World of BMW Level 1 & Pyrenees Trip

[MickTabs]

Hi there!!!

Anyone booked on the World Of BMW off road level one course on the 15-16 April? Wheres the best place to stay? Is it best to get there the night before?

Also anyone booked on the World of BMW off roading to the Pyrenees in May? Anyone been on this years run??? Whats it like????

Mick

 

[JimboGSA]

Hi there!!!

Anyone booked on the World Of BMW off road level one course on the 15-16 April? Wheres the best place to stay? Is it best to get there the night before?

Also anyone booked on the World of BMW off roading to the Pyrenees in May? Anyone been on this years run??? Whats it like????

Mick

Hi Mick,

I did the level 1 in September, great weekend of biking. I'd recommend the abercrave inn, but book early i.e. now, as they fill up quite quickly. Definately recommend going down the night before your course

Read this link as plenty of advice on what the course involves etc

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87860

I'm doing level 1, level 2, and the HP2 experience next year, can't wait!!

J

 

[MickTabs]

Thanks for the info J Good luck with the courses!!!!

 

[JJ1]

Pyrenees 07

Hi Mick,

I've completed Off Road Skills 1 & 2 & Brecon Beacons[ok it was a few years ago & I never did pass my cycling proficiency] , recommend all of them, but to me the Brecons was the best.

Also did the Spain / France off Road this October, [1st major trip before this adventure was Dudley & after I built a bit more confidence - the Lake District] didn't know anyone before I arrived at Plymouth [apart from Si Pavey & Nick Palmer], but soon made new friends, but I can't explain how fantastic it was:-

Great Accomodation [the 2 No Paradors were exceptional], Luggage/panniers were delivered to each overnight stop, so we could all ride unhindered?

Goes without saying great food, wine, etc

Great riding, set up with a daily road book [they also provided a local map], routes were well prepared [ok a few mistakes Mr Evans]with various off road loops that you take or miss?, riding in small groups. Believe me, there's a lot going on - riding on the other side of the road/track, unbelievable scenary, road book, map, GPS, fuel?>?? oh & check Chris is still following?

Most of all great Company, you can't top riding all day on/off road, fabtastic scenary, lunch [8 euros, freshly prepared 3 course], meet with the lads at the destination [when they arrive] for a day review & beer, then out for a three course meal etc.

I'd post some pics here, but can't??, so best look at this link http://www.flickr.com/groups/bmw_trip/pool/ which is only a small sample, but I'm sure more will be added shortly??

Glad I Took:-

Camel Back, Garmin Quest [when all else fails / time runs out], TKC's [on the utterly butterly sections],

Didn't need:-

Warning Triangle? [sorry chris], Ipod [too much to concentrate on & didn't have time, too kn*^kered to listen], so much stuff?

Wish I had:-

Taken more pictures & taken more time to enjoy it, but you know when it's a twisty road / gravel track on TKC's, you've just got to give it some throttle?

 

[MickTabs]

JJ thanks for the info, sounds great! Do you think you could have done the trip with tourances instead of TKCs???? Thanks again JJ
Great pics love the vire



Mick

 

[JJ1]

TKC's

Hi Mick,

No way, TKC's were brilliant, if you look at the utterly butterly pics you'll see good reason not to stick to tourances, I also think they'd be far better on the gravel fire tracks?

 

[MickTabs]

Hi JJ,

Ok TKC it is then, But the question i must ask is how much better are TKCs over tourances?

Regards

Mick

 

[JJ1]

TKC's

Mick,

I'm sure you'll find out , but watch out for wet tarmac...

 

[xylo66]

Pyrenees trip

Echo JJ1. Such a good trip.
TKC's absolute must. I have always ridden with Tourances, but changed them for this trip - and very glad I did.
I have a few pics on www.raisinselec.com/SpainFranceGSTrip

I recommend a camelback for drinking as there isn't really time while riding. Also a map holder or tank bag to hold the roadmaps. However, it was just a difficult for those that did have as it was often too intense to look down. The best was for most of us to peg the directions onto the GSA screen which meant that one didn't have to look away from the road or piste.
All in all, a cracking course. If you pm me, I'll send you the turn by turn route if you wish.

 

[xylo66]

Tourances verses TKC

Mick,
I regular ride with a group of streetbike guys and the Tourances grip tarmac like glue , esp on the A470 through Wales for example, and lets the ton of metal of the GSA keep up with the guys on teatrays - no matter how twisty or however the weather.
However, offroad, the Tourances don't stand a chance, even if its loose dry gravel. This is where TKC's shine and come into their own. So, if its pure tarmac all the way no matter what, then Tourances are fine. If there is any off road to be done, then I'd suggest not taking any chance, use TKC's. The disadvantage is that the TKC's wear down very quickly on tarmac and if the tarmac is wet, stay well clear of any spilt oil or grease, paint etc - if you see it in time. I have ridden the TKC's flat out in pouring torrential rain, and they still grip really well. But if you make any mistake or get the timing wrong, you have to be quick in reflexes.

 

[xylo66]

earlier link about Pyrenees trip

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87244

 

[MickTabs]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87244

Hi 66,

Wow ok cool pics thanks for info TKCs it is then!!!!

http://www.worldofbmw.co.uk/content/offRoadSkills.asp?article=639

This is the trip i am doing so TKCs are a must looking forward to riding with them as never been on off road tyres, any idea what to pay for a set?

Thanks dude!!!!!

Mick

 

[JJ1]

Pyrenees trip

Echo JJ1. Such a good trip.
TKC's absolute must. I have always ridden with Tourances, but changed them for this trip - and very glad I did.
I have a few pics on www.raisinselec.com/SpainFranceGSTrip

I recommend a camelback for drinking as there isn't really time while riding. Also a map holder or tank bag to hold the roadmaps. However, it was just a difficult for those that did have as it was often too intense to look down. The best was for most of us to peg the directions onto the GSA screen which meant that one didn't have to look away from the road or piste.
All in all, a cracking course. If you pm me, I'll send you the turn by turn route if you wish.

Hi xylo66,

Having trouble sending PM??, hopefully will sort shortly, turn by turn would be great?

Echo the Camelback and Map Pocket, I fitted a brake lever extension, but also intend to fit some of those Touratech rallye footpegs..

Also worth mentioning the bikes that toppled over on the ferry home??, sat mine on the centre stand and it was ok..

Are you on for next year?

 

[Desert Rat]

Hi Mick,

No way, TKC's were brilliant, if you look at the utterly butterly pics you'll see good reason not to stick to tourances, I also think they'd be far better on the gravel fire tracks?

TKC's a must!!

 

[Duchess]

Having trouble sending PM??

JJ1 you have to be a site sponsor to be able to use the pm facility ... the links at the top of this page just in case you want to use it.

 

[MickTabs]

TKC's a must!!

Wow thats deep shit ok point taken in that sort of swamp yes TKCs are the only choice Did you come off much Desert Rat? At least once? lol looks like i'm going to get down and dirty

Many thanks for the info

 

[JJ1]

Duchess,

Thanks, didn't realise, but sorted now...

 

[JJ1]

Bardenas Desert Mud

Struggled to get that 'Deep Shit' [Bardenas Desert Glooop] of my R1150GS, decided to use pressure washer??,

now have a P 150 C ????

 

[MickTabs]

Struggled to get that 'Deep Shit' [Bardenas Desert Glooop] of my R1150GS, decided to use pressure washer??,

now have a P 150 C ????

Yep got one myself good bit of kit!!!

 

[xylo66]

Pyrenees trip

Mick,
I got my tires from the guys at BathBMW, so your local dealer should be able to help you out. Enjoy the trip -its excellent. DesertRat is a pro, so asking him about falling off is rare - if only I had a headcam for what only he and I were witness to would have made a priceless candid camera shot ! I dropped it more times than I hoped , but in such conditions , thankfully help was on hand, esp DR!