Cannock chase - Monkey Trail

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May 22, 2012, 05:01:16 PM

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Total Voters: 287

[curly]

I know this is seems to be a secret trail for the cannock chase collective but I can't find the damn monkey anywhere.

I'm down at the chase once a month (living in the Peak Distirict) on the follow the dog which I must admit I love but fancy trying something which is the same kind of riding but on a different route i.e. the hallowed Monkey Trail.

Are there any regulars to Cannock out there that would show me the Monkey and I'll buy the tea and flapjack from Swinertons in return!!!

I'm down at the dog Saturday 30th about 10am (meta 5 VIP with a lost look on my face wondering aimlessly round the forrest) if anyone's up for it. I'll bring cash!!!!

[redtill]

Ok your on.When u plan on going up there again let me know & I'll show u the monkey & a few other secret trails.There's so much more to the chase than the dog.We commi riders gotta stick together

[curly]

Redtill - Your on!

Thanks very much for offering, really appreciate it, been looking for the Monkey trail for a while now. I'll ping you an email and let you know when I'm down next. It's likely to be Saturday 13th Sept if you can do it, if not let me know I'll sort something out. I just need to get my rear mech hanger replaced first after totaling it on Saturday..

As promised I'll have money to pay for the tea and flapjack etc.....

[redtill]

No worries. I should be free on 13th

[Chunk]

I've replied on the other thread

But I'm free for a ride and some trail sharing next weekend.

[redtill]

The more the merrier .I'll c u all on Saturday,and as the weathers gonna good I'll be there 2mora  I've got an idea of a route that takes in almost all the dog,SEA,monkey trail & some of the trails over by the other cafe.

[curly]

Great stuff redtill, looking forward to it

See you all on saturday at 10ish in the car park. I'll be in a black peugeot 307 - got an 08 meta 5 VIP with green dmr's if that helps anyone to identify me.

[Steve P]

Still not sure if I can make it but...

Can someone post the grid ref for the car park?
Never been to Cannock before.

Cheers   

[Chunk]

You on about Birches Valley car park??

Mind if my mate on his Cannondale tags along?

[redtill]

WS15 2UQ is the postcode for Swinnerton cycles at Birches Valley.Hope this helps.I've just checked the bbc weather & it says its gonna be good

[Steve P]

Aha !
Found it, thanks Redtill.
SK 018 170.

Not my arrangememts but I don't mind a Cannondale in the party.
Might look a bit odd if it's all just Commie's 

[curly]

fine by me, I might have friend with a Giant VT joining us but he's not sure at the moment

[Steve P]

Looks like I can make it after all  !

10 ish at Birchens Valley car park.
Dark Blue Megane (old) reg VAZ...
White 5.5
Orange wraparounds!

[Steve P]

Curly, Redtill & I had a great time.  I got there early so treated myself to a bacon buttie from the cafe.  Very nice but a mistake I paid for on the uphills over the next two hours.

Hung around till 10:30 waiting for Chunk (no show) and then set of on the Dog.  and then off the Dog, and back on it again. etc etc.

Dropped in one one of the cafe's so here's something you don't see every day...


Guess who had the driest arse ?

And while we were there another bloke came up and had a poke about.  He was out on his hardtail but said he had a Meta.


Curly & Redtill

To be honest most of the time I didn't have a clue where we were.  Just followed Redtill...

(yes dear, I've met this nice bloke on the Internet and he's taken me into the forest and , no, no, put the axe away, aaarrrgh... )

We covered about 23 miles and 700mts ascent, passing the SEA and visiting the Monkey on the way.  Did some great downhill tracks and lots of really really windy bits in the trees.  28" bars anyone ?  Only got lost once (well, twice) when Redtill got ahead in a bit of forest and we all started shouting.  Ended up on the last few sections of the dog to finish.

Was a really good day - nice to try somewhere new and with good company.  Cheers guys and here's to next time.

(I've got this 24 miler in the Peak that needs doing, with more than twice the ascent... )

[curly]

Redtill & Steve P

A Grand Day Out - in the words of the great wallace & gromit!

Really enjoyed it. Still smiling now thinking of the Monkey trail and looking forward to hitting those last sections again in the dry next time before that horrible bit of road, providing i can find them again!

Got to admit I need to get more miles under my belt to try and keep up with you 2 on the climbs next time. By the end my legs were going, I suppose not being back on the bike long after 6-7 years off you have to build up to it again.

Redtill - really appreciate you taking the time out to show us the trails and we'll hopefully be able to do it again some time.

Steve P - Again, really enjoyed meeting you and thanks for coming along. I'd definatly be up for a blast round the peak's but can't do anything for a couple of weeks so I'll PM you and maybe we can get another group together.

Ian & Chunk - shame you couldn't make it, chunk we waited for 30 min's so hope nothing serious happend - Ian, hope your helmet will still fits ok with that massive thumb print on your head hahhahaha........