Fixed to the fiddle

It's what I'm going to try and do it on Wayne. Won't be going via The Wizard though. I reckon once the initial bit out of Macc is past it should be doable. Though that's easy to say sat on my arse at work......

I hope your right Ronnie, as I say I'm certainly not the fittest rider, but Im quite bloody minded so Im sure if you don't all mind waiting I'll get there in the end!

Either way, it's a bit of fun isn't it (if your a sadist!)

Am I missing something here? You are all planning on going up the C&F on fixed? I don't understand how that's possible, ceratinyl I couldn't do it on my 48x18.

you gonna go wayne? i think i might go on my road bike...pan won't be ready i don't think...besides i think it might be horrid riding the cat on a fixie but i'm sure you'll all prove me wrong. when me and biles went to wales he rode his fixed and said it kinda helped him get up hills so maybe it will be good...

I've not done any riding since I was last out with you lot. I need to get my chainset changed on my road bike and I know for sure I haven't got the power to get up the cat on my fixed. And...... it's a polo night.

Have fun.

we still up for this?

Laboured up it last week on my road bike on 42x19/21. Madness to do it fixed, so yes I'm up for it, depending on weather.

i shall come and do it on a proper bike if it's not totally fucking it down x

Laboured up it last week on my road bike on 42x19/21. Madness to do it fixed, so yes I'm up for it, depending on weather.

Not a good idea then Ronnie, you would recommend against it?

I would recommend against it, I might still try it mind. Will deffo be out, just might do it geared.

I would recommend against it, I might still try it mind. Will deffo be out, just might do it geared.

Hmm, seeing as my only bike is fixed, it's either give it a go and fail, or don't give it a go at all. My masochistic tendencies tell me to do it, but some of the noises I'm hearing are saying don't bother! haha, decisions, decisions!

There's a few hills just to get to the bottom, we'll give it a whirl weather permitting.

Right, I'm not out tomorrow as I've had a few soakings this week and need to clean/lube my bikes for the weekend. Last night me and Nes got a train to Rochdale and did a ride which includes Cragg Vale (the longest unbroken ascent in England). Very doable fixed and good practice for a hill climb event on that course in October. We got absolutely soaked last night as the weather was horrendous, the official event in October has a special prize for fastest on fixed which is worth considering.

So do you fancy that next week ? We could get a train to Todmorden and do the course and ride down to Rochdale for the train home, or if the weather's OK, ride all the way back to Manc.

Nes - the course record is 16:39 for men and 21:11 for women, if you did 30mins in last nights conditions you'll be fine,

http://www.yorkshirevelo.org/images/Cragg_Vale/cragg%20start%20sheet.pdf

Right, I'm not out tomorrow as I've had a few soakings this week and need to clean/lube my bikes for the weekend. Last night me and Nes got a train to Rochdale and did a ride which includes Cragg Vale (the longest unbroken ascent in England). Very doable fixed and good practice for a hill climb event on that course in October. We got absolutely soaked last night as the weather was horrendous, the official event in October has a special prize for fastest on fixed which is worth considering.

So do you fancy that next week ? We could get a train to Todmorden and do the course and ride down to Rochdale for the train home, or if the weather's OK, ride all the way back to Manc.

Nes - the course record is 16:39 for men and 21:11 for women, if you did 30mins in last nights conditions you'll be fine,

http://www.yorkshirevelo.org/images/Cragg_Vale/cragg%20start%20sheet.pdf

That sounds great, weather looks pants tomorrow and I'm suddenly stacked at work for a deadline this coming monday, so Cragg Vale sounds great next week... Maybe see how we get on and enter the competition fixed?

Yeah, me, Nes and Seth are entering. Dunno about fixed yet. Need to give it a few goes and checdk times etc. Last night was horrendous weather, but the last couple of miles are over the moors and would be beautiful normally. We'll arrange a day next week to get the train after work (maybe 6ish), should be back in Manc before it gets dark.

Here's a link to last years times, fastest fixed was 16th overall and in 23:13 (FFS !), Nes you should win the womens race as the fastest (and only) woman did it in 29:34.

http://www.yorkshirevelo.org/images/Cragg_Vale/cragg%20prov%20result.xls

Here's a link to last years times, fastest fixed was 16th overall and in 23:13 (FFS !), Nes you should win the womens race as the fastest (and only) woman did it in 29:34.

http://www.yorkshirevelo.org/images/Cragg_Vale/cragg%20prov%20result.xls

Bloody hell, on my fixed I do the 5.3 miles to work (FLAT!) in about 20 minutes, up the longest gradient in the country I'll be lucky to do it in under an hour! haha

i met some guy on the train this morning when i was on the way to hope to climb winnats on a staff "do" (though only 4 of us climbed winnats the rest went a different way and i got lost and got pissed wet through with the rain, it was horrid...anyway...) He was on a surly fixie wit no foot retention. i jokinly asked him if he wanted to come and ride up winnats...he said he has climbed it before on the same bike with 52X19 up and down without stopping, he claimed it was fun.

i challenge everyone to climb winnats pass under the following conditions:

• no stopping
  *fixed gear ratio 52x19
  *no foot retention
  *go up and down
  *have "fun"
  
  

basically i don't believe it is possible. i asked him if he would like to come up the fiddle tomorrow night, unfortunately he was busy. shame.

it's a pity that as time goes on i build up more negativity toward fixed gear riders...

anyhoo ronnie is right i reckon... cragg vale is, however, well doable on a fixed and so you should do it (i doubt pan will come out to play, but maybe if i get those cranks off)...i know that a team ride it on tuesday evenings and i have arranged to meet them at 730 to race up it as a practise forr the actual race. they go up it every week at the same time so whenever we go we can do it...it might be fun/demoralising/shaming/ace...who knows...

i might still do the cat tomorrow unless everyone is out, in which case i might do it at lunchtime as i am at a school not far from there tomozza...

Well if it's as wet as it is right now then I'm out - spent all evening rebuilding my shitty forumla hubs (why do i have two sets of 'good' wheels and never use them...) after getting absolutely drowned earlier (I dont think i've ever seen rain like it) so I think a postponment is the best bet

ps - I'd be up for that cragg vale malarkey... i'll sort out getting it off work. Tuesday night practice runs'd be great for me as i dont work weds. Next tues?

tuesday after next for me..next tuesday i'll be riding up the tourmalet..

Deffo not out tonight, got caught in a torrential downpour this morning and am still soaked. Rory, yep Tuesday is fine by me, what time can you get to Victoria station for ?

Nes - Winnats pass on 52x19 ? That is quality bullshitting from the bloke. The fact that he rides fixed without any form of foot retention tells you all you need to know.

Good luck you lot, I wouldn't fancy it on a fixed..certainly wouldn't take mine up there..... road bike territory....

Why, the road at the bottom - just after the long straight out of Macc.... it is terrible..... teeth shakingly bad...... goes on like this through the trees. The surface get's better after the trees, but this is the steepest section for about a mile till it climbs out of the lower hills. Then it's OK.

I usually do the lower section on 39 x 19/21 then the upper sections on the 39 x 17/16

Have fun.....

OK, me of little faith. I went up the Cat and Fiddle after work on fixed, and it was no more difficult than a road bike. Ideal conditions, dry no wind . Anyone up for a ride up there next week ?

I'd like to give it a go.

Might give it a go anyway on 22nd or 23rd..
Outside chance I could do it on 16th, will know closer to the time.

Will do it on 42 x 18, but I will try fitting a back brake first so I have some chance of getting down without:

a) ripping my legs off reaching over 200 rpm
b) baking my front rim so hot the tube tries self-combusting

Or I could just took my feet up behind me on the rack if it will get my knees well clear of the pedals. :D