Fun: 70km, difficult and a long day out on a mountain bike.

Believe it or not a day out at Cannock is completely doable without resort to a car. Besides the car journey is at least 1.5 hours with the inevitable traffic jams in Birmingham. If you have to use a car, carry on to Wales.

The Route: From Cranfield, get up quite early by the way, take the shortest route possible to Milton Keynes station. Get an off peak day return to Rugeley. It’s less than £40 from memory. The train is direct and about once an hour. From Rugeley station the quickest way up the hill is by road, but there is a cycle route which I missed but will look out for next time.

Shred till almost dead, but save a little for Cranfield’s hill.

Pros: I like Cannock, the trails a fun, not too technical, fast and flowing, but proper mountain biking.

Cons: A big effort if the weather forecast turns out wrong. Probably only really a goer in the longer days of summer. Legs are essential.

Link to route on Strava