Cheshire Cat 2010

[Rob3rt]

I've looked at this from following a link on the rusholme bicycle doctors website, maybe I'll sign up for one of the shorter options if there are places left, just to give it a go and get out there on the bike and see how I fair. There are a few duathlons and sportives ive been looking into taking part in, but this is by far the most local.

 

[Rob3rt]

I've looked at this from following a link on the rusholme bicycle doctors website, maybe I'll sign up for one of the shorter options if there are places left, just to give it a go and get out there on the bike and see how I fair. There are a few duathlons and sportives ive been looking into taking part in, but this is by far the most local.

 

[Rob3rt]

I've looked at this from following a link on the rusholme bicycle doctors website, maybe I'll sign up for one of the shorter options if there are places left, just to give it a go and get out there on the bike and see how I fair. There are a few duathlons and sportives ive been looking into taking part in, but this is by far the most local.

 

[andy_wrx]

At current count, there are 17 of us from North Cheshire Clarion doing it, first event for us as a new club (formed last November).

Judging by number of unattached non-club riders on the Cheshire Cat entry list, there are lots of floating/solo riders in Warrington/Widnes/Knutsford/Frodsham North Cheshire area - if any of you want to join us, try riding with a new & friendly club, we'd make you welcome.

http://www.northcheshireclarion.co.uk/

 

[fossyant]

There are stacks of un-attached riders, me as well. You are a bit far over for me.

 

[OvertheHill]

Never ridden a sportive before. Is there any shame in just going around at your own pace or is it a big race

 

[RedBike]

How do-able is this on a 36/14 singlespeed?

I have got up Mowcop as far as the pub using 48x19 fixed. From there its only 20yrd until the climb levels off again;

Bridestones is easy enough if you can get a run at the first bit. I go up there regularly fixed / single speed using varios ratios.

Wincle is HARD. I normally end up weaving all over the place to get up. Theres a dip (steep down) half way up the climb which is harsh on the fixie.

Never made it up Macc firest fixed/ss yet.

 

[RedBike]

36x14 is approx' the same gear as 48x19

 

[andy_wrx]

Never ridden a sportive before. Is there any shame in just going around at your own pace or is it a big race

Go at your own pace.

Some will treat it as a race, some in fact think it is a race because you get a number to stick on the front of your bike (which is in fact for the photographer...)

You will find groups riding together and you can get around quicker tacked on to the back of one, but be careful not to get sucked along in the excitement of it in a group which is far faster than you can keep up.

It is 100 miles (or 60-odd or 40-odd, depending which distance you're doing, obviously), so you do need to pace yourself a bit.
Having said that, this year all the hills will be over with after about 35 miles so it should be a nice cruise in the Cheshire Countryside if the weather's kind.

 

[Svendo]

I've just entered the 100 mile route...
I don't have a car so hoping it'll be practical to stay at Mum's in Chester and get the first train which gets into Crewe at 9.01am. Otherwise I'm going to have to stay in Crewe night before or hire a car and drive down, or summat.

 

[NapoleonD]

I did Mow Cop in August on a 39/27 5 months after breaking my leg in 3 places. Average power output was 289 watts for the climb (bang on 10 mins) so it really isn't as tough as the hype makes out. I was 96kg then too

Unless you can't get up it, then it is really tough.

 

[moolarb]

I have got up Mowcop as far as the pub using 48x19 fixed. From there its only 20yrd until the climb levels off again;

Bridestones is easy enough if you can get a run at the first bit. I go up there regularly fixed / single speed using varios ratios.

Wincle is HARD. I normally end up weaving all over the place to get up. Theres a dip (steep down) half way up the climb which is harsh on the fixie.

Never made it up Macc firest fixed/ss yet.

I don't think Macc forest is on the route this year is it? Not sure if Wincle is either.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

wincle is a horrendous climb, which on our club runs often comes hot on the heels of gun hill. mow cop on fixed… eek!

 

[NapoleonD]

I did Wincle on Saturday, I quite like it. Macc Forest (Either Toot Hill or Standing Stone) is harder than Mow Cop IMO, but again, I quite like them. It's just that one steep bit at Mow Cop that's a 8ugger, not least because you can see it quite far in advance as the road is straight and it can mentally break you. I've seen some people start the steep bit from the far right hand side and go diagonally up to the left. (Traffic permitting obviously!)

I think it is mainly due to the scenery that makes me prefer the others. Mow Cop is just a steep street in a not particularly pretty village.

 

[moolarb]

I don't know if there's an easy way of doing this, but could someone possibly point me to a map that shows the Wincle and Gun Hill climbs? I've cycled that area a bit but I don't know the names of the roads/climbs. I've been up a steep hill near Wincle, but I'm not sure if it's the same one (on the road that swings round from Wildboarclough towards Sutton, just past a farm). I'm assuming that the two climbs through Macc Forest are on the roads that cut through the forest from East to West. Cheers.