Cat & Fiddle - worth the effort?
Discussion
From central Manchester, you could have a nice ride out towards Glossop. Out over Woodhead Pass (A628), then turn right onto the Strines road to drop down to the A57 in order to come back to Manchester over the Snake Pass. (note: Woodhead is closing around 8 pm most nights at the moment because of resurfacing work, hence my suggestion to head out that way and come back over the Snake).
Or you could loop through the Hope Valley, and Edale.
Or you could loop through the Hope Valley, and Edale.
tAlso, if you're in central Manchester and feeling like a bit of a longer ride, jump on the M56 down to Chester, keep going up the A494 across the Queensferry, then go up to Ruthin, stop for fish and chips at Aydins on the way into town.
Once you're done go and do the B5105 to Cerri, turn left and up the A5, past Rhuig then up the A494 back to Ruthin. If you're still game take the A525 through the Nant-y-Garth pass, then up the A5104 until you're back at the Queensferry again.
Once you're done go and do the B5105 to Cerri, turn left and up the A5, past Rhuig then up the A494 back to Ruthin. If you're still game take the A525 through the Nant-y-Garth pass, then up the A5104 until you're back at the Queensferry again.
It's a decent road but as others have said with the 50mph average it does take the fun out of it somewhat.
I went in March (from Worksop, Notts) and by the time I arrived it was absolutely freezing! Went again last week on our way back from Wales and this time absolutely scorching. We didn't go to the C&F for lunch, found a cafe a bit further back which was nice. The scenery is very good and if you're only in Manchester it has to be worth the short ride just to say you've done it if nothing else.
I went in March (from Worksop, Notts) and by the time I arrived it was absolutely freezing! Went again last week on our way back from Wales and this time absolutely scorching. We didn't go to the C&F for lunch, found a cafe a bit further back which was nice. The scenery is very good and if you're only in Manchester it has to be worth the short ride just to say you've done it if nothing else.
Even before the average speed cameras I never rated it, the road surface on a lot of it was just terrible, admittedly from the C&F towards Buxton was much better... but there are cameras now so even that bit isn't exciting.
However there are plenty of other roads in the peaks that are amazing, it's just finding them.
If you do head that way a few miles further is Longnor which every road in and out is amazing, no cameras little traffic but not suited to sportsbikes, and if you fancy a cuppa and a cake Flash bar stores between the C&F and Longnor do some great food, lots of bikers head there.
However there are plenty of other roads in the peaks that are amazing, it's just finding them.
If you do head that way a few miles further is Longnor which every road in and out is amazing, no cameras little traffic but not suited to sportsbikes, and if you fancy a cuppa and a cake Flash bar stores between the C&F and Longnor do some great food, lots of bikers head there.
Thanks all for the replies. Having just checked Google maps and traffic i think i am just going to go to the pub!
- office to Woodhead (for the journey on to Oughtibridge and then back via Snake Pass is showing 55 mins to cover the 17 miles to Woodhead from the office
- office to Cat & Fiddle Inn is showing 70 mins to cover the 27 miles from office to get there
I may never moan about Scotlands weather again.
- office to Woodhead (for the journey on to Oughtibridge and then back via Snake Pass is showing 55 mins to cover the 17 miles to Woodhead from the office
- office to Cat & Fiddle Inn is showing 70 mins to cover the 27 miles from office to get there
I may never moan about Scotlands weather again.
The cat is a great road to have on my doorstep, but I can understand why someone who's put a lot of effort into getting here would find it a bit average.
The resurfacing works about 2 years ago seem to be holding up, so on that front it's a lot better than it used to be.
+1 on the comment about the roads around Longnor, though I'm usually on my Tiger XC or Voge 300 for those.
The resurfacing works about 2 years ago seem to be holding up, so on that front it's a lot better than it used to be.
+1 on the comment about the roads around Longnor, though I'm usually on my Tiger XC or Voge 300 for those.
McrNick said:
The Tough of Bowland is also worth a look. Head north out of Manchester, aim for Whalley (near Clitheroe). From Whalley, aim for Whitewell and keep going (the Inn at Whitewell does excellent food). You can loop back down the M6 / M61 if you want a quick route back into Manchester
Got a puncture there once (leaving the unnamed road car park), shame the Langden Grill Food Truck is no longer there either. 8IKERDAVE said:
It's a decent road but as others have said with the 50mph average it does take the fun out of it somewhat.
I went in March (from Worksop, Notts) and by the time I arrived it was absolutely freezing! Went again last week on our way back from Wales and this time absolutely scorching. We didn't go to the C&F for lunch, found a cafe a bit further back which was nice. The scenery is very good and if you're only in Manchester it has to be worth the short ride just to say you've done it if nothing else.
Just FYI, you can't go to the C&F for food anyway. It's just a distillery now.I went in March (from Worksop, Notts) and by the time I arrived it was absolutely freezing! Went again last week on our way back from Wales and this time absolutely scorching. We didn't go to the C&F for lunch, found a cafe a bit further back which was nice. The scenery is very good and if you're only in Manchester it has to be worth the short ride just to say you've done it if nothing else.
Pench said:
8IKERDAVE said:
It's a decent road but as others have said with the 50mph average it does take the fun out of it somewhat.
I went in March (from Worksop, Notts) and by the time I arrived it was absolutely freezing! Went again last week on our way back from Wales and this time absolutely scorching. We didn't go to the C&F for lunch, found a cafe a bit further back which was nice. The scenery is very good and if you're only in Manchester it has to be worth the short ride just to say you've done it if nothing else.
Just FYI, you can't go to the C&F for food anyway. It's just a distillery now.I went in March (from Worksop, Notts) and by the time I arrived it was absolutely freezing! Went again last week on our way back from Wales and this time absolutely scorching. We didn't go to the C&F for lunch, found a cafe a bit further back which was nice. The scenery is very good and if you're only in Manchester it has to be worth the short ride just to say you've done it if nothing else.
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