Fixed to the fiddle

Wednesday 12th is Macc Wheelers Cat & Fiddle hillclimb if anyone fancies it - 6:30 sign on, 7pm start. Can't decide whether to gear down to 42x16-ish and try it, or wuss out to down the flat Chelford 10-mile tt instead.

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 ?

im up for a ride one evening if everyone will be fixed,

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.

What gear were you using - the lowest I've got is 42x16 which could be okay after running 'round on 46x14 recently??

48x18 - just about right, but wouldn't want to do anything steeper on that.

im up for a ride one evening if everyone will be fixed,

One evening next week Steve ?

yeh cool, let me know, would be good to get out and do some milage, am only riding a few miles to work and back at the moment

Just been up this evening - 42x16 is fine, if a bit of a grind at the bottom. Luckily, I had a freewheel on, as coming back down in stair-rod rain might have bit a bit dicey on fixed (at 200rpm or something).

I'd forgotten about this ride - ste, ronnie... when you thinking of going?

I'd forgotten about this ride - ste, ronnie... when you thinking of going?

i dont know monday, tuesday, or wednesday next week after work?
see when the weather is supposed to be best?

Tuesday would be good, what time can everyone meet up ?

Tuesday is good for me, about 6ish in town? Ill be on 48x17, you think that will be okay Ronnie?

Should be OK, I used 48x18 without too many issues. If we're gonna meet at 6, we'd best have some lights as will be dark on the way back, or we could get a train back to Manchester from Macc maybe.

tuesday at 6 sounds good, il be on 44x16
yeh will bring lights, maybe see how we feel at the time if we want to get the train back or not

Tuesday night - i'm in. 48x17 - might stick an 18 on though

calculated gear inches:
newton 74.5
Ronnie 70.3
Ste 71.4
Rory 74.5
should be pretty much all in the same boat i realised mine is 46t so im gonna go for a 17 on the back

oh as if i'm joint highest - might stick a 19 on!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn29DvMITu4

calculated gear inches:
newton 74.5
Ronnie 70.3
Ste 71.4
Rory 74.5
should be pretty much all in the same boat i realised mine is 46t so im gonna go for a 17 on the back

Most unfit + Highest gear ration = Pain for me + Laughs for you lot!

Should be fun, ill need some lights though if we are to ride back, might just get the train!

What time you passing Macc - 7:15/30-ish? I might join you for the "Col du Cat"

Coming down on fixed last night was hilarious/terrifying :) - much better than on a freewheel in the wet

Probably be about 7.30 ish I'd expect. We'll be heading to Macc via Prestbury so you could meet us somewhere along the way if you want.

are people using brakes?

I will and I know Rory has one, I'd recommend one, but I know little about riding downhill breakless. C&F profile is here, so I'll let you judge. You can generally get down on a road bike braking only a couple of times, as it isn't all that steep, but then again you don't want to get pedal strike on fixed either, I think I braked about 3 times when I descended on Sunday. On my gearing I think I maxed at about 30mph.

http://www.climbbybike.com/profile/Cat_Fiddle_Macclesfield_profile.gif

il use one then, nice1

well i've got a sore knee at the mo so i'm being a bit of a front brake maniac for a couple of weeks

so we all still on - i'll be coming from work so can meet anywhere in the general town vacinity... firm plans people?