RIDE: Three times a charm
A 'proper' Fred Whitton Challenge is apparently one that's done in weather that echoes the brutality of the climbs themselves. Well, as we looked at the forecast during our late dinner in Kendal the night before taking on a third helping of the UK's most infamous monster sportive, the heavens looked like they were going to give us a damn good soaking. A proper Fred was definitely on the cards. Waking up in a bunkbed in a youth hostel to the sound of torrential rain the following morning, lashings of mental fortitude was called for. This is what my riding buddy and I came for, we were going to face the challenge and conquer not just the elements, but the mighty climbs of a third Fred Whitton Challenge . Type 2 fun at its finest... I've written before about my first go at this most infamous of organised rides, but with bad weather on the cards there was palpable apprehension as we arrived in the registration tent at Grasmere Showground. Lots of faffing meant our 6
