Am slowly being convinced by a mate to try some off roading, have never done it before
Was wondering if anybody knows of companies offering enduro weekends for beginners, think I should give it a go before I start looking for a suitable bike
Thanks
Well I've just been through this over the past two years, having never done any off-road riding before.
BMW Off-Road School
This is a good start as you get to ride their bikes, and they have a selection of size and power. 2 day course and it'll teach you a lot about the basic skills you'll need. I would recommend it as it's a nice venue and new bikes, although it is costly.
Sweet Lamb Adventure Bike Academy
This has been highly recommended and I'm booked in myself. It costs about a third of the BMW Off Road School, but it's more basic surroundings and you use your own bike. I think they may hire now, don't know. But tuition is very good.
Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF)
Costs about £35 per year membership and you'll be in the hands of regular off-road trail riders. BUT, you'll need your own bike and they are not geared up for training newbies, a lot of them can do it, but can't easily explain what YOU need to be doing. They'll happily talk to you and give you lots of advice, very friendly bunch, but when out on the trails, you're on your own unless you latch onto someone who will happily spend time teaching you. Mostly I found you're expected to muddle through best you can. It's bloody hard work at times as they're on trails they want to ride on, rather than easy stuff to get you used to being banged around on the bike.
UK Legal Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATS)
There are plenty of country lanes and fields that look great to ride down, but most of them are PRIVATE LAND or CLOSED ROADS TO VEHICLES. This is a pain in the ass, as if caught, you'll risk being prosecuted for some traffic law violation.
You'll need to find where the legal lanes are, so that you can ride down them safe in the knowledge you are allowed to be there.
Legal Lanes and Tours
Finding legal lanes are like finding GOLD.... they are out there by contacting your local council (as they change legal status all the time). Or buy an Ordinance Survey map, or buy a Garmin GPS Unit that can upload Ordinance Survey maps onto it.
What helped me was joining the TRF and getting to know some guys... then they showed me bike suitable lanes to try.
Ride The Wild (RTW) - Tour Company
http://www.ridethewild.co.uk/
Also, look for off-road tour companies in your area. They'll teach you where to go, record the map on your bike and then go with your mates.
CRASH PROTECTON - BIKE
You will crash, so make sure you have skid plate, crash bars, STRONG hand guards, folding mirrors, knobbly tyres
CRASH PROTECTION - YOU
Get Motorcross Boots (don't use your road boots, you'll risk smashing your ankles badly)
Other considerations....
Neck brace, knee brace, impact shorts, wrist brace, body armour..... sounds like overkill? yes for simple dirt tracks, but if you start getting speed up over rocks, ruts, mud, cambers.... don't say I didn't warn you