First run over Cat & Fiddle

[Flat6]

Recently moved to Holmes Chapel and have been missing the good old twisty roads of the Yorkshire Dales On holiday this week so thought I'd dust off the ol' Min and have a run over the C&F. Started off in Congleton and did the loop over the C&F and down into Macclesfield. First time I've been over and what can I say! Other than a bit of traffic (prob not the best time for a hoon on a Thurs morning) it was a hoot. Some fantastic bends, really challenging, and certainly made the most of the short gearing. 50mph limit seems a bit overkill though...

[cw42]

50 mph is there because our biker friends keep falling into the scenery and other vehicles
It's still a challenge to do it at 50 though, especially round some of the tighter corners! Nice little motor you have there sir

[Fruitcake]

Try doing it in a Ford Ka. The 50 limit is no such thing

And yes, that is one drool inducing machine

[Flat6]

Thanks guys. Think I managed to keep it pretty close to 50 most of the time

[planetdave]

cw42 said:

50 mph is there because our biker friends keep falling into the scenery and other vehicles
It's still a challenge to do it at 50 though, especially round some of the tighter corners! Nice little motor you have there sir

Not just our biker brethren - I overtook a Honda Prelude and got stuck behind a granny due to a combination of blind bends...which is where mr Honda decided to show me who was boss :wr:

Time we had a combined run out.


And if you are having a midweek/anytime run drop me a line - I'm long term sick (not catching) at the moment and could do with a laugh.

Edited by planetdave on Friday 15th August 09:33

[GarySX]

I like the C&F run and the drive up to it from Congleton, usually go midweek late in the evenings of the summer months when its quiet and still light.

Last time we went during the day and spotted a manaquin dressed in a police uniform complete with hair dryer speed gun tied to a telegraph pole outside a cottage. Scared the crap out of us ay first sight as we swooped round a quick right hander. It had a clowns mask on the back of its head but still had to stop in the lay by up the road to have a minute.

[cw42]

planetdave said:

cw42 said:

50 mph is there because our biker friends keep falling into the scenery and other vehicles
It's still a challenge to do it at 50 though, especially round some of the tighter corners! Nice little motor you have there sir

Not just our biker brethren - I overtook a Honda Prelude and got stuck behind a granny due to a combination of blind bends...which is where mr Honda decided to show me who was boss :wr:

Time we had a combined run out.


And if you are having a midweek/anytime run drop me a line - I'm long term sick (not catching) at the moment and could do with a laugh.

Edited by planetdave on Friday 15th August 09:33

True about the cars, but bikers are the ones who've caused that limit, and others on Derbyshires roads. The club was out for a run a few years ago, and one of the lads wrecked his car because of a biker coming round the corner on the wrong side of the road!
I've seen the odd car in the scenery, but the memorial by the toilets in the pub tell the story.

I'll give you a shout the next time I'm out Dave. I had a nice run to work last night, found myself in Prestbury at 9pm, having to be in work at Oldham by 10pm. Thought I'd see if I could take the back route, and just made it

http://tinyurl.com/5h4eth

Lovely night for it

[EvoBarry]

GarySX said:

I like the C&F run and the drive up to it from Congleton, usually go midweek late in the evenings of the summer months when its quiet and still light.

Last time we went during the day and spotted a manaquin dressed in a police uniform complete with hair dryer speed gun tied to a telegraph pole outside a cottage. Scared the crap out of us ay first sight as we swooped round a quick right hander. It had a clowns mask on the back of its head but still had to stop in the lay by up the road to have a minute.

They had a fake cardboard box Gatso out last summer. I think they're sick of cars/bikes crashing on that wierd kink/yump outside the house. Frequently see flowers nailed up there

I prefer the A54 from Bosley up to the Cat anyway, its far more challenging and usually lightly trafficked.

Been up there tonight, a few bikes about and a chap in an MX5 having a play

[Dibble]

It sounds a bit daft, but sometimes, less is more. I reclon you could probably have more fum on most orads in flat6's Mini than more powerful supercars.

I remember borrowing a mate's Mini Cooper - much less power than my Volvo, lower top speed, slower acceleration, but also much less weight. I went everywhere with a grin on my face that week.

A similar thing when I was in Oz and a couple of us hired some bikes. I had a relatievly low powered BMW 650GS, and I really had to work at it, up and down through the gears. It was a bit more fun than just leaving it in 3rd like my mate on the VFR he had.

[CK86]

yes, very tidy motor you have there Flat6!
How much does that beasty weigh??

planetdave said:

And if you are having a midweek/anytime run drop me a line - I'm long term sick (not catching) at the moment and could do with a laugh.

Edited by planetdave on Friday 15th August 09:33

I'm long (by a few weeks) over due an appointment to the C&F! how does this Sunday sound? :P

EvoBarry said:

I prefer the A54 from Bosley up to the Cat anyway, its far more challenging and usually lightly trafficked.

Been up there tonight, a few bikes about and a chap in an MX5 having a play

I've always done the C&F and the A54 has always been on my 'to do' list but never really got round to it! I'd like to suggest we organise a mini-meet just to do the C&F and A54, stopping at the C&F pub for a beverage or two?

Who's in?!?!

[edit]
Have also asked ClubCappo.co.uk to see who else is willing to come along! The more the merrier?!

Edited by CK86 on Friday 15th August 23:23

[edit2]
this is the route i am thinking of .. constructive critisim welcomed!
1st leg - Congleton to Ladmanlow via Allgreave & A53
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=A54%2F...

2nd leg - Ladmanlow to Langley via Wilboarclough
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=A54%2F...

3rd leg - Langley to Cat & Fiddle pub via A537 & Ankers Lane
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=Main+R...

Edited by CK86 on Saturday 16th August 01:59

[plasticpig]

I reckon the Mini is one of ideal cars to do the C&F. I usually stick to doing the A54 these days. Too many wanabee heroes on the C&F

[Flat6]

CK86 said:

yes, very tidy motor you have there Flat6!
How much does that beasty weigh??

Not sure tbh. In a previous incarnation it had fibreglass boot & bonnet, perspex windows and lightweight doors, but since I rebuilt it I've gone all sensible on the basis I might use it a bit more. The extra weight has certainly affected the performance but it's still fairly rapid for what it is.

I'm finding it a little bit short geared for the fast, open Cheshire roads. I used to do a bit of hillclimbing so the short final drive means 70mph is about 5000rpm! Even on the C&F I was running out of revs in places..

I'd certainly be up for a run out one day soon, but can't do this Sunday..

Edited by Flat6 on Saturday 16th August 11:40

[cw42]

CK86 said:

yes, very tidy motor you have there Flat6!
How much does that beasty weigh??

planetdave said:

And if you are having a midweek/anytime run drop me a line - I'm long term sick (not catching) at the moment and could do with a laugh.

Edited by planetdave on Friday 15th August 09:33

I'm long (by a few weeks) over due an appointment to the C&F! how does this Sunday sound? :P

EvoBarry said:

I prefer the A54 from Bosley up to the Cat anyway, its far more challenging and usually lightly trafficked.

Been up there tonight, a few bikes about and a chap in an MX5 having a play

I've always done the C&F and the A54 has always been on my 'to do' list but never really got round to it! I'd like to suggest we organise a mini-meet just to do the C&F and A54, stopping at the C&F pub for a beverage or two?

Who's in?!?!

[edit]
Have also asked ClubCappo.co.uk to see who else is willing to come along! The more the merrier?!

Edited by CK86 on Friday 15th August 23:23

[edit2]
this is the route i am thinking of .. constructive critisim welcomed!
1st leg - Congleton to Ladmanlow via Allgreave & A53
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=A54%2F...

2nd leg - Ladmanlow to Langley via Wilboarclough
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=A54%2F...

3rd leg - Langley to Cat & Fiddle pub via A537 & Ankers Lane
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=Main+R...

Edited by CK86 on Saturday 16th August 01:59

Chris, the route looks good, except for the last leg, where you've missed out the best bit of the C&F! I'm not a fan of the old road, and prefer the open corners of that section up to the pub.
How about Sunday evening on the 24th?

[CK86]

i picked that route as ive noticed there is always less traffic but it's all good, i like the main route too! it's faster also so ..

24th sounds good, i now realise tomorrow would have been a bit too short of a notice

Oppsie, looks like i've hi-jacked your thread Flat6

[Flat6]

No probs Would be good to have a run out with a few locals. I'm completely new to the area and up until recently still needed the tomtom to get to the supermarket!

[cw42]

Chris, do you want to start a new thread for this run? Otherwise people will miss it

[EvoBarry]

A mini will be a hoot up there aye, as is the wifes 106Gti, light n nimble is the name of the game on those roads, anything too quick or heavy will just get itself tied in knots

You'll no doubt laugh but I've taken the long way home and taken the scooter up there a few times now, no danger of transgressing the speed limit (tis only a 200cc) but still a riot to hurl about. I was sticking with an MX5 last night, he didn't seem as impressed tho.

[CK86]

Flat6 said:

No probs Would be good to have a run out with a few locals. I'm completely new to the area and up until recently still needed the tomtom to get to the supermarket!

yeah, sounds about right. no idea how we coped without those marvelous things!! i swear by them!

cw42 said:

Chris, do you want to start a new thread for this run? Otherwise people will miss it

yes, jolly good idea!
i'll adjust the intended route too whilst i'm at it

EvoBarry said:

A mini will be a hoot up there aye, as is the wifes 106Gti, light n nimble is the name of the game on those roads, anything too quick or heavy will just get itself tied in knots

You'll no doubt laugh but I've taken the long way home and taken the scooter up there a few times now, no danger of transgressing the speed limit (tis only a 200cc) but still a riot to hurl about. I was sticking with an MX5 last night, he didn't seem as impressed tho.

yes, the cars of yesteryear - much lighter - are so much fun! My Capp's about 750kg's (more like 840kg with me driving! lol) but really want to get it below the 700 mark.

:O you managed to keep up with an mx5?

[EvoBarry]

CK86 said:

:O you managed to keep up with an mx5?

Yeah, the scooters reasonably nippy as scooters go (20hp, 200cc fourstroke), and extremely flickable with it. Plus I think the guy was just having fun in his car, I don't think he was pushing *that* hard I don't think I'd keep up with me in my own car, if that makes sense?

[CK86]

EvoBarry said:

CK86 said:

:O you managed to keep up with an mx5?

Yeah, the scooters reasonably nippy as scooters go (20hp, 200cc fourstroke), and extremely flickable with it. Plus I think the guy was just having fun in his car, I don't think he was pushing *that* hard I don't think I'd keep up with me in my own car, if that makes sense?

perfect sense