Cannop Cycle Centre
Encyclopedia
Cannop Cycle Centre is a small woodland cycling centre, comprising mountain bike trails, visitor centre and bike shop. It is located on the site of a former colliery in the Cannop Valley, Forest of Dean
, Gloucestershire
. The nearest village is Parkend, 3 miles (5 km) away. The cycle centre (Pedalabikeaway) has been an active supporter of the Hands off our Forest
campaign and hosted a 'cycle protest rally' in January 2011.
Facilities include;
The visitor centre comprises a café, bike hire, bike repair workshop, showers, toilets, bike wash and compressed air.
Open all year, Tuesday to Sunday (open every day during school holidays).
Open all year, Wednesday to Sunday (open every day during school holidays).
Open all year, Friday to Tuesday.
, when they reviewed it in 2008.
trail with flat out corners, big berms and rollovers. Graded BLUE on the CTC
classification of cycle trails, it gently winds uphill before a swooping, flat top section and a steep undulating descent known as the Dragon's Tail (graded RED). The trail was reviewed by MBUK in October 2011, who described it as 'pure heaven'.
In July 2007, the Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail was number one in a list of 'Best British cycle routes', published by The Guardian
And in June 2009, it was voted the best 'family cycle route' by The Daily Telegraph
.
The main downhill, called The Ski-Run, is easy to find and features several technical sections, with a big jump to finish. Other downhill tracks include Endo, Mr Rooty, The O.C., Flatlands, The Corkscrew and Sheepskull. These can be found either side of the third notice board, and further up the hill too.
Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. The forest is a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.The...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
. The nearest village is Parkend, 3 miles (5 km) away. The cycle centre (Pedalabikeaway) has been an active supporter of the Hands off our Forest
Hands off our Forest
Hands off our Forest is a campaign group formed in 2010 to fight the UK Government's proposed sale of publicly owned land in the Forest of Dean. 'Hands off our Forest' describe themselves as a broad alliance of groups and individuals....
campaign and hosted a 'cycle protest rally' in January 2011.
Facilities
Use of the visitor centre and trails is completely free. There is a charge for car parking and some facilities, such as use of the bike wash.Facilities include;
- Visitor centre and café.
- Bike shop.
- Uplift service.
- Large car park (£3.00 per day).
- Bike repair workshop.
- Toilets.
- Bike wash.
- Showers.
- Compressed air.
- Picnic area.
- Information boards.
Visitor centre
Operated by Pedalabikeaway.The visitor centre comprises a café, bike hire, bike repair workshop, showers, toilets, bike wash and compressed air.
Open all year, Tuesday to Sunday (open every day during school holidays).
- April to October, 9am to 6pm.
- November to March, 9am to 5pm.
Bike shop
Called Bike 'N' Gear, sells a wide range of bikes and cycling accessories.Open all year, Wednesday to Sunday (open every day during school holidays).
- 9.30 am to 5 pm (closed 1 pm to 1.30 pm).
Uplift Service
Operated by 'Flyup Downhill'. Mini bus and purpose built trailer transport riders to the top of the downhill runs.Open all year, Friday to Tuesday.
- April - September, 10am to 5pm.
- October - March, 10.00am to Dusk.
The Freeminer Trail (formerly the FODCA Trail)
A 3.5 miles (6 km) all-weather loop, designed, built and maintained by volunteers in partnership with the Forestry Commission. This is a challenging and varied single track with several tricky switchback climbs, rooty drops and hairpin bends. It is suitable for experienced riders only. The trail is graded RED on the CTC classification of cycle trails and received a glowing report from MBUKMBUK
Mountain Biking UK is a British mountain biking magazine. It is published by Future Publishing and is currently the UK's best-selling mountain bike magazine, with a circulation of 45,000 and an estimated readership of over 120,000. MBUK was established in 1988 by Tym Manley who remained editor at...
, when they reviewed it in 2008.
The Verderers' Trail
Widely acclaimed as the best new trail of 2011. This is a 7 miles (11 km) fast flowing single trackSingle track (mountain biking)
Single track or singletrack is a narrow mountain biking trail that is approximately the width of the bike. It contrasts with double track or fire road which is wide enough for four-wheeled off-road vehicles...
trail with flat out corners, big berms and rollovers. Graded BLUE on the CTC
CTC
-Government bodies:* Calcutta Tramways Company* California Commission on Teacher Credentialing* Canadian Tourism Commission* Counter-Terrorism Committee * Counterterrorism Center or CTIC-Educational institutes:* Central Texas College...
classification of cycle trails, it gently winds uphill before a swooping, flat top section and a steep undulating descent known as the Dragon's Tail (graded RED). The trail was reviewed by MBUK in October 2011, who described it as 'pure heaven'.
Family Cycle Trail
An 11 miles (18 km) circuit, with connecting spurs to several local villages. Follows wide gravelled tracks and is suitable for riding all year round. Mostly level gradients with some short climbs and suitable for all ages and abilities. The route passes along the old Severn and Wye railway line, passing former stations at Drybrook Road, Cannop Wharf and Speech House. Remnants of former coalmines can also be seen at Foxes Bridge, Lightmoor and New fancy.In July 2007, the Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail was number one in a list of 'Best British cycle routes', published by The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
And in June 2009, it was voted the best 'family cycle route' by The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
.
The Iron Road
A 5 miles (8 km) family trail which follows wide gravelled tracks. Mainly flat, with some gentle climbs. Suitable for young children.Rally Around the Forest
A fairly challenging 14 miles (23 km) circular route, following some of the wide gravelled tracks used by the famous Wyedean Rally. This trail has no technical sections, but includes some long steady climbs and fast downhills. Aimed at fit cyclists, but not suitable for young children.Downhill tracks
In addition to the waymarked trails there are seven or more excellent downhill routes. From the visitor centre, a short path leads to the downhill tracks. The routes up are not well marked, but the 'push up' route initially follows the line of some power cables. A 'ride up' route also exists.The main downhill, called The Ski-Run, is easy to find and features several technical sections, with a big jump to finish. Other downhill tracks include Endo, Mr Rooty, The O.C., Flatlands, The Corkscrew and Sheepskull. These can be found either side of the third notice board, and further up the hill too.