Sherwood Pines off-piste Sun 13th Jun'21, 10am

[Ashley M]

Ask any of the team if they thought they had an easy ride.

It wasn’t

 

[steve_sordy]

That will get bigger and multi-coloured.

 

[johnc]

Just checked the stats. Definitely not flat! 1000ft is 1000ft.

 

[The Hodge]

Over 20 odd miles ..I would consider that to be a fairly flat ride ..but if that's not what you are used to ..fair enough ..

 

[Rahr85]

Pines is flat in the broader context but there are a few select steep bits around the old railyway lines etc that you can use for a bit of fun. It's one of the reasons i don't tend to bother too much going around there on the eMTB if i'm just running the normal red route. Problem is that it's the only trail centre in the area. Cannock chase is roughly 5-6x more enjoyable but requires travelling further, and then you run into the argument of going into the peak district instead.

lap of red for context:

Red lap motor on - Mike Seivwright's 8.1 mi bike ride

 

[johnc]

Over 20 odd miles ..I would consider that to be a fairly flat ride ..but if that's not what you are used to ..fair enough ..

Lived in Scotland for 20 years. 3 weeks in the Alps every year till Covid. So it’s not what I’m used to. Sometimes you have to work with what you’ve got or just stay at home.

 

[The Hodge]

Totally agree ..and I'm sure it was a great ride and everyone but the casualty went home happy .. but to say it wasn't flat ..well you're stats say otherwise ..

 

[Zimmerframe]

Ladies, lets not worry about the sizes and shapes of our fun bits. I'm sure we all enjoy whatever we have access to and that's what matters !

 

[DaveDog]

Thanks Steve for a fantastic day out with a great bunch of people
I dont think I will be able to find any of those off piste trails again on my own so when is the next one?

 

[DaveDog]

Although they are called 'mountain' bikes surely it is all about having fun and not how many mountains you can climb and we certainly had fun yesterday

 

[johnc]

Totally agree ..and I'm sure it was a great ride and everyone but the casualty went home happy .. but to say it wasn't flat ..well you're stats say otherwise ..

It may not have been high. But it was not flat. We cycled up a 1000ft.

 

[steve_sordy]

If we had spent our time cycling up 1000ft in one go and the rest of the day coasting downhill, would that make everyone feel better?

 

[j_s]

Sorry I didnt make it. Took my 21 month boy on the first ride of his balance bike.
That drop where the incident happened, is that just off the blue and it also has a small drop nearish it on the other side of the track bed Steve?

As others have said, you ride on what you have, Sherwood Pines isn't hilly but it's all we got and for what it is it ain't too bad.

 

[steve_sordy]

Sorry I didnt make it. Took my 21 month boy on the first ride of his balance bike.
That drop where the incident happened, is that just off the blue and it also has a small drop nearish it on the other side of the track bed Steve?

As others have said, you ride on what you have, Sherwood Pines isn't hilly but it's all we got and for what it is it ain't too bad.

Just off the blue yes, but about 200 yards further up than the one I think you mean (which does have a 5-6' drop almost opposite it). It's about 20 yards off the blue, across corrugated ground. The one that I think you mean is the alternate route for what is now forever to be known as Ashleys' Drop!

PS: You can always go on a Pines ride, but you can never replace being with your son on his first ride on his balance bike!! Good choice!

 

[Rahr85]

Just off the blue yes, but about 200 yards further up than the one I think you mean (which does have a 5-6' drop almost opposite it). It's about 20 yards off the blue, across corrugated ground. The one that I think you mean is the alternate route for what is now forever to be known as Ashleys' Drop!

PS: You can always go on a Pines ride, but you can never replace being with your son on his first ride on his balance bike!! Good choice!

alternatively, be there with your son doing ashleys' drop.

 

[Doomanic]

Cannock chase is roughly 5-6x more enjoyable

Fucking hell! It must be bad...

 

[Rahr85]

anyone travelling more than an hour would likely be disappointed. but we made do with what we have locally. i like cannock chase, it has just enough elevation to make it interesting, but as with most places repitition breeds complacency.

 

[Doomanic]

My favourite thing about Cannock Chase is the drive home...

 

[Rahr85]

well aren't you a bundle of fun? ?

 

[Major Stare]

Sorry I missed this. Sundays aren't a good day as the eldest has rugby. Looks like you had a good time, speedy recovery for Ashley.

Being new to MTB riding (6 months) and eMTB riding (4 weeks), I have been using Sherwood Pines to learn skills for the last 3 months. I do the blue route to warm up and try to improve my time every visit. I have done the full red route twice now (after warming up on the blue) and I will keep doing this to build confidence, understand my limits and learn skills.
So for me, Sherwood Pines is ideal (and I've paid the £50 for a years parking).

 

[Ashley M]

Sorry I missed this. Sundays aren't a good day as the eldest has rugby. Looks like you had a good time, speedy recovery for Ashley.

Being new to MTB riding (6 months) and eMTB riding (4 weeks), I have been using Sherwood Pines to learn skills for the last 3 months. I do the blue route to warm up and try to improve my time every visit. I have done the full red route twice now (after warming up on the blue) and I will keep doing this to build confidence, understand my limits and learn skills.
So for me, Sherwood Pines is ideal (and I've paid the £50 for a years parking).

Thanks for the kind comments
Keep at it and enjoy!