Deleted Member I
Guest
Last weekend, off I went to Wales for a bit of an off road adventure. Having to sell the bike and everything, thought this would be a great treat as my last ride of the season ..... (in a more literal way than I thought!)
Arrrived in Abercrave at 11pm ish, after a nice week in Bristol. GPS was playing up in the rental car, was very lucky that it would just work as I got to each turn off.
Found the group to have all gone to bed!!!
The Inn keeper had to wake a few people up to find out where I was suppose to sleep. After a few enquiry ... I found that I was sharing a room with Phil (Squadron Leader) no less!! After a stern telling off for being so ***** late again, I went to bed. The room was based on the lower floor next to the car park (this proved to be bloody useful later on in the weekend)
Saturday morning was filled with excitement and trepidation. I knew I really wanted to learn how to do this off roading stuff but on the other hand I knew I was shitting my pants.
Got lift from one of the group to the business park where we were to collect our bikes and any rental kit. I had booked a pair of rental boots just in case my ones weren’t up to job. After a brief chat with Simon, I decided to rent one of their proper off road boots ….. (this was to prove pretty useful idea in a few hours time!)
The First thing everyone did when they arrived at the business park was to do a “german tourist towel trick”, by leaving their helmet on a Dakar. For me … with short legs and limited confidence … a regular 650 GS was more than adequate.
After a short briefing we got on the bikes and rode to the training site. The ride to the site was great way to start. I hadn’t been on a bike for a week, and getting back on one was great fun. Made me feel all confident.
On arrival, I was boiling!!! Do not underestimate their advice about wearing too much clothes! This off road riding is hard work and you will warm up. So remember, don’t wear too much clothes. Bring a rucksack with additional stuff if you are really worried. After filling up with water the instructors split us into groups. I was with the Sawbridgeworth group and was being taught by Nick Palmer.
Nick took us across to an open gravel area to practice our first set of exercises.
1. Picking up a bike
It was a pretty neat and simple technique. Although still pretty hard work lifting the bloody thing.
2. Finding the balancing point of your bike
The art of balance seems to be one of the fundamentals of this off road riding stuff.
3. TWO Fingers
Critical to have only TWO fingers on each lever, or you will suffer the “death grip”. Which I saw demonstrated later in the day on an uphill gradient …. Not nice.
4. Walking the bike
Using the biting point to let the bike move forward, whilst you walked next to it. Couldn’t get the hang of this. As a result, dropped the bike and …… broke the bar ends off
5. Standing on the bike
How to stand and why the pedals should now feel perfect, rather than awkward when sitting down
Now the riding bits. Nick set out a simple course for us to ride round. Practicing our left and right hand turns at low speed.
6. Riding whilst standing up
Sort of okay with this, although the tighter lower speed turns were a problem for me. Has been a problem for a while, part of the reason for coming on this course was to see if I can get it fixed.
7. Riding in a small rectangle
Learning to do tight right and left hand turns. Wasn’t doing this very well. Actually was just a bit crap at it.
Then the fun exercises began. STOPPING.
This is where we ride as fast as we can and stop.
8. Rear brakes only
Bit of sliding around but fun
9. Front brake only
Scary!!!
10: Front and Read brake together
Was told I did not do it FIRMLY enough. Should have given it a bit more. Actually I was shitting my pants already …
Then we stopped for lunch. By this stage I was already KNACKERED! So a long break was really useful.
In the afternoon we started to ride the trails around the site. Rode at the back of the convoy and was quite enjoying it. Splashing through a few small puddles!!!
We then stopped as Nick explained some rules for when you get lost. At this point, I forgot about the “stop it in gear” rule and the bike fell over as I parked it
After the short briefing everyone headed off as I tried my new “pick up the bike” technique. Couldn’t quite do it and help was given by another member of the group. THEN EVERYONE HAD GONE. Althought Dave was still there behind me, acting as back marker.
“got to catch up … got to catch up” …. Caught up and they rode into this tight semi circle bit to practice left hand turn. Oh Oh!
The next bit of the ride report is a bit less clear for me, so some of it may be less accurate.
Approached pretty quickly (for me) and then saw “trees ahead!!” Quick turn …. Turn …. Turn … THEN
F*******K!!!!!!
OUCH!!!
SHIT Foot trapped under bike ….. hope I didn’t break anything …… shit it hurts!!!
Dave and Phil to the rescue! Thanks guys!
They removed the bike from on top of me and pulled me to safety.
At this point I remember Dave recommending that I should take my helmet off and lie under the shade. All I remember was … OUCCHHHHHHC!!!!!!!!
I didn’t cry though but it did f**king hurt.
Nick returned to asked if I had broken anything, and my first reaction was NO I DON’T THINK SO. He then asked me to “twist my leg” to see if it “crunches”. I did it and it bloody hurt BUT I didn’t feel any crunches. Maybe just a bad twist
After a few minutes to let the pain go down a bit … Got back on the bike and rode back to the hospitality unit. Then sat out the rest of the afternoon. Had a nap. Got laughed at by a guy who was a mate of the chap manning the hospitality unit.
After a few hours…. Simon came back with his group. Then suggested I watched the uphill recovery technique he was about to teach. That was amazing. An Adventure on an unhill gradient, not moving, but being well balanced. Simon could only touched the ground with one foot and it was still okay. Remember, let the bike stall. No brakes no clutch. It will just stay there … UPRIGHT. AMAZING.
Then the day ended and everyone was going back to the business park to drop off the bike. I still had to ride a bike back to the business park. I couldn’t change gear at first, until Nick Plumb taught me to use my heel to do it. Easy if you know how. So a nice gentle ride back to the business park.
Then it was to hospital. Simon took me down there and came to pick me up 6 hours later around midnight. Thank you Simon!
I have never been in an A&E. Feck it’s scary!!! Scary looking people with blood all over the place. Some in handcuffs too. Finally saw the doctor after about 5 hours …. Diagnosis ….. NASTY BREAK.
“so can I drive home?” …… “NO!”
They put me in a cast and gave me a set of crutches. “Goto your local hospital to get it looked at as soon as possible …. DON’T LEAVE IT” …. Got back home and went next door to the hospital ….. appointment on Friday ????
My thanks to Dave and Phil for picking me up off the Gravel!
My thanks to Simon and his wife for taking me to hospital and taking me back to the Abercrave Inn
My thanks again to Phil for making me tea in the morning and helping me get to breakfast
My thanks to Terri and Arthur for driving me home!
Well … maybe … just maybe … next year ….
Arrrived in Abercrave at 11pm ish, after a nice week in Bristol. GPS was playing up in the rental car, was very lucky that it would just work as I got to each turn off.
Found the group to have all gone to bed!!!
The Inn keeper had to wake a few people up to find out where I was suppose to sleep. After a few enquiry ... I found that I was sharing a room with Phil (Squadron Leader) no less!! After a stern telling off for being so ***** late again, I went to bed. The room was based on the lower floor next to the car park (this proved to be bloody useful later on in the weekend)
Saturday morning was filled with excitement and trepidation. I knew I really wanted to learn how to do this off roading stuff but on the other hand I knew I was shitting my pants.
Got lift from one of the group to the business park where we were to collect our bikes and any rental kit. I had booked a pair of rental boots just in case my ones weren’t up to job. After a brief chat with Simon, I decided to rent one of their proper off road boots ….. (this was to prove pretty useful idea in a few hours time!)
The First thing everyone did when they arrived at the business park was to do a “german tourist towel trick”, by leaving their helmet on a Dakar. For me … with short legs and limited confidence … a regular 650 GS was more than adequate.
After a short briefing we got on the bikes and rode to the training site. The ride to the site was great way to start. I hadn’t been on a bike for a week, and getting back on one was great fun. Made me feel all confident.
On arrival, I was boiling!!! Do not underestimate their advice about wearing too much clothes! This off road riding is hard work and you will warm up. So remember, don’t wear too much clothes. Bring a rucksack with additional stuff if you are really worried. After filling up with water the instructors split us into groups. I was with the Sawbridgeworth group and was being taught by Nick Palmer.
Nick took us across to an open gravel area to practice our first set of exercises.
1. Picking up a bike
It was a pretty neat and simple technique. Although still pretty hard work lifting the bloody thing.
2. Finding the balancing point of your bike
The art of balance seems to be one of the fundamentals of this off road riding stuff.
3. TWO Fingers
Critical to have only TWO fingers on each lever, or you will suffer the “death grip”. Which I saw demonstrated later in the day on an uphill gradient …. Not nice.
4. Walking the bike
Using the biting point to let the bike move forward, whilst you walked next to it. Couldn’t get the hang of this. As a result, dropped the bike and …… broke the bar ends off
5. Standing on the bike
How to stand and why the pedals should now feel perfect, rather than awkward when sitting down
Now the riding bits. Nick set out a simple course for us to ride round. Practicing our left and right hand turns at low speed.
6. Riding whilst standing up
Sort of okay with this, although the tighter lower speed turns were a problem for me. Has been a problem for a while, part of the reason for coming on this course was to see if I can get it fixed.
7. Riding in a small rectangle
Learning to do tight right and left hand turns. Wasn’t doing this very well. Actually was just a bit crap at it.
Then the fun exercises began. STOPPING.
This is where we ride as fast as we can and stop.
8. Rear brakes only
Bit of sliding around but fun9. Front brake only
Scary!!!
10: Front and Read brake together
Was told I did not do it FIRMLY enough. Should have given it a bit more. Actually I was shitting my pants already …
Then we stopped for lunch. By this stage I was already KNACKERED! So a long break was really useful.
In the afternoon we started to ride the trails around the site. Rode at the back of the convoy and was quite enjoying it. Splashing through a few small puddles!!!
We then stopped as Nick explained some rules for when you get lost. At this point, I forgot about the “stop it in gear” rule and the bike fell over as I parked it
After the short briefing everyone headed off as I tried my new “pick up the bike” technique. Couldn’t quite do it and help was given by another member of the group
. THEN EVERYONE HAD GONE. Althought Dave was still there behind me, acting as back marker.“got to catch up … got to catch up” …. Caught up and they rode into this tight semi circle bit to practice left hand turn. Oh Oh!
The next bit of the ride report is a bit less clear for me, so some of it may be less accurate.
Approached pretty quickly (for me) and then saw “trees ahead!!” Quick turn …. Turn …. Turn … THEN
F*******K!!!!!!
OUCH!!!
SHIT Foot trapped under bike ….. hope I didn’t break anything …… shit it hurts!!!
Dave and Phil to the rescue! Thanks guys!
They removed the bike from on top of me and pulled me to safety.
At this point I remember Dave recommending that I should take my helmet off and lie under the shade. All I remember was … OUCCHHHHHHC!!!!!!!!
I didn’t cry though
but it did f**king hurt.Nick returned to asked if I had broken anything, and my first reaction was NO I DON’T THINK SO. He then asked me to “twist my leg” to see if it “crunches”. I did it and it bloody hurt BUT I didn’t feel any crunches. Maybe just a bad twist
After a few minutes to let the pain go down a bit … Got back on the bike and rode back to the hospitality unit. Then sat out the rest of the afternoon. Had a nap. Got laughed at by a guy who was a mate of the chap manning the hospitality unit.
After a few hours…. Simon came back with his group. Then suggested I watched the uphill recovery technique he was about to teach. That was amazing. An Adventure on an unhill gradient, not moving, but being well balanced. Simon could only touched the ground with one foot and it was still okay. Remember, let the bike stall. No brakes no clutch. It will just stay there … UPRIGHT. AMAZING.
Then the day ended and everyone was going back to the business park to drop off the bike. I still had to ride a bike back to the business park. I couldn’t change gear at first, until Nick Plumb taught me to use my heel to do it. Easy if you know how. So a nice gentle ride back to the business park.
Then it was to hospital. Simon took me down there and came to pick me up 6 hours later around midnight. Thank you Simon!
I have never been in an A&E. Feck it’s scary!!! Scary looking people with blood all over the place. Some in handcuffs too. Finally saw the doctor after about 5 hours …. Diagnosis ….. NASTY BREAK.
“so can I drive home?” …… “NO!”
They put me in a cast and gave me a set of crutches. “Goto your local hospital to get it looked at as soon as possible …. DON’T LEAVE IT” …. Got back home and went next door to the hospital ….. appointment on Friday ????
My thanks to Dave and Phil for picking me up off the Gravel!
My thanks to Simon and his wife for taking me to hospital and taking me back to the Abercrave Inn
My thanks again to Phil for making me tea in the morning and helping me get to breakfast
My thanks to Terri and Arthur for driving me home!
Well … maybe … just maybe … next year ….
