Brian Rourke's Cat & Fiddle Challenge

nosmo-king
nosmo-king Posts: 47
edited October 2008 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
Is anyone entering this charity bike ride. It's only three weeks to go now. I've been doing a bit of training, on my old Harry Hall tourer. Looking forward to it.
Here's a box,a musical box. Wound up and ready to play.
(brian Cant,Camberwick Green).
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Comments

  • Data1959
    Data1959 Posts: 31
    Yes i am on this on and i think a few others from our club ( lancashire Road Club ) too
  • pezman
    pezman Posts: 1
    i am doing the cat and fiddle this year. i have done it twice before, though not last year as i was a little disenchanted with the bike riding. i'm just getting back into some sort of shape. i climed the cat and fiddle at an average of about 11 miles an hour the first time i did it, though i think i was slightly slower the second. what's the fastest anyone has done it?
  • tim000
    tim000 Posts: 718
    did it 4 years ago and it,s a great ride . but not been doing enough training this year . might have a ride up the cat though later in the day . only been up a couple of times this year.
  • nom de plum
    nom de plum Posts: 182
    pezman wrote:
    i am doing the cat and fiddle this year. i have done it twice before, though not last year as i was a little disenchanted with the bike riding. i'm just getting back into some sort of shape. i climed the cat and fiddle at an average of about 11 miles an hour the first time i did it, though i think i was slightly slower the second. what's the fastest anyone has done it?

    this may give you a rough idea
    http://www.westmeadteam88.co.uk/event_results.php?id=88

    steve
    some bikes and sheep and stuff:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/16682367@N00/
  • JC.152
    JC.152 Posts: 645
    I'll be doing its a great event that got me into cycing two years ago.
  • ian.r.mcdonald
    ian.r.mcdonald Posts: 177
    I agree its a great ride- am planning to start later so perhaps Sean and group can catch me up!

    i think we are all guilty of forgetting its a charity ride- and one with a very good cause

    the entry fee goes in of course- but if we all got sponsorship of the same amount again as a minimum- the return for th charity would be even better

    I am on a red and black Rourke (of course)- give me a wave as you blitz by up Smallthorne bank!
  • feel
    feel Posts: 800
    how difficult is this ride? are the hills really tough - i've read that there is the 7 mile climb,but i'm not familiar with it? I have done about 55 miles before but it has been relatively flat (Nottingham 50) and did a slightly hilly 40 on the BHF vale of Belvoir ride. Will i cope?
    We are born with the dead:
    See, they return, and bring us with them.
  • tim000
    tim000 Posts: 718
    it is a hard ride if you;re only used to flat rides , the cat + fiddle is the first main climb . it,s 7 miles but not too steep and even has some down hill bits in the middle . remember it,s not a race so take your time , there are plenty of places to stop for a drink . i can recommend the peak view tea rooms just before the top of the c+f climb , or there are several pubs on the route (not sure what time they open though ) and i think there is another cafe futher on on the route . have fun , tim .
  • ian.r.mcdonald
    ian.r.mcdonald Posts: 177
    the key thing is to save something for the last 10 miles and 3 surprise hills
  • feel
    feel Posts: 800
    Thanks Tim and Ian. Anyone got a route profile so i can get a better idea.
    We are born with the dead:
    See, they return, and bring us with them.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    This was posted on another thread : http://i37.tinypic.com/r2q1s8.jpg

    I've done the C&F a couple of times - once in June when we needed fog lights up at the top - its a tough climb, but nothing too bad really. Make sure you take a rain cape just in case !
  • feel
    feel Posts: 800
    That link looks a bit scary and surprisingly symmetrical - is it the same way out as back ?

    Anyway no going back now - have paid my money- better go and find some hills to practice on :lol:
    We are born with the dead:
    See, they return, and bring us with them.
  • fluff.
    fluff. Posts: 771
    That link for an elevation profile isn't right I think, it's not an out and back course. It goes (roughly), Cobridge > Golden Hill > Congleton > Macclesfield > Cat and Fiddle > Axe Edge > Leek > Brown Edge > Cobridge.

    http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/CF ... lenge-2007
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    fluff. wrote:
    That link for an elevation profile isn't right I think, it's not an out and back course.


    thats because its from a ride I did, its just out and back to the cat and fiddle from near the trafford centre.

    sale > northernden > styal > wilmslow > alderley edge > macc > cat.


    the cat isn't hard at all really, never more than 8%
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    here's the climb from macc

    cat.jpg
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • nosmo-king
    nosmo-king Posts: 47
    Try this
    http://www.derekmobbs.com/CatAndFiddle/index.asp
    It gives a photo run through of the entire climb.
    It's from a motorcyclists point of view so just ignore the " ton up" type jargon.
    Here's a box,a musical box. Wound up and ready to play.
    (brian Cant,Camberwick Green).
  • JC.152
    JC.152 Posts: 645
    edited October 2008
    I'll be there along with 99 other riders going up the Cat and Fiddle for the hillclimb tomorrow and the Rourkie ride next week.
  • fluff.
    fluff. Posts: 771
    hmm I seem to have left it a bit too late to register, anyone remember if you can just pay on the day? I guess I could just turn up and ride as it's not a timed or closed road thing, but doesn't seem right somehow.
  • feel
    feel Posts: 800
    I registered on friday online and it said there were 3 or 4? days to go. You have to register. If you go HERE today you might just be lucky alternatively you can email the event
    We are born with the dead:
    See, they return, and bring us with them.
  • fluff.
    fluff. Posts: 771
    Had a look there this morning, was driving me batty because I couldn't see where to click to sign up, then looked at my email and saw the mail about online registration ending the 28th (that I hadn't read at the time, oops).
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    I'm a big heavy boy with only 12 months riding in my legs (actually take three months off that due to DVT) and I do the cat and fiddle regularly as part of a nice loop.
    It's not a hard climb, just keep it steady at the beginning where it's steeper.
    The road surface further up is great and you often get a tailwind on the last section :)
  • feel
    feel Posts: 800
    Quick query - Only registered on friday - will i get a number, info etc sent in the post ?
    We are born with the dead:
    See, they return, and bring us with them.
  • ian.r.mcdonald
    ian.r.mcdonald Posts: 177
    you register by surname so if the info doesnt come it is not a problem

    the traffic wardens are about so either pay and display or ride the last bit to the shop

    signeage is good

    please go steady up Axe edge so i can grab a wheel against what looks like a F3-4 on the nose!

    I think Nicole will be at home with her feet up (justifiably) after the media scrum after the worlds
  • ermintrude
    ermintrude Posts: 514
    If anyone,s interested I rang Rourkes yesterday and it is possible to enter on the line between 8-9am it will cost a bit more £20 I think but all the money goes to CF.
  • fluff.
    fluff. Posts: 771
    Ah cheers for that. ^

    No numbers or anything for this so I wouldn't worry if you registered late.
    Last year sign in was at the Cobridge Community Centre near Rourke's shop, the 1000s of people hanging about means it won't be hard to find.They had a free car park on what was Doultons as well last year, not sure if they're doing this again. Otherwise there's some pay and displays nearby.
  • JC.152
    JC.152 Posts: 645
    Theres always KFC car park down the road as well
  • feel
    feel Posts: 800
    :evil: Bloody weather forecasters - every time i check a forecast it is different. Now they are saying torrential rain, some gusty winds and turning colder during the day as the wind swings to the north east. No idea what to wear - sounds like a big fur coat would be appropriate :lol: - plus i think i have a cold starting :(
    We are born with the dead:
    See, they return, and bring us with them.
  • ian.r.mcdonald
    ian.r.mcdonald Posts: 177
    Dont wear the fur coat- it looks like Polar bears will be up and about!

    I also have a cold starting-( lets hope its not pnuemonia finishing)

    I look forward to seeing all you nutters out there as normal
  • gary_fisher3
    gary_fisher3 Posts: 3,466
    I froze to death and had to stop for a desperately needed warm at the Peak Cafe (Just below the cat and Fiddle)

    It was great fun flying past everyone on the Cat. I don't normally pass anyone going up-hill so i'm not too sure what was happening there.
  • Crayton
    Crayton Posts: 8
    pictures towards the end of the ride 2008 just out of Leek at the top of ladderidge bank
    well done to everyone who made it :D

    http://www.robcrayton.co.uk

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