Lou Can said:Wuss.
Ride home is the best bit - never felt so much grip before!!
LC
your choice really mate but lads and lasses on the course who came on bikes werent exactly thrilled at the prospect of long rides home!! 
your choice really mate but lads and lasses on the course who came on bikes werent exactly thrilled at the prospect of long rides home!! Captain Pugwash
Guest
jayceer.
ta,that's really good info
ta,that's really good info
I did the course on the 1200, and I agree, most people who had 650's (except those who were somewhat vertically challenged) who had a go on the 1200 wished they had chosen the 1200. Anyway, it's only another 30kg...
I had no bother with the 1200, even picking it up (which I did lots)
Some people hurt themselves a bit, including one who rode down, which left him with a logistical issue as he couldn't ride home.
And I was a bit sore so really, I was glad I was in the car as it was a 200 mile trip home.
I thought their gear was OK (and I was glad I didn't have to wash mine as I fell off in a swamp) but wish I'd asked more questions about what kit to buy.
Great course, though. I think I'll do it again.
martin
I had no bother with the 1200, even picking it up (which I did lots)
Some people hurt themselves a bit, including one who rode down, which left him with a logistical issue as he couldn't ride home.
And I was a bit sore so really, I was glad I was in the car as it was a 200 mile trip home.
I thought their gear was OK (and I was glad I didn't have to wash mine as I fell off in a swamp) but wish I'd asked more questions about what kit to buy.
Great course, though. I think I'll do it again.
martin
shelob
Guest
I'm booked in for the level one course on the 25th and 26th May.
Never done any off road so I definitely opted for the 650 as it will be lighter to pick back up, time and time again.
I think I will be spending a bit of time on my ass
Anyone else there the same weekend ?
Oh and definitely taking my car, a mere 300 and odd miles home seems to me to make more sense than risking having to ride my bike home with some physical damage to myself after these 2 days
Never done any off road so I definitely opted for the 650 as it will be lighter to pick back up, time and time again.
I think I will be spending a bit of time on my ass
Anyone else there the same weekend ?
Oh and definitely taking my car, a mere 300 and odd miles home seems to me to make more sense than risking having to ride my bike home with some physical damage to myself after these 2 days
Taff said:I lost both of my toe-nails but they have since grown back. . After a week, both my toe nails were hanging on by just a small flap of sking and eventually fell off. It freaked out the wife and kids, but it didn't hurt a bit. Whether it would have happend if I had been wearing my own boots I don't know.
You were in the countryside - so it must have been Foot and mouth disease
jayceer said:
better make that 30 minutes now everyone has read it
Manny Fagnet said:
DAKAR 2008 ?
I'd echo most of Jayceer's comments. Bikes should still be in reasonable nick at that point. I'd use the 1200 as that's what you want to ride later in the year.
The 1200 is so different to ride than the 650. I did the Beacons ride last year. In the morning I rode a 1200 and had one minor off. However, I'd trashed it by lunch time (ripped off sump guard, holed oil filter) so they gave me a 650 for the afternoon.
I lost count of how many times I fell off of that in the pm. The 1200s front is well planted (unless you're very brave), the 650 felt so different.
The 1200 is so different to ride than the 650. I did the Beacons ride last year. In the morning I rode a 1200 and had one minor off. However, I'd trashed it by lunch time (ripped off sump guard, holed oil filter) so they gave me a 650 for the afternoon.
I lost count of how many times I fell off of that in the pm. The 1200s front is well planted (unless you're very brave), the 650 felt so different.
SpyInTheCamp
Registered user
FWIW - I took the 650 option as I had no previous off road experience and from what I saw of most of the lads on 1200s, I was glad that I did.
I also rode down (and back) on my own bike - from Scotland. No big problem. Just stay an extra night in Abercrave if you can. I headed 100 miles north and found somewhere to stay on the way back.
I also hired their kit. That way you get an idea of what you may want to buy afterwards. I thought their kit was OK, but there's no upper body armour at all!
Take a camelback if you have one.
Otherwise, chill out ane enjoy. And don't worry about coming off. If you don't then you aren't trying hard enough!
Kai
I also rode down (and back) on my own bike - from Scotland. No big problem. Just stay an extra night in Abercrave if you can. I headed 100 miles north and found somewhere to stay on the way back.
I also hired their kit. That way you get an idea of what you may want to buy afterwards. I thought their kit was OK, but there's no upper body armour at all!
Take a camelback if you have one.
Otherwise, chill out ane enjoy. And don't worry about coming off. If you don't then you aren't trying hard enough!
Kai
JAY
Guest
I'm booked on the 11th May level one course with my brother-in law who refuses point blank to drive there in a car! The bastard!! Really looking forward to it - opted for the 650 but hope I can get a go on the 1200.
Just received my info pack and see that they insist on proper enduro/motocross boots so that's my Savannas out then. I know you can hire boots but has anyone got advice on the best boots to buy( at a realistic price that is!). Hopefully I'll get the off-road bug and I'd like to get some boots nicely broken in before the course anyway!
Just received my info pack and see that they insist on proper enduro/motocross boots so that's my Savannas out then. I know you can hire boots but has anyone got advice on the best boots to buy( at a realistic price that is!). Hopefully I'll get the off-road bug and I'd like to get some boots nicely broken in before the course anyway!
JAY said:
you'll love the course mate, fantastic 2 days, I'm doing it 3 times next year!!
The boots they hire out are fine to see how you get on before splashing out on an expensive pair. Failing that have a look on ebay always loads of nearly new boots on there, which you could buy, use, then flog back on ebay without losing money! I've got BMW GS2 boots just because if anything goes wrong on them BMW will replace them for 2 years!!
someone dropped there bike on my ankle when I was doing the course and boy was I glad i had them on!!!greencat
Guest
March/April
I'm booked on the Level One course on the 31st March / 1st April and booked in the Abercrave Inn on the Saturday and Sunday night. Anyone else going to be there on those nights?
I went for the 650 in the end rather than the 1200 purely because this will be my first time off roading and the thought of picking up the bigger bike several hundred times filled me with fear (I'm such a pussy).
I'm hoping to be in the market to buy an 1150GS from the end of this month so hopefully I'll get to build up those solo bike muscles.
Here's to sweating like a pig for two days...
I'm booked on the Level One course on the 31st March / 1st April and booked in the Abercrave Inn on the Saturday and Sunday night. Anyone else going to be there on those nights?
I went for the 650 in the end rather than the 1200 purely because this will be my first time off roading and the thought of picking up the bigger bike several hundred times filled me with fear (I'm such a pussy).
I'm hoping to be in the market to buy an 1150GS from the end of this month so hopefully I'll get to build up those solo bike muscles.
Here's to sweating like a pig for two days...
Starman
Guest
I did the Level One course back in July and struck gold: my instructors were Charlie Boorman and Simon Pavey no less. Charlie is training to be a BMW off road instructor, and me any my mate just happened to be placed in the team which had the winner of Bike Magazine's competition for a course with CB. What a stroke of luck !
We rode down to Abercraf from Manchester and stayed at the Abercrave Inn (book well in advance). I rode the 1200 and my mate the 650. Course was excellent, but make sure you have:
Proper Off Road boots - you can hire them there, so no probs.
Knee pads - they have them there too - free of charge to borrow
Organisation was A+, my bike was pretty rough despite having only 3000 mls on the clock, but after 2 days riding round in max 3rd gear, was obvious to see why. Was a godsend to get back on my own bike after a day in the hills.
Took some time getting used to the off-road brake and clutch position (levers angled down, makes it a lot easier when standing up) and getting the confidence in just using 2 fingers for brake and clutch control, but after an hour was second nature.
After 2 days, you will feel it in the shoulders and forearms - but worth the pain. The included meal at the Abercrave Inn was excellent, but was relieved to be sleeping there after a few pints.
Book it, do it and enjoy !
Martin
We rode down to Abercraf from Manchester and stayed at the Abercrave Inn (book well in advance). I rode the 1200 and my mate the 650. Course was excellent, but make sure you have:
Proper Off Road boots - you can hire them there, so no probs.
Knee pads - they have them there too - free of charge to borrow
Organisation was A+, my bike was pretty rough despite having only 3000 mls on the clock, but after 2 days riding round in max 3rd gear, was obvious to see why. Was a godsend to get back on my own bike after a day in the hills.
Took some time getting used to the off-road brake and clutch position (levers angled down, makes it a lot easier when standing up) and getting the confidence in just using 2 fingers for brake and clutch control, but after an hour was second nature.
After 2 days, you will feel it in the shoulders and forearms - but worth the pain. The included meal at the Abercrave Inn was excellent, but was relieved to be sleeping there after a few pints.
Book it, do it and enjoy !
Martin
IluvmyGS
Registered user
I'm booked on the level one course early August
I'd just pee my pants if Si Pavey & Charley were my instructors!!!!!!!
Fingers crossed
Shirley
I'd just pee my pants if Si Pavey & Charley were my instructors!!!!!!!
Fingers crossed
Shirley
I'm also booked in early August !
I'll be there as well
I'm also having a road session on the Sunday (still count myself as a learner 
)Jimbo - what nights are we booked in to the Abercrave? Did you want a lift down?
Mav
You'll really enjoy it. Good boots are a must, and as said above dont wear too much otherwise you'll melt.
I thought the 650s were great. More than enough power for what you'll be doing. However, seeing as I didn't fall off once at all in the whole two days, I wouldn't have minded the 1150 either (they werent doing 1200s when I did it) as picking up wasn't an issue. If you are falling off you aren't concentrating! Get your balance sorted!
Here's some pics of the fun you'll have. Warning - dont roost the instructors!
This is the Smugmug photo gallery with all 46 pics: http://tobers.smugmug.com/gallery/232908
Here's a couple of tasters...
Enjoy!!
I thought the 650s were great. More than enough power for what you'll be doing. However, seeing as I didn't fall off once at all in the whole two days, I wouldn't have minded the 1150 either (they werent doing 1200s when I did it) as picking up wasn't an issue
. If you are falling off you aren't concentrating! Get your balance sorted!Here's some pics of the fun you'll have. Warning - dont roost the instructors!
This is the Smugmug photo gallery with all 46 pics: http://tobers.smugmug.com/gallery/232908
Here's a couple of tasters...
Enjoy!!
IluvmyGS
Registered user
Tobers - I had a look at your pics . . . they're great!! . . . .are you the one with the black eye??
It looks loads of fun! I can't wait . . .just hope I don't fall off too much . . . it seems rather muddy there as well
Shirley
they're great!! . . . .are you the one with the black eye?? It looks loads of fun! I can't wait . . .just hope I don't fall off too much . . . it seems rather muddy there as well
Shirley
Dick Dastardly
Registered user
Nice piccies, anybody else headed down on 13/14 May....?
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