[Closed] Cannock chase / stile cop this weekend

Was at Cannock for the first time on Wednesday and did FTD. Very well signed and the trails were in great condition I thought, a couple of puddles was all, a lot better than the mud-fest I've been toiling through in the North West recently.

Can't comment on Stile Cop or any of the off-piste stuff but the local I was with said there is loads to explore. I know Cannock gets a lot of hate but I enjoyed it!

Went last weekend, it's quite dry actually bar a few puddles, although I found the hard packed surface, filled with smooth pebbles, quick slippery!

Get out on the monkey trail too, it's a bit more technical and fun. All is very well sign posted from the carpark.

I thought it was a fun day out to be honest.

If you go to Cannock then ride the Monkey - it's most of FTD plus more another loop about the same that's more difficult. More climbing and faster downhill sections. You'll have time for some sessions afterwards. FTD on it's own isn't that long.

I don't get the haters - I really enjoy it whenever I go and riding it at full blast is a challenge.

If you're heading to Stile Cop from the FTD you'll need to follow the Monkey Trail where it splits off the Dog as it's near the Monkey.

There were a couple of sections closed on Follow the Dog a couple of weeks ago, including one of the best downhilly bits (High Voltage), which is where the normal split between the 2 trails is, but it was well signposted from the diversion.

There's a bit more info on how to find Stile Cop from the Monkey [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/stile-cop-cannock ]here[/url].

Thanks all, didn't know about the monkey trail so will opt for that one, especially if its closer to stile cop.

Its all drying up nicely where the sun and wind getting through, a lot of Forestry works everywhere and a very wet winter so expect plenty of carnage off piste unless you know where your going and there are trail closures on Follow Your Dad and the Donkey.

Stile Cop has a few small closures and the very very end of Wonderland & New Line are covered in brash from more felling.

info here

[url= http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/ ]http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/[/url]

As others have said you should ride the Dog and the Monkey as one loop. It is about 12-14 miles but feels a lot further. After that have some lunch at the cafe and drive over to Stile Cop.

I havn't ridden there since October but I normally warm up on the red and then move over to the Ridge Line and do a bit of Balboa. I know they were doing some work recently but am not sure if any of it is closed.

There's loads to ride on the Chase both waymarked and cheeky. The waymarked trails are all fully surfaced and the worst you'll find are the odd slimy bit and the puddles with solid ground underneath.

It's been drying out quite nicely over the last few days. Last night's ride (non-marked trails only) was great.

We have a few sections closed on the trails at the moment. Take a look at our website for details.

Here for FtD & The Monkey;
http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/

And here for Stile Cop;
http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/downhill/

Weather is good here at the moment and has been for a couple of days so the trails will be riding really well this weekend.

Cheers all - sounds like it will be worth a trip. Is it best to drive over to stile cop then? is there parking? I should probably read the useful links posted above but haven't got time at work to peruse them...

There is parking at the top of the hill over the road just a couple of mins ride away. IMO its better to have a break from riding the main trails before doing the DH. Also If I had to ride back to Birches Valley after DH I would be buggered.

https://goo.gl/maps/yKONc The car park is on the right of the road in the map and Stile Cop is on the left.

Cheers - thats useful.

I would be buggered

+

The car park is on the right of the road in the map

These two things go together quite well. 😯

That is very true. I was there at the same time 2 nights in a row, to ride DH, and the same car did the same thing. Pulled into the car park sat for a couple of mins and drove off slowly. Dogging in broad daylight has got to be a tad risky.

Sometimes I'm busting for a post-ride wee. If I happen to at the side of the Stile Cop car park then there's always jonnies and wet-wipes strewn on the ground 😐

I Ache, Stile Cop car park isn't for the doggers, its usually reserved for man on man action.

Oh, I didn't realise that.

I'll be getting changed before leaving work from now on...

Update - Made it down to Cannock. On Sunday - it rained all the time I was there. Rode FTD trail, there were some trail closures (high voltage? - gotta love trail centre names) and I completely missed the turn off for the monkey trail. Arrived back at the visitors centre after 40 minutes wondering whether to do it again or go and try the trails at Stile Cop. Chose Stile Cop as I don't often get to try more DH oriented trails. Found Stile Cop car park and after a quick scan around I assume team GT and Santa Cruz were in attendance. Got a bit intimidated to be honest by the prevalence of DH bikes, full body armour and full face helmets but wheeled my hardtail out anyway, strapped on my back protector (camelbak) and rode back to the trails. Red trail was great fun, top part especially - riding it blind was probably best as the drops went by in a blur. Black trail was also fun but by this time I was finding it hard to see without eye protection. Bottom drop was good on a hardtail - nice transitioned landing but the last gap jump is a fair size and was saved for another day. Played on some nice jumps on the push back up the hill as well which were good, if a little short. There's a lot going on in this small area and would have liked a lot longer really to check out all the different lines but the p1ssing rain and the drive back home meant I had to leave it. I thought it was a great facility with loads packed into a relatively small area and an easy push back to the top again - if I had known how much there was I would probably have sacked off the FTD trail and spent all day here instead.

Glad you enjoyed the Cop Steve.

As you'll have worked out now ride starting on FtD and heading onto the Monkey with a diversion over to Stile Cop can make for a good and varied day.

don;t be intimidated by the riders up at the cop, the majority a really friendly and will be happy to talk to you about the lines and options whilst you get used to things.

We'd never recommend riding the trails blind though, a steady roll down is important.

Stu

You did pick the worst day, Saturday was glorious and 17 degrees on the Chase, Sunday was shocking.

after a quick scan around I assume team GT and Santa Cruz were in attendance

FTD = follow the diversion (at least at the mo)

All for the greater good though.