England : Cheshire 2013 Cheshire Cat

[PaulSecteur]

What is wrong with pushing?

It costs £15 for new cleats

 

[PaulSecteur]

...Don't worry about stopping...

Im worried about not being able to clip in and get going more than stopping.

...Don't be embarrassed, Don't be self conscious...

If im not embarassed about wearing lycra I wont be embarrased about stopping!

Seems I have a few weeks to get some high intensity training in, could someone arrange nice weather for the next few weeks please?

 

[Steve H]

Im worried about not being able to clip in and get going more than stopping.

It's not too bad getting going on the lower and middle section of the hill. At the really steep bit near the top it is pretty much impossible to get started again if you do stop. Only answer is to then walk this section. It's only a couple of hundred yards for this bit.

 

[PaulSecteur]

It's not too bad getting going on the lower and middle section of the hill.

And thats the reason for my post, I have already failed on the lower section (over the crossing, up the first couple of corners - heart rate doing its 185 max and lungs doing their best to become external)

Hence wanting to do the distance, but not the mow cop climb.

 

[Steve H]

I don't know the area particularly well Paul, but there are plenty of alternative routes if you want to go off the signed route. Suggest you pull the gpx file off the kilotogo website and load into a mapping site like ridewithgps or mapmyride etc. You could then look for alternative routes around Mow Cop that are less steep.

 

[billy1561]

Just push up the bits you cant ride up Paul then have fun on the descents. Thats my plan anyway mate.

 

[DCLane]

And thats the reason for my post, I have already failed on the lower section (over the crossing, up the first couple of corners - heart rate doing its 185 max and lungs doing their best to become external)

My thoughts are that you're probably taking the first bit too fast?

Take it easier at the start, once over the railway crossing.

I'm hoping to make it up again ...

 

[The Brewer]

Next time I drop my daughter off in Alsager to see her boyfriend I'll have to pop over and see what all the fuss is about the Mow Chop.......then give you all respect for even trying

 

[billy1561]

Entries closed Damm! Don't know why i thought i could leave it till late to apply

 

[PaulSecteur]

Entries closed Damm! Don't know why i thought i could leave it till late to apply

On the less popular onesyou can, but the cat always seems to fill up.

 

[montage]

Is anyone able to describe the hill in detail? I have seen a few youtube videos but they don't make it entirely clear how steep the steep part is? Is the finish of the hill at the end of that steep ramp? I ask because I am going to be getting competitive up it.... need to know when to really kick - don't want to blow on the steep bit to find there is still a considerable length of climb to go.

Also what are the gold/silver/bronze standards for the 100 miler?

Ta

 

[DCLane]

Is anyone able to describe the hill in detail? I have seen a few youtube videos but they don't make it entirely clear how steep the steep part is? Is the finish of the hill at the end of that steep ramp? I ask because I am going to be getting competitive up it.... need to know when to really kick - don't want to blow on the steep bit to find there is still a considerable length of climb to go.

Also what are the gold/silver/bronze standards for the 100 miler?

Ta

Look at post #40 for SteveH's method, which I used as well: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/2013-cheshire-cat.115490/post-2130287

It starts steep-ish (20%), then tails off to 15% with a 25% kicker at the end.

My suggestion is slow the whole way after the level crossing - the rest of the group of 20+ riders I was with last year 'went for it' at the start and fell off en masse about 200 yards later whilst I Tortoise'd it past them.

For the Long route I think Gold's under 5 hours 40 mins? Silver 7? Bronze - finishing.

 

[okeydokey79]

will be riding the cheshire cat for the 1st time, i live local to the mow cop mile so have had chance to ride it a few times to get some practice in, and i have found that i start in 3rd lowest gear drop down 1 just before the s bend then down again after and keep spinning all the way up(slowing right down) saving my energy for the final 25% then get out the seat and push as hard as i can and so far rode it 3 times and done it 3 times(running a 50/34-12/25) also i open the zip on my top a bit because get very warm goin up it.hopefully i can make it all the way up again on the 24th but wish id got a 28 on the back cus i cud do with a little extra.

 

[billy1561]

The average gradient is 11% so the start must be less than that with the 25% finish.

 

[CMJ]

I'm in the pink, sorry magenta zone too for the 100 with a friend who is going to just do the 60. Supposed to be another friend doing the 100 with me but he's broken his hand and is out. So hope I find someone to tag along with for the last bit! Been out today in the sun and ridden the second half - lovely Cheshire lanes but potholes and road surface bad from around Wettenhall to Delamere.

Don't let Mow Cop make you change your ride route, seen loads of videos of people walking it. Just shove some cleat covers on then enjoy the rest of the ride! I had a go last Nov and made it all the way up to about a wheel past the 25% sign then had to stop because i thought i was going to be sick! I'd like to make it up that last bit too but if not it's not the end of the world. It's supposed to be fun! I agree, take it steady all the way up and try and have something left to get out of the saddle at the end. Unfortunately I didn't last year!

That's not to say you should give up before giving it a proper go mind you. The hard stuff is what it's all about (-:


Cycling for Crewe, Nantwich and District RSPCA in 2013 - 1000 sportive miles, LEJOG, Cheshire Triathlon etc...
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