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I havent been to Cannock for 5 years or so now, I lived reasonably close to it, so it was the quickest way to get out on the bike off-road. I’ve been in Scotland for the last 3 years now, mainly at Ae, then Mabie and occasionally Glentress. I found the transition very difficult, mostly the uphills which went on, seemingly, forever, (actually only around 250 metres of climb), but compared to Cannock, they were like getting up mountains.
Anyway, back to see my Mum this weekend, so thought I’d take the bike and see how Cannock was now. And quite surprised how much I enjoyed it, I only did the Dog, and, despite only one small uphill section, and no steep downhill sections, I had a smile at the end and was out of breath (6 miles, around 150 metres ascent). It’s just a flowing cross country course really, it isnt a MTB course, but that is fine, it was a quick blast, it caters for the masses in the area, and is an easy introduction to off road riding. As for the masses, the car park was almost totally full, the wardens were saying they were going to have to shut the gates as the overflow car park was nearly full, yet, 100 metres from the start of the trails, there were few people - one ebike passed me, and I passed 6 other people on the trail, thats the only people I saw outside of the car park / cafe area. Oh, and car parking, £7.30 for 2 hours, thats more than Whinlatter in the Lakes. Thats big money from car parking, and shows how they can afford to pay the 15 or so car park wardens (or, are they volunteers?).
It’s just a flowing cross country course really, it isnt a MTB course
id argue that is an MTB course to be fair. MTB doesn’t have to be gnarly enduro courses all the time.
id argue that is an MTB course
I agree. Sure, as a location it’s a bit wasted on a 180mm Enduro rig but is a great couple of hours jaunt for all forms of fat tyres, and most skill levels too.
The off-site is better though 🤭
That can’t be compared to an uphill to what you have in Scotland!😅. Glad you liked it all the same and it’s good for what it is.
it’s probably shown more to how you have progressed on a mtb in Scotland coming back👍.
I'm part of Chase Trails and a local, glad you had a good time! The dog could probably be blue graded really, as you say it's quite tame these days. There are a few decent sections near the end though. It's definitely a MTB trail lol.
The monkey is a step up and does have some proper descending. Again nothing too crazy.
Then there's Stile Cop, which is sort of a very mini bike park, the trails there have proper features and speed. They exist in a weird half sanctioned grey zone.
Then there is what your average pinkbike reader rides 99% of the time, off piste. There is an absolute ton of it all over the Chase, of varying quality and difficulty.
I've been staying at Ae for 2 weeks and just finished 3 days in a row on the Golfie. Obviously what you have up here is next level, but for the densely populated west mids, Cannock Chase is a fine local. It needs some love and could be alot more, but for the vert thats there it's pretty good.
I finally got around to going to Stile Cop at the weekend. Just did the red & ridge run as I'm pretty rusty! They were good fun, although it's a bit confusing which line you're meant to be on at the bottom. I was wishing for an e-bike for the climb though, it's a steep push up!
@jme why are they in a grey zone, I though they were official now?