The official PH mountain bike ride: Round 1, Cannock Chase

The official PH mountain bike ride: Round 1, Cannock Chase

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James Drake

Original Poster:

2,668 posts

116 months

PH TEAM

Monday 22nd August 2016
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So.... I've been meaning to organise this for absolutely ages and for a variety of reasons I've never got around to it. Until now!

As many of you may know, PH's editor Mr Dan Trent and I are both avid mountain bikers and as such why wouldn't we arrange a nice big social ride with some fellow riders from within the ranks of PH. Especially as we can categorise it as "work" and therefore get a guaranteed "pass" from our respective other halves!

Anyway, here is the plan and it is a simple one;

- We meet up with a bunch of you guys at Cannock Chase at 17:30 on Wednesday 31st August
- We have ourselves a bit of a miniature "Sunday Service" style meet where we can have a quick look around the collected precious PH metal (bonus points for people bringing bikes in the least appropriate cars!), take some pictures and have a chat
- We head off for a very relaxed, sociable spin around the full loop at Cannock (follow the dog and the monkey trail), aiming to leave the car park by 6pm so we can get back before dark!
- We'll try and sort out some refreshments to have at the end of the ride too (depending on numbers!)

And... well thats about it. It really will be a sociable spin that will be suitable for pretty much anyone with a passing interest in mountain bikes. We're not formally organising anything with Cannock, so you'll need to pay for parking and I guess if we get too many people in the group we may choose to split up a bit so that it flows a bit better.

We'll also do an event write up and take some pictures along the way too. We're going to run some more of these evenings at a variety of locations... but this is the prototype!

So there we go. Who's in?! Simply comment below by copying and pasting the list and adding your name to it:

1) James Drake
2) Dan Trent

Edited by James Drake on Monday 22 August 16:35

Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
Sounds fun, but weekdays, especially Wednesdays are bad for me, but I'll see if I can ge the day off work.

Isn't an 18:00 start going to be a bit tight for getting round the full loop before dusk? Or am I just slow?

James Drake

Original Poster:

2,668 posts

116 months

PH TEAM

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
It'll be a bit tight, but it should be ok! If not, the last section back to the car park might just be a bit exciting!

We didn't think making it any earlier would be wise as people would struggle to make it, although we're happy to be flexible and we're totally open to suggestions!

JD

snotrag

14,446 posts

210 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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Never been to Cannock chase as its not local but always fancied it, could be up for this - will confirm nearer time.

I also thought a 6pm ride in October sounds like a lights ride!

(A weekend of Friday afternoon would work much better for me too!).

James Drake

Original Poster:

2,668 posts

116 months

PH TEAM

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
Actually that's a good point - we could just make it later and tell people that they'll need lights... I'm happy to do this if others are?

We also struggled to find a date that didn't clash with other PH stuff... but they we'll never find the "perfect" date for everyone. Equally, it doesn't really matter if we only get a couple of you turning up - Dan and I will still be going!

JD

Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
It isn't just lights though - the car park at Cannock closes at dusk.

Even a 5:30 meet time means I'd need to take half a day off work as I'm over an hour away.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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I live local and go a few times a week, but would struggle to do the monkey as well. It takes me about 45mins for the dog.

I usually park opposite the caravan park entrance, as you can get onto the trail from there, so could be an option for you?

edit: is this the 31st August as September only has 30 days?

Edited by The Spruce goose on Monday 22 August 13:36

MDMA .

8,848 posts

100 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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sounds good. shame my latest mtb build is a show pony frown need to rig up a beater.

Woody

2,187 posts

283 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
Car Park closes at 8PM in September.
Might be pushing it time wise.
Unless you meet at either Takeroo Cap Park or Marquis Drive (although you get the saxo driving dope head there....).

James Drake

Original Poster:

2,668 posts

116 months

PH TEAM

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
The Spruce goose said:
is this the 31st August as September only has 30 days?
Well spotted!

And as for the rest of you with you sensible and well thought out suggestions, damn you. DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL! hehe

I have to confess that I tend to park at Marquis drive myself, so maybe that would be a better bet (always plenty of room) and I am happy to meet earlier if others are? The nice part about parking at Marquis drive is that if it is too dark we can all just spin up the fire road and skip the last bit of trail (which doesn't really miss out anything exciting)

So, how about 5pm at Marquis Drive on 31st AUGUST?

JD

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
Hmmmmm?

150 miles. 2½ hours driving. Running this "just nipping out for a ride dear" past 'er indoors is going to be a tough gig. I've often wondered what Cannock Chase is like too. Ne'er mind. I'll probably have to wait, and hope that something gets arranged for closer to home at some point in the future...

frown

Woody

2,187 posts

283 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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If I can get out of work early then I might join you.
I don't have a PH worthy motor anymore though so I'll park my Hyundai the other end.....

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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Put my name down but being a bit overweight might be a bit slower.

Sorry not an interesting car thou.

James + 1

Edited by The Spruce goose on Monday 22 August 22:22

dalenorth

821 posts

166 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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Shame, I'm on hols that week. Defo next time though!

JustinF

6,795 posts

202 months

Tuesday 23rd August 2016
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if it were a weekend...love cannock, more technical then Swinley; oddly enoughI love the climbs at Cannock, the switchbacks just wide enough to get around and keep the gradient manageable, then you get bits like that cliffside descent! Really well thought out in most places.

Benmac

1,465 posts

215 months

Tuesday 23rd August 2016
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I'll try and come along as it's only 15mins in the car for me. I can bring one of two inappropriate vehicles for transporting bikes or just one of the estates. It'll somewhat depend on the weather!

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 23rd August 2016
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Put me down as tentative please!

Will have to take half day off work so will be there a bit earlier assuming no work panics arrive that stop me coming!


;-)

daddy cool

3,996 posts

228 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
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Too far from me, but ive been to Cannock once i liked it, so hope y'all have fun.
If you do a "Round 2: Swinley" i'll be there like a shot.

Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
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Work = sorted
Childcare = sorted

1) James Drake
2) Dan Trent
3) Benmac
4) Max_Torque
5) Craikeybaby

Ian_sUK

733 posts

179 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
I'm up for this.

Regarding time we could miss out strategic parts to cut it down a bit. I often miss the first part after the railway crossing and go straight to the 5 ways crossing. The only decent bits you miss doing that is pot of gold and the black options/Tom, dick n Harry.

That route is 17.2km and takes about 1.5 hours although from experience group riding is much slower.