Giant Trail Sponsorship For Cannock Chase

Giant UK today announced their new sponsorship deal with one of Staffordshire's most popular bike trails at the Forestry Commission's Cannock Chase Forest, near Rugeley. Giant's sponsorship of the Cannock Chase bike trails will commence from August 1st 2008. Giant UK has signed a three year deal with the Forestry Commission for the exclusive sponsorship of the well known Follow the Dog Trail. The Follow the Dog course was not only the first dedicated cross country mountain biking trail on Cannock Chase but also the first in the midlands. The course is over seven miles long and is designed for intermediate and above riders. The trail has been specially designed to make the most of the areas low elevation and sandy, gravely tree lined terrain so you can expect some extremely tight twists and turns along the way. Giant UK’s Managing Director Ian Beasant was delighted with the new deal, saying, "We wanted to find a cycling trail that was fun and exhilarating for the riders. I think we have found the perfect one in the Follow the Dog trail at Cannock Chase. We will be branding the trail over the next couple of months with some creative and hopefully inspiring ideas. We are also planning to stage some of the largest Giant Dirt Demonstration weekends we have ever put on in the UK as well as a charity led Giant Bike Ride. Jason Maclean, Environment Manager for the Forestry Commission at Cannock Chase, says, "There are no facilities of this type, scale or quality within an hour's drive of the Birches Valley Forest Centre and so Cannock Chase is fast becoming established as the region’s premier mountain biking venue. The generous support from Giant will allow the development of new purpose built trails, which will encourage everyone from families and beginners to enthusiasts and experts to get more physically active." Giant will also be taking over the sponsorship of the leisure trail which will be soon be relaunching a second trail that is more suited to the leisure cyclist as it is a series of loops on wide forest tracks designed for fun and pleasure rather than spills and thrills. The shortest route is 1 mile but the trail can be built up to 19 miles long, taking in the scenic Fairoak Valley and the beautiful heath land of Sherbrook Valley. Suitable for groups of all ages and all modes of bikes from mountain bikes to tandems, trailer bikes to buggies. Cannock Chase is located between Stafford, Cannock and Rugeley and is easily accessible from all parts of the country, so whether you want a technical cross country blast, challenging downhill or a relaxed family day on the bikes you will definitely find something to enjoy at Cannock Chase. www.bikechase.co.uk www.forestry.gov.uk/cannockforest