Cat and Fiddle Challenge
Sun 10 Sep 2023 Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK

Cat and Fiddle Challenge

The nation's favourite charity bike ride, now in its 21st year! Conquer the famous 7-mile long 'Cat and Fiddle climb' as part of the epic route and help support the Livability charity.

  • Sun 10 Sep 2023
Port Vale Football Club, Stoke-on-Trent

Cat and Fiddle Challenge

08:00

£25-£30

Age 18 & over

  • 96 km road cycling + 1292 m ascent

Overview

Take on the amazing route which features the infamous 7-mile long Cat and Fiddle climb, at the 21st edition of the legendary Cat and Fiddle Challenge ride. Once you leave the start you'Il be taken through some truly stunning lanes, over testing climbs and down grin-inducing descents, taking in spectacular views on route as you wind through Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire.

The rides start and finish at Port Vale FC's ground in Burslem, Stoke on Trent, just up the road from Rourke Cycles, where you'll find a great range of bikes, accessories and expert advice. This isn't a race, it's a charity challenge ride open to everyone comfortable on two wheels. So come and get involved, set your own goals and enjoy the ride. No matter if it takes you a couple of hours or the whole day.

This event is part of Cat and Fiddle Challenge.

  • Newcomers

Timetable

  • 08:00-10:00 | Registration is open
  • 08:00-10:15 | Once you have signed on at registration you can start your ride any time between these times

  • Free parking
  • Rural
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Port Vale Football Club
Hamil Road
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST6 1AW
UK

Toilets and refreshments will be available at registration.

Rourke Cycles will be present at the registration area with a selection of spares and accessories in case you needs any last minute supplies for the ride.

  • Food stations
  • Hilly
  • Marshals
  • Out and back
  • Rolling start
  • Water stations
  • Way markers

The route takes in some of the best cycling lanes in the area, and ticks off numerous climbs and descents making it a really great day out on the bike.

Route highlights

  • Cat and Fiddle climb
  • Mow Cop Castle
  • Jodrell Bank
  • Cloudside
  • The Roaches
  • Lask Edge
  • Flash - the highest village in England

Route description

A fresh twist on the classic route, including quiet lanes, a little more distance and a touch more climbing. The route still takes in the Cat and Fiddle climb of course, with the addition of some of the best local lanes around. On this route you'll see landmarks such as Mow Cop Castle and Jodrell Bank, plus take on the roads around Cloudside, the Roaches, Lask Edge and pass through Flash, the highest village in England.

The route finishes as you return to Port Vale FC. Make sure you are signed back in then make your way to the bar and for some complementary food courtesy of the volunteer supporters.  

Included on the route

  • Fully signposted

    The routes will be fully signposted with hi-viz Rourke Cycles branded signs at all junctions where you need to make a turn. This route is signposted, as well as supported with GPS files.

  • Feed station

    There will be a feed station on each route at around the halfway point.

  • Mobile mechanic

    Some basic tools will also be available at the feed stations, plus Rourke Cycle's will have a mobile mechanic out on course to help out with any bigger mechanical problems.

  • Map
  • Post-race meal

Show your support and show off that you've been part of the Cat and Fiddle Challenge with the stylish new event jersey.

Made by Italian cycling clothing supremos, ALE, it looks really classy. Quality design and manufacture mean that this is more than a cut above your run of the mill event jersey. This is something that you'll love to wear for years to come.

These are available to buy for only £49.00, with all profits going directly to supporting the charity partner, Livability.

Although Italian, these jerseys are coming up true to size.

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising support

Livability

Livability is the UK charity that’s committed to enabling people with disabilities to live the full and flourishing life they want to lead.

With 37 residential homes, a specialist school, brain rehabilitation centre, FE College, Wellbeing Centre and Supported Living services, Livability provides a wide range of care, education and rehabilitation support to over 1,000 people living with complex and severe disabilities every day.

Livability helps people to become more confident, motivated and independent - enabling people with disabilities to thrive.  They work to change what’s unliveable – to help people tackle and overcome the barriers in their lives, including any that prevent them participating fully in society, because this negatively affect people’s wellbeing and life expectancy. Their services strive to transform how people with disabilities connect with the communities they choose to be part of.

What makes life liveable is never down to just one thing. It’s the sum of many things: from support to guidance; mobility to freedom; education to employment; friendship to community; a great chat to overcoming challenges together. It all adds up – to Livability.

People with disabilities have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19; should they contract Covid-19 it is highly likely to result in severe illness with potential life-threatening complications. This is reflected in the Office for National Statistics (February 2021) showing two thirds of Covid-19 deaths were in people with disabilities.

Your support in taking part in the Rourke Cycles Cat and Fiddle Challenge enables them to add real value to the amazing people they feel privileged to support.

  • Age 18 & over
  • Entries open
  • Enter online

Entry fees

Entry fee

£25.00

Entry fee (on the day)

£30.00

Other races at event

  • Sun 10 Sep
  • #2 of 2
Port Vale Football Club, Stoke-on-Trent

Jodrell Bank Loop

08:00

£15

Age 18 & over

  • 79 km road cycling + 533 m ascent