Mountain biking on Cannock Chase is to get a fresh stimulus this Easter when Swinnerton Cycles partner up with the Forestry Commission to open a bike hire centre and shop.

The centre, based at the Birches Valley Visitor Centre, will provide outside workstations, jet wash, a cafe and parking. The team have hooked up with Chase Trails, the voluntary trail-building group, to lay specific areas of marked
singletrack trails, a downhill area and an events area. There’ll be routes planned for riders of all abilities, from family rides to a more demanding 30 mile trail.

All good stuff, but the centre has ambitions beyond this: It aims to promote cycling on the chase through an education program involving the local schools. The idea is to teach local children: mountain bike skills, countryside awareness, safety precautions, bike maintenance and respect for other users of the chase.

Sounds like a fine idea.