Final call for the 2016 Fred Whitton Challenge

[Tony]

A few of us have registered for tomorrow's ballot for the 2016 Fred Whitton Challenge, taking place on May 8th.

We'd like to have a Clifton "team" and hence this shout out to any fence-sitters that may be out there; the registration deadline is midnight January 17th i.e. tonight.

Full details of the event can be found at http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.co.uk/

Per above, the draw takes place tomorrow, with 400 of the 2,000 entry places given to first-timers. First-timers unsuccessful in the initial 400 draw are automatically entered into the second draw for the remaining 1,600 places. I understand that successful entrants will be notified immediately via email.

Please indicate below if you have entered the ballot and/or are successful in gaining a place, since we can start to coordinate training etc.

[DavidShort]

Me and Suzie are in, doing it on the tandem! I've done it twice on the solo, its seriously hard but it does give a sense of achievement, unlike anything else I've done on a push bike. We got an automatic entry on account of how much I raised last time, over £600, and we both marshalled in last years event. Best training advice is just get loads and loads of miles in with big hill reps, a few Chimney Banks included. It will be cold, it will be wet! Bon chance!!

Kind regards David
TT Sec'

[Tony]

Well,as it turns out, I received the "Sorry! You didn't get a place in the lottery draw‏" email yesterday, but at least 4 others from the A-group have secured places.

I've requested to be added to the cancellation aka wait-list, so we'll see how it goes.

[DavidShort]

There are 2 ways you can guarantee an entry into the Fred. First is to guarantee you will raise £250 in sponsorship. You have to put this money up front, which, on top of the £40 entry fee, is a big wedge at one go. I entered this way the first time I did it. However, by way of the 'Just giving' web site I soon recouped this and managed to raise over £600 in sponsorship for the charity. So, it only cost me the £40 entry fee in real terms. Funded places are offered before the lottery so they know how many places to put out to general release.

If you raise over £500 then you get an automatic entry, which got me in the second time round. I should know better, but the first time was a real eye opener and set me up for proper preparation for the second time resulting in a much better time, 9hrs, which for me I was more than happy with.

The second way you can guarantee an entry is to marshal/assist. This is most rewarding and well worth it. When you marshal you are then offered an automatic entry into the following years event at a reduced cost of £25.
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We marshalled in 2015 and are now entered for this years event. As for doing it on the tandem! I blame Suzie whose idea it was. Out of 2000 entries last year there were only 3 tandems, which speaks volumes but hey ho. We are well on with the training and have done the Fred on the half bikes over 2 days and on the tandem, (full bike), over two days on 2 occasions already and have only had to walk up bits of Honister and Hardknott. It's all about pace and fuelling/hydration which is critical. 14 weeks to go!!

As for accommodation, the YHA Grasmere is perfect with monster breakfasts served from 4am. It is taken over entirely by Fred entrants and the YHA block out that weekend but only to allow for Fred entrants. You can't book it online, instead you have to ring them up and speak in person to book your place there. Which we did. Like most things in life its all about 'being in the know'!

Any other info you need please get in touch

Cheers David

Cheers David

[DavidShort]

For info of those unfortunates whose entry has been accepted there is a Strava club 'Fred Whitton 2016' should anyone like to join;

https://www.strava.com/clubs/181411

Kind regards David
TT Sec'