Cannop Cycle Centre
| Cannop Cycle Centre | |
|---|---|
Visitor centre
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| Type | Cycle Centre |
| Location | Cannop, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, UK |
| Coordinates | 51°47′N 2°34′W / 51.783°N 2.567°WCoordinates: 51°47′N 2°34′W / 51.783°N 2.567°W |
| Operated by | Forestry Commission |
| Open | All year |
Cannop Cycle Centre is a small woodland cycling centre, comprising mountain bike trails, a visitor centre, car parks and uplift service. It is located on the former site of Cannop 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.
In 2012, work was completed on a £100,000 redevelopment of the centre, culminating in the opening of a new cycle bridge.
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;
Operated by Pedalabikeaway. The visitor centre comprises a café, bike shop, bike hire, bike repair workshop, showers, toilets, bike wash and compressed air.
Open all year.
Operated by 'Flyup Downhill'. Mini bus and purpose built trailer transport riders to the top of the downhill runs.
Open all year.
Three main waymarked trails start and finish at the cycle centre;
A 3.5-mile (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. The trail is graded RED on the CTC classification of cycle trails and is suitable for experienced riders only. It received a glowing report from Mountain Biking UK magazine, when they reviewed it in 2008.
Widely acclaimed as the best new trail of 2011. This is a 7-mile (11 km) fast flowing single track trail with flat out corners, big berms and rollovers. It is graded BLUE on the CTC classification of cycle trails, but also incorporates several RED alternative sections. It gently winds uphill before a swooping, flat top section and a steep undulating descent known as the Dragon's Tail. This trail was also reviewed by Mountain Biking UK in March 2012, who scored it as 4 out of 5 stars, describing the berms as 'the very best they'd ever ridden'.
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Wikipedia