Instagram story viewer> @fredwhittonchallenge> Posts

Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge

@fredwhittonchallenge

6.7K

followers

44

following

🎉 Britain’s premier sportive
⛰ 112 Miles | 9 Climbs | 2500 Riders
🚴 Sponsored by @wheelbase.co.uk
🚲 Sun 9 May 2027
⛰️ Ballot opens 1 December 2026

POSTS STORIES REELS

Morning Everyone.

Special charity entries are now open (limited to 400 entries), link in comments and will be online on our website this afternoon.

Those of you expecting a pre entry invite as a previous volunteer in 2026, through our deferral system, a high fundraiser or overseas entry, emails with your entry link will be sent out by 6pm today. Be sure to check your junk/spam folder.

📸: @wheelbase.co.uk by @fredwhittonchallenge

Hello everyone, we have two updates to share with you all.

Firstly we have a new website, thanks @pixeltweaks for your hard work on this.

Secondly, our first phase of entries will be sent out the start of November.

On Monday 2 November 2026 will be sending out emails with 2027 ride invites to our 2026 high fundraisers, deferrals and previous volunteers. Please keep an eye on your inbox and best to check your junk folders too.

The ballot will then open on Tuesday 1 December 2026.
You can enter on our website and it will remain open until Thursday 10 December 2026 (21:00). We will then send out the results of the ballot the week of the 14 December. So you’ll know if you have a ride before Christmas.

As ever, thanks for supporting our charity event and we look forward to seeing the names come rolling in!

📸: @wheelbase.co.uk by @fredwhittonchallenge

It’s not too long before entries open for the 2027 @fredwhittonchallenge and I’ve been thinking about pieces for next year.

One of my favour parts of the ride is the sunrise descent from Kirkstone Pass, the dark shadows cast by the near fells and the bright reflections of Ullswater and bright faces of Swinside Knott & High Brow provide epic contrast on this long fast descent.

‘Descending Kirkstone Pass’ is 102cm x 102cm, acrylics on shallow box canvas and is now available on my website.

www.stuartstoreyart.com

What else would you like to see for next year’s paintings? by @fredwhittonchallenge

Fred Whitton Charities Presentation Day

Total donations made from the Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge in 2026 was £251,982.00

Organisers, volunteers, local cycling club riders and friends of the Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge came together recently to present the money raised this year to their selected charities for 2026.

What originally started off as a club ride for a friend, has grown to be one of the most famous cycling events in Europe and after running for over twenty years it has now raised over three million pounds for charity.

A big thank you to everyone involved in the 2026 Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge; donations totaled £251,982.00 and included:

Great North Air Ambulance £32,653.00
Northwest Air Ambulance £35,132.00
Duddon & Furness Mountain Rescue £41,292.00
Macmillan Cancer Support £80,240.00

Other special charities the event donated to:

St Mary’s Hospice Ulverston
Bendrigg Centre
Andy’s Man Club Barrow
St Mary’s Hospice Dementia Hub Barrow
Furness MND
Growing Well
MNDA
The Kepplewray Centre Broughton

The event also supports:

ALBA Junior Women’s Racing Team
Team 360 Junior Men’s Racing Team

#fredwhittonchallenge by @fredwhittonchallenge

Everyone is welcome to come celebrate this years charitable donations 🚲 by @fredwhittonchallenge

With the addition of The Struggle the 2026 Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge may have been the most demanding edition yet. Starting with the 2023 National Hill Climb Championship ascent only 6km into the route, competitors risked burning their matches early into the ride.

#fredwhittonchallenge #fredwhitton by @fredwhittonchallenge

We’re still reflecting on a superb edition of the Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge over the weekend.

Riders were treated to blue skies and cool temperatures giving them the perfect conditions for a big day out on the bike.

The Fred Whitton Challenge continues to grow in popularity every year with a record 6,000 entries for the 2026 edition. Of the 2,500 places available organisers reported that 1,900 participants were first timers which is testament to how much the Fred has become a bucket list event on the Sportive calendar.

Check out our Fred Whitton Challenge Blog on our website for more details and follow thew link through to our huge photo gallery.

📷 @joeljamesonphotography

#fredwhittonchallenge #fredehitton by @fredwhittonchallenge

Team KMC Athlete @f.minni_tri looking fresh after 106.8 miles and 3,360m of climbing and gradients of up to 33% in the saddle 🚵

(Featuring big Keith and the Minnican support crew in the background of course)

Another fantastic year at the Fred Whitton challenge, roll on 2027 🙌

@fredwhittonchallenge by @fredwhittonchallenge

Our @fredwhittonchallenge Blea Tarn climb galleries are now complete, you can find the link to our website in the bio.
#fredwhittonchallenge #fredwhittonphotos by @fredwhittonchallenge

Our @fredwhittonchallenge Wrynose galleries are now complete, link in bio to our website.
#fredwhittonchallenge #fredwhittonphotos by @fredwhittonchallenge

All the @fredwhittonchallenge Hardknott Pass galleries are now up on our website, link in bio.
Our other locations are in the process of uploading.
#fredwhittonchallenge #fredwhittonphotos by @fredwhittonchallenge

I was there covering the event for the great @stevefleming1 , capturing the effort, the emotion, and the pure determination of every rider pushing through that climb.

But I wasn’t just taking photos—I was shouting encouragement too. I truly believe it matters. A small word can go a long way when you’re deep in the challenge.

Massive respect to everyone who took part. What a day to remember.

#FredWhitton #LakeDistrictCycling #EventPhotography #CarlosReinaPhotography #NewlandsPass SupportTheEffort BehindTheLens WestCumbria by @fredwhittonchallenge