FRED - Undisputed KING of Sportives. Amateur Cycling Superbowl

In this video, you join me revisiting the one and only Fred Whitton Challenge, the most challenging sportive in the UK with our very own amateur Alpe D'Huez amphitheater, Hardknott Pass - Wembley for the MAMILs and MAMIL-esses !
I previously completed 'the Fred' in 2021 and wanted to see if my fitness was up to the job for a rinse and repeat, following what has been two years of rebuilding, progressing ..... and regressing.... following my accident.
Over the past few months, I've been rigorously preparing for this epic ride using Zwift training sessions to build strength and endurance. Following an amazing weekend with Lee Baxter and Tony Cope navigating the final 3 climbs of the Fred Whitton..... in both directions (see recent video), it was time to raise the bar taking them on with 140km in the legs !
Join me as I navigate the stunning yet grueling 180 km course through the Lake District, sharing the road with 3,000 other passionate cyclists "enjoying" the breathtaking scenery and the formidable climbs that make this event legendary, including Kirkstone Pass, Honister Pass, Newlands, Whinlatter Hardknott Pass and Wrynose. I was targeting a full gas solo sub 7 hours vs 7hours 43mins last time around.
Massive thanks to the big team who organise this spectacular event each year, and also the sensational crowds and supporters along the way who provide an incredible atmosphere and boost, cheering us on through every tough climb and descent.
To translate the subtitles to your preferred language, please go to the settings cog on the video, and make sure subtitles are turned on. Then select auto-translate, and then select the language you prefer.
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Thanks ever so much for all of your support! And whoever you are, what ever your do, please remember to LIVE THRIVE AND STAY HEALTHY !
Follow my journey
Instagram: / bikeracingwithoutmercy
Strava: / strava

[@valiantabello]

You're the most polite human being of all time. Love your videos, well done sir

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Ahh ! Thanks ever so much Valiant 🙏🙏. I must attribute that to my Mum and Dad 💯

[@AtakanCOBAN54]

Absolutely YESSSSS. THANK YOU Phillip.

[@MrDread35]

27:58 Much respect to that guy. On a climb like that I am surprised he’s the only one we saw fall. Thanks for the motivation Phil 💯

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Absolutely - getting back going on a steep incline is always super hard 💯

[@Phil-qz6oc]

“On your…” “On my what?!’ Brilliant

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

🤣Cheers Phil !! Yep - 150km in ….my communication skills were a little ….. rudimentary at that point 🤣

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

I think you must be the only one who says thank you to the supporters. Well done great job

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

As always too too kind ! 🙏. And for sure the marshals and the crowds make for an incredible day - people turning out in such numbers to encourage amateurs is above and beyond💯

[@cd66061]

Nah, loads of us say thank you to those volunteers who we know are out helping for hours and hours.. You should try it perhaps.

[@fastbreakmarketing7788]

Wow, those Lake District views are breathtaking! 😄And your effort climbing those passes is even more so. 💪Thanks for taking us along on this incredible adventure. 🚴‍♂🍺🍰🥇

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks ever so much, Volha 🙏🙏. This for me is the most beautiful part of the UK 🤩. And for sure once I’d got back into the swing of the steep steep gradients a couple of weeks before the Fred I found them still proper tough but somehow addictive 💯

[@izmael_kneafcy]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. “I decided to skip the aid station with one bottle, not the smartest idea.” Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

🤣 nicely summarised Izmael ! And for sure was not clever to skip the feed station… looked too busy and I thought Winnats was closer…

[@izmael_kneafcy]

@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy i say chapeau! to remain lucid enough to thank the volunteers and supporters is some feat on such a brutal course. you are a very brave man skipping an aid station with that amount of elevation.👏🏻

[@spingirl4855]

Wow you’re a beast!!!! You were just getting up those hills and passing everyone!!! Congratulations 👏👏🤜

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks ever so much Spin Girl 🙏🙏 - it does feel amazing to make it up Honnister, Hardkonott and Wrynose 💯.

[@AtakanCOBAN54]

My dear friend. Again,it was a great video from start to finish. Congratulations and thank you very much. You've become much stronger after your accident, Phillip. Wonderful. UK routes are excellent. The views are wonderful. The hills are beautiful. greenery everywhere. but the climb was very difficult. Many racers were walking. :))) I hope the friend who fell is okay :))) You climbed perfectly, Phillip. You've never walked. Congratulations again my friend. Greetings from London and my sister Jane. I'm waiting for new videos. Enjoy. Have a nice ride. Best wishes. #bikeracingwithoutmercy

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Always an honour and pleasure to hear from you Atakan the indefatigable 💪💯. And for sure this is the kind of tough challenge you would relish !! The toughest and most beautiful cycling event in the UK - and best still plenty of chaos to keep us entertained ! Hope you are keeping well - your marathons look very impressive 💯✊

[@gaz5eeeee]

Crackerjack of a video Phill… captured alllll of the emotions and concerns. I suspect the 36 mins over the sub-7 hour target was partly due to your filming (and the traffic) and me and all of your followers salute you for getting the footage and creating the vid. Noticed there was no “never again” this time… so hopefully see you next year!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Gaz 🙏 that’s very kind of you and a tad generous … I made the mistake of riding Blea - Wrynose - Hardknott - Hardknott - Wrynose - Blea … again the Friday before the Fred, and think it took the edge of … not exactly a text book taper… But for sure I will be back in ‘25 to get the 7hours - so see you there 🤞

[@glennicol1361]

Looks like a great event for people living in that part of the world!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

The best event in the UK Glenn 💯- worth travelling to

[@Alan-Turnbull]

That brought all the emotions back 😢, amazing ride in a stunning (brutal) landscape!! I keep thinking do I want a 3rd go at it but then I look those climbs think god hard 🥵. 👍💪

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

🤣🤣Alan - agreed, when I went back to the lakes for the first time since 2021, I wandered if I had the energy and desire to hit the ultra steep stuff again…. But very quickly became on again addicted !

[@matskelton9589]

Inspirational as always Phil - truly a journey for the viewer as well 👌

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Matt 🙏🙏 - really kind of you to say so 💯

[@nickbrownbill3413]

Congratulations mate - sorry it took me so long to watch this, what a phenomenal effort. Great video, showing off some of the best that England has to offer. I'll never be a sportive guy because of all the traffic but what an event this looks like. I started watching this last night before my hillclimb and you inspired me to thank every volunteer however on the limit I was!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Nick - and sorry for my even slower reply. Have been subsumed with work … and then Ill after the Everest…. Hugely appreciated - and still not as tough as colwyd - the ultimate benchmark 💪 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@neilfox9540]

Another absolutely wonderful video Phil. Looked like a beautiful day for the Fred. You are such a great articulate narrator, the monologue around 20 mins is possibly your finest ever! A true cycling poet and wordsmith. Chapeau sir!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks Neil 🙏🙏that’s beyond generous of you to say so, and hugely appreciated. I really enjoyed the creative process to try and bring to life the event and describe why the Hardknott - Wrynose section is our very own amateur amphitheatre 👍🙏

[@christopherwatts1742]

Another epic vlog Phil, your tenacity, motivation and patience (especially on being chopped up on some of those climbs 😂)… overall another inspirational watch…

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks ever so much Chris 🙏🙏 that’s really generous of you to say so 💯. I quite enjoy riding up through some of the field - makes for a nice film, and also delicately navigating around folk makes the tough stuff feel somehow easier 😅

[@Hotshotzwifting]

Another great video phill , always the gentleman with so much respect for the support . As always “ emotional “ , plus the bonus of a medal 🤗 . I was very disappointed I only got a certificate in 2022 , but I am still proud to say I did it .👏🏻👏🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

🤣🤣 indeed the first year of medals, and I was absolutely chuffed ! And thanks for the lovely comment 🙏 for sure the Marshalls and supporters turn a great event into an epic event 💯

[@Allonmor]

Anyone can take a camera on a sportive but no one does it like you man. Your narration is top notch. Your style ideal. My hat it tipped. Chateaux!! 😂

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks ever so much Allon - that’s incredibly generous of you and motivating for me 🙏🙏 I do enjoy figuring out how to bring what is in essence a MAMIL on a bike ride to life ☺️

[@Allonmor]

@@BikeRacingWithoutMercyyou can tell… tho it comes across effortless! Your words play more like lyrics actually. Cycling is such a true and noble endeavour and your backing track does it every amount of justice. Thank you.

[@chirpy999]

I did Hardnott on a motorbike once that was hard going let alone cycling up it. Great film Kudos!!!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Chirpy 🙏🙏. The control needed to get a motorbike up there would be incredible - so respect to you Sir ✊

[@mamilmick]

Another great video Fantastic 💪🏻👍🏻 No medals for the walkers 🤣🤣

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks Mick 🙏🙏- the best Sportive in the UK 💯

[@aoe76]

What a strong effort 👌

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks aoe 🙏🙏

[@waynekerry6559]

Superb Phil

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Wayne 🙏🙏🙏

[@Nosh_Feratu]

epic!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Nosh 🙏🙏

[@sapiens7821]

Great Video and Racing Phil , Honister and Hardknott looks a tough 🤝one well done. Good to see some rim brakes too. Also they should close the roads for such a popular epic road ride This is the TDF of Britain the community love it 😊 The view at 21:20 😮🥹 WTF ramp 😬 I wonder if a gravel geared bike with an mtb range cassette on the back may become popular

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks 🙏 Massively appreciated, Sir! Would be incredible on closed roads … one day 🤞 The gravel single gear would work well on the steep stuff for sure 👍

[@davidkirkby5218]

That was a fantastic effort, I have done it once crashed about 8km from finish.. but still got it finished.. I want to experience the end without the pain and suffering I felt last time .. may try next year

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks ever so much David 🙏🙏 - and am so so sorry to hear you crashed in the final 8km after all but completing it 🤯 - and hope you made a rapid recovery. It’s definitely one to complete - so hopefully see you there next year

[@PW-CreakySaddle]

But an amazing effort and day out :-) see you next year

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Too too kind Sir ! See you in ‘25

[@CycletheNation]

Nice video Phil, glad you had such a good day despite the legs not being the best, and great to see you there. Next year!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Scott - it was really good to meet you and hear more about your incredible plans for ‘25 . In the mean time best of luck with the 🐉

[@rogerdavis3454]

I'm amazed at how you negotiated all that traffic, especially on the climbs, with such poise and confidence. Showing your appreciation to the course workers was commendable. Your mama raised you right.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks Roger 🙏 That’s extremely kind of you to say so, Sir !!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks Roger 🙏🙏. That’s extremely kind of you to say so, Sir !!

[@DarenC]

A good effort. Love a bit of Fred action! Good memories of struggling, making it up most hills, walking a couple, blasting along and the awesome Honister 92 train streaming past me. I'm hoping to volunteer next year then ride it again in 2026 (I'll be 57, I think I'll walk Hardknott and Wrynose for a 3rd time ;))

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Darren - that’s very kind of you ! 🙏. And a great ambition to play your way back into cycling the Fred . With the right easy gearing (and training ) I’m sure you’d be able to tame Hardknott and Wrynose !

[@shanegreen2583]

Great effort. The amount of cyclists on the hills puts me off doing this event. It’s much better when you do it unsupported and it’s clear though bet the experience is great 🍾. That shop is my go to near whinlatter for a pit stop 😂

[@christopherthomas3403]

Agree!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Shane 🙏🙏- I think next time I’ll set off at 6AM - and miss the traffic / get past it early on Kirkstone

[@carloschiesaro3265]

Well done Phil and great sportive! I might sign up for it one day- just need to have the right gears for those crazy ramps!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

It’s superb Carlo - well worth investing in a 34 for !

[@andrewlong1117]

Well done Phill, different beast to the European Gran Fondos that you love, but can tell you love these roads in a special way .

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks Andrew - that’s much appreciated 🙏And for sure if I could only ride the bike in one part of the world for the rest of my life it would be the Lake District 🤩💯

[@UnsponsoredUk]

Great effort. Managed to make it in the edit myself. I'm starting at the top of Wrynose taking photos.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers ! 🙏🙏 - that was quite the perch on Wrynose !

[@PW-CreakySaddle]

Thanks for sharing. I think your gradient percentage shown in top left up Honnister shows a bit on the high side, but guess all depends on exact line up there. I set off 2minutes after you, much slower but did not encounter such bad congestion as you did, so well done for staying clipped in.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Nice one PW - getting around is the name of the game 💯✊. And occasionally the gradients don’t quite line up - but pretty accurate

[@salsalawyer]

Nice riding!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Reggie 🙏

[@RideWithGerben]

That guy at 27:59 has a story to tell too! :) Fantastic video! These percentages are insane!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Agreed, Gerben - insane gradients - but addictive 👌💯. And for sure ….so so hard to get going on the steep stuff - let along with 160km in the legs !

[@LakeDistrictcyclist]

Hard enough going up them climbs when there quiet, you did brilliant getting through the traffic 😊

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers LDC 🙏🙏 - means a lot coming from someone in your neck of the woods !

[@irondistance4313]

I love the grade descriptions, especially I want my mommy and what the F*ck. Love the video thanks again

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

My pleasure IronDistance 💯 - and very much appreciate your compliment on my ‘scientific’ gradient descriptions 🤣

[@user-jo7cm4hf2j]

Well done Phil, superb ride and commentary to boot!👊👊👊👊👊

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers 🙏🙏🙏 - massively appreciated and very motivating 💯

[@paulmorrison30]

Excellent ride and very well done 🎉✊🏾👊🏾💪🏾👌🏾

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Paul - a big, beautiful and mad day out💯🙏

[@gregdelves3615]

Terrific ride! Super strong.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks Greg - massively appreciated 🙏

[@rob.hodgson]

Great stuff Phil. I have a tendency to drop my water bottles far too regularly!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Roy 🙏🙏 Very kind of you. I seem to manage at the wrong moment also - previous time was at the Gran Fondo Tre Valli Varesine - also with too many others on the road to stop!

[@craigherd7896]

Tremendous to see how far you've come since the accident Phil, inspirational effort. btw I'm sure there was at least 36mins worth of traffic in that footage alone 😅

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Craig - that’s really kind of you to say so🙏. It’s been a long way back - and for sure I couldn’t have contemplated The Fred this time last year. Hope all is well

[@marksmithWLC]

I think I’m probably the only person who read Superb Owl !

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

🤣🤣Mark !! My favourite bird 🦉 🦉

[@timfulford6104]

Great Ride Phil!

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Tim 🙏🙏 your old stomping ground - and what a place to stomp 🤩💯

[@leebamber499]

Well done phil

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Lee 🙏

[@foundfoundfound1]

wouldn't be england without a stop at a tea-rooms

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Makes the ‘racing’ more civilised FFF 🤣

[@PW-CreakySaddle]

steep wall steep wall recover steep wall :-)

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Glad you like my ‘technical’ descriptions!

[@TheMoodyedge]

Still a damn good effort. Where was your wingman? I wanted to ride it for the second time but didn't get a place and refused to pay £210 to ride around my home county. I'm riding the route on my tod in a couple of weeks.

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks ever so much TMe 🙏🙏. I was solo that time - and for sure it’s best to ride with friends. Hope your own private Fred went well - you live in a beautiful part of the world 🤩

[@PaulTheCyclist.]

Great edit, What software did you use for the overlay stats?

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Thanks Paul 🙏🙏- we use Telemetric Overlay

[@PW-CreakySaddle]

except 22:52 seems over by a fair bit again?

[@PW-CreakySaddle]

yet your hardknott gradients seemed low?

[@daveyandgina]

Fame at last 5:47 - Honister was indeed really sketchy

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Indeed it was Davey ! Indeed it was…. Hope you had a good Fred 👍

[@ryancarter2417]

Dragon ride next?

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

No Ryan - Everest then Maratona

[@foundfoundfound1]

as most training is done solo indoors or the road, how do you like these occasions of moving with a swarm?

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

I didn’t ride enough in the groups in the valleys and flats, FFF. But on the steep hills it’s ok - because everything is moving very slow - and I have sufficient range of gearing to maintain control . I’ve also been back riding crit races and road races - not doing very well, but getting used to riding fast in the bunch

[@b2theb]

Lol @ I want my mummy ramp! 34% is disgusting

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

🤣🤣 yep - it really does feel like Mummy would make a difference when confronted with that … with 145km in the legs 🥵

[@beetroot133]

Great video,but you haven't completed the Fred if you walked...

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

I only got off the bike to get water just before Whinlatter - then at the music corner and just after Coldfell? Is getting water frowned upon ?

[@beetroot133]

Hahaha no,but that's not what I was getting at. There's no shame in pushing up the climbs(just means you haven't trained well enough 😂) but anyone that gets off to push hasn't done the Fred or themselves justice.

[@belly450]

Quite bad its not fully closed really....nothing worse than decending in a nervous group, good work phil

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers 🙏🙏 Fully closed would be perfection 💯

[@CycletheNation]

Unfortunately that'll never happen, with the Honister Slate Museum and Buttermere village needing access. As lovely as that would be, it's a struggle in itself getting Hardknott to Langdale shut, and even then there was a car on the Blea Tarn descent for a few hours.

[@MichaelBoogerd]

not closed roads??? i mean i can understand it's hard to get permissions etc.... but traffic both ways through a sea of cyclists on 25% hill? what?

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

I too was proper surprised to see cars and vans trying to come down Honnister and Newlands - but indeed, no closed roads save for Hardknott through Blea Tarn 😅

[@Spikey_Mikey]

The views were on show today. 🏞 Great video, Phil, but you forgot to say thank you to the volunteers up Hardnotts pass 😉 😂

[@BikeRacingWithoutMercy]

Cheers Michael 🙏🙏 - views on views that day! And as I watched the edit I did silently admonish myself for not expressing my gratitude on Hardknott 🤣