England : Staffordshire Cat & Fiddle Challenge - 07/10/2012

[smokeysmoo]

Any here doing the Cat & Fiddle Challenge this year?

Three of us are doing it again this year from work, despite saying never again after last year!!

I've just ordered an 11-28 cassette specifically for this ride

It didn't seem to attract much interest on here last year which TBH quite surprised me.

 

[fossyant]

Might do it - down side is the trek to Stoke to ride back near home, and the danger of walking into Rourke's shop.

 

[NotthatJasonKenny]

As one of the 3 mentioned in smokeys post I have to add that I can't quite believe I'm doing it again!

It is well organised and a very challenging ride for all levels!

 

[Hacienda71]

55 hilly miles in under two hours! Must be some quick riders doing it.......

 

[NotthatJasonKenny]

55 hilly miles in under two hours! Must be some quick riders doing it.......

I bought my first bike (since my teenage years) last year after being talked into it by someone (cough) and I'm a big lad, I was just under 17 stone when I did it last year in six and a half hours. I'm at least a stone lighter now so I hope to get it under 5 this time!

 

[fossyant]

Is the route as simple as I can see posted on line with GPX ?

Up to Macc, over the Cat to top, down to Leek and back to Stoke - Main Roads ?

No need for a 28. It's not steep. Long, yes but ave. gradient less than 5% climb. Hard at the start, oh and wind is an issue It's more typical Tour type climb, not the fun of the Peaks at 1 in 4 etc. when you don't expect it.

 

[fossyant]

55 hilly miles in under two hours! Must be some quick riders doing it.......

I think the best is under 3 ?

 

[NotthatJasonKenny]

Is the route as simple as I can see posted on line with GPX ?

Up to Macc, over the Cat to top, down to Leek and back to Stoke - Main Roads ?

No need for a 28. It's not steep. Long, yes but ave. gradient less than 5% climb. Hard at the start, oh and wind is an issue It's more typical Tour type climb, not the fun of the Peaks at 1 in 4 etc. when you don't expect it.

Not steep? Remind me to give it a miss if you ever describe a ride as steep then...I nearly cried after the descent past the cat and saw we were going up again!

 

[Hacienda71]

Either that or a Mr A Shleck will be taking part.

 

[fossyant]

Not steep? Remind me to give it a miss if you ever describe a ride as steep then...I nearly cried after the descent past the cat and saw we were going up again!

Oh Steep is 1 in 5, grovel stuff. Might be the visual aspect though... plays with the mind...'thisss isss steeeeeppppp..... '

If the route is right on GPX though.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Keep promising myself every year, as it practically goes passed my front door. Maybe maybe

Come on, you know you want too

55 hilly miles in under two hours! Must be some quick riders doing it.......

I'm certainly not one of them

Is the route as simple as I can see posted on line with GPX ?

It's simple enough and yes it's all main roads, gets a touch iffy through Stoke as it wasn't well signed last year IMO

No need for a 28. It's not steep. Long, yes but ave. gradient less than 5% climb.

*COUGH* It may not appear steep from the stats but it bloody well feels it, and the hills just keep on coming after the Cat & Fiddle.

The first 20 miles is a breeze, (well it was last year). 20 miles virtually flat until you get to the Arighi Bianchi furniture shop and hang a right, then the world goes vertical

I think the best is under 3 ?

days, weeks?

 

[fossyant]

Just checking. The Cat is a really good ride, and a good distance for most riders.

The Cat and Fiddle Challenge isn't at the end of being really hard.... trying to say lots of steady climbing, but it won't take you up the 1 in 4 climbs we have in the area -

Just checking it does not go off 'the main roads' - then it really gets nasty....

 

[smokeysmoo]

Just checking. The Cat is a really good ride, and a good distance for most riders.

The Cat and Fiddle Challenge isn't at the end of being really hard.... trying to say lots of steady climbing, but it won't take you up the 1 in 4 climbs we have in the area -

Just checking it does not go off 'the main roads' - then it really gets nasty....

I know what your saying foss. However, it took us by surprise last year. We obviously knew about the cat, and the directions mentioned a hill near the end and that was it, BUT, after the cat it's like a freakin' rollercoaster Myself, NotthatJasonKenny and a couple of others just really weren't prepared TBH.

I'm not saying we'll be much better prepared this year, but at least we know to expect

 

[skudupnorth]

Ha,Ha you should have a ride on Fossy's "fixie friendly" rides.....i got a couple of nice walks up some "flat" hills last time Could be tempted if i'm not on child duties !

 

[Hacienda71]

The fastest time on Strava up The Cat is 17.6 mph average over the 7.2 miles.