tour of Britain ascending the Honister Pass. Wish us luck!
“The Fred Whitton Challenge is a charity cyclosportive event held annually in the English Lake District, in aid of the MacMillan Nurses and the Dave Rayner Fund. It is held in memory of Fred Whitton, racing secretary of the Lakes Road Club, who died of cancer at the age of 50 in 1998. The event started in 1999 and has been held every year since, except for 2001 when it was canceled due to the foot-and-mouth epidemic.
Starting and finishing in Coniston, the route is 112 miles and takes in:
- Ambleside
- The Kirkstone Pass
- Glenridding and Ullswater
- Matterdale End
- Keswick
- Borrowdale
- The Honister Pass
- Buttermere
- The Newlands Pass and the Newlands Valley
- Braithwaite
- The Whinlatter Pass
- The Western Lake District: Lorton, Loweswater, Lamplugh, Ennerdale Bridge, Cold Fell, Calder Bridge, Gosforth
- Eskdale
- The Hardknott and Wrynose Passes
- Little Langdale“
— Wikipedia