[Closed] Cannock chase advice please

There is a lit more climbing on the Monkey than the Dog and a couple of rockier bits but as long as you keep looking where you're going and keep your speed under control there's nothing that will suddenly jump out & surprise you.

The climbs are definitely worth it for the descents afterwards.

EDIT -
When doing the Dog did you manage the Werewolf Drop? There's nothing any harder than that on the red bits of the monkey Trail.

OK cool. Thanks for that.

I was just a bit worried we would come across a drop off or something that would spook the wife.

EDIT:
The wife stopped short and i lifted it down but me and the kids did it!

At the end of the day if there's something that spooks you there's no law that says you have to ride it.

and there's plenty of places to grab a breather at the top of the climbs too.

Trust me, I know them all 😉

As I remember, there are fireroad alternatives/short cuts to most of the Monkey. So you could all bail completely if needed or kids/wife skip bits and meet you further along. The second option might be tricky without GPS/map though. Routes here: [url= http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/xc/ ]http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/xc/[/url]

There were quite a few sections of both trails closed off last week due to forestry work, tree felling etc.

For some of the 'trickier' sections, e.g Tom, Dick & Harry, you get an option to ride around & avoid them

Echoing some of the above The Monkey Trail is more technically challenging than Follow the Dog. It has a little more gradient to use so there is more climbing and descending to contend with.

There are a handful of black graded options but they are exactly that, options only.

Expect features that reflect the trickiest sections on Follow the Dog and you'll get the idea. Woodbank for instance (just past halfway around The Monkey) has a short rock section which is similar to the option at the beginning of Twist & Shout (the opening section by Go Ape), there is no bypass but you can get off and push it.

We would ask though this if it's likely that any member of your group is going to get off and push a section, or stop prior to as feature that you be ware of riders around you and step off well off the trail where possible. Both for your own safety and the sanity of others.

Enjoy.

Stu.
www.chasetrails.co.uk

What time does the car park actually close this time of year. It says dawn till dusk, but I have been at first light and it has not been open and similarly I don't want to get the car locked in.

It says sunset at 7:54, but I can't see that they are going to stay open that late. Better to park on road just next to the site?

There's a small carpark opposite the Tackeroo campsite that doesn't close & also lots of people Park at the top of Marquis Drive, just near the visitors centre. Of course you should always pay & Park at birches Valley when you can.

Thanks. I will try and park there if possible, as I am happy to pay a few quid to ride such good trails. Just don't want to get the car locked in.

Birches Valley Car Park: April opening hours are 7:30am to 8pm

from

[url= http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/xc/ ]http://www.chasetrails.co.uk/xc/[/url]

Thanks Scruff. Internet research seems beyond me!

Took my kids there a couple of weeks ago. First time on a bike this year for my daughter (13). Took them around the Monkey.

Christ she moaned like buggery all the way around, but she rode everything other than a couple of bits on the Original Monkey, afterwards she admitted she enjoyed it.

Of course you should always pay & Park at birches Valley when you can.

Assuming you are suggesting some kind of moral obligation, why take a space from someone going to Go Ape or the cafe when you can ride from anywhere? Plus it's not so far to drive to get to the car park near the White House for me, so why burn fuel unnecessarily? 😀

Went after work yesterday. Paid and parked and just pushed hard to get round before the car park closed.

It was a shame the shop was closed - the place was heaving and I think they would have lost a lot of business during the day.