June 2017 | 35
3 . Cannock Chase – Follow the Dog
The Chase has great mountain biking for all ages and experience levels . Follow the Dog was the Midlands ’ first dedicated mountain bike trail , built and maintained by volunteer group Chase trails . It has fast , flowing singletrack with some tight and twisty technical sections too . The trail features include boardwalks , rock gardens and rollers and it is constantly evolving and being improved . Current highlights include The Stegasaurus Rock Garden , The Boardwalk and Tackeroo Blast . With little climb in the trail , this is all about the technical features and flow of the singletrack – add on the Monkey Trail if you ’ re after a more physically demanding ride .
4 . Dalby – The Red trail
With miles of expertly sculpted technical singletrack , you ’ ll want to ride all day . Dixon ’ s Hollow Bike Park ticks all the freeride boxes from North Shore to 4X , and Dalby is home of the 2010 World Cup XC course that provides a challenge for even the most experienced riders . The Red bike trail is 21.5 miles long , featuring rock gardens and North Shore styling with technical features such as drop-offs and large rocks . With challenging climbs and tricky descents , you ’ ll need good MTB handling skills as well as a high level of fitness to complete the trail .
5 . Kielder – Deadwater Fell
Wilderness mountain biking at its best , with epic redgrade trails and cross boarder links to Newcastleton . There ’ s a huge network of trails , from the family friendly Lakeside Way , to the black features of the Deadwater Trail . Deadwater is our pick for the list , climbing up through the forest via an optional blackgraded section or a hand-built red-grade cut . Coming out of the forest , continue up to Deadwater Fell , the highest point in the forest at 571m , or cut back down through the singletrack into The Valley section . Then it ’ s a fast and furious descent to the Northshore berms at Woodstock and a final stretch of winding singletrack .
6 . Sherwood Pines – The Kitchener Trail
There ’ s plenty of riding across Sherwood Pines for all abilities . For a fast and challenging ride , try the 13kmlong Kitchener Trail . It flows through the forest and is virtually all singletrack ; the only time you hit the fire road is when you cross to hit the next section . While the trail lacks in elevation , it keeps you flowing with berms and rollers with a nice mix of rocks and roots that give the trail its red rating . It ’ s a great introduction to riding singletrack for riders wanting to progress .