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Just wondering if anyone can do a quick comparison of Gisburn and Cannock? I am going to Gisburn on Saturday and would appreciate a bit of 'heads-up'.
Other 'trail centres' I have visited are Glentress and Wharncliffe - neither of which would be a good comparison (I think).
When work/family permits, I usually opt for 'big-ish' days out in the Dark Peak, Long Mynd, Yorkshire Dales etc.
Cannock is the only trail centre I have been to more than once. I really like the rocky tech stuff in the Dark Peak - I assume this would be more technical than anything at Gisburn(?)
Only been to Gisburn once and enjoyed it.
Has a bit more 'flow' than Cannock perhaps.
Technically while I don't think you will find much to frighten you, there are some really good sections to test your skilz (rooty, rocky etc). Plenty of jumps as well. Think you will have a good time + pub is nice.
I've only ridden the downhill at Cannock but ride Dark Peak pretty regularly and have hit quite a few centres around the UK.
I really loved Gisburn, it's a real hoot. There's a good mix of tight, swoopy singletrack through woodland and quick, open, rocky sections. None of the climbs are particularly technical, the worst being a fire road slog. That said, it is a pretty rocky place. I rode my hardtail there and my arse was hurting from the rocky flat sections by the end. I wouldn't say the descents are that technical, just good fun. Enough to keep you on your toes but enjoyable with it, not holding on for dear life......ala Hope cross. It's definitely one of my favourite centres.
I rode it in the wet (pissing rain)btw.....if that makes any odds.
Gisburn has quite a lot to offer depending in what you're after. You can pootle round xc style quite easily, but there are plenty of opportunities for more technical riding with a couple of black graded berm sections (hully gully & whelpstone). There's a freeride course with some bigish drops etc, and the hope line with some nice table tops.
It's quite climby but if you've done gt you won't find it a problem. The south loop is mostly wooded singletrack with some lovely bermy sections. The north loop is a little more technical and exposed.
Make sure you visit the dog & partridge in Tosside.
Good to hear positive opinions - I'll be on my hardtail (130mm forks) and running Maxxis Ardent 2.25's - I think a good choice for trail centre in the winter?
Rode Gisburn today for the first time. Conditions make a real assessment difficult, but I think, pound-for-pound, Cannock is slightly better.
There is quite a lot of fire-road in the Gisburn loop - probably more than Cannock where a couple of the bigger climbs are high interest on singletrack. Cannoc is more sustained singletrack, even if it does feel like you're just looping out and back in small meanders at times. IMO the berms back down to the car park are a slightly missed opportunity.
However, as I said before, it was so slippy I can't really form an opinion.
I have to ask - did anyone manage to ride the Hully Gully section today without crashing or putting a foot down? To my mind that was impossible, so if a 'normal' Saturday rider could do it, I need to toughen up a bit!
One thing I really liked about Gisburn was the setting - a view over the Rugeley power station at Cannock cannot really compare!