Follow the Dog Advice for Beginner
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.blitz wrote:
The fireroad is the official route. There are no alternatives *cough*ElliesDad wrote:When I emerged from the woods there was a guy slogging up the fire road, he seemed to think the fire road was the route
It might not be official but judging by the tyre marks it is certainly well used!2012 Boardman FS Team
2014 Giant Defy 20 -
I tried that other route next to the fireroad once-despite the weather being dry for quite a while beforehand, it was still very muddy. It clearly hasn't been surfaced but is prehaps a planned addition to the trail at some point? Anyway, its probably best sticking to the main trail as you will get covered in mud and will damage the trail.0
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I ended up pushing that bit anyway. My (poor) fitness level meant the thick mud combined with the gradient was just a bit too much for me!2012 Boardman FS Team
2014 Giant Defy 20 -
now go back up and do it again.. you'll be suprised how much easier your second time will be as you have referance points to how far from home you are etc etc?? first lap plays with your mind coz its always going how much further!!!! then when you've cracked that find the railway crossing on RUGELY road and go straight up onto monkey!! some more challenging stuff up there then when you can do that without too much trouble go for the full loop.. i started riding in dec last year with circa 31/2 hour full loops and i'm now down to sub 2hrs!!! you'll be amazed how quick you come on..0
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i can confirm this too. i hadnt been on abike for 20 years until the end of last year. started off on the roads to get my fitness and lung capacity up. went offroad to cannock for the first time ever a few weeks ago and loved it. we did the full loop dog and monkey. was knackered at the end but was worth it. been back twice since and have also been to llandegla. it is amazing howquick you come on once the confidence is up. we did degla in around 2hr 20 onthe first time round then went straight back out to do it again.we were on for a cracking time but my mate got a puncture just before the reservoir and didnt have a tube! reckon we would be around the 1hr 45 min mark which id have been well chuffed with. ps there are some really nice blokes around these trails, three different groups stopped to see if we were ok and offered a tube. trouble ishe was on his 29er! pps i wimped out of the werewolf first time too, but cracked it on the second visit. just keep going andonce the fitness improves the fun will increase!0
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I did follow the dog yesterday, never done a mountain bike trail before. It was brilliant, definite gonna get a mtb now!
I stopped at a couple of the big drops and had to turn around and get a run in to them again, and when you've done it it really is like oh that was easy! Except for the werewolf drop, where I did it very poorly and nearly hit the tree at the bottom
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ill be doing it Wednesday if anyone wants to tag along. unfit, superfit skilled or not all welcome. would happily spend some time on the bits your unsure of with you if you want like wolf.0
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Wednesday evening?0
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Cant as im on duty at 7 so will be midday0
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Might have a crack at it again on Thursday morning if I can get the time off work. Can't do Wednesday due to a full diary of meetings etc.2012 Boardman FS Team
2014 Giant Defy 20 -
Had a crack at the Dog again this morning and had my first wipe out, a spectacular face plant! Came away bruised, battered and bleeding with a mouth full of dirt and rocks to boot. But thats what its all about ins't it? To be honest I wasn't going that fast, just lost control after getting a bit too complacement about 3/4 of the way round, they were some small drops formed by logs and I got the line all wrong because the logs were diagonally across the trail. Took the first one fine, then the second, then the front wheel slipped on the third putting me off balance and losing control!
Really enjoyed it though, went round in about an hour and a half (including 10 to 15 mins putting myself back together and checking the bike after the spill!) which is half an hour faster than the first time. Probably due to more confidence and dropping the tyres to 35psi which made a big difference.
Still wimped out of the Werewolf drop though!2012 Boardman FS Team
2014 Giant Defy 20 -
Taking half an hour out of the lap time is good going!
On the next visit, try taking out a few more psi from the front tyre for even more grip - you'll find your confidence level rise again!
In time Werewolf will become just another roll-in rather than "that drop", the trick is not to focus on the slope but look to the exit point.
Use the rear brake to control your speed - let the bike roll the "slope" and turn at the bottom for the exit.
Keep with it, sounds like you're doing fine! The most important thing is that you're enjoying it
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sounds like your progressing nicely!
Shame about your wipe out.. Keep your weight more towards the back next time when going over the logs..
Keep your body low and keep practicing!
Always remember.... Wherever you go, there you are.
Ghost AMR 7500 2012
De Rosa R8380 -
I've not ridden FTD since any new bits were added when Monkey Trail opened. I've heard this werewolf drop mentioned a few times but when I google it I just get this. Is this right? If so I presume it's just one of those wierd things that looks like nothing when it's photographed but has a super tricky run in or something? Just doesn't even look like a drop from this.
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Majski wrote:I've not ridden FTD since any new bits were added when Monkey Trail opened. I've heard this werewolf drop mentioned a few times but when I google it I just get this. Is this right? If so I presume it's just one of those wierd things that looks like nothing when it's photographed but has a super tricky run in or something? Just doesn't even look like a drop from this.
no thats the "drop"
The drop it'sself is incredibly easy, it's the approach that makes it difficult.
A tight 90 degree turn inbetween 2 trees and another 90 degree turn at the bottom...
as most things.. it looks worse then it is in person.. as from the bottom it looks like nothing... but there is a bit of a lip at the top which could also put some beginners off..Always remember.... Wherever you go, there you are.
Ghost AMR 7500 2012
De Rosa R8380 -
Looking at it I'm not sure my bars would fit through those trees ha ha0
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It's not so much the approach but as Rushmore says there is a lip at the top and the rocks look a bit uneven, it's also quite near the end. So for me as a beginner all this is a bit daunting as I'm still working on my fitness and pretty much knackered when get to it. From the bottom it looks nothing and watching others come over it I do wonder why I find it so daunting!2012 Boardman FS Team
2014 Giant Defy 20 -
These things come in time. There's plenty of obstacles that I 'should' be able to do that I still don't!0
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Just got back from a night ride at Cannock it sure does get loose there after some hot weather. Forgot just how much the surface breaks up there..
Is the bloke who was stood by the side of the road bleeding, waiting for his mate on here? I Did stop to see if he was ok. if your reading this i was in the silver Astra hope your not to sore in the morning mate
All in all was a good night forgot just how much i love riding there, best time to go is during the day or after dark i think as it gets so busy during the evening.0 -
Just be brave. always remember that when your on ftd you aint far away from anything and its usually busy so someone will help if u need it. take your time and enjoy it, theres alot older and unfitter people than u, u might themElliesDad wrote:I've got into cycling again at the age of 43 and recently bought a Boardman Comp HT. Primarily I got the bike to get fit and get out on some rides with the family. However, I am getting bitten by the bug and want to start hitting off road trails. I have done the blue route up at Cannock Chase and quite fancy having a go at Follow the Dog.
Reading previous posts on this forum I get the impression that there shouldnt be anything on FTD that I shouldnt be able to handle (and walk if necessary!) but being 43, unfit and overweight I am still a bit nervous about trying it.
I havent done any off road trails (other than the Cannock blue) before so would it be advisable for me to have a go at the Dog. Also, being a complete novice I am nervous about holding up faster riders. I was possibly planning on going on Monday morning, would it be reasonably quiet then?falling off only helps0 -
I would say just go for it mate, I'm 37 and got the bug to MTB over the Chase and I love it. I started on April 16 this year after having a back operation last year and went straight on to the Dog. I must admit it wasn't like anything I was expecting but I took my time and like others have mentioned, just let the more experienced riders by when I heard them coming. My advice would be to take your time get used to the bike and more importantly what gear you are in and enjoy. The more times you go round the more fantastic it gets as you pick the speed up and before you know it you will be flying. Take plenty of drinks with you in this weather and stop to hydrate often it really helps. If you can get friends or find people on here to tag along with it makes it much more enjoyable. I did the Monkey on Thursday for the first time with 4 mates and loved it. Go and enjoy mate, age shouldn't bother you just take your time.0
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Just keep on having a go at it and when you you crack it you'll wonder what all the fuss was about and you'll probably find yourself wanting to do it again and again for the fun of it . You must treat others with respect in order to be respected ..
09 5.2 Rockrider budget rescue . viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13033836&p=19671152#p196706040 -
I'm planning on doing FTD this Wednesday morining, it'll be my 1st time there and only my second trail centre.
Anyone fancy meeting me there and riding round with me...please? Cheers Nathan.0 -
Thursday morning if you can make it Appy?Cheers Nathan.0
