The Cat and Fiddle Challenge - Not For The Feint Hearted

The Brian Rourke Cat and Fiddle is no cake ride but its description as a monster ride is a little dramatic. The Cat and Fiddle challenge takes riders on a route from Stoke on Trent through the Peak District Moors and includes two well known and challenging climbs. As the name suggests, the challenge takes riders up the Cat and Fiddle climb before negotiating the less well known but as taxing Axe Edge. An extremely popular challenge ride rather than a more commercial sportive, the 50 mile plus route was well attended by groups and individual riders and contained a high number of club riders, riding together.

The ride HQ can be found at the Community Centre a short distance from "Rourkies" shop and was well organised with alphabetical sign on & water and energy bars handed out on registration. Setting off from ride HQ in the centre of Stoke on Trent the early part of the ride takes in fast, traffic busy roads but fortunately the high numbers of riders and relatively flat terrain, allows for safety in larger groups. Unfortunately the road condition in a number of places made riding in groups a little more tricky but that's the risk many of us run everyday of the week.

At about 20 miles, riders are taken through the centre of Macclesfield and to the base of the Cat and Fiddle climb. The early part of the climb (which is about five and a half miles in total), is the steepest but can be ridden at tempo if you get the rhythm right. The Cat and Fiddle ascent winds it's way from the outskirts of Macclesfield through the Peak District version of 'switchbacks' before rising onto the open moorland, eventually rising to the top of the climb at the Cat and Fiddle pub, where organisers provide water and energy gels.

On leaving the comfort of the small but adequate pit stop, riders are taken across the undulating plateau before heading down the steep and technical descent towards Buxton. Before arriving in Buxton the route turns away from the picturesque Peak District town and up the challenging Axe Edge climb. Axe Edge is steeper but shorter than it's neighbour and once again the route takes riders across open and exposed moorland, allowing the elements to have an impact on riders progress.

Having negotiated the two signature climbs riders are taken into Leek, via a very fast descent before negotiating the town centre and then the testing climb out the other side and the lumpy final leg back into Stoke on Trent. Organisers have aimed to ensure that the challenging terrain isn't left to the big climbs and have included a few late surprises to keep complacency at bay.

Arriving back at the ride HQ riders are met with a very fine spread of cold refreshments including sandwiches, cake and hot drinks, a welcome sight after completing the tough 50 odd miles. In summary, this ride is indeed a challenge, well organised and sign posted, the terrain is testing but with an fast and pacey opening section.

If you hate hills or are a novice, give this ride a miss. If you can take or leave hills this ride is testing but manageable with some determination and a bit of grit. If you like hills, you'll love this ride.

- Mark Powell