Off road skills course recommendation England/Wales?

[Smudger]

Hello all,

Happy New Year!

I was looking for recommendations for an off road school in England/Wales. I know there are quite a few I just wanted to check if any of you knew of one with decent instructors and bikes. Thinking of a day or two’s tuition in the mud as a way of easing into 2013.

Recommendations appreciated!

Smudger

[Endurodude]

I'm looking to go with the BMW off-road skills course in the Brecon Beacons. I've heard good things from others, and the level one course seems to be exactly what I'd like to learn! Like you, I'm hoping to get into off roading a little in 2013, and this seems like a good introduction. I spoke to the at the NEC recently and had went through what I'm after.

For me, this is a wise choice as I ride an F800GS, and I can use theirs to through around the countryside instead of my own! What sort of bike do you ride? Perhaps others will know of better suited courses for your machine?

Happy riding

[Smudger]

I have heard good things about both the Yamaha & the BMW schools with Yamaha coming in at £200/day as of April, with an Enduro two day school at the end of January for £320 (aimed at those with more experience than I) & BMW around £480 for two days both providing bikes & all the gear.

I’ve had BMW’s in the past & rode an F800GS from Alaska to Argentina in 2010/11 (http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Smudger1/.) so I’ve had my time playing in the mud with one of those & in all honesty I’ve now sworn off the brand.

I’ll try & be patient and wait until April!

[dash]

My first call would be to Black Desert Training, run by Craig Bounds and Tamsin Jones...

Black Desert Off-Road Training School and guided tours

Both excellent teachers as well as extremely accomplished riders (and great fun to chat to). They have hire bikes available, and being a smaller setup I think they're probably more able to tailor a day to suit exactly what you want to get out of it than the big manufacturer-sponsored schools (although in fairness, I've never been to the BMW school)

Craig is in Peru at the moment for the Dakar, but I think Tams is in the UK, so probably able to answer queries.

Craig hiding his exasperation well as some muppet on a Tenere stalls in the middle of a really simple slow-speed control exercise...

[Lonesome George]

Hi Smudger, Dom here - we met in Canada. anyway, I did the BMW course in Wales before my trip and thought it was excellent. There can't be much better than being trained by Simon Pavey himself. I know it's not cheap but it is good.

why have you been put off BMW?

[Big Yellow Tractor]

Staying on the Dakar theme, Patsy Quick (the only British Female to finish a "proper" Dakar I think) runs School of off road riding skills - - HOME alongside her rally support business.

She's based in West Sussex.


I did an enduro training day with Wyn Hughes a few years back and he was a superb instructor. He's now with Yamaha Off-Road Experience.