As a friend of mine would say:
"Just get your sister's dress off and fahckin launch it!"
Bike Forum
Cannock Chase Follow the Dog Werewolf Drop
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Posted 1 year ago #
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What's the best tyre for the weirwolf ?
We did that run a couple of times on winter night rides, its easier in the dark, although a rigid SS isn't the best bike for it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
My mate Old John zips down it and makes spectators cheer. He is 76 though. And he's just invested in a carbon Anthem.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Can't believe some people are requesting it be removed/changed to something else on account of that fact they find it a bit tricky. Perhaps the trail builders should flatten out the rest of the track too for you?
I thought part of mountain biking was the challenge of learning to ride things you previously could not do, learn new skills etc.., for those of us that have taken the time to learn to ride it smoothtly, the trail part it;s on flows nice and easy thankyou very much. It's just a slope and quite small, the hardest part is lining up after the switchbacks due to the trees being close together on entry, then the fact there is a piece of pointy rock that hangs over the edge slighty, and lastly, the sharp(ish) turn at the bottom, but with practice, it's easy to roll through it pretty quick without stopping at all.
This reminds me of the time some idiot complained the trees at Cannock trail centre were too close together which spoils their enjoyment, I think he is a member of STW too and people like this should perhaps stick to touring or something IMHO.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Wow I wish I was as radical as some of you Gnarly Dudes your totally Bodatious!!!
To all the sensible replies and all the tongue in cheek jokey replies thanks for the replies. To all the pretentious Im so radical its so piss easy ...Did you really bother to just post that you can do It easily? How sad. I also dont recall asking it to be removed I recall asking how to ride as Im new to technical riding. I dont want it removed I want to ride it and not fall off.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Drop your saddle a bit, off the trail so you dont get in the way. Go wide as you can on turn in so you are straight on approach, go slowly but quick enough not to wobble, as you go over lip push the bike down and forward 'underneath' you rather than just leaning back. be very easy on the brakes, once you hit the dirt look right (where you want to head) lean the bike right, pushing your right hand down & staying easy on the brakes to get you bike going round the bend. Its very loose there and braking hard will just lose traction and you'll struggle to steer.
Its a very minor trail feature which a huge fuss is made about as its a bit out of context to the majority of the (red graded) Follow Your Dad trail. Learn it, then repeat so you can ride it confidently and improve Da Skillz so you can then have a go at the rocky bits of the Donkey Trail.As for the benign uppy rock slab, go at it as fast as possible, keep peggulling & hop frontwheel up like a curb, lean forward & unweight back and hop that up same as a kerb.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Are you feeling all right, Scruff? Giving a sensible answer with no hidden traps? You didn't get accidentally Christened as well yesterday, did you?
Posted 1 year ago # -
what scruff said*
it's not that bit that got me last week, the berms on the next section are getting comically loose in this dry weather, tried using my face a s a brake which worked to the extent in that it stopped me quite quickly but the loss of flesh to speed loss ratio makes it a one off manouver
*there's a first time for everything
lol at big john, it'd be raining fire if someone tried that
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yesterday was worse than going to church, I was at Alton Towers.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Have a look up at it from the bottom. From that viewpoint it really does look an easy obstacle.
You could also try doing it as a straight run first rather than worry about lining up for it correctly. There is enough room to do this.
Together with the technique that others have pointed out you'll wonder what all the fuss is about soon enough.
Part of the problem with it is that there are usually a few onlookers there which can initially make you think that it must be harder than it actually is.Posted 1 year ago # -
They put spectator stands up at weekends.
Just so long as you keep off the brakes on the way down, lean back in the way Scruff suggests, you really are down it before you can blink, wondering what the fuss is about.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I think the best thing to do is not stop at the top, easier to say than do but if you just ride the full section using the techniques above you'll be fine. If you stop and think about it and sit mulling it over it'll become much bigger.
Seen a mate psyche himself out of a tiny little drop at Swinley, sitting for about ten minutes before we left as he just couldn't ride it. It was a bout three inches with easy run in and out but he stopped to look at it and then developed a huge mental block.Posted 1 year ago # -
Werewolf drop has definitely had it's fangs and claws blunted since it was first constructed. I'm not sure whether it was a conscious effort to make it friendlier, or the indirect result of running repairs.
However, given normal drop technique and a bit of judicous speed control, it's ridable on any sort of bike.
To sign off with a housekeeping note; if you're going to watch other people attempt it (a sensible precaution and surely preferable to simply dismounting and giving up altogether) FFS get yourself and your bike right off the trail and out of the way first and give other riders a chance of seeing what their about to ride.
Posted 1 year ago # -
any one got any before and after pics? it does feel easier now, but is that because we're all getting better?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Not exactly a drop is it, more of a slope. In fact its so insignificant I'm surprised its even got a name.
Posted 1 year ago # -
My nan says she could ride up that on a singlespeed rigid with someone on the back.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Every idiot gathers round it as if it's a 50ft drop off.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I highly recommend not hitting your handle bars on one of the trees on the way in. I did and i think i scored 5.4 for the swan dive and roll. I made an impressive dust cloud too.
Took me a while to ride it cleanly again, once bitten etc
Posted 1 year ago # -
Jeesus!!!!! - I face a bigger drop than that just getting the bike out of the shed!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Oh FFS, it may be easy for experience riders, but for someone who is new to that kind of stuff it probably looks a little intimidating. Have a bit of empathy!! You were learning once.
Posted 1 year ago # -
+1 mikey74
Posted 1 year ago # -
As others have said the WD is intimidating, mainly because of the approach. But if you take a good wide line in and get your weight back over the saddle it is surprisingly comfortable. As the landing area is breaking up, the turn can be a bit tricky, but you can avoid the most broken areas.
I find the best line over the slab/tricky root is actually over the root, just to the left of the slab. Get enough speed, and move your weight forward as you get the front wheel over. I went to Cannock for the first time in over a year and hadn't seen the slab before - took me a bit by surprise and I only just made it over the first time. Second lap I took the root route and it was a breeze.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Well, i passed on it when there was about a foot of ice over it in December.
If i recall according to the trail builders, the gradient once rock armoured has not changed from when it was built, but it def got steeper when it was becoming pretty eroded.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Is that video in slomo?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Heheh. I did this for the first time yesterday, and I actually managed to stall on the top by getting my stupid wide bars jammed between the trees.
Posted 9 months ago # -
To the locals the other bit used to be known as "Evil Root number 2" .... named by the ever famous Mrs Toast (my hero).
The root got worn through so it is usually now called the evil slab (again Mrs Toast is to blame). ....
\o/
Werewolf drop has definitely had it's fangs and claws blunted since it was first constructed. I'm not sure whether it was a conscious effort to make it friendlier, or the indirect result of running repairs.
Before it was armoured with rocks, it eroded quite quickly until it was fast approaching what the Forestry Commission regards as a black grade feature. So it was armoured to improve its sustainability, and to keep it red graded.
Logically I know it's not too bad, not really any worse than the exit to section 8 (the log slope). I think the combination of the tight turn into it, the trees at either side and the turn at the bottom throws a lot of people off though (mentally, not physically...), including myself. Still not managed to ride it after a year and a half, even though I've ridden worse up in Scotland and probably on the Monkey too. MINCERS OF THE CHASE, UNITE! \o/
Posted 9 months ago # -
^^^I find a lot of bits at Cannock are like that - worse mentally than physically.
I can do the weirwolf drop OK, but it's always a bit of a clencher on the approach due to the approach line & the trees.
I struggle on the rocky chute bits of the Monkey Trail if I don't just get on with them. The first one is OK, but the 2nd and 3rd are at funny angles as you approach and I never seem to get on the right line for them. Bloody annoying!
Posted 9 months ago # -
If I remember correctly, isn't there a sign at the top giving the location to tell the emergency services in case of an accident? I'm sure people see this and are already expecting something terrifying.
We were there on Boxing Day, everywhere was under snow and I was riding a new bike on unscribbed Nevegals that offered no grip at all. So I shouldered the bike and walked round the drop. I fell off on flat straights that day - the wheels would just slide out from under the bike. I really must go in Summer.
Posted 9 months ago # -
I struggle on the rocky chute bits of the Monkey Trail if I don't just get on with them. The first one is OK, but the 2nd and 3rd are at funny angles as you approach and I never seem to get on the right line for them. Bloody annoying!
See, I've ridden the second one, but not the first or the third one. :/
Posted 9 months ago # -
Mrs Toast - Member
I struggle on the rocky chute bits of the Monkey Trail if I don't just get on with them. The first one is OK, but the 2nd and 3rd are at funny angles as you approach and I never seem to get on the right line for them. Bloody annoying!
See, I've ridden the second one, but not the first or the third one. :/First time I rode it and didn't know they were there I rode all three no bother at all.
Second time, I knew they were coming up & was a bit more hesitant.
Last time I was there I went over the first chute no problem, but there were people hovering/hesitating at the second & third chutes which threw me a bit & I ended up stopping at the top of them, rather than just getting stuck in.....should have just got on with it.Posted 9 months ago # -
Must admit I struggled a bit (read: fell off then gave up) on some of the rocky chutes on a black option part way round the Monkey. I blame tiredness (35 miles in the Dark Peak on Saturday!) but I just couldn't line up properly round the corner to get into the steps properly, which resulted in me hitting the big hole at the bottom at a funny angle, half going over the bars and hugging a tree.
Posted 9 months ago # -
I find a lot of bits at Cannock are like that - worse mentally than physically
Are you talking about the town, the locals, or the Chase ?
Posted 9 months ago #
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