A bunch of friends are off to the FOD this coming weekend for a mix of climbing and biking.

Not been there before so probably going to head to Cannop on Friday (weather permitting) but seem to have come up a bit dry on other routes / areas to go to for another day.

Any suggestions of areas or (even better) loops would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Si

Depending on where you are staying and the type of riding you want you could easily fill two days with riding in the FoD. Other than that you’re within an easy hour of Cwm Carn, the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons.
If you’re climbing in the Wye Valley you could always try a day kayaking/canoeing as well (though maybe a bit late now being as it’s Easter weekend).
If you get to Cannop first there are maps and regular riders around who should be able to point you in the right direction. Have fun!

What sort of riding you’ll king for?

Cheers folks.

Will want to stay pretty local, we’re based near Mitcheldean but will obviously have transport.

Not after massive downhill stuff, red/blue level of difficulty singletrack would be great, not afraid of a bit of pedaling!

Si

There are two dedicated blue and red trails starting from the cycle centre Pedalabikeaway.
The singletrack is really to be explored in and around the Cannop valley. There is also an Enduro route from a regular annual event, but GPS required as its not way marked. Copy of .gpx file on fodmtb.com trail page. Also this Saturday there is PAYG stylee guided ride AM & PM with some offpiste stuff.

fodmtb – thanks for the info. Might get a couple of people interested in the guided ride.
Will ask at the cycle centre as well when we visit Friday.

Thanks

Si

I take it the Verderers trail is back up and running now following repairs that were due to finish 27th March?

The end of the verderers was running yesterday, currently graded red

Verderers is a Red? Never!

Update from FC direct . The final section of the Verderers’ Trail is Red grade at present. The resurfacing of this trail has not been completed. Work has had to be halted and will restart again in a few months time.

so its open again at present

They opened it Saturday I think.The best stuff now is over the Dowies so much when you compare it to 15 years ago when you had 1 Dowie track.
3 Bluebell trails/4 Dowies/Shutcastle as well and a nice XC run out to them from the pedalway and they don’t get hammered like the D/hill runs.
I think the Forest has the best trails now than they ever had.

Forest has the best trails now than they ever had.

plus 1

Where is the Dowies – is it part of the Cannop Valley Loop?

Anyone got an up to date route map or is it local trail for local people 😀

And cheers for the Verderers update.