No Pain No Gain

30 April 2010

As Lake District training reaches its climax for one of the country’s toughest cycle events, six contenders faced the ultimate endurance test – leg waxing.

The Fred Whitton Challenge - a gruelling 112 mile epic, taking in some of the area’s highest mountain passes - is not for the faint hearted.

But after riders from the 18-strong Lake District National Park team  were relieved of leg hair by health and beauty students from Kendal College, they said the pain barrier had already been breached.

LDNP’s access and recreation developer, David Switzer, said the Fred Whitton was hard, relentless and demanded every ounce of resolve and fitness.

He added: “Traditionally professional cyclists shave their legs. It might be vanity, but it certainly makes massage and injury treatment easier. And when the Kendal College girls offered their waxing services, we couldn’t refuse.”

David explained the annual challenge raised money for Macmillian Cancer Support – Fred Whitton was a local cyclist who died of cancer in 1998 – and the leg wax was part of a fund raising offensive.

He said: “We are very grateful to the students for their time and good humour. It can’t have been easy having six hairy cyclists to deal with. With such expert help, we can’t fail to do our best on 9 May.

“Three of the team are going on to bike from Lands End to John O’Groats on an eight day charity ride. So the punishment to their legs continues.”

Sharla Fretwell, of Kendal Colllege, said: "students had been delighted to be able to help with such a worthwhile cause and wished the team well".

Cycle kit has been part sponsored by Cumbria Tourism’s Adcap project.

The classic route can be tried and tested at anytime of the year, thanks to the Four Seasons Fred Whitton Bike Tour, funded by LDNP and Cumbria Tourism.

The initiative encourages cyclists of all abilities to get involved in one section or the whole journey, taking as long as they need. Four seasons information is on www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk