Offroading Schools.

Has anyone ever taken part in an offroading school, and in particular in the South of England?

I've never riden offroad (other than a PW80 when I was a kid) and I'm interested in having a crack at it sometime.

Any reviews, advice, links are much appreciated.

Cheers

[tigersaw]

What kind of off road?
I've been to Goldings Barn in Sussex which was pretty good for a days motocross tuition, and since moving to Hampshire heard good things about Tonymoto in Winchester, but never been.
Have started attended the TRF southern meets (Eastleigh) to make a few contacts as well

Originally Posted by tigersaw

What kind of off road?
I've been to Goldings Barn in Sussex which was pretty good for a days motocross tuition, and since moving to Hampshire heard good things about Tonymoto in Winchester, but never been.
Have started attended the TRF southern meets (Eastleigh) to make a few contacts as well

Firstly it would be generally learning how to ride an offroad machine on an offroad surface. Eventually I would like to get involved with the trail riding, but feel I'd need some experience in a more controlled environment first!

Cheers for the Tonymoto name, never heard of it before but it's right down the road from me!

Get out there on the trails with someone who has done it before.
Look on the offroad forums and join others in your area.
Most people have been in the same situation before and will happily let you tag along for the ride.
The best way to learn is to actually do it.

http://www.adventureridingacademy.com/

in east sussex with patsy quick first woman to do paris-dakar

my mates use BMW in wales, its a bit of traveling but they think its worth it. Simon Pavey is a great off road rider tho.

I have never done a day training and used to race before my shoulder got shattered, its all about good clutch and brake control also keeping a good balance on the pegs.
rent yourself a couple of motocross bikes and i can give you a lesson if you find a track near you that i can find without getting lose, i would use my own bike but it got smashed up last time i used it.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by wow

http://www.adventureridingacademy.com/

in east sussex with patsy quick first woman to do paris-dakar

Desert Rose got a good rep when the KTMforum folks did a day trip:

http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=37795

There's also the BMW off-road centre somewhere which also gets a good word, the downside being I think they prefer it if you ride BMWs...

Suzuki also have an off-road school, not sure of the specifics but I saw a leaflet in my local Suzuki dealers advertising it...


I'd still say get a cheap bike and find some local folks who do it though, it's not hard to pick up so long as you have the basic bike balance and control sorted. Prepare to fall off a bit learning and have a laugh

I got majorly distracted by a few avatars/sigs in the thread linked within the link you gave TLW!

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by TazDaz

I got majorly distracted by a few avatars/sigs in the thread linked within the link you gave TLW!

Ah yes, oopsie, they're a bit slack on the moderating over there...

That's the Adventure section too, the refined more mature lot

[fizzwheel]

I did one a few years ago. It was a Honda off road experience day on a Moto Cross track near Dorchester.

I havent seen it advertised in MCN for a while though. It was an excellent day out. We have a breifing in the morning and then some observed rides around the course and then were just left to get on with it. Ride as much or as little as you wanted. The instructors were there and would give advice / guidance if you asked for it. As long as you werent riding in a way to hurt yourself they left us to it. We were told to stay off of the CRF450's though as we were novices. I spent the day of a 250 and it was a great laugh.

I was completely knackered at the end of the day and I ached for a few days afterwards, it was very physically tiring.