Luke Rainbird Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Gents, I've managed to score a couple of weeks leave from work and hoping to get away next week with Soph to ride some bikes. Her mum has a place in Malvern so hoping to use that as a base and hit up some trails/centres in either the local-ish area and/or South Wales. 2-part question; 1. Anybody got a spot that they'd particularly recommend visiting? Bikepark Wales looks sweet but may be a little too DH-orientated for Soph who's relatively new to it all and will be on a hardtail? 2. Anybody vaguely in the region fancy a session? I've seen mention of Cannock Chase on here a few times. If it's worth a quick scoot up the M5 we could certainly find ourselves there. Any pointers much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew62 Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Gents, I've managed to score a couple of weeks leave from work and hoping to get away next week with Soph to ride some bikes. Her mum has a place in Malvern so hoping to use that as a base and hit up some trails/centres in either the local-ish area and/or South Wales. 2-part question; 1. Anybody got a spot that they'd particularly recommend visiting? Bikepark Wales looks sweet but may be a little too DH-orientated for Soph who's relatively new to it all and will be on a hardtail? 2. Anybody vaguely in the region fancy a session? I've seen mention of Cannock Chase on here a few times. If it's worth a quick scoot up the M5 we could certainly find ourselves there. Any pointers much appreciated Don't be put off BPW for your girlfriend. There are a few tough bits (not that bad in the greater scheme of things) but these are exclusively reserved for the black and red routes. There are a selection of blue trails which are intended to get people in to, and excited by riding so i'd definitely try there. Also it gives you the option to do as many laps as you feel up to as opposed to one big loop, so you could always shoot off for a lap of the black and red trail whilst she has a coffee at the café. Cannock chase is also pretty beginner friendly. Everything can be tackled at the riders chosen pace. Nothing is big or requires huge amounts of commitment, it's up to you to make what you want out of it. A lot of the more traditional South Wales trails such as those around Afan are fairly typical red grades so might not be so enjoyable to someone newer to the sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted August 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Winner, thanks Matthew. Skill level aside, do you think she would be ok riding the blue BPW tracks on a hardtail? Don't want to put her off too soon! Think we may also pop in to the Forest of Dean for a day of relatively chilled out trails too. Few days of riding, couple surfing and one to collect a new passport/visit family. If the weather manages to stay semi-reasonable it should be a good week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Booth Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 I'd be game for any midlands/West Midlands stuff as I'm sure a few others would Luke, Cannocks a good ride, and I've only heard good things of BPW. If you find yourself around north wales at all checkout Penmachno. It's a volunteer ran trail that's incredible. It's only 21 miles but it's definatley an all dater, the views alone are incredible so it's worth taking some packed lunch to sit and enjoy it, but it is a fair way out the way.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hill Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 (edited) Luke have you spoken to Max about it? He'll know the best places you can head to. Plus ride Cannock Chase cause then you can see me aswel Edited August 4, 2014 by Rich Hill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 With enough warning I might be able to wrangle a cannock ride out, hellishly busy atm though so no guarantees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew62 Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Winner, thanks Matthew. Skill level aside, do you think she would be ok riding the blue BPW tracks on a hardtail? Don't want to put her off too soon! Think we may also pop in to the Forest of Dean for a day of relatively chilled out trails too. Few days of riding, couple surfing and one to collect a new passport/visit family. If the weather manages to stay semi-reasonable it should be a good week Yeah, definitely. I imagine some of the reds would be okay again, but the blue trail should be pretty smooth (I presume she's okay with getting out of the saddle for the downs?). A lot of BPW is very manicured being that it's a bike-park rather than a trail centre. I couldn't think of a better place to start to be honest. There's a cool little pump-track in the carpark so could be a good spot to warm up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted August 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Wicked, cheers all! Probably won't hit anywhere in North Wales but if there are a few folk from here game then perhaps a TF old boys Cannock session could be on the cards. Any preferences on date? Realistically it'd need to be during the week as I think we'll likely be heading home Friday night/Saturday morning. BPW, Forest of Dean & Cannock plus maybe another spot in South Wales seems to be the way to go really. Thanks for the pointers chaps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigjames Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Aston Hill is supposed to be pretty damn good now Luke, I know it's not going to be a massive park like South Wales; but some good riding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.Wood Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Have you been up to Haldon with her? Been up there with my missus and rented a couple bikes, went for the first time a few weekends ago and hit half the green then moved onto the blue for the rest of the day, Then went again last weekend and did the blue a few more times then did the red. She did really well It's pretty tame and well set up so could be a good first stop on your way east. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted August 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Yeah we've done Haldon, Lanhydrock and Cardinham a few times so she's pretty comfortable with all the blue trails and some of the reds. Hoping to find some stuff at a similar level wherever we end up so that she can spin round a few and then I can add a couple of laps/sections to keep myself a little more entertained as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Booth Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Have you picked a day for Cannock dude? If so I'd be game to join if that's ok ? And providing I can get the day off work.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted August 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Figured as we're somewhat flexible it's probably easiest for us to work around you guys if there are a few keen. Either Monday or Friday/Sat at a push would be best for us I'd have thought as we can do it at one end of the loop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Booth Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I'll check the calendar tomorrow at work, but would Monday be ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted August 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I'm sure we could make something work 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Booth Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I'm free Monday Luke if you did fancy a meet up at Cannock, let me know how you go and we'll get something together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted August 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 I'm totally game for that, but I've just been told that we're now due to visit some in-laws Monday evening in Brecon. Any chance of shifting it to the far ed of the week instead or is that going to be a massive ballache? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Booth Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Ahh man, I'm busy nearly all next week after Monday, Not to worry dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted August 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Next time...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 I can do late afternoon cannock chase bimble on Wednesday or Thursday from about 5 onwards, unfortunately not got enough spare holidays to do during the day though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Booth Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 Ooh ooh! I might be free for a spin one evening, I'll check with she who must be obeyed thou 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted August 10, 2014 Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 I'm planning on heading up there with my mate on Wednesday from about 5ish, if anything changes I'll let you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted August 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Looks like Cannock will be either Thursday or Friday, potentially evening of people are about else we'll crack our own detail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 (edited) Be aware that a fairly substantial portion of follow the dog (the easier trails) are closed from thursday due to racing, monkey is fully open but that is a fair bit higher skill/endurance level edit: that said I can do thursday evening! Edited August 12, 2014 by forteh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Booth Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Thursday evening sounds awesome if we cab make it happen.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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