Hi all.

I am looking for someone fairly local to ride with.  I am in the cannock chase area,  My riding skill belongs in the beginner and very slow box. 

Hi ya, Bluebus, have u ridden follow the dog trail at cannock?

Where do u ride normally?

Hi there,

I have tried 2-3 sections of follow the dog but i've never done the hole thing, generally my other half leaves me to do about 10-15 miles and then I meet back up with him.

I have done the blue route at llandegla a few times.  I have also done a few of the merida marathon rides on a tandem.  would like to attempt the 25km on my own bike this year.

Gina

Hi Bluebus,

I'm based in Shrewsbury, work shifts and am therefore often available for rides mid week.  Haven't cycled at Cannock Chase yet but would like to, I also do ride over at Llandegla, Long Mynd a fair bit.

Hi Flossie,

I am a postie so afternoon rides are best for me, Sometimes I get a day off mid week so maybe we could meet up then.

Cannock chase is great,some of the unmarked single track is better than some of the way marked routes like follow the dog, it depends on what you like to ride.  I have never done the whole thing, its around 7miles I think, but there is so many other routes if your not into that.

It would be good to ride Llandegla again but its quite far away for me, so I may have to leave that for a weekend or the summer.

Never been to Long Mynd, I have asked 'him' where that is, he seems to think its too hilly for me just yet.

It would be great to meet up

Meeting up sounds good to me.  Though I can get up the Long Mynd, it is a fairly slow pace .  I'd definately be into meeting up at Cannock, would the tracks there be suitable for a well behaved dog to tag along?

I work with children in care, so often have days off in the week and am usually coming off shift at 08.30, so afternoons are good - let me know any mid-week days you can do in the next couple of weeks and we'll see if any fit...

I could do tuesday or wednesday after 3pm next week. or all day monday the week following(day off).  You can bring your dog, there is no problem with that. 

Great looking forward to it. 

I could do Wed 26th, after 3pm as long as it isn't anythin too strenuous because I'm working a double shift (today and Tuesday) and will probably be pretty shattered - but am definately up for doing something.

As I've never been before, where do we meet and how do we get there? 

Wed sounds great, The best place to meet would be Marquis Drive Visitor Centre,  I would think you would get here on the M54 and leave at Junction 1 signposted Cannock.

If your not a motorway driver stay on the A5 all the way until you get to Cannock. (Big island with Mcdonalds on your right and Longford House Beefeater on your left)

Take the first exit still s/p Cannock Town Centre, over a small roundabout, up the hill to a set of lights, get in the second lane. go straight across to the next island take the 2nd exit and get back into the left hand lane (another Mcdonalds should be on your right)

At the next island take the first exit,( Hednesford )follow this road for quite a distance, you will come to a staggered set of islands with a Petrol Station directly in front of you.  Go over the first, left at the 2nd s/p ( Rugeley)

Follow this road through 1 set of lights, just after the second set of lights, turn left over the bridge, at this set of lights turn right, follow this road, you will start to climb onto the chase, Marquis Drive is one of the turnings on your right s/p Marquis Drive Cafe.

DO NOT park in the car park, (I'm not sure what time they lock it ) you will see loads of cars parked on the road at the top end. We will be in a vw blue bus. 

oops!!!

The last part should say...Follow the road through 3 sets of traffic lights, just after the 3rd set turn left over the bridge, at this set of lights turn right.....follow the road.....

However.... having looked at the weather forecast for wed, it looks like heavy rain. Not that I am trying to put you off but a dirty wet dog in the car can't be much fun.

Think I'll keep an eye on the weather, and if it looks truely horrendus, think I might stay put in front of the fire!  But otherwise I'll meet you there, 3.30 ok?

Thanks for the dierections, hopefully I'll find it - I'll be the one in a dirty silver clio, bike attached to roof and excited dog, head against the windscreen! 

Any problems then my mobile is 07806566132, might be an idea to txt me a number for you in case weather looks too bad. 

By the way, when we meet do I call you bluebus or wot??