BMW Off Road Skills L1 this weekend (22&23 May)

[charliegadget]

Hi,

I am booked to go this weekend.... anyone else from this site going??

Nervous, but looking forward to it...

Staying at the Abercrave Inn..

Any tips from anyone who has done this before??

Cheers

Charlie

 

[Slowdown]

Take their advice and drink lots of water - they have lots of free bottles available - you'll wear too much, sweat lots and stink - inside and out.

I took some 'energy' bars to scoff - their food's ok, but lunch isn't massive.

Don't worry - it's really good fun.

Possibly a bit late now, but practise lock to lock figure of 8's - the better you are at slow control the more you'll get from the course.

 

[mrsroynie]

Roynie and I did Level 1 Basic about 3 weeks ago. I read far too many tales of woe before I got there: people being exhausted by standing on the pegs all day, broken bones, endless falling off and having to pick the bike up ... I worked myself up into a right bundle of nerves by the time I arrived in Wales.

In the event, we had a great time. My worst injury was a muscle spasm in my left arm caused by "death grip" (clinging on for dear life) on the first morning. But by the afternoon, I had relaxed sufficiently to enjoy the rest of the course. I only parted company with the bike twice in two days, and had to pick the bike up three times. (One of those was the initial exercise.) The only other notable injuries amongst our group of 40-odd, were a badly dislocated finger (requiring surgery to put it back - ouch!) and a wrenched knee (caused not so much by getting trapped under the bike, but by trying to pull himself free without assistance).

Like Slowdown says, follow advice about eating and drinking. The riding is strenuous. But any reasonably fit person should be able cope easily. I reckon the people who had most problems with fatigue were probably those who habitually skip breakfast. By lunchtime on the second day, I saw some really quite bizarre mistakes from people who, at the start of the course, seemed perfectly competent riders. You really need to make up those carbs.

Which bike are you on? I made a poor choice initially, booking an 800GS. Waiting for the briefing, I noticed a chart on the wall saying it was "not suitable" for Level 1 Basic. I mentioned it to Tamsin who swapped me onto a little 650 X-Country. I was a bit sceptical at first as I am 5'9" with long legs, but it was a brilliant bike for the task - so much so that my OH wants to buy one for green laning around here!

It is a great course. Can't speak highly enough of the instructors. But, be warned, it is addictive. We'll be back for Level 1 Advanced as soon as time and money allow.

 

[charliegadget]

I am going on an 800... I am 6'2 and use a 1200 Adv for my daily commute, just didnt fancy lugging that lump around to 2 days!!

Thanks for the tip re energy bars... and drinks..

I will also make sure I eat a good breakfast!

Cheers

Charlie

 

[Roberto]

All advice good thus far

+1 for the water and sustinance..

but Relax and enjoy.. and be sure to listen to the (excellent) instruction.

You'll be doing things you never thought you'd be able to do.. locking the front wheel whilst powering along in the gravel.. going up seemingly silly hills and down slopes.. I couldn't believe I could do it.. but you really, really can.

Try out the other bikes when you get a chance too..

Have a great time
Rob

 

[WindyChuffer]

If you have a Camelbak (or simlilar), take it. There is no substitute for continual slurping of water. Waiting for a break and a bottle of water from someone else doesnt cut it.

Take a shed load of energy bars and keep munching.

Wear breathable clothes.

Take a couple of bin liners and maybe a bungee or two so you can stash any layers you dont need. Temptation is to overdress, particularly if the morning is cold.

Don't drink too much in the bar; you'll only regret it as its a fun (and expensive) 2 days.

Relax, and enjoy !

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Defo a Camelback Wear body armour and a moto cross shirt as you do get really hot and knackered .Mars bars /Geo Bars are worth having. Good pair of boots help with all the standing on pegs and dont forget yer camera!! I did the first day on a GS12 which was too heavy ,the next day on a XC 650 which was Brilliant.I did the course to be ready for Endurohimalaya 2 years ago and reckon it was the best £400 I've spent, the Himalayas was easier

 

[Wingit]

Charlie,

I'll be arriving at the Abercrave on Saturday the 23rd to ride on the 24th and 25th. Maybe I can catch you for a beer Saturday night.

Cheers, Ken

 

[charliegadget]

Charlie,

I'll be arriving at the Abercrave on Saturday the 23rd to ride on the 24th and 25th. Maybe I can catch you for a beer Saturday night.

Cheers, Ken

Hi Ken, would love to, but we are only staying Thurs and Friday night... we are heading straight off after the presentation on Friday as we have a love drive back to cambridge! I think we will be stopping over night at the "In-Laws"

Thanks to all for the advice... I went out and bought a "Camelbak" yesterday!

Charlie

 

[mrsroynie]

The only other thing I would add, was that a number of people, quite naturally, chose to ride down to Wales on their bikes. If you do, and you have a long journey home after the course finishes, perhaps think to book an extra night in the hotel.

We were in a car, but some of the folk who took the course with us regretted their decision to bring their bikes as they were exhausted - particularly as it had rained all day. A few opted to stay on an extra night at the last minute.

 

[charliegadget]

The only other thing I would add, was that a number of people, quite naturally, chose to ride down to Wales on their bikes. If you do, and you have a long journey home after the course finishes, perhaps think to book an extra night in the hotel.

We were in a car, but some of the folk who took the course with us regretted their decision to bring their bikes as they were exhausted - particularly as it had rained all day. A few opted to stay on an extra night at the last minute.

Yep, I thought that too... hence we are going in the car! My wife is doing the rider training at the same time!

we are going to break up the journey by stopping at the in laws so only a couple of hours driving after the course.

Charlie

 

[shadude]

Possibly a bit late now, but practise lock to lock figure of 8's - the better you are at slow control the more you'll get from the course.

Hi Slowdown, I'm not trying to be a smart arse, just checking, lock to lock figure 8's . Do you mean that literally, cause I tried and I can get close, but not lock to lock? I take it you mean close to lock to lock?

 

[mrsroynie]

Hi Slowdown, I'm not trying to be a smart arse, just checking, lock to lock figure 8's . Do you mean that literally, cause I tried and I can get close, but not lock to lock? I take it you mean close to lock to lock?

Probably a little bit of an exageration, but the closer the better. One of the early exercises is to ride inside a coned box about 8 ft square - quite small anyway - and you need to be able to do it in both directions, standing up ... You WILL be able to do it. Everybody is always surprised how much they find they CAN do. But if you have naturally good clutch control, you will find everything that much easier.