calling all f.o.d. experts. Options

[glynn six 0]

me ,the wife and the dog are having a long weekend in a forest of dean log cabin in september.ive read the terms and conditions smallprint and it says i MUST take my bike
any advice on must do trails or trails to avoid? i'll be looking at XC or singletrack type stuff for something like a 2 hour ride.
cheers..glynn

[Tuffty]

Can't help with the trails Glynn, but Mr and Mrs Tuffty and family have been looking at the cabins there and at Keldy North Yorks. Please let me know how you get on

[glynn six 0]

Can't help with the trails Glynn, but Mr and Mrs Tuffty and family have been looking at the cabins there and at Keldy North Yorks. Please let me know how you get on

dave we've been to the keldy ones twice now.they are excellent, very relaxing and comfortable,and not bad value if can fall on one of the price reductions they give depending on wether they've got quite a few empty ones.

[Rod]

Just got back from a ride on Shonky bikes (hired from the campsite not the bike shop there) There seams to be a good amount of official trail but the amount of unofficial stuff looks outstanding erm, if you could find it!

Good luck with the hunt and watch out for the hogs, they can be stroppy little shits... ask my wifey who was waiting patiantly for a group to pass and got charged. Funny thing was she squield... just like a pig!!!

where are you staying?

[glynn six 0]

where are you staying?

forest holiday cabins.

[floyd_england]

I'm not sure exactly where Forest Holidays is in relation to it, but if you're limited for time ride down to Cannop and ride the Verderers Trail and/or the Freeminers. They're not exactly technically challenging, but like most blue routes if you ride them fast they can be a real laugh. There's always the option to do some DH runs there too..

There's a cycle path that loops round the forest, if you get on that and ride in either direction eventually you'll get to the trail centre at Cannop.

There's loads of other stuff around, but as usual local knowledge is key, and trying to find it will waste valuable riding time

[Rod]

Looks like those are near Little Berry (Christchurch campsite) where I was. Nice place. Just don't book archery... unless you have £125 to splash!?

As for cycling getting to Cannop from the site can be done by road (obviously) or a trek of about 4 miles down an iffy cycle track or cycle in to Coleford and pick up the old rail track cycle route for a total 9 mile ride. Be warned though, do your homework on routes before you go as none of the locally sourced maps actually marry up in a cohesive uderstandable manor... well to me or my wife at least! Once in Canop (£3.50 parking) trails are well marked and there are a plethora of mini-trails all over the place but as stated you'd need a guide to show you around.

Oh and watch out for the Wild Boar - they aint wild at all and don't give a toss about you barrelling in to them and will just stay right in the way and then get all stroppy whilst you wait for them to pass by. Made me laugh though hearing my wife squeal in TOTAL PANIC when one charged her (just a little bit)


Rod

[Shmikuk]

Think we maybe up that way early September so keep us posted on what you find, how you get on.
What was iffy about the cycle trail, Rod?

[glynn six 0]

ok chaps...ta!
i'll check that out.

[Rod]

Think we maybe up that way early September so keep us posted on what you find, how you get on.
What was iffy about the cycle trail, Rod?

Just navigating it. "The locals" have footpaths branching off it and the markers don't quite keep you on track. I found the way but I think it was more luck than judgement. I followed my nose as best I could and came to a road which predominantly runs about 100 yds out to the right. I eventually bumped into the road A4136 (REF: 3B on map) about a half mile before Edge End and elected to ride up it aways to have a look-see. In doing so I found a cutting after about 300 yds on the opposite side stating there were to be no unauthorised mountainbike shuttle runs to this area (shown on the trail map bottom left as "Uplift drop off point") that was essentially a gap in the tree-line with a single bar raising gate to the fire-track beyond. On going through this and following the fire track we came upon a junction close to the beginings of "Sheep Skull" the rest is up to you

MAP of Area http://mediafiles.thedms.co.uk/Publication...af%20screen.pdf
Map of the Trail Centre http://cdn-18.create.net/sitefiles/18/8/8/...eantrailmap.pdf
Things to do http://mediafiles.thedms.co.uk/Publication...VG_2011_web.pdf

Food shopping is easy to get to in the form of Co op which is really good in Coleford or in Berry Hill in the form of a local shop (straight across the cross-roads on leaving the site) I would take my own bike to the campsite having been there already and checked it out.


Have a study and plan early checking out the area on bing maps etc. to assist in on the ground navigation.

Oh, there is a great chippy in Coleford. You come to some lights, after about another 50 yds park in the carpark on left, cross road, walk down the street a little to the right (one-way against you if you were to drive) on the right about 100 yds down. A happier bunch you can't find and I got a free blackpudding in batter FOC for my little wait and commenting on their state of hapiness!


Rod

[Shmikuk]

Much appreciated. Thanks!