Sussex-MTB

As some of you know an occasional one of our crowd, Steevo, lives up on the edge of Cannock Chase. While we sadly don’t see him down this way very much, the Hummerlicious family unit often goes up to Cannock to say hi and also to sample the trail lushness that is on offer up there.

When I get the chance to ride with Steevo and his usual group it’s great as you get to see the Chase from the local’s point of view, quite often they hardly even touch the man made trails that run from the centre at Birches Valley.

I was relishing the opportunity to hit the newly redeveloped ‘Follow the Dog Trail’ and the brand new ‘Monkey Trail’. When this month’s crop of MTB mags turned up at work it was interesting to see what was said about it in the trail centres article. Saying it’s one of the best trail centre descents in the country meant I was gagging to get out there and give it a go….

GPS trace

At this point I would love to show you a load of photos of it, but unfortunately I had so much fun I just didn’t want to stop and interrupt the flow on any of the three times I rode it in the week! A quick description though, the first half of Follow the Dog remains pretty much as it was, good flowy fun. Then you split off and cross the railway line and main road (be careful!) and head off onto the Monkey Trail proper. There’s quite a lot of climbing, but it’s very similar to the Welsh trail centres as it’s mainly switchbacked singletrack, so it keeps you interested and keeps your mind off the pain (just).

Once you get onto the downhill sections you are rewarded with super flowy bermed singletrack, with jumps a plenty. Some downhill sections have rock gardens built into them for added fun. There are also several sections where you get to take a Black Run option too just to give it a bit of extra spice

Back onto Follow the Dog and you find yourself crossing the road at the far point and heading off onto some new trail. Again this is super flowy and has a lot of bermed sections. It all seemed a bit familiar and I realised that it used to be a cheeky trail that I used as a shortcut to Steevo’s from our usual accommodation, only in the opposite direction. Keep your wits about you for the Werewolf’s Drop and rail the final berms before you head onto the Rollers. Apparently there have been a few accidents here, so take it easy!

So all in all well worth a visit I reckon, I can’t wait to go back again now!

Hummerlicious