Cannock Chase - Follow The Dog Conditions

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Comments

  • djvagabon
    djvagabon Posts: 262
    It's not bad at the moment. The berms are pretty bad because of the bad weather but apart from that it's fine. I did it on Sunday and it was a lot better then it was 3 weeks ago. The rollers need some work but I doubt that will get done until the summer. I'll be up there again on Saturday. I'll let you know what it's like then.
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,291
    Update:- Rode FTD yesterday (6-2-2011) and its pretty dry!

    There are one or two sections which are holding water/mud as they seem to have drainage issues compared to the rest of the trail but nothing serious.

    I was more concerned about the number of hits my helmet was taking from falling fir cones in the wind.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • joec1
    joec1 Posts: 494
    rode this for the first time on sunday with the guys at Settingascene.com and had a great time. there were around 15 of us riding the trail (meeting up at the firetracks for a chat between sections and riding off in small groups so as not to slow down or congest the trails)

    i agree with the breaking bumps, some of them were pretty bad. although most were still rideable with speed as origionally designed.

    fav section was the steep descent with the 180degree hairpin bends, drop offs and rollers. nice and twisty, and pretty quick if the right lines are taken.

    pretty much all of the group loved it (even though it was a little moist and slushy towards the end of the descent causing a few bad landings haha)

    Certainly worth the ride :)
    www.settingascene.com - MTBing in Wilts and the southwest, join up for info and ride details.
  • Almightydutch
    Almightydutch Posts: 264
    djvagabon wrote:
    It's not bad at the moment. The berms are pretty bad because of the bad weather but apart from that it's fine. I did it on Sunday and it was a lot better then it was 3 weeks ago. The rollers need some work but I doubt that will get done until the summer. I'll be up there again on Saturday. I'll let you know what it's like then.

    The berms are bad because people brake into and around them. Bad weather doesnt cause 6" deep braking bumps.

    As for being fine....i take it you havent rode this trail in the summer.

    I'll be back up on Sunday to see how much has changed since errrr last sunday.haha
    4 wheels bad
    2 wheels good
    1 wheel for fun
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    The official trails were just a 20cm strip of brown/grey/black diarrohea today. Awful
  • Clark3y
    Clark3y Posts: 129
    was ok today, ultra slippery in (lots of) places, I like it like that though so it's fine.
  • shx8000
    shx8000 Posts: 222
    Just got back. It's. Rideable, but really muddy. Mud/sand is like cutting past and gets in to everything. Loads of people up there today as well, including about 100 riders from retroriders or summin, including someone with atag a long fitted. Was frustrating getting caught behind them, as they all hit the trail en mass. Thankfully though they had frequent stops to re-group, givingeveryone else the chance to pass.

    Was nice seeing some of the old bikes back on the trails, including riders in retro wear.

    Might look into a trek y bike for the summer :) Will have to give the Lycra a miss though.
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    I was a part of the www.Retrobike.co.uk group, there were about 40 of us, there were 3 main groups of Retrobikers but quite often we did form a 40 strong train of riders :D

    The event was round 1 of the Retrobike National Event Series, the last event was at Theford, the next at the Forest Of Dean

    Would it have made any difference if there were 40 riders on modern bikes holding you up :twisted: :wink:

    Apologies if we held anyone up. If you wanted to pass you should have said so, we would have pulled over for you

    The Monkey is fun, but with a 2" layer of slop on top of the hardpack & the braking bumps are the worst I've ever seen on a trail, seriously bad stuff. Mind you it added to the fun trying to hang onto your bike whilst drifting both wheels and bouncing off the braking bumps at the same time :lol:

    I was on a purple (or brown by the end of the ride) KHS Montana Pro with silver front sus forks, giggling like a loony, or swearing like a trooper, you'd have known if you saw me :lol:
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  • shx8000
    shx8000 Posts: 222
    No offence meant. Fraustrated was wrong word to use really. After all, the trails are there for everyone. I caught you all at the very beginning of the dog, when everyone set off together. I waited a bit before setting off. Some seriously cool bikes, and quite fancy rigid now myself. An evening spent on the retrobikes website makes me think rigid is gonna be more challenging than an old trek y. Not to mention cheaper and less to go wrong (in theory).

    Was there really only 40 odd riders? Seemed to be loads.

    I don't really ask people to move out of my way, I tend to just wait paitently a few bike lengths behind. Is that wrong???
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    No offence taken, I was just trying to wind you up ;)

    Yup, around 40 riders with Retrobike, we were quite tightly bunched up at the beginning of FTD but we did thin out as we got round to the Monkey split off from FTD

    No it's not wrong to wait and give other riders room, nor is it wrong to ask if you can pass, so long as it's in safe place to do so

    I've asked the ride organisers to remind riders to keep the trails as clear as possible when we stop at the end of the section as it's easy to forget other riders use the trails when you're looking out for other riders from your group to make sure you've not left anyone behind

    Here's a link to the aftermath thread from the ride: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... highlight=

    Go on get yourself a Retrobike, they're great fun, you can build a 24lb bike with suspension forks (that sort of work..) for £400, you can ride pretty much anything on a Retrobike that you can on a modern full susser.
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  • shx8000
    shx8000 Posts: 222
    I've read the thread, thanks. Was no issue when you all stopped, was a clear way through.

    I've gotta sell the cannondale, but will be looking for a rigid. Can't wait to start passing guys on £3k+ bikes on a 20 year old rigid lol. I know how gutted they'll be as some of your lads almost caught up with me on big climb.

    I may be able to get my old bike back, just trying to track it down.

    1996 trek 8000 with 3 spoke spin rear wheel, mavic 217 sunset front wheel and magura 10th anniversay brakes. Braided hoses and carbon brake booster. Was awsome.
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Have to say that my '96 Proflex is absolutely sh*te around the Monkey. I would never sell it but compared to a modern trail bike it is a relic and is totally unsuitable for modern purpose-built trails.

    Yes I pass loads of people going up the fireroad climbs but really, it's best kept for social rides on less demanding trails and as a reminder of just how far we've come.
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    Thing with the Proflex is well it's a bit, er well... flexy, not exactly confidence inspiring on the more technical stuff, for pure XC stuff I bet it's a blast though!
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • rybu
    rybu Posts: 84
    Has anyone been today? What are the conditions like?

    I am planning to go wed 16th feb or thurs 16th

    Thanks


    Ryan
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Haven't been since Sat when there was a lot of mud about but it was the right kind of mud IYKWIM.

    It rained all day Sunday, yesterday afternoon and it's been raining on-and-off all day today.

    Leave the bike at home, bring a boat :)
  • rybu
    rybu Posts: 84
    It sounds like thursday is going to be best.

    Its a shame its my nearest trail centre at 1hour .20 mins drive

    i'll check tomorrow for any new posts, alternatively get the os map out and explore local area (which is flat and featureless)!

    thanks

    ryan
  • shx8000
    shx8000 Posts: 222
    Give the forestry commision at birches valley a call and and ask, or even swinnertons cycles. Just make sure to phone the shop at birches valley, not the Stoke branch ;)
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Went round the dog/monkey today expecting a mud-fest but pleasantly surprised to find just loads of splashy puddles and not much in the way of actual clag. Middle monkey dry in places, Upper/lower cliff very grippy and in good shape, last bit of the dog across the top was pants but Tacks blast very good the berms and rollers were almost buff.
  • Alex
    Alex Posts: 2,086
    The dog can cope with the rain no problem, as the drainage is really good. At worst, you'll get a wet arse if it rained within the past 24 hours.

    What's killed the surface recently is the frosts. Hopefully we've seen the back of them now and it'll start to improve.
    Chasetrails Trailbuilding Blog
  • rybu
    rybu Posts: 84
    Any update on the conditions, i couldnt get to cannock last week for a ride but will be going tomorrow and Sunday

    Hopefully its (getting) better?

    Thanks Ryan
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Been round the Dog/Monkey this morning and it's not too bad but not too good either. Quite a bit of Cannock's draggy pasty clag in places, a few puddles and some dry-ish stretches. Upper/Lower Cliff mad as ever, S11 (next to Marquis Drive) closed for repairs, Tacks Blast very good, berms and rollers just gagging to be railed.

    Rain is forecast overnight so it'll probably be completely different tomorrow.
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    .blitz, if section 11 is closed, does this include Evil root (er, slab) is affected???

    You're right about the rollers though, Tuesday night was the first time for a while that you could take 'em flat out!
    Craig Rogers
  • rybu
    rybu Posts: 84
    Well i got there today, as .blitz. Going on Sunday so looking at forecast I think it will be different ride again.

    Ryan
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    x-isle wrote:
    .blitz, if section 11 is closed, does this include Evil root (er, slab) is affected???
    Satan's Slab is unaffected :)

    Absolutely p*ssing down at the mo, just waiting for it to stop/ease off :(
  • Wallace1492
    Wallace1492 Posts: 3,707
    Did the Chase on Thursday, most of the FTD and Monkey, really enjoyed it, though was quite a bit of water and quite rutty in places. Looks like it get a fair bit of traffic and could do with some repairs. But on the whole very enjoyable and a very pleasant circuit. Not as well looked after as GT, but as it must be accessable for loads of bikers.

    Did Hopewas woods on Saturday afternoon and they were great for a quiet ride. Quite a lot of single track and virtually no-one riding the trails, some nice descents, and cross country woods. Not a huge area, but well worth a visit.
    "Encyclopaedia is a fetish for very small bicycles"
  • shx8000
    shx8000 Posts: 222
    Most of FTG was muddy yesterday, and the berms after tackeroo were like lakes. Did that last part today though, and it's dried out a lot. Think it may be that someone has been up there with a bucket. really enjoyed it today, but it's still slippy, as i found out on the rollers. All good fun though :)

    As for needing some trail repairs. There is a work day planned for next sunday, and i believe all are invited along to lend a hand. Check out the chase trails website for more info.
  • Clark3y
    Clark3y Posts: 129
    Rode the Monkey yesterday (Sunday), looked like it had rained a lot overnight. Good enough ride but I can't wait for it to warm up and dry out, just so I can do a lap without the drivetrain turning into a horrible mess.
  • Clark3y
    Clark3y Posts: 129
    Maybe nobody cares any more, but I rode it today and it has dried out nicely, nice and fast. Best ride up there in months.
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Was quite good yesterday afternoon.

    Descending Lower Cliff, the sun was shining, the trail was dry - dusty even - and the cold wind had eased off. Just for a few minutes, I could feel the warmth of the sun on my face and legs.

    Just for a few minutes, it was Spring.
  • dr crash
    dr crash Posts: 53
    really really dry surprisingly, the only boggy bit is small part of upper cliff in the woods. Most of the puddles seem to have gone but one or 2 lakes at the bottom of berms!

    Overall you know its getting better when you don't have to hose down the bike after! :D

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