Forest of Dean Cannop Cycle Centre - worth a visit?
Discussion
Was passing through on the way back from Herefordshire over the long weekend and stopped in to have a look around. Didn't have my bike with me or any kit, but was tempted to hire it all out and have a go anyway.
Didn't in the end as we decided we had better get back on the road, but was wondering if anyone had been there and would recommend it as a place to visit when I have a day over a weekend to spare?
It looked like a pretty good setup to me (someone who hasn't really ridden off road in a few years, or competitively/downhill for some time longer), though it is about a 2 hour drive for me (from South London) so was wondering if it is worth a revisit when a bit better prepared or if there are better places to go that are nearer to me?
Didn't in the end as we decided we had better get back on the road, but was wondering if anyone had been there and would recommend it as a place to visit when I have a day over a weekend to spare?
It looked like a pretty good setup to me (someone who hasn't really ridden off road in a few years, or competitively/downhill for some time longer), though it is about a 2 hour drive for me (from South London) so was wondering if it is worth a revisit when a bit better prepared or if there are better places to go that are nearer to me?
Yes its a great place, the blue "verderers" trail is quite a good loop, about 10kms long, 7 km of singletrack with only two small climbs, then an epic 3km descent with some testing obstacles. Not a big fan of the red route as its quite tight and technical and i prefer the more open stuff. The black/dh runs are good fun, you dont need a dh (or even a full sus) to ride them, the big jumps have exit routes to the side and the rest are all rollable. They are all easy to find, if you follow the blue loop, you reach a crossroads at about 6 km, just turn left but you should see the big sign warnign you of imminent death etc.
The cafe does good bacon rolls too but be ultra careful in the car park as the area is known for being full of thieving inbred webbed toe scumbags
The cafe does good bacon rolls too but be ultra careful in the car park as the area is known for being full of thieving inbred webbed toe scumbags
pablo said:
Yes its a great place, the blue "verderers" trail is quite a good loop, about 10kms long, 7 km of singletrack with only two small climbs, then an epic 3km descent with some testing obstacles. Not a big fan of the red route as its quite tight and technical and i prefer the more open stuff. The black/dh runs are good fun, you dont need a dh (or even a full sus) to ride them, the big jumps have exit routes to the side and the rest are all rollable. They are all easy to find, if you follow the blue loop, you reach a crossroads at about 6 km, just turn left but you should see the big sign warnign you of imminent death etc.
The cafe does good bacon rolls too but be ultra careful in the car park as the area is known for being full of thieving inbred webbed toe scumbags
Verderers is great, that end descent is so much fun! Have to agree with your comments on the red route, it was pretty basic last year and I went again in March and it was completely different. Was still good but some bits really tested me as I'm not a massive every weekend hardcore rider haha. The cafe does good bacon rolls too but be ultra careful in the car park as the area is known for being full of thieving inbred webbed toe scumbags
Haven't ridden the DH trails, but as others have said the XK loops are great fun, like the best trail centre rides they offer easy rolling or more hard core thrills entirely based on how much speed you want to throw at it.
I'm really getting into my 'blue' riding these days, the Blue at Brachfa, Blue Scar at Afan and indeed FOD, they're ghost town quiet compared the Red graded offerings, but they're just so much fun - you can pile on quite stupid speed because you can see far down the trail and pick super smooth lines between the bends and piss about manualling and hoping over the little bumps and woops totally care free.
I'm really getting into my 'blue' riding these days, the Blue at Brachfa, Blue Scar at Afan and indeed FOD, they're ghost town quiet compared the Red graded offerings, but they're just so much fun - you can pile on quite stupid speed because you can see far down the trail and pick super smooth lines between the bends and piss about manualling and hoping over the little bumps and woops totally care free.
pablo said:
Yes its a great place, the blue "verderers" trail is quite a good loop, about 10kms long, 7 km of singletrack with only two small climbs, then an epic 3km descent with some testing obstacles. Not a big fan of the red route as its quite tight and technical and i prefer the more open stuff. The black/dh runs are good fun, you dont need a dh (or even a full sus) to ride them, the big jumps have exit routes to the side and the rest are all rollable. They are all easy to find, if you follow the blue loop, you reach a crossroads at about 6 km, just turn left but you should see the big sign warnign you of imminent death etc.
The cafe does good bacon rolls too but be ultra careful in the car park as the area is known for being full of thieving inbred webbed toe scumbags
This pretty much sums up my experience to, it's a great mix of cross country which is a great warm up ready for an afternoon on the DH tracks! I havent been for a couple of months now but last time I was there the hardcore Dh routes were being upgraded a bit and some new bigger drop offs and table tops have been put in.The cafe does good bacon rolls too but be ultra careful in the car park as the area is known for being full of thieving inbred webbed toe scumbags
I also advocate taking a car/van which allows you to store your bike & kit inside as it can get really busy up there and with so many cars/people around it could be very easy to walk off with a bike without any questions.
EDIT - the above applies to all cycle centres plus I'm never happy leaving the bikes on a roof rack whilst in motorway services or other stops between my chosen cycling venue.
I think it's worth a visit, but I must disagree with everyone and say the free miners is the best. I did it last year when it was slop and couldn't really keep much speed but went again this year and it was bone dry and was great, this one decent just a small one weaving through the trees is one of the best I've been on. Like everyone said the downhill trails are good as well nothing overly stupid in there, so a really good riding spot
I ride there a few times a month
As said above, the verderers (blue) and freeminers (red) are the main xc routes and are well maintained and generally in good condition. They're both a mix of man made berms/obstacles and more natural terrains
The official dh runs are good fun, but pretty tame and it doesn't get too steep anywhere. You can roll pretty much all of the jumps and the drop offs have chicken lines too
Most of the good stuff is off piste and unmarked, but it's easy enough to find
Good lunch and big car park, but although I've never seen it first hand, I have heard rumours of car break ins. Like I said, I'm there sometimes a couple of days a week and I've never seen broken glass or done one talking of break ins, but the rumours are there
As said above, the verderers (blue) and freeminers (red) are the main xc routes and are well maintained and generally in good condition. They're both a mix of man made berms/obstacles and more natural terrains
The official dh runs are good fun, but pretty tame and it doesn't get too steep anywhere. You can roll pretty much all of the jumps and the drop offs have chicken lines too
Most of the good stuff is off piste and unmarked, but it's easy enough to find
Good lunch and big car park, but although I've never seen it first hand, I have heard rumours of car break ins. Like I said, I'm there sometimes a couple of days a week and I've never seen broken glass or done one talking of break ins, but the rumours are there
When we go the FoD we camp here. Only about a 15 minute bike path ride to the Pedal Bikeaway centre.
https://retreats.csmaclub.co.uk/holidayparks/white...
Good facilities, bar, restaurant, swimming pool and spa and if you've got kids in tow PGL type activities for them too.
https://retreats.csmaclub.co.uk/holidayparks/white...
Good facilities, bar, restaurant, swimming pool and spa and if you've got kids in tow PGL type activities for them too.
Love the verderers trail, whenever I'm in Cheltenham to see the folks I make a trip over there.
Being used to the clay based trails over here in kent the stony nature takes a while to adjust to; spending more time out of the saddle than I'm used to just for comfort.
The last few km 'Dragons Tail' as a few have already mentioned is fantastic, big sweeping berms, Huge rollers and a twisty descent will leave you wanting to go again.
Being used to the clay based trails over here in kent the stony nature takes a while to adjust to; spending more time out of the saddle than I'm used to just for comfort.
The last few km 'Dragons Tail' as a few have already mentioned is fantastic, big sweeping berms, Huge rollers and a twisty descent will leave you wanting to go again.
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