Team REME Enduro School - a day with the Natterjacks

Hi guys, I'm never great and rider reports and I definately havent got pumpy's elegance with photo documentary, but here goes...

I spent yesterday at the Team REME Enduro School playing around in their back yard down in Liss south of Basingstoke

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The day costs £75 with an addition £100 charge if you wish to hire a bike - Yamaha 250 or 400 WRX. I hired a 250 which seemed plenty powerfull enough for all that I was doing and light enough to pick up a few times if you needed to

The instructors appeared to be mostly from the Yamaha Off Road Experience and were a great bunch of guys, they were accompanied by riders from REME who where there to keep us safe and help out and also helped keep our spirits up.

The event was open to all levels of riders from Novice (in my dreams), throught intermediate to advanced. I'm not sure how many riders there where on Friday, I'm guessing under 30. Everyone was put into a group based on level of experience and the groups went out for 3 lots of 1,5 hour sessions, swapping instructors over the three sessions, but we did keep the same REME guys (which for me was good as you got to see some of the same face throughout the day)

Longmoor camp seems to be an excellent location and appeared to offer plenty for everyone in all groups

All in all I had a great day and would totally recommend it to anyone interested in learning more - I'd almost say its not one for the GS's but I know there are a few of you out there that would prove me wrong.

I'm not sure what else to add at this point - other than there appears to still be spaces open for Sunday if you are in the area...

http://www.army.mod.uk/reme/sport/enduro/index.html


edit... having just previewed and looked at the map I should explain that Longmoor Camp is to the North East of Liss on the map there is a second junction to the East of Loogmoor and a track that loops back west along the north side of the A3 - there is then a T-junction and a track crosses south ove the A3 and the track goes on into the woods where there is a cross roads - to the west of the cross-roads in a clearing with two long hangers that is where the school is based and the day is spent in the area to the west of there.

so... did anyone else make it along to this???

not meaning to be funny, but I guess there is no-one here interested in non-BMW offroad riding events... I had a slightly better response to the Husky Trial day I reported on..

hey ho, guess I dont need to report back next time...

Sounds like a good day out.

Nice to know there is a much cheaper alternative to the BMW school. Pity its not nearer

£75 a day would be money well spent, I did a weekend of Geraint Jones's enduro school a few years back.....in fact I think I'm about due another

Cheers guys, sorry to be stroppy, just felt like I was talkig to myself

LiquidLAN said:

Cheers guys, sorry to be stroppy, just felt like I was talkig to myself

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No problem I missed the thread at first

Although it does highlight that offroading may just be another 'must have' accessory to the average GS'er so it must have the right brand name

I would have loved to have done it, but I found out too late, its a top riding area (if a bit sandy for my comfort) but the chance of a fairly priced ride out, with instruction, shouldn't be missed if at all possible IMO.

Next year maybe

Shep

Shep said:

I would have loved to have done it, but I found out too late, its a top riding area (if a bit sandy for my comfort) but the chance of a fairly priced ride out, with instruction, shouldn't be missed if at all possible IMO.

Next year maybe

Shep

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It's not that bad actually - the arial shot seems to give the impression that there is a lot of sand there, but it took me a fair while to fine the sand pit when I went off for the free ride section at the end of the day. it was however very muddy in places.

Sorry I didnt post anything up sooner Shep

Timolgra, I think you could be right tbut I dont think they would have objected if someone pitched up on a BM to do the day - Apparently Patsy Quick has been there a couple of times

Many many moons back i rode a couple of trials in the area and it was very sandy between the sections but mud and woods in the sections IIRC (it was along while back)

Shep

Dont get me wrong there are some big sandy area there, but the route they layed out seemed to be mostly mud and think gravel (almost clay think) tracks - that said we parked up next to a couple of guys who race KTMs and they commented that they'd been in the sand the how first session - chewing out a set of pads each in the process - apparently the sand was getting between the pads and the disks and chewing the pads out even whent he brakes where off...

Thank god for hire bikes

I know we were restricted the to course that was layed out, but it looked like agood place to go and play

Thanks for taking the time LL. Didnt check the forum this weekend so have only just seen it. Have added the REME page to sites to check now and then for advance warning.

We're all feeling guilty now for not replying to this thread

Hi, this is interesting. I did a job for a mate and he gave me a cheque for 175 squid for an off-road course. I was thinking of the Yamaha course since they provide all the kit etc. Any other suggestions?

I can't comment on the Yahama own run course as I've not been on that, but the REME one you had to provide your own kit for, but you could hire bikes from Yamaha Experience.

I've done one with Husky Sports, but they are down towards Winchester - south on Newbury - but we have looked at organising other stuff and KTM and Honda have offerings dotted around the country.

I wouldnt mind doing the BM course, but the reality is its hard enough trying to get a group to commit to a single day even, never mind trying to get them to sign up to two, but I'm sure I'll get there at some point.

These are the two we've looked at
http://www.adysmith.co.uk/

http://www.hondaoffroad.co.uk/

The Ady Smith event appears to come highly recommended and they will even put 125s on if you have anyone awaiting to pass their test.

what kind of things are taught on these courses anyway and is there a book or website giving details so I can practice locally ?

by the way - my computer really doesnt like that google link !

could tell some stories about longmoor and slab common but have been banned from telling REME TA tales on this site

turnipbmw said:

what kind of things are taught on these courses anyway and is there a book or website giving details so I can practice locally ?

by the way - my computer really doesnt like that google link !

could tell some stories about longmoor and slab common but have been banned from telling REME TA tales on this site

Click to expand...

Sorry about the map mate, look for Liss in the UK, Longmoor is north east of it, but sounds like you might know the area already.

Whats taught? All sorts I guess... I was in the novice group so we covered things like basic standing/sitting position, reading lines, observations, hill climbing and decending, getting over logs and other obsticals, but they had people there right across the range and I dont remember anyone complaining (but then I was probably too tired to notice)

no books or other hand outs, it was just a day in the saddle with various coaching