Any good trails in the Midlands

bamba
bamba Posts: 856
edited October 2009 in Routes
Hello all, still relativley new to the world of mtb.and got my own half decent bike in may and been riding the follow the dog route at cannock as often as i can,can any one recomend any other good places that are not toofar away ?
traveling from derby.
Confidence an skills steadily improving, loving the faster flowing down hill bits,fittness still lagging a bit, but working on it.
my bike is a Gt agressor xc1
thanks
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Comments

  • nonnac85
    nonnac85 Posts: 1,608
    Link to map of UK trail centres etc in my signature.
    My Website - Trail Centre info for the UK: MTB Trail Time
  • Barracuda Bob
    Barracuda Bob Posts: 168
    As you have mentioned about the follow the dog at Cannock, there's a Downhill track on the other side of follow the dog. It is based at Stile Cop, all you have to do is cross over the road and to the special event area that's where it is. You may come across other riders there and point you in the right direction. Hope this helps.
  • bamba
    bamba Posts: 856
    yes been to stile cop downhill a few times,looking at the map seam cannock is about it for the midlands apart from warncliffe up at shefeild
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  • krazykayaker
    krazykayaker Posts: 109
    what about sherwood pines?
    On One Inbred 456
    On One Inbred SS
  • bamba
    bamba Posts: 856
    think i read some where that sherwood pines was rubbish, might have been on chase trails forrum. is there any proper trails or is all flat fire roads ?
    ive read up on a few bits that are self made, shining cliff woods nr belper,derby being one of them but bit unsure of such places at this stage
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  • abductee
    abductee Posts: 189
    I enjoy Cannock a lot. There is an invite to a guided ride from postierich on the single track forum tomorrow if you don't mind helping with the trail building.

    Have a look at my website. Sherwood is far from rubbish. Longer but not as hilly as Cannock. Lots of natural trails if you explore. The locals are friendly and will show you round the off-piste if you ask them nicely.

    If you live in Derbyshire however why aren't you off to the peak district for some rocky fun?
  • OH NO Dan
    OH NO Dan Posts: 186
    Hi mate im from Derby like yourself. I was riding trail centres and local stuff for 4 or so months before i went to the peak district and regret not going sooner! Awesome riding around hope, edale, ladybower, mam tor. Only 1 hour in the car same as cannock so give it a go. Very good routes here http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/routes/index.htm

    I live 5 miles from shining cliff so thats my local. Theres great trails in there, plus downhill tracks that people have made. Also just across the road from shining cliff is crich chase which has lots of trails to explore.
  • bamba
    bamba Posts: 856
    thanks for all the replies, im at work til tuesday, so going no where soon, will prob give cannock one more go before venturing else where, i was just a bit unsure of going other places with out sign posts ,shops an stuff, prob just got into bit of comfort zone at cannock,
    will look at going towards the peaks in the near future.
    milages are bit higher than what im used to mind, i can just about do 2 laps of ftg on a good day
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  • bamba
    bamba Posts: 856
    the area at shining cliff, is there much to ride there ? can i make an afternoon of it and where abouts do you park ?
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  • OH NO Dan
    OH NO Dan Posts: 186
    bamba wrote:
    the area at shining cliff, is there much to ride there ? can i make an afternoon of it and where abouts do you park ?

    There is quite alot to ride there mate, just takes abit of exploring. Theres some downhill tracks that folk have made which are pretty decent. You can spend an afternoon in there easily.

    When you get to the hurt arms pub, go a little further up the road, then cross the bridge which is quite narrow (Holly Lane), you can park in a layby just up there.

    http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ambergate&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=13.835858,28.256836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ambergate,+Belper,+Derbyshire,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.059929,-1.481416&spn=0.00686,0.013797&t=h&z=16
  • Barrythebike
    Barrythebike Posts: 58
    Head up into the Peak District. Some of the best riding in the Midlands there. Don't discount Sherwood Pines for an afternoon, there are easy fire road type trails AND a technical forest route or two with jumps & other challenges.. :wink:
    BAZZ
  • borntobemild
    borntobemild Posts: 73
    There's some good rides starting from Ladybower reservoir

    http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index/vi ... erwent.htm
  • macs
    macs Posts: 209
    why not get out the local OS map and highlight all the briddleways you can see then go ride them all note down the best ones and then link them all up best you can and hey presto you have a decent route right from your door.

    Agree with plenty of others about heading to the Peaks and Sherwood Pines. the new kitchner trail at the pines is good fun and if you can get a local to show you around then you will learn plenty more trails.
  • bamba
    bamba Posts: 856
    not brought a local os map yet as could not find one with the right kind of detail on, there is a few bits off road to ride local , oakwood/breadsall/drum hill if any one knows the area , but struggling to string a good route together thats not to much road, i did 13 miles the other week trying to search out bridal paths etc with out much luck, hopping to head to the peaks over the next few weeks, can any one recomend a route for some one who is not quiet a beginer,that is not to long , id say about 2 hours max as some of the shorter ones ive looked at are described as hard
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