Monkey Trail, Cannock Chase

Distance:     29.95km

Climb:         806m (not all in one go)

Time:          1.5-3 hours

Difficulty:     Red / Black options

Rating:        3/5

"Fast rolling, predominantly singletrack trails with plenty of technical interest on the ups and downs"

Cannock Chase in Staffordshire is a very well placed venue to pick up a large volume of people.  As such the trails can get rather busy and there are other activities on site so the car park can, at times, resemble sardines in a tin. Don't be put off, however as trail congestion is not a big problem here. To ensure you have the trails predominantly to yourself, however, I would recommend a weekday visit.

Aside from the trail itself there are a good mix of facilities here. There's a bike shop, a cafe selling hot and cold foods a picnic area and a decent toilet block. An external water supply for filling those bladders and I believe a bike wash, although I've never used it. There is a decent sized car park plus a whole load of other ways to explore the forest (such as Go-Ape!). But the trails, they're pretty good too. There is also a downhill venue a mile down the road. The runs are short but fun.

The main trail at Cannock The 'Monkey Trail' is an extension to the already popular 'Follow The Dog' route, both of which are classified Red. 'Monkey' splits off seamlessly, missing only a very minor section of 'The Dog' before rejoining less then 500 yards up the trail.  Together the two trails offer a good mix of character from fast singletrack and technical riding to more open (fire road) sections. This also provides a balance to the pace too, allowing riders to place more effort where it counts. There are also a number of Black graded optional extensions along the route, which offer welcome technical aspects.

The trail flows reasonably well and it certainly makes the most of the limited elevation through its numerous climbs/descents. The cobbled trail surface is set in hard packed but sandy earth. It does offer reasonable amounts of grip in the dry and it tends to run fast in the wet. However, I have noticed over the last few years how quickly it appears to break up. There are a number of places where the surface has broken away under braking, causing quite severe breaking bumps, especially in to the large berms on the downhill sections.

There does appear to be quite a good maintenance programme and there seems to be a constant effort to improve the trails, with new bits being added almost constantly. Although I admire their effort in this respect, I do wonder whether more resources would be better placed at keeping the existing trail in better shape or developing the construction in these high wear zones. Unfortunately, I think the real problem is beyond mere maintenance.

There is one underlying issue that niggles me as it spoils what would otherwise be a fantastic trail.  The switch backs!  They work well as a climbing tool by reducing the gradient and they are used extensively at Cannock. I would vehemently argue, however, that their use on the downhill sections is somewhat questionable.

The trail utilises switch backs to offer longer descents.  This in itself isn't so bad but the size and construction of them is more concerning. In their current state they offer little support, they are far too acute and unfortunately suffer heavy erosion making them incredibly loose. This spoils the flow of an otherwise very good trail and given the predominant bike used here I would suggest they need to be much more robust to maintain flow and retain speed.

Cannock is actually one of my favourite trail centres. I've ridden the trails a number of times, and as a result I've become more aware of which bits do and don't flow. It's not going to stop me coming, In fact I may well be there again this weekend.

GoogleMaps link - Cannock Chase 

Winchcombe mtb

Distance:     20.66km

Height:        556m

Time:          1.5-2 hours

Difficulty:   Red

Rating:        3/5

Great route for the local boys. Not sure if all of it is strictly bridleways so you pedal through at your own risk. It does follow designated pathways so any sections that are not bridleways you can get off and 'push'.

The biggest downside to this ride is having to finish with a 1-mile ride back in to Winchcombe on a busy main road. Other than that, however, it is fun, encompassing the very edge of the Cotswold hills escarpment. This means plenty of steep hills to climb and descend and wonderful scenery. There are singletrack sections through pine woodland, open sections with good views and fast descents also.

The route starts with a leisurely climb out of Winchcombe along the aptly named Castle street, which passes by Sudeley Castle. Things get very steep very quickly, however. The granny ring will certainly be required here.

The next section unfortunately passes through some privately owned woodland, which will restrict access. Owners I happen to know, however, for the people who don't you can link up the route via a right hand turn further down the hill (next to the farm) and some bridleway. This will bring you to the top of the climb where you will emerge from a firetrack on to the same road used to climb out of Winchcombe, but at the top of the hill.

The bridleway passes straight over the road and continues as singletrack for a quarter kilometer to another road. Bear left, and enter Farmcote estate following the sign post. Please note that you are entering a working wood with logging vehicles and other estate related activities occurring, it is advisable that you stick to the designated, and signposted ways through the wood.

The route meanders through these woods for some time before heading out towards Farmcote itself.  There is a couple of short but tough climbs, each followed by short and technical descents before things speed up with a very fast descent down through Hailes woods to Hailes Abbey. You can stop here for refreshments from either the shop or cafe/restaurant, including pick your own strawberries if the time is right.

The route changes from loamy mud to a water eroded stone based trail and back quite regularly and without warning. All round tyres are best suited for the route and it is just as much fun on a hardtail or a full-sus bike.

The trail isn't necessary that technically challenging and it won't provide the roller coaster type thrills we all come to expect from a modern trail centre. Having said that, big berms and massive tabletops are not what back country riding is generally about. Sometimes it is simply about putting in the miles, getting out there and conversing with mother nature. Wet roots, slippy rocks, and if your really lucky thick mud (especially in the Cotswolds) are generally what you'd expect of British trails.

Occasionally with friends, more often than not, on your own, it is a chance to get out there. A chance to reflect on the comings and goings of our 'busy' lives, a chance to slow down. In that respect this trail is pleasantly tranquil. The only people you are likely to pass are the odd walker or horse rider, and even then this is unlikely until you reach Hailes Abbey.

It is a route I return to time and again.

Google Map of winchcombe route