SWCC MTB off-road excursion

A few people from the club have mentioned mountain biking and with the nights drawing in and the weather turning colder (and possibly wetter) I thought a club off-road excursion is in order. I would like to gauge interest, agree suitable date(s) and a location. My suggestion would be Cannock on a Saturday, but might be too far for some folk.

Would definitely be interested depending on date etc.

Hi Nik, I have been thinking along the same lines for some time.
Pete C

Hi Nik. Sounds a good idea but maybe it would be possible for perhaps more than one level of ride to be arranged to suit different rider ability.

I've not done Cannock Chase but High Lodge (Elvenden Forest) http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-8ygkcr has a choice of trails. I'd prefer Cannock though as I've not been there as yet.

Great idea @salochinthims Saturdays are difficult for me. I can probably do something if I have enough notice.

I am interested. Cannock is good and not that far.

Thanks for your responses. Looks like Cannock is a favourite and in the absence of any other suggestions I'll put out an invite for a date in November.

Keith I would expect we would naturally group by ability and complete different routes and not necessarily ride in a single group. I've attached the Trails grade from the website http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/xc/

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I'm in Nik - up to blue. Speak next Sunday about it if you're out.

Who will be carrying the first aid kit?

Good point Pete - I can bring one. Also I do have a full face helmet and body armour, which I'd suggest may be necessary for the more extreme routes.

It all looks really very interesting and blue for me?, shame it's not closer..

@Philmet1 there's only black cut outs on the red route at Cannock, not full black routes. I would suggest that you won't need a FF helmet unless you're accident prone! :)

@salochinthims regarding the timing. Are you suggesting we all meet there at 10am or do you anticipate leaving Buckingham then? Either way won't leave much riding time if you want to be back at Buckingham for 1pm. It's a 1h30 drive.

@PaulW just so you know, there's no blue trails there, it's red only although TBH they're at the bottom end of red as it's not too technical.

@StephenT, TBH? Hopefully not "to bloody hard" 😂

@StephenT I don't know Cannock but I did some downhills at Aston and I'm not going back there in the wet without armour (and if possible an air ambulance!). As I've got the stuff, I might as well bring it, I think. How can it hurt?

@StephenT I'm aware it's a good 1.5hrs drive so was anticipating being at Cannock for 10am and leaving at 1pm.
I was planning on doing the Red route, although did clock the absence of any mention of a Blue or Green route on their website!

So just to clarify. Is blue available? I'm inexperienced, prone to the odd accident and have no full face or armour ;-) Blue looks OK but red looks like a daft choice for me.

There are some, see http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/leisure-cycling/

But you will probably find you can give the red a try if they're only mild red, as seems to be the case.

@paulS there is no blue available, it's a red only loop.
Honestly it's barely a red in my opinion and is equivalent to the blue at FoD.
Provided you have balance and can move your weight around on the bike you won't have a problem. Take it at your own pace and you'll be fine.

@StephenT @paulS

No, there's definitely a blue route and two greens. Check out the link....

Grade: Blue Sherbrook Valley Trail (Grade: Blue. Length: 7.5 – 12.5 miles)
Grade: Green · Length: 7.5 – 12.5 miles · GPX Route: Short Route or Long Route
This trail takes in the picturesque Sherbrook Valley with its mixture of woodlands and open heathland. Two loops are available, the shorter Pepper Slade loop and the longer Abraham’s Valley loop which visits the Stepping Stones and Abrahams Valley.

Grade: Green Route to Health Sculpture Trail
Grade: Green · Length: 1 mile
An easy, mostly flat, circular arts trail created by local artists, students, schools and community groups. The unique art pieces are all themed around health issues and are designed to generate interest in areas such as exercise, relaxation, mental health and a healthy heart. Includes the popular ‘Fairy Trees’.

Grade: Green Fair Oak Pools Trail
Grade: Green · Length: 2.5 miles · GPX Route: Download
An easy circular trail that takes in the magnificent Fairoak Valley and pools, a rich and important habitat that is home to many wildlife species. The area has an interesting coal mining past and was the location of a colliery in the late 19th century. This trail also provides access to the Cannock Chase Visitor Centre at Marquis Drive and to the blue graded Sherbrook Trail.

The green and blue are new then as they weren't there the last time I went.
@paulS, I still stand by my original comment, you shouldn't have a problem with the red as it's not hard.

OK - from the combo of what you're both saying, it seems like I should give it a go. I'll bring the stabilisers!

Very sorry, but i can't make the off-road ride this weekend.
Don't have to much fun without me.

I've been keeping an eye on the weather for this weekend and so far it isn't looking good being cold and wet!

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