The official PH mountain bike ride: Round 1, Cannock Chase
Discussion
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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!
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
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...
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...
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.
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.
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