Cannock Chase - Paths/Routes suitable for bike + trailer ????

kinioo

Afternoon All,

(I posted it on the 'Family & kids section but didn't get many replies there....)

We are heading to Cannock Chase end of May and looking for any routes suitable for bike with a trailer (single).

Ideally something a'la canal paths etc. - with no gates/steps and wide enough to accommodate bike trailer but can also be gravel paths, forest etc.

Any recommendations for routes / where to look for ?

We will be saying at either:

Stafford / Cannock or Rugeley, however we will have car so can travel to car park/starting point.

Many thanks,

Chris

essexian

Perhaps I shouldn't say this here but I don't really do MTB riding.... but have been on this ride with children/non cyclists.

Start at Milford Common (a charging car park) and head northish along Holdford Road to the canal. Right along the canal to the junction (shops here) and right again. Follow this to Meadow Road where you come off the canal towpath and right again (left takes to you several pubs if you like that type of things). Cross the A513 and down the car park access road to the Seven Springs car park.

From here, follow the signs to my favourite part of the Chase: Sherbrook Valley where another right is taken. There are two paths, one each side of the brook: the one on the far side is better as it is wider and better surfaced (apart from a couple of places). Follow this to the lovely Stepping Stones. From here, follow the signs back to Milford Common. There is a pub and a Wimpy at Milford Common.

Not sure how long this route is but there is nothing too hard (a slope coming out of the valley but that's about it). I would think three or four hours if you take your time and enjoy the ride rather than simply wanting to get around quickly.

thistle_

I've parked at Milford Common (+1 for the Wimpy) and cycled down to Birches Valley (for the red trails) picking up the blue route for most of the way. The blue route seemed fine for trailers but the way I went from Milford involved some steep/narrow sections of path - there is probably a better route for a trailer.

The only issue is that there were barriers on the paths near Birches Valley/Penkridge Bank - no problem for a bike but not sure about a bike with trailer:
https://goo.gl/maps/HcSQGvrMm6MTyVJg7
https://goo.gl/maps/J5Mh7f7g619K5d7a6
https://goo.gl/maps/KEEGy3GgVfqF6rLU7

However you don't have to go to Birches Valley/Marquis Drive - you can just do a loop from Milford following the blue route and taking the cut through on the map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?qu ... 8&layers=C (Milford is at Mammoth)

kinioo

essexian wrote:

Perhaps I shouldn't say this here but I don't really do MTB riding.... but have been on this ride with children/non cyclists.

Start at Milford Common (a charging car park) and head northish along Holdford Road to the canal. Right along the canal to the junction (shops here) and right again. Follow this to Meadow Road where you come off the canal towpath and right again (left takes to you several pubs if you like that type of things). Cross the A513 and down the car park access road to the Seven Springs car park.

From here, follow the signs to my favourite part of the Chase: Sherbrook Valley where another right is taken. There are two paths, one each side of the brook: the one on the far side is better as it is wider and better surfaced (apart from a couple of places). Follow this to the lovely Stepping Stones. From here, follow the signs back to Milford Common. There is a pub and a Wimpy at Milford Common.

Not sure how long this route is but there is nothing too hard (a slope coming out of the valley but that's about it). I would think three or four hours if you take your time and enjoy the ride rather than simply wanting to get around quickly.

Thanks Essexian,

Is is something like this:

www.plotaroute.com/route/837264

According to this is circa 13km.
Not quite sure where to go (what route on the map) where you say 'follow signs for Sherbrook Valley.
Also 'the far side route' next to the brook heading north - do you mean the one I highlighted ??

THanks again,

kinioo

thistle (MBNW) wrote:

I've parked at Milford Common (+1 for the Wimpy) and cycled down to Birches Valley (for the red trails) picking up the blue route for most of the way. The blue route seemed fine for trailers but the way I went from Milford involved some steep/narrow sections of path - there is probably a better route for a trailer.

The only issue is that there were barriers on the paths near Birches Valley/Penkridge Bank - no problem for a bike but not sure about a bike with trailer:
https://goo.gl/maps/HcSQGvrMm6MTyVJg7
https://goo.gl/maps/J5Mh7f7g619K5d7a6
https://goo.gl/maps/KEEGy3GgVfqF6rLU7

However you don't have to go to Birches Valley/Marquis Drive - you can just do a loop from Milford following the blue route and taking the cut through on the map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?qu ... 8&layers=C (Milford is at Mammoth)

Thanks thistle - I look into this and will try to draft some routes. Actually we will be staying in Rugeley, so maybe will do a loop starting from there?

Chris

thistle_

kinioo wrote:

Thanks thistle - I look into this and will try to draft some routes. Actually we will be staying in Rugeley, so maybe will do a loop starting from there?

Openstreetmap shows a route from Rugeley to Birches Valley (blue dashed line) which joins up with the Sherbrook Valley trail, but I've no idea what it's like - it could be singletrack.

The blue route from Birches Valley to Run and Ride is mostly fire road as I recall, and is probably OK for a trailer if you want a simple out and back route although I don't think it's as well signposted. The cafe on the business park is OK but I think it shuts mid afternoon.

essexian

Yep, that the route I was thinking of. You could if you liked go further towards the Butts and pick up the Valley thereabouts if you wanted to extend the ride a little.

The route is either a fire road or a 2m to 3m wide path if you take the side on your map. The other side is single track and not really suitable for your set up, although I will confess I have never tried it towing anything.

If you wanted a metalled route, you could start off from the Marquis Drive from the centre and head east along the drive towards the A460. DO NOT CYCLE on the A460 as its a nightmare road even for a roadie like me....sorry.... you could cross if you get that far and take the trail the other side of the road which climbs nicely to Seven Springs and then double back. All on decent wide paths with no barriers.

Or, take Marquis drive for a couple of hundred meters and then turn left towards the Fairoak Ponds. They are quite pretty and you can do a circle around them. The paths here about aren't great but then I haven't been this way for a few years so who knows.

Hope this helps.

essexian

thistle (MBNW) wrote:

kinioo wrote:

The blue route from Birches Valley to Run and Ride is mostly fire road as I recall, and is probably OK for a trailer if you want a simple out and back route although I don't think it's as well signposted. The cafe on the business park is OK but I think it shuts mid afternoon.

I think you are right but I wonder whether I would want to try to get an MTB and trailer up the hill to the business park? Hendensford Centre is a few hundred meters away so that may be better?

kinioo

Thank You guys - I have few options plotted now !

Cheers,

Chris