Cannock Chase - Follow The Dog Conditions

mossmotorsport
mossmotorsport Posts: 356
edited April 2012 in Routes
Hi guys, I'm planning on coming up to Follow The Dog tomorrow lunch time - does anyone know what the conditions are like around that way? Don't mind getting a bit wet and muddy - just not caked in the stuff :wink:
Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
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Comments

  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Friday was unrideable.
    Saturday the Dog was covered in a layer of brown jelly.
    Sunday it was more-or-less regular mud but still heavily rutted and cut up, pretty much farked IMO although OK off piste.
    I didn't go yesterday but it rained last night.
    Am going tonight will update later.
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    Cheers :D
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • monster-mash
    monster-mash Posts: 586
    Have also heard that its pretty grim and qoute "Like riding through wet concrete" unquote. Trail builders are advising to stear clear for a while which is understandable given the condition of the subsoil not being the best in the first instance. :(
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    Boo - just driven up to stay the night to get on the trails a bit earlier tomorrow - maybe it will dry out a bit before tomorrow - unlikely though :cry:
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • leaflite
    leaflite Posts: 1,651
    Does anyone have an update on the condition of the monkey trail? Im looking to go there on saturday, but if its anything like the last section of FTD I dont think ill bother!
    GT Hardtail
    The Apollo Project
    Titus FTM Carbon
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    ...and here is the bikeradar trail report for the Cannock Chase area...

    Follow the Dog: toast
    New sections of Follow the Dog: extreme toast. Frequent, intense mud, seriously damaged in places.
    Monkey: n/a didn't go
    Blue trails: dry
    Off-piste: normal mud but starting to deteriorate
    Forecast for tomorrow: heavy rain
    Verdict: 2/5 avoid
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    :shock: :cry:

    sob sob - wanted to try the new beast out...
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • coolboarder
    coolboarder Posts: 149
    IMO mt and ftd are no go for quite some time. I went there weekend before last and its awfull. I only wished i had known it was so bad. I wouldnt have made the journey. If your already there try out other tracks/fire roads. This is an awesome trail which we need to limit the damage and look after. More traffic will only make things worse. Its no fun at the mo, your gonna get you and your bike plastered and your gears will jump like hell!
    http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/209 ... d0bf_o.jpg
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    I'll give it a miss for today then - not keen on causing any damage to either myself or the bike....
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    You could always go for a social on the blue trails and meet lots of other haunted-looking, over-biked riders :)

    Swinnos flapjacks are legend and their tea isn't too bad.
  • Clark3y
    Clark3y Posts: 129
    I rode the dog this afternoon and frankly I don't know why people are saying its unridable, that simply isn't true.

    Only one part is 'unridable', the second to last section before tackeroo, when you go out into the open where the trees were felled, that's like quicksand and I took the fire road, next section was fine.
    The rollers are a bit iffy, boggy and the bike was squirming real bad but that just adds to the excitement.

    The rest of it is just an ordinary wet/muddy trail, it is not 'farked', and honestly I cannot see any evidence that there would be lasting damage from riding it now.
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Went round this morning and conditions have improved dramatically. The warm weather has melted the slush that was locked into the top layer of the trails and it has drained away, taking the ruts with it and leaving behind just good ole mud.

    Last night's rain hasn't helped but in the trees it's not too shabby and in some places actually quite good in a brakes-off-and-pin-it kindof way. The Monkey is in good shape - the woodwork and rocks are sketchy and the descents from Upper and Lower Cliff are err...interesting but otherwise it's not too bad at all, just regular winter conditions.

    So pull on your MTFU undercrackers, come on over and fill yer boots!
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    Sounds good! As soon as the bike is back from the shop - I'll be doing a couple of loops. Totally off topic - I've only ever done FTW - keen to try the monkey but don't want to make a prat of myself (I've heard its quite a bit more technical) - any thoughts on how much more technical it really is?
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • Clark3y
    Clark3y Posts: 129
    it's not much more technical at all tbh, there's nothing that's any more difficult than the tackeroo section.
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    I can't remember which section is the taceroo bit lol :oops: I'll have a look online.

    I think part of the problem is because I'm pretty big (18st) I don't want to damage my new bike you see - by doing anything beyond my ability.
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • Clark3y
    Clark3y Posts: 129
    The section after you cross the road and before you get back to the visitor centre, starts off with all the big berms and finishes with the rollers.
  • leaflite
    leaflite Posts: 1,651
    Whats the lower cliff descent like? Was thinking of going down it a few times at the weekend for a setup ride.

    Thanks
    GT Hardtail
    The Apollo Project
    Titus FTM Carbon
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Lower Cliff was wet, muddy and cut-up but stable, you know? That slick, pasty mush had nearly gone and it was fairly predictable.

    Moss: the Monkey is no more technical than the dog, but the technicalities are more sustained and so it is physically more demanding. I'd wait until it dries up a bit but give it a go, it is seriously good fun.
  • djvagabon
    djvagabon Posts: 262
    I did the monkey and follow the dog last week and today. I wouldn't recommend it at the moment. You will have more grip in sand. It clogged my rear durraliure up and the front 1 wouldn't change down properly. It was rutted up pretty bad and the burms are in a bad way. I think I'll leave it for a few weeks to dry out before attempting it again.
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    Cheers for the updates people - I'm staying clear until it dries out a bit I think. Shame really :cry:
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    I thought it was OK :)
  • Clark3y
    Clark3y Posts: 129
    i'll be going up again today after I fit my new bars, will report back.
  • Clark3y
    Clark3y Posts: 129
    the poor parts are poorer now, and the good parts are better

    711mm bars kick ass btw.
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    :(
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • Clark3y
    Clark3y Posts: 129
    You're in stafford? Just get out and ride, unless you're afraid of a little mud?
  • mossmotorsport
    mossmotorsport Posts: 356
    Not afraid of mud - went to uni there but don't know anywhere else to ride. I do keep reading about singletrack, fire roads and off piste stuff at Cannock but no idea where it is :-(
    Specialized FSR XC Expert 2010
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    The lads on http://www.bikeadventuresuk.com/forum/ do regular fast/social rides they will be happy to show you round.

    Alternatively wait til it snows and follow the tyre tracks :wink:
  • DXG82
    DXG82 Posts: 35
    I'm meant to be going to Cannock at the weekend - any updates on the Dog or the Monkey? Is it worth going or just a mud bog? Thanks!

    Also - any opinions on how suitable the trails are for a beginner who wants to come along with us?
  • Clark3y
    Clark3y Posts: 129
    Depends whether you're scared of a little mud or not I suppose.

    Also depends how much of a beginner they are. There are some big berms (full of water fwiw), some drops that might tip them off, a few rock gardens on the Monkey.
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Did a few bits of the Dog on Monday night it wasn't horrendous but there was a liberal coating of Cannock's special blend of draggy, pasty clag on the trails.

    No miracles expected in the short term but this week's dry cold weather should help. Will go again Fri and report back.

    Cannock is not especially hardcore but of course the suitability all depends on the beginner. The red trails are not designed to catch you out and everything is rollable but I think a bit of skill/fitness makes it much more enjoyable, esp on the Monkey. I have been round with a few beginners and although it nearly killed them they have all been back for more :twisted:

    Blue trails are great for a social

    Green trails take a packed lunch and a flask of tea :)

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