Hardknott Pass in 360° – The Hardest 20 Minutes I’ve Ever Had on a Bike | Fred Whitton
Experience the legendary Hardknott Pass like never before—with full 360° footage from the 2025 Fred Whitton Challenge.
This is the hardest climb of the entire route: 33% gradients, 93 miles in, scorching heat, and legs on the brink of failure. You’ll see just how brutal this iconic Lake District climb really is, and why so many cyclists end up walking. I didn’t.
This footage was captured mid-ride during my first ever Fred Whitton, a 112-mile UK sportive known for its savage climbs and stunning roads. Hardknott Pass is its most feared section—and this video shows you exactly why.
Use your mouse or phone to look around the hairpins, the scenery, and the riders pushing their bikes up the slopes. This is as close as it gets to riding it yourself.
Climbed. Suffered. Survived.
If you're training for the Fred Whitton or just want to see what it's really like to ride Britain's steepest road in the middle of a legendary sportive, this is the video for you.