Feel free to add to these guys but my 2 penneth worth for anyone doing the courses with BMW this year:
1. Wear lightweight kit as anything heavy duty gets hot quick. the rallye 2 kit with the goretex taken out is fine, with a waterproof kagule type jacket over the top.
2. Try to get the feel and understand where they are coming from with the front brake locking and rear brake locking exercises as these come in extremely useful when out on the steep hills. Most of the cock ups and drops/crashes i saw were down to the brakes locking up on hills and people not releasing the brakes to get back control. drop it into first, let the clutch out and rely on engine braking if in doubt as the bike wont go any faster than walking pace then. Use of the brakes should be gradual and controlled, gradual pressure, smack them on and you'll lock up.
3. Take every obstacle at your own pace! experience levels really vary in the groups so go at the speed you are happy with.
4. try to get used to riding with 2 fingers over the brakes and clutch at all times, hard to get used to after being a road rider but essential as being able to kill that clutch and therefore the power instantly will save your bacon quickly!
5. take a few of those harvestime snack/energy bars and stick them in where the tool tray goes. lunch is light and minimal and you'll use energy quickly, drink plenty of water too, i.e. fit the camel pack into your rallye 2 jacket.
6. don't forget your paper part to the licence!
7. Decent enduro type boots are vital! someone dropped there 650 on my ankle on a hill and me, bike and boot all slid down the hill! Only damage done was a knackered boot clasp and a scuffed up 650!
8. Take it easy on day 1 getting to the facility, theres about 30 bikes all heading up there and the excitement/temptation to follow the crowd sets in, take it at your own pace, its a bike you dont know and terrain you arent used to. One guy came off on tarmac on the way to the facility and that basically ruined his two days, he wasnt happy. Another guy nearly broke his collar bone, again on the tarmac section between the off road bits!!!!
9. If in doubt do it again thats why you are there! i.e. picking up the bike, the failed hill climb, braking exercises etc, push yourself and you'll learn more!
1. Wear lightweight kit as anything heavy duty gets hot quick. the rallye 2 kit with the goretex taken out is fine, with a waterproof kagule type jacket over the top.
2. Try to get the feel and understand where they are coming from with the front brake locking and rear brake locking exercises as these come in extremely useful when out on the steep hills. Most of the cock ups and drops/crashes i saw were down to the brakes locking up on hills and people not releasing the brakes to get back control. drop it into first, let the clutch out and rely on engine braking if in doubt as the bike wont go any faster than walking pace then. Use of the brakes should be gradual and controlled, gradual pressure, smack them on and you'll lock up.
3. Take every obstacle at your own pace! experience levels really vary in the groups so go at the speed you are happy with.
4. try to get used to riding with 2 fingers over the brakes and clutch at all times, hard to get used to after being a road rider but essential as being able to kill that clutch and therefore the power instantly will save your bacon quickly!
5. take a few of those harvestime snack/energy bars and stick them in where the tool tray goes. lunch is light and minimal and you'll use energy quickly, drink plenty of water too, i.e. fit the camel pack into your rallye 2 jacket.
6. don't forget your paper part to the licence!
7. Decent enduro type boots are vital! someone dropped there 650 on my ankle on a hill and me, bike and boot all slid down the hill! Only damage done was a knackered boot clasp and a scuffed up 650!
8. Take it easy on day 1 getting to the facility, theres about 30 bikes all heading up there and the excitement/temptation to follow the crowd sets in, take it at your own pace, its a bike you dont know and terrain you arent used to. One guy came off on tarmac on the way to the facility and that basically ruined his two days, he wasnt happy. Another guy nearly broke his collar bone, again on the tarmac section between the off road bits!!!!
9. If in doubt do it again thats why you are there! i.e. picking up the bike, the failed hill climb, braking exercises etc, push yourself and you'll learn more!