Not shared by me, I loved it for the reasons you said here really, some of the best riding I've done. on my, virtual doorstep, compressed into one trail. Enormous fun.

I cleaned it except for one switchback, but I was 16:32 SS so they were tough and I did crash on the rather large last rock drop off on the chuffing steep rock section but my excuse for that is I'm rigid and my saddle was way too high for that, it was very unexpected, my fault, should have recced it, its graded black!!! The red section was fine as was the rest of the black.

I agree to some extent with the railway crossing, although that was there anyway to many that knew the trails, but there will be many more crossing.

I also agree that unless you have your wits about you you could do yourself some serious damage, I hope that reputation spreads and coupled with the switchback climbing discourages some of the people that used the original FTD trail, many times I have been motoring down there to come across people ill equipped in terms of both skill and equipment to be on the trail presenting a dange to both themselves and others. It is/was graded red for a reason, many people pay no attention to that fact and treat it like a fire road.

So please don't treat this post as a flame but part of a discussion.

I must say chapeau to those that built it!

I thought it made the best of Cannock. I loved it.

I rode it on a rigid SS, and didn't do the rock bit, and the werewolf thing caught me out. As for the climbs, yes - they are tight...but if 3 of us managed to steam around on SS where it's harder to sit and spin, then it's doable on any of the bikes you see round Cannock.

A big thanks to chasetrails for livening up Cannock, haven't been for a year or so as I used to like the other side (quarry/stinger etc.) and the trails kept disappearing. I will definately be back soon.

Also like the fact that the Horns has a free bike wash!

Barry. Chase Trails member 009 and proud!

I rode it the other day. Great piece of work - design and build and thought that it compares favourably to some of the Welsh trail centres. I thought that it was appreciably harder than FTD. I think you may find less of the footie shirt and supermarket bike crowd making their way across there - though the two yoofs and girl in Jesus sandals seemed to be enjoying it!

I loved it. For what the chase has to offer (hight wise) they had done a damn fine job. The last two runs are stunning. The first part is typical Cannock chase, never letting you go up or down for too long. Time will tell if the trail holds together, whether it does or not won't stop me having a go. We parked at seven springs today and rode over to the dog/monkey and all the way back to do the off piste stuff. It made for a good days riding.

Hats off to all involved. 😀

Not ridden it since they have worked on it, but hasn't the bit with all the switchbacks been there for ages, just unofficial? It was an ace trail then and I hope that it still retains it's technical charm since it's had the trail builder wand waved over it.

+1 Ti29ers comments

ive rode it twice, last sunday and again wednesday evening and in some places the trail had really began to give way at the edges and maasses of brakeing ruts have appeared in such short space of time.. i agree with the OP on most of the points made apart from cleaning the trail, except for a bit of a que on the step switch back we would have cleaned it.

yes it is very good work and again would like to see it in a few months when it has packed down and settled and had a bit of rain on it... at the moment it is typical cannock very loose when dry

on the positive it does now make the trail a decent length and i like how each section after all the switch back climbs seem to be better than the last.

Yes i suspect the A+E will busy as the road crossing is a very fast and busy road and i am surprised that there are now the roads to cross 3 times and the rail way twice

MY final thought...... well done to all involved on the work but the jury is still out im afraid...

Rode it Tuesday night. My Ventana felt totally the wrong bike for some reason. Cant wait to get my SS Inbred up there. Was sceptical about my ability so 32:18 especially for it.
I'm a Chase Trails member, no 124. Embarrased somewhat about never having lifted so much as a twig to help build what those boys have done.
The last two runs are just excellent, really top drawer trails. Someone has really scoped out the terrain for that bit & they've got it spot on. Well done.

Gotta to say I think its great and would be ideal if a few of you guys aren't overly impressed and ride elsewhere 😀 Flows really well, switchbacks give you some quick height gain, hardly any fire road (certainly not long slogs) and more to come when the other sections open. Great ending to the dog as well with those berms, werewolf drop and the final few bumps. It has been too dry for a new trail but given the useage this last week wasn't too bad today. a bit of rain and some repair work and it will start to settle well.

Is there any vids of the trail online yet?

rode it today for the first time today and was very impressed with the trail-it beefs up the previous offerings and challenged all of us in various ways.
i got excited by the black snippets and felt that, unlike landegla, they actually live up to their grading-what do you think?

Ski
my vid -

curerently working on a better one

I kind of get what the OP is saying and it is going to need a hell of alot of maintenance at the end of the month
Its good though that it has aspects of all those as it was badly cut up on Monday and worse by Wednesday various places. I think it generally flows okay and the switchbacks are definately preferable to endless (a la The Wall or Penhydd) fireroad climbs There are a few places where the tree stumps could do with removing or the odd tree thinning out as they are too close, or just on the edge and easy to catch when you are going full chat and maybe one or two (max) corners that are a touch to tight but apart from that, assuming it beds in okay (rain needed me thinks) it is pretty good

Oh and I cleaned all but one tight loose corner, and I reckon I would definately clean the lot on my hardtail

iain1775 - Member

Ski
my vid -

curerently working on a better one

Thanks iain1775 - nice vid

Takisawa
[i]I'm a Chase Trails member, no 124. Embarrased somewhat about never having lifted so much as a twig to help build what those boys have done.
[/i]
Being a member of Chasetrails is just as good as helping out, espically if your riding time is limited!!!!
Must remember to renew!
Ti 29 most of the silly wheels boys have struggled could be worse you could have had a suspended one,Rain coming tonight 😀 hopefully.
Ditto the road crossing some one is going to get hurt as the dont half motor along there

I've never seen triangular sign for cyclists crossing but it might be worth someone talking to Staffs County Council to see if some kind of advisory sign could be put up near the crossing.

rode it friday,overall very impressed with it and i'll def go back,the switchbacks are a bit tight and i measured one tree gap on the singletrack and it was the width of my bar with an inch to spare,the trail/sand was already rutted and wearing in a few places but i reckon it just had'nt bedded in yet,just needs abit of weather overall i'm just glad i've got a decent place to go other than wales,saw a fair few "serious" riders and lots of people on appolos etc just enjoying themselves on whatever they could,
7/10

its very funny that some people are concerned that the trees are too close together!

maybe they are meant to slow you down?
maybe it makes a trail that littl ebit harder to clean?
maybe you should mtfu?

If this was a natural trail and the sand was getting rutted and the trees were tight wouldn't we all be saying what an amazing technical trail this is?

Haven't ridden this so can't comment but was at Aston Hills last weekend and the ruts that appear on the downhill runs there certainly made it more challenging and technical but it didn't detract from the thrill and enjoyment of completing the trail.

I thought Mountain biking was all about technical trails that challenged you to get through them. I love trail centres and some are really technical and really make you work hard just to clear sections and if you don't then so be it.

rode it yesterday for the first time and it's a great trail for the terrain the builders are working with, the last two sections of the monkey and the last section of the dog are top draw.

Big thanks to chase trails

On Friday there was a flimsy 2ft notice on the grass waring of bikes.
Rubbish really.
How about some road markings?
How about some countdown 100m, 200m signage away from the crossing?
How many thousands of visitors do they expect, 10, 20?

Another concern, as expressed above, is the FTD flip-flop wellie brigade, mostly clueless and oft' not wearing lids; it's going to hurt & intimidate many riders who think it's much of the same FTD trails, which it most certainly is not.

As much as I didlike the H&S executive (my uncle wrote many sections as a non-exec director) I do think some more signs would be in order.

rode the new monkey trail last monday, the build is impressive for the area considering its not that hilly. Definitely needs bedding in but the loose stuff is good for the balance skills! The steep rocky black section descent is one of the trickyest things I've ridden at a trailcentre yet. I've read about people comparing it to wales, i'm not sure on that one as although the trails are good, there obviously isnt the scenery and 'mountain' feeling of wales. Overall though, compared to the old follow the dog trail its light years better and definitely worth a visit. Good work.

Christ on a bike, people moaning about crossing a ****in road ! Well I've been crossing that very road for years now,several times a week & guess what I aint even nearly been run over yet......

Sounds really good. Wish we had something like that around here for winter riding.

yeah buzz, but what if the trees were too close together?

i thought it was a great trail, especially for being only an hour away, to get to riding like that usually takes around 3. i thought the flow was awsome througout the trial, cleared every swithcback on second go round, i thought it made the climbing more fun instead of endless fire roads etc. it will be interesting to see how it holds up because considering how new it is there is some quite severe braking bumps in certain sections that may need to be armourd up. e.g. the two table tops to massive! berm, before the berm was a really boneshaker from people locking the brakes on. but it was a great ride and will ride ss next time cus that will just make it more fun!

I rode there on Friday got talking to a good few riders ], was on an apple green Five, I honestly thought it was excellent my mate didnt like it as much as I did, next time I go I will be taking my hardtail.

A big well done to all involved I will be traveling back down from Liverpool again in the near future 😀

Its a superb piece of trail, no complaints from me, the guys have done an outstanding piece of building and i understand clixbys are hanging around for some repair work. The ground at cannock is bone dry at the moment and the amount of bikers the opening weekend was immense.

As for the roads, i learnt over 30 years ago how to cross a road and im still alive now, so i think i can manage that!!

lol @ trees being too close together! really? that statement is surely a wind up? or perhaps a nice 15ft wide fire road would suit you better? 🙄

I love the trail. I'm local, not a member of CT but have given the odd morning up to help out. I take the OP's point about the road crossing but with so many potential users so close and so little space available the road crossing can't be avoided. I think the railway crossing is less dangerous than the road - the train drivers all seem to be aware and sound their horns as they approach. Some of the car drivers are reaching some very high speeds along the A460 so be careful FFS!!
The trail is bound to break up initially with the amount of users at the start. The amount of users will die down and the trail will be repaired. Hopefully more users equals more trail pixie helpers.
BTW - the switchbacks are great! As for the werewolf drop - just ride off it - can`t see what the fuss is about (and I ride like a girl most of the time).
One thing I shall add is that the rest of the Chase and cheeky stuff was deserted today - fantastic!!!
Johnnywhitesox(aka johnnymac)

I rode today too, had such a good time I was late for a friends' wedding nearly 😳 Being 15 mins from me this has been some of the best riding I've ever done over the Chase (and that's a bold statement I know)
Not feeling too fit at the mo', this was one of the first times I've ever used a granny ring too. I like the way there's some techy stuff where FTD missed out on, particularly liked a steep downhill section that was so loose it had me (and the guy's that were watching me) shouting expletives as there was actually no control whatsoever.
Big thanks to Chase Trails from me 😉

dan dan,saw your apple green 5 as i was leaving about midday,i was driving out of the carpark and i saw this bloke with a big grin on his face! i was thinking "oooohh i'm liking that green 5"
best colour ever mate.(though not as nice as my raw works red intense :wink:)

Group of us rode it Saturday morning, very easy to get carried away on and I'm sure there will be a lot of accidents but no more than any other trail centre, each section seemed to egg you on to go faster, yes some of the trees are right on the apex of some of the corners and easy to clip with a shoulder but what section of singletrack through woods doesn't? the switchbacks are very tight on the climb but we all managed to clean everything, agree it needs some rain on it to help bed it down but definitely makes cannock worthy of a visit or two again this year. Overall well done to the trail builders.

Talking to one of the CT guys yesterday and he reckoned they were seeing 1000 riders a day on it at the moment!!!!

Never mind the road crossing what about the folks living next to the railway track. That gate clanging shut every two mins is going to be very anoying. Although living next to a railway must have its disadvantages.

They have wrapped rubber strips arond the metal contact points.
CT guy is living in cloud cookoo land, 1000 a day!
That might be an average, but in the 2hrs I was there, I saw maybe 10 people; & that's part of its beauty.

There was a big queue yesterday at weirwolf drop. Looking at how most people went down it I think it must be a lot harder to walk down it than ride.

But it's a magnificent trail, even though I don't expect it to make for more than 5% of my riding on the Chase.

CT guy is living in cloud cookoo land, 1000 a day!

Isn't there some sort of counter at the bottom of a descent just before the small bridge before you go back across the road/railway? If that's what it is then they probably have a pretty good idea.

I must admit I did think that it might be a bit of a bind if you lived at the house by the level crossing...

Within the first 4 days of opening the counter had clocked 1,600 riders and that's with it missing an unkown number as it doesn't pick up every pass due to the speed at the location it's been placed. Since then the bike shop has reported the car park has been at weekend levels of traffic all week and the lads will have done a more up to date check of numbers over the weekend.

Ti29er, everyone's entitled to their opinion and I'd be amazed if any trail in the world suited all riders. To suggest that the trail builders have just cherry picked from photos in recent articles of other trails is rather naive though. The trail has been on the drawing board for around 3 years now and has been shaped by the views and styles of a variety of riders.

In terms of flow that will always be a subjective one. For me the trail flows really well, as with Follow the Dog many of the sections need to be ridden hard and out of the saddle to fully appreciate them but then that throws in a whole range of different issues with clearing tightly spaced trees and not getting caught out on tricky corners.

In my view for a trail to have long term appeal to riders it needs to throw in a few curve balls for the first few laps of even the most competent rider. If you ride it perfectly first time then the incentive to become a regular visitor is surely reduced.

The switchbacks are all fully rideable on a good day and I would take exception to any suggestion that they are wrong based on having been ridden on a 29er. It's a mountain bike trail not a cyclo cross track.

*tumbleweed*

I rode the new Monkey trail for the first time on Saturday and was really impressed.

It was my first ride for 4 and a half months after breaking my arm so I'm fairly rusty, but I thought it wasn't overly difficult, just tricky enough and the faster you went the trickier it became. I didn't ride the long set of rock steps but they reminded me a lot of Laggan's rock steps - no bad thing. Once I've got my eye in again I can't wait to have a go on them.

All in all I think the trail bulding guys have done an amazing job with the topography and type of dirt they've got to play with.

If you find the the switch backs are tight, practice riding them?

ST IN 'CAN'T LET GO SHOCKER'.... 😆

Feeling better Dave ?

The point I was making is that it seemed to me that the course designer seemed to have taken the best bits of other trails and transplanted them on the Brum hillside. The switch-backs leave a lot to be desired.

I hope it works out for you, but I wonder if anyone has taken the time to tell the Highways Agency that you're expecting thousands of riders across that busy main road. If not, may I suggest you take some legal advice as there seems to be a shortcoming in the business plan where "Duty of Care" is concerned, it seems to me.

If it's been three years in the making then there's no excuse for there not to be better signage both for the riders and the motorists & this is something that needs your urgent attention.

There should be sum bins around the course aswell.

Ti29er, the idea that Chase Trails are responsible for the safety of the people using what they've built is completely unfounded. That responsibility rests partly with the landowner (he Forestry Commission), but mostly with the users of the trail...

FWIW I haven't ridden the new stuff at the Chase but a mate up that way was comparing it to sections of the best man-made trails in Wales. To pull that off in a heavily populated area with very different topography and geology is no mean feat.

"If it's been three years in the making then there's no excuse for there not to be better signage both for the riders and the motorists & this is something that needs your urgent attention. "

Yeah but if you'd kept track of the chase trails blog you'd realise that CT were working to a tight schedule. Mainly because people kept riding the trails even though they were not finished therefore the opening of the trail was to some extent forced upon them.

The problem with something like this done mainly by volunteers is you'll never have enough time and it will never really be properly finished as there'll always be something else that could be added to make it better.

I do like the idea of some signage or markings on the road (particularly idea of some countdown markers) to suggest this is a crossing of some significance.

However this clearly is nt chase trails responsibility and Im pretty sure it would be illegal for them to start putting signs up on a public highway.

I imagine the forestry commission will need to gather data on how many people are using the cross now the trail is open before they can possibly push the local council for some kind warnings.

In the same bizarre way that if a council wants to drop the speed limit on a road to 20 mph they often build speed bumps drop the average speed to 20mph then record that the average speed is below 20 and they can then press ahead for the change to 20mpd.

Ti289er , just interested to know the basis of all your opinions?

Have you actually been involved in a trail build anywhere ?

I bet it would be possible to take a pop, or make a constructive (ie negative comment) about any trail in the country - easiest game in the world. So stop being negative and look at the positives that can then be built upon.

I am sure CT know what needs to be snagged and I guess they really don't need you to tell them.

ps i guess you won't be re visiting!

how about providing cotton wool suits and stabalisers at the start so nobody gets hurt

Will the stabilsers fit through the trees ? ( which were planted in the wrong place )

I rode it yesterday and found that the switchbacks are tight, but as already mentioned, that's part of the challenge. I wouldn't really compare it to Wales, the trails there are far more predictable with completely different terrain. I reckon the Monkey will take more time to master but is all the better for it. I am concerned about the amount of breaking bumps appearing though.. We may just see a few more sections re-named 'chain slapper' quite soon.

I thought it is an amazing trail, nice technical sections, and the hairpin climbs were a great challenge. I agree that some sections may cause accidents if speed exceeds the riders skill levels, but thats part if life.

Perhaps Ti29er needs a few skills sessions arranging there? Can Jedi help?

The point I was making is that it seemed to me that the course designer seemed to have taken the best bits of other trails and transplanted them on the Brum hillside. The switch-backs leave a lot to be desired.

I hope it works out for you, but I wonder if anyone has taken the time to tell the Highways Agency that you're expecting thousands of riders across that busy main road. If not, may I suggest you take some legal advice as there seems to be a shortcoming in the business plan where "Duty of Care" is concerned, it seems to me.

If it's been three years in the making then there's no excuse for there not to be better signage both for the riders and the motorists & this is something that needs your urgent attention.

Wow, are you really as sanctimonious and high-handed as that makes you sound?

Congratulations to the people who took the time and made the effort to create something. Whatever it is, it has to be be far, far better than the nothing that is likely to have existed otherwise.

re thinking my idea might need stabilisers with a folding button on the handle bars for the narrow bits and also might go for bubble wrap suits as the cotton wool wont last in the rain.

In my view for a trail to have long term appeal to riders it needs to throw in a few curve balls for the first few laps of even the most competent rider. If you ride it perfectly first time then the incentive to become a regular visitor is surely reduced

Absolutely, looking forward to get more and more familiar with it - there's a lot more laps to be had and a lot more speed to squeeze out!

Scruff, yes, much more better i think. Managed a reasonable 30km Saturday, stopped gobbing brown flem like chow-mein lumps up yesterday. Am bruised up again proper like, feel like I've had a scrap behind the library!

And I didnt like being in the B team. at all.

Furthermore, for a route that takes you out beyond the more populated areas, I saw no "Escape" signage, surely a given on such Red graded route?

I don't want a fatality or serious accident any more than you do, but it seems to me there are some glaring omissions here that could be exploited in a court of law.
This would not be a good development either for Cannock Chase nor every other Forestry Commission mountain bike area, so I'd be keen to see these loop holes closed thus preventing a legal precedent being established.

Sad to say, but this has been the only red graded trail where I mistrusted the trail builders / designers & so I took it easier than normal; contrast that to somewhere like Penmachno where you get a real sense of the designer's intentions and so it flows, ever faster & so seemlessly.

Wow, are you really as sanctimonious and high-handed as that makes you sound?

from previous experience on here and BikeMagic, yes he is.

I think the 'copied the best bits from other centres' was a cheap shot and rather unfair. You mean like climbs, descents, berms, switchbacks, jumps, drops, rollers etc - obviously shouldn't have incorporated any of those features as they've been done elsewhere. No no, Cannock must come up with something entirely unheard of. Clown.

Personally I think it's quite a unique trail with some original features that make you think and want to go back. To compete with Wales and Scotland centres without having the same big mountain geology is some achievement. If you can't find flow it might be rider error - let me guess, Deggy makes you think you're the mutt's nuts on a bike right?

Yeah some of the surface needs repairing but the weather hasn't been kind and it'll settle, as did the modificiations to S2 and S8 which are now holding up fine. And I fluffed up a couple of the switchbacks but I'll have em next time. Overall I think it's a grand job and Midland mtbers are finally getting a first class trail on their doorsteps.

Furthermore, for a route that takes you out beyond the more populated areas, I saw no "Escape" signage, surely a given on such Red graded route?

I don't want a fatality or serious accident any more than you do, but it seems to me there are some glaring omissions here that could be exploited in a court of law.
This would not be a good development either for Cannock Chase nor every other Forestry Commission mountain bike area, so I'd be keen to see these loop holes closed thus preventing a legal precedent being established.

Sad to say, but this has been the only red graded trail where I mistrusted the trail builders / designers & so I took it easier than normal; contrast that to somewhere like Penmachno where you get a real sense of the designer's intentions and so it flows, ever faster & so seemlessly.

I was kind of listening to you before, just doesn't seem worth the effort now.

'but this has been the only red graded trail where I mistrusted the trail builders / designers'

it's not mistrusting the trail builders it the fact that your riding whey faster than your skill allows you to, stick to the family trails next time your up cannock

Ti29er

Furthermore, for a route that takes you out beyond the more populated areas, I saw no "Escape" signage, surely a given on such Red graded route?

perhaps your tall wheels place your head in the clouds above the signage but I remember seeing at least 3 'short cut' signs along the route - they are grey in colour. The new Monkey route also crosses several paralel running fireroads that anyone with half an ounce of direction would realise lead back to the main road (my mate certinally did whwn he had to walk 3odd miles back to Marquis Drive)

I originally said I could kind of see some of the OP's points but I would now like to distance myself somewhat from his later posts
Yes the road will need signage ideally due to increased numbers crossing, but that is down to the Council not CT to do the studies and fund

With regards to trees, there are 2 trees just after the start of the first descent after the first big climb where the gap between was only just wider (3-4")than my handlebars (and they are only 680mm), also a tree that has been cut off at chest height on M6. Both these are just as you are picking up speed and are relatvely blind until you are upon them. They didnt cause me any problems but I can see they will for less experienced riders, and they definately could slow you down, therefore you could say this disturbs the 'flow'
Also there are some stumps on the edges of the trail just over humps or jumps, right on the landing area where if you mis judge slightly you could land on one, this happened to my friend and completely trashed his wheel despite only going quite slowly at the time
Familarity with the trail though will obviously help with this
Im sure will be less of a problem when the surface has bedded in as at the moment there is quite alot of loose top dressing that means grip is not great in some places (to be expected with such intense use and dry weather)
Not saying that the trail should be fireroad esque but there are the odd bit where I can see why people would complain it didnt flow

Certinaly not enough to ruin the trail though, which is pretty much fantastic and a great achievement so thanks to everyone involved
Compared to somewhere similar like Sherwood Pines or Thetford it certinally sets a new benchmark in what can be achieved

(oh and I saw the two kids with no helmets riding with a girl in flipflops on Wednesday, stupid attire, or lack of totally agreed but the two lads where reasonably proficient on their bikes and almost cleared the FtD skinny log when I was passing)

Furthermore, for a route that takes you out beyond the more populated areas, I saw no "Escape" signage, surely a given on such Red graded route?

I don't want a fatality or serious accident any more than you do, but it seems to me there are some glaring omissions here that could be exploited in a court of law.
This would not be a good development either for Cannock Chase nor every other Forestry Commission mountain bike area, so I'd be keen to see these loop holes closed thus preventing a legal precedent being established.

Sad to say, but this has been the only red graded trail where I mistrusted the trail builders / designers & so I took it easier than normal; contrast that to somewhere like Penmachno where you get a real sense of the designer's intentions and so it flows, ever faster & so seemlessly.

I saw at least two shortcuts.. clearly marked!

Have you ever ridden Penmachno? Great trail but some of those 90 degree corners completely ruin the flow. Not a great example!

great troll.

Thought the new trail was very good, rode some sections at "my" high speed (not that quick really) and some at a more controlled speed to enable me to read the trail ahead as I didn't know it. Only put my foot down on one switchback that I tried to take too tight as I was talking to the wife.

I'm not a great rider and rank in the bottom half of most groups so can't see an issue with what is a red graded trail. I do think the trail will improve as it beds in though.

You presume to know what bike I was riding.
An incorrect presumption.

If there are short cuts / escape route, then two of us missed them. If they exist, then I stand corrected, although we both missed them on our ride.

The points are still valid, the only thing that's changed is that 1/2 way along the thread you'll see that the comments have become ever more personal in nature, it’s only to be expected from some members, especially if you don’t agree with some of what’s been said or done.

I posted the original comments as I felt that some of these issues were being glossed over by other posts which centred on back-slapping and perhaps not addressing some of the concerns agreed with and expanded upon here earlier. As you say yourself, there are stumps and such like that can ruin a ride unnecessarily. There is no harm in exploring these in a public forum without the seemingly inevitable trend for personal assaults which serve no purpose.

Ignoring the flaming, signage for a road crossing doesn't strike me as a bad idea overall!

Is there a map for the new stuff yet? Just interested to see where it leaves / joins FTD.

I like trails that flow seemlessly. 🙂

Is there a map for the new stuff yet? Just interested to see where it leaves / joins FTD.

Here you go..

[url= http://www.justgoride.co.uk/Content/Routes/Viewer.aspx?id=235 ]The Monkey Trail[/url]

Click the nearby routes tab to overlay FTD.

Er, I think there are some already in place, might be for the crossing point to the Cop though.

Blinding....thats my opinion. I had a quick job in cannock in the morming today so i lobbed the bike in the car and came up from Milton Keynes, job took 45mins so off to the trails. it's my first time at Cannock so i did both follow the dog and the monkey and loved them. i was on a single speed decade frame with some small block 8 tyres on and it was dry, the grip around the trail was untold, and although i was a little concerned about being out too long (due back to work in the afternoon) i was round in about 1h.30 mins and now cant wait to go again. take it from me all the naysayers, there may be a few faults but it's miles better than anything we have in MK. Overall opinion was top notch for a free trail. Will definatly be coming back..thanks cannock.

The only sign that is needed is a big arrow pointing 'right' at the top of the big berm after the jump (sorry don't know what section of the Monkey it's on). For some reason i thought it went straight on (too busy looking at the jump/landing spot) and had to slam on the brakes (sorry i skidded :oops:)

Went up on Saturday. Amazed how much it's changed and how much work has gone in to it. The trail design it's self is great. Really fun and flowy. Ok its always going to look man made and it needs a season of weather and compacting as it's so loose in places but I am really impressed. The climbing is interesting as opposed to fire roads and the switchbacks are almost alp like. Ok much smaller but you still have to know how to ride them and not roll around mindlessly. I was still taken back by how many idiots with no helmets on £50 bikes there were walking down the trails though. Glad I went early as I imagine it would be a frustrating waste of time later on at the weekend but any way, well done the chase trail builders.

if we can't cross a road, then maybe we shouldnt be in control of a speeding bike?

Haven't ridden the trail so can't comment much, all I know is that if we build a trail here, someone will complain about some part of it being too dangerous. If we fix that part, someone will complain that we sanitised the only good bit. You can't win. But still going by the overall comments you've come pretty close 😉

i'm still waiting for the monkey impressions

i'm maybe going this weekend, my 1st trail centre!, will i die?

how wide are your bars?

Field of Dreams - "Build it - they will come"
Monkey Trail - "Build it - they will complain"

I don't know what it is about Cannock Chase, but of all the trail centres I've ridden, it's the one location where I come across riders with a profusion of Halford sourced bikes but more importantly in a wooded trail, without lids.

Which in turn leads me to believe that those who are familiar with the FtD route will naturally graduate to the Monkey Trail. It's these guys and girls that I have concerns for (such as 2x crossing the road!) more than the atypical STW rider who is most likely a more switched on, alert & experienced rider.

The Monkey Trail is a completely different proposition to FtD and that's part of the unease I feel as the transition is almost too great. There's talk (above) of riders queueing, of riders walking bikes down the trail - not ideal - so a weekday does seem the best time to ride the Chase trails.