Ben's Fred Whitton Page

EDIT: I did it! I was not quick: 09.04. But I didn't put a foot down on the passes. Thanks to everyone for your support, and you can continue to donate for a while, I think!

For a while it looked like this might not happen, but I think it is finally time to commit, and that's what this page does. For those not in the know, the Fred Whitton is generally considered the hardest one-day organised ride in the UK. It's a 112-miles-long loop around the Lake District, and includes over 12,000ft of ascent. If you've ever driven over a Lake District mountain pass, I'm almost certainly going to ride over it on the 12th, and Hard Knott comes after 98 miles. The web page tells you not to attempt it if it is your first sportive. It is my first sportive.
Over the winter, I picked up a gluteus medeus injury from climbing, so I had to take almost 2 months off, but February and March have gone well, and I'm feeling positive about it. 
You're probably wondering how long it might take. I'm aiming to make it round without being forced off the bike on a hill rather than a time, but likely somewhere between 8.5 and 10 hours. 
Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue is one of many MR charities that rescue almost anyone in the Hills and Mountains of Britain. They are essential to keeping us safe, but entirely reliant on donations.