Cannock Chase

[M3 HUG]

Off to Cannock Chase Sunday with some mates, not been there before but have heard its good

Any thoughts from people who have been? What sort of diffculty etc climbs/decent ratio please

Cheers

Rich

[shalmaneser]

It's all pretty easy, nice rolling hills.

Good fun though!

[Cerberus90]

I went with my mate last weekend to do the follow the dog. Haven't really been biking for a couple of years, so the uphills were a bit tricky, and slow.

But everything else was awesome, especially the rollers at the end, and the chainslapper section.

Also, being only 7 miles, its not very long, took us about an hour and a half ish. My mate was pushing his up every hill as he's got a 40tooth front ring at the moment (new bike he's just bought).

[M3 HUG]

Oh right cool, looks like a couple of laps are in order then

Thank you

[Sarkmeister]

Cerberus90 said:

I went with my mate last weekend to do the follow the dog. Haven't really been biking for a couple of years, so the uphills were a bit tricky, and slow.

But everything else was awesome, especially the rollers at the end, and the chainslapper section.

Also, being only 7 miles, its not very long, took us about an hour and a half ish. My mate was pushing his up every hill as he's got a 40tooth front ring at the moment (new bike he's just bought).

I dont want to be a spoilsport, but the chainslapper section doesnt exist any more. It replaced by the new end on the other side of the road.

Generally the follow the dog sections are a bit milder than the Monkey. The Monkey sections on the other side of the railway line are very good, especially the last two descents (Upper and Lower Cliff I think). The climbs are mostly switchbacks so seem a bit easier as they are more interesting.

[M3 HUG]

ok thank you, at least it will be nice n dry so should be nice and fast

[Digga]

M3 HUG said:

ok thank you, at least it will be nice n dry so should be nice and fast

As Sarkmeister says, the best bits (IMHO) are on the Monkey Trail proper - the stuf to the Eest of the A460 (beware the railway crossing) - which I rode on the Nicolai last Saturday. It's all vurtually bone dry and very fast, although evidence of traffic and a hard winter means full suspension is welcome.

MBUK did say that the black sections on the Monkey demand respect. I'd agree and go further to say even on the red route, some of the rocky bits may require full concentration from riders - but they are worth it.

On the Follow your Dad trail, the 'slapper has gone, but has been replaced with a really nice few sections (down from Tackeroo campsite) to the finish.

Enjoy!

Edited by Digga on Friday 8th April 12:14

[M3 HUG]

wicked sounds good, we are all on full sussers anyway (Zesty for me). Normally go to Afan a lot but fancy a change

[Digga]

Generally, from experience with two other riders who run them, Zestys go like stink around the Monkey - the perfect weapon. If you're lucky enough to have the 'right' tyres - whatever they might be(?!) - then you'll fly.

One other thing about the 'made' trails on the Chase is to watch the roundy pebbles that they've included in the surface in many places; they are slippy as st. Equally lethal when wet or when dry and dusty, and sketchy anywhere in between.

[M3 HUG]

currently running Panaracers front and rear, i know they arent the so say best tires but i just like the feel of them so inspire me at least, with confidence. Zesty is quick as hell when it works, just needs more maintenance than others...and doesnt really like the british winters

[Cerberus90]

Sarkmeister said:

I dont want to be a spoilsport, but the chainslapper section doesnt exist any more. It replaced by the new end on the other side of the road.

Generally the follow the dog sections are a bit milder than the Monkey. The Monkey sections on the other side of the railway line are very good, especially the last two descents (Upper and Lower Cliff I think). The climbs are mostly switchbacks so seem a bit easier as they are more interesting.

oh right.

I just assumed it was the chainslapper section as mine was slapping all over the place,

[Omaruk]

The monkey trail is great and is about 15 miles in length, the new black section opened just last week is awesome. I will be there Sunday too with a few mates. Some bids of the mOnkey trail to give you an idea
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=...

[Omaruk]

Will Look out for you, my mate will be on a Zesty 914 and I'll be on my Yeti 575 , his little lad will be on a spesh enduro, we normally start riding at about 9ish

[h4muf]

I used to dismiss trail centres before i went to cannock...It totally blew me away

[M3 HUG]

Just to say had a wicked time at Cannock, will def be heading back there soon, the weather was lovely, not too hot but nice n dry n dusty which is perfect for me

Feeling it today tho, legs and back both aching but well worth it

[zebedee]

h4muf said:

I used to dismiss trail centres before i went to cannock...It totally blew me away

which trail centres did you dismiss then?

[h4muf]

zebedee said:

which trail centres did you dismiss then?

Thought they were all like Sherwood pines Then went to cannock,thought that was good until...

I went to Kirroughtree,twas unreal! then went Mabie,7 stanes rock

I ride mainly dark/white peak but i do love trail centres now

[zebedee]

h4muf said:

Thought they were all like Sherwood pines Then went to cannock,thought that was good until...

I went to Kirroughtree,twas unreal! then went Mabie,7 stanes rock

I ride mainly dark/white peak but i do love trail centres now

get yourself down to wales too - some great trail centres there too. Am looking to ride the 7 Stanes at some point, saw a mag article where they did each one in a day. That would be a good week!