PH Bikers hit Cannock Chase???

[Marcellus]

Following on from the Roll call topic here's a new topic to discuss.

As I can make pretty much any day of the week I thought I'd open up the discussion with a suggestion for Wednesday Evening ride.... how about Wednesday 18th August?

BTW I have no idea of where Cannock Chase is so we will need a "local" guide!!

[936ADL]

Sounds good to me.

I can make the 18th too!

[Digga]

We ride out every Wednesday from Mammoth in Milford: http://www.mammothlifestyle.co.uk/home.htm

I am sure that guests would be made to feel welcome. PM me or leave a message on the forum in that week's "Wednesday night singlespeed ride" topic.

We start at 1830hrs and usually get back around 2130. (It could be possible to cut the ride short for those who don't fancy the full 3 hours.) You will get to see a lot of the unofficial singletrack this way - the official stuff is also well worth a look, but is (in realtive terms) easier to follow because it's (sort of) waymarked.

FWIW if you did prefer to check out the "Follow the Dog" xc trail and the slightly burlier "Phase 2", parking at the Birches Valley car park is the best idea. See Chase Trails: http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/

Edited by Digga on Wednesday 21st July 15:12

[boolay]

You could always tie in with this.. http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it/cannock-chase-b...

[Digga]

boolay said:

You could always tie in with this.. http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it/cannock-chase-b...

If you want to spend a day riding fire roads.

Go with the local knowledge. I'm not saying where, but I live within 500mtrs of that route, so I know what I'm on about.

Edited by Digga on Wednesday 21st July 15:55

[Man-At-Arms]

you could always venture a bit further north into Staffordshire to Newcastle-under-Lyme
and try Hanchurch Woods

i go there every other week, and really enjoy it

[boolay]

Digga said:

boolay said:

You could always tie in with this.. http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it/cannock-chase-b...

If you want to spend a day riding fire roads.

Go with the local knowledge. I'm not saying where, but I live within 500mtrs of that route, so I know what I'm on about.

Edited by Digga on Wednesday 21st July 15:55

I wouldn't know, I only ride where the cool kids hang out on road

Edited by boolay on Wednesday 21st July 16:41

[Digga]

Man-At-Arms said:

you could always venture a bit further north into Staffordshire to Newcastle-under-Lyme
and try Hanchurch Woods

i go there every other week, and really enjoy it

Never been, but have spoken to other guys who have - must put it on my to do list.

boolay said:

I only ride where the cool kids hang out on road

LYCRA LOUT!

[Digga]

Back on topic.

When: Wed 18th August
Where: Cannock Chase
Starting point: TBA.

Marcellus
936ADL
Digga

I've put a link onto the Mammoth forum to try and get the "massive" a bit more organised than usual: http://pub1.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?use...

[Man-At-Arms]

When: Wed 18th August
Where: Cannock Chase
Starting point: TBA.
Time : ?

Marcellus
936ADL
Digga
Man-At-Arms

[Marcellus]

swerni said:

Marcellus, I take it you aren't living down south any more

Hi Mate, no now living in between Towcester and Daventry!

[Digga]

Marcellus said:

swerni said:

Marcellus, I take it you aren't living down south any more

Hi Mate, no now living in between Towcester and Daventry!

Still South then.

ETA about the meet/start point. Two options:

1.) There are car parks on the Chase, on Marquis Drive (the Briches Valley trail centre car park, by the 'start' of FTD locks up around 9pm, so we can't use that), near the 'official' stuff - if that's the kind of riding people prefer. Marquis Drive postcode is WS12 4PW.

2.) Or we can meet at Mammoth which has parking and there is also overspill parking at the Barley Mow pub on Milford Common. The pub may be handy afterwards too. Postcode for Mammoth and for the pub is ST17 0UW.

What do people think?

Edited by Digga on Thursday 22 July 07:56

[936ADL]

There are loads of places to meet. Milford is pretty good as it gives a nice downhill finish. The climb out of there is a good warm up too.

Personally i wouldn't worry too much about the meet point, that can be sorted nearer the ride.

[Digga]

936ADL said:

There are loads of places to meet. Milford is pretty good as it gives a nice downhill finish. The climb out of there is a good warm up too.

Personally i wouldn't worry too much about the meet point, that can be sorted nearer the ride.

Plus there's the pub.

Seems simplest to make it there then?

When: Wed 18th August
Where: Cannock Chase
Starting point: Milford, ST17 0UW. (Parking at Mammoth or Barley Mow pub.)
Time : ?

Marcellus
936ADL
Digga
Man-At-Arms

[936ADL]

Sounds good to me!

[Digga]

Excellent. Only the meet time to sort.

We normally set off at 1830 hrs, but this could be altered to a later start if that's too early - discuss.

It will, depending on cloud cover, be startying to get dark (espcially in the thicker forest sections) at 9pm, so lights are advisable and/or this will factor in the ride time we have.

[Man-At-Arms]

Digga said:

We normally set off at 1830 hrs, but this could be altered to a later start if that's too early - discuss.

i normally finish work @ 5pm in Stoke
but will try and leave a bit earlier to beat the traffic

[Marcellus]

Anytime is fine for me (the joys of working for myself)!!

errrrrm lights.... might struggle there on my Mountain Bike.... besides there are monsters in the woods after dark

[R.P.M]

I would be keen but am worried about the lack of gears and the amount of lycra that will be on display.

Would a baggy short wearing youf who much favours downs to ups be welcome?
My bike has 18 gears and everyfink.

I usually ride the Hednesford end, so option one on the meet point is preferable but Millford would be good.

[Digga]

R.P.M said:

I would be keen but am worried about the lack of gears and the amount of lycra that will be on display.

Would a baggy short wearing youf who much favours downs to ups be welcome?
My bike has 18 gears and everyfink.

Firstly, attire; we actually have more baggies than lycra, usually.

Secondly, gears; to give it its full title, our ride is referred to (tongue in cheek) as "The Wednesday night singlespeed massive (gears & queers welcome)". (The inference being that using gears is bad form.) Tradition has it that you are allowed three, geared rides with the massive, before they are allowed to bully and badger you into singlespeeding. However, it is not at all uncommon for geared bikes to turn up and, in case you're wondering, you will not have to wait for the singlespeeders, other than on the very fastest of trails.

Everyone welcome. One of the benefits of riding with a group of locals is that it's the only way to find some of the more hidden gems of the unofficial trails.

If we can start at 1830 then we should get a decent ride in before light becomes a real issue. In any event we will not leave a rider out in the forest - there are big, black cats out there.