Sometimes the biggest danger to cyclists comes from their own.
That was the case during the 2025 Fred Whitton sportive (held in the UK), when one participant pulled a move that could have ended badly for everyone involved.
The Setting: Fred Whitton Sportive
The Fred Whitton is no casual ride. It’s a grueling event through the Lake District and the roads stay open to traffic the whole way.
That means everyone riding knows cars can appear at any moment….especially on descents.
The Risky Overtake
On the descent of Kirkstone Pass, shouts of “Car!” and “Car up!” rang out from riders ahead. Despite this, one cyclist crossed into the opposite lane on a blind right-hand bend.
For a few seconds, they were fully committed. Then, at the last instant, they swerved sharply back across, barely avoiding an oncoming vehicle and cutting in front of other riders.
“Kamikaze-style overtake”
Caught on Camera
The near miss was captured by rider Tony Houlihan, who later posted it to YouTube with a title that didn’t pull punches: Kirkstone descent idiot cyclist overtake.
In the description, Tony called it a “Kamikaze-style overtake” — a fair summary given the footage.
Reaction From the Community
Other riders didn’t mince words. Some saw it as a perfect “what not to do” example for new riders.
Others voiced frustration, pointing out that one rider’s recklessness damages the public’s view of cyclists in general. And of course, there was the obvious point — this stunt could have caused serious injury, or worse.
A Reminder for All
The Fred Whitton is tough enough without riders making things harder for each other. Every cyclist is responsible for not only their own safety, but also for looking out for the people around them.
Moments like this should be a wake-up call to keep the thrill of speed in check when lives are on the line.
