Off-road riding courses

esullivan · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 06 Mar 2012 Karma :

My wife offered to pay for an off road riding course for my birthday, but is leaving it up to me to sort one out. There's the BMW one in Wales. Has anyone done BMW's "Level 1" course? Was it any good? Any other suggestions?

I'm not looking for just the "experience" ones -- I want to learn how to handle a slide, how to ride on loose surfaces, etc., so a step up from on of those. The closest I ever get to "off road" is a gravel driveway, so I'm a complete novice.
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thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

https://www.trailworld.co.uk/uk/off_road_training_school.php

down near Luton.

defblade · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Karma :

My write up.

General feeling here and on PH where I cross posted it - the BMW course isn't really the best for newbies, mainly hampered by having to use BMW's bikes.
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Llama-Farmer · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Karma :

I was considering the BMW course at some point when I've got more time and money. But reading your review it seems like there might be easier, cheaper, less exhausting options. I'd only want one day, or maybe even a half day, to get a taster first of all, rather than a full on weekend
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esullivan · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 06 Mar 2012 Karma :

defblade · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Karma :

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

I'm pretty fit, walk 30 to 40 miles on a Saturday. Bench press 70 kilos.

I wasn't pretty fit when I bought my BMW Sertao, and I didn't know how to ride off road, and I was a complete novice.

This happened...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISU9Zjf_r18

silly crash with road tyres, no real harm done to me, bike needed new handlebars, I got stuck under it and couldn't get out. I was a bit lardy then and out of shape. Didn't have moto cross boots on either .

Almost straight after I went and booked on an off road school and then bought a XR 250 to trail ride on. Sold that 250 and now rid a CRF250

I've got slightly off road capabale tyres on it now, and occasionally do a little bit, but. Rolling Eyes

Stewie · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

Never been on one but Desert Rose seem to have some good feed back.
https://www.adventureridingacademy.com/
and would fit the bill in terms of the training your looking for.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I've been meaning to sort out some off-road playing, especially as I technically now several dirt bikes down here.

Probably busy bank holiday weekend, so might aim for the weekend after, which should give me time to get stuff back together and so on.

Probably be four marks or similar - maybe an enduro land/enduro kent.

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

I've often wondered about Four Marks, I ride past Alton a dozen times a year.

but... it's a long way to take my 250 with knobbly tyres on, could stay at my dads house at the south end of the A32 after though. Thinking

p.s I think this is the first time I've used the View More Emoticons options. Laughing

Stewie · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Sounds like a plan; though were you thinking a Saturday or Sunday?

Stewie · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Ah well; how about the weekend before or after?

Stewie · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I should be down at Matchams on the 8th - however, by the sound of it they usually finish fairly early - 2pm or so - so could probably stop in on the way back.

J D · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Karma :

Any idea how much four marks is now? Possibly going next Wednesday.
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m0l0t0v wrote: Chris, just so you know, JD is a nutter Laughing

Stewie · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

Stewie · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Did you find out about their plans for the weekend of 7th/8th?

Stewie · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Have to see what my other plans are, but may do something that weekend anyway as my schedule's generally quite busy too, it seems.

Fizzer Thou · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Aug 2011 Karma :

Seven of us attended https://mickextanceexperience.com/experiences/enduro-experiences in mid-December last year and had a good laugh.I was the eldest by about 7 years,the others being about 50.But my years of riding dirtbikes did tell and I ended up helping a few out of deep puddles and from under fallen bikes.

I rode a 450 Enduro and it was okay,but not as sharp as my KTM 450 Enduro.But a good day was had by all,the terrain was excellent and the pub we stayed in was very comfortable with good food both nights we stayed Thumbs Up

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J D · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Karma :

Anyone have the number for four marks? Want to see if they are open Wednesday and if they allow quads as well.
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m0l0t0v wrote: Chris, just so you know, JD is a nutter Laughing

Stewie · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Karma :

This has the contact numbers on, don't know about quads.
https://www.eliteenduro.co.uk/contact