Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Tours
Off road skills course recommendation England/Wales? Off road skills course recommendation England/Wales?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Tours Take a tour to get your feet wet, or when you just don't have the time to plan and organize it and ship the bike etc. NOTE: This forum is NOT for free advertising, but it IS for discussions by travellers on tours they have taken, or are interested in taking.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Jan 2013
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: London
Posts: 59
Off road skills course recommendation England/Wales?
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
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Jan 2013
Endurodude's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Middle England, UK
Posts: 457
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
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Jan 2013
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: London
Posts: 59
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!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Jan 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Derby, UK
Posts: 119
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...

__________________
dashmoto.net
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Jan 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Posts: 368
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?
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Jan 2013
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
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.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Jan 2013
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: London
Posts: 59
Thank you gents!

I did see a review for Black Desert in MCN a couple of months ago but couldn’t recall the name of company and they didn’t come up on Google searches so thanks for the tip. Will check out Patsy Quick too. I was lucky enough to get to see the Dakar during my trip & anyone who can ride to that standard for such a huge distance is a God from whom I’ll happily take tuition!

The Yamaha school is really helpful & looks good. However, with their first dates starting in April I may opt for Black Desert as they have courses running a little earlier & I’m keen to get muddy.

Hello Dom, hope all is well! I know the BMW school is well regarded by all, but without getting too far off topic I can still recall having to hit mine with a rock and towing others, whilst older Japanese bikes ridden harder proved much, much, much more reliable. Plus if something went wrong with the Jap bikes (which annoyingly, it very rarely did) unlike BMW, they weren’t insanely expensive to repair. My $500 replacement water pump that was unable to pump water & the indicators failing to cancel which was traced to a mere £700 replacement wiring loom (needless to say I bodged a repair instead) are two from a long list. Amazingly I know of others who have suffered even more issues with their BMW’s. I know all bikes have problems, but it appeared to me BMW have far more than most. I wasn’t sad to see mine go.

So despite how tempting a S1000RR might appear on paper (I’m back on a sportsbike kick at present), it will be a number of years before I reconcile with BMW – unless ofcourse they wish to sponsor me as a Global Ambassador, but somehow I doubt it.

Thanks again for the info & I'll let you know how I get on.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 4 Jan 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: RTW
Posts: 139
Yamaha
We had a great time with the yamaha off road school 4 yrs ago before starting our RTW, however nothing they have can teach you about riding a fully loaded XT 600 through sand, hehehe!!!!
My wife thought that she was a expert after a day on a WRF 250, pencil thin and so light, a loaded bike is a different ball game.
That said we had great day out with them and its a very profesionally run outfit
Shame they have no room til later in the year
Pete n Brucella
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 4 Jan 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Derby, UK
Posts: 119
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor View Post
Patsy Quick (the only British Female to finish a "proper" Dakar I think)
If you mean to complete a Dakar in Africa, then yes.

Of course the only other Brit lady to finish a Dakar Rally is Tamsin.
__________________
dashmoto.net
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15 Feb 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Perth West Australia
Posts: 152
ORS in Wales
Hi there.

I've been lucky enough to have been in Wales for level 1 & 2 and get across to Portugal with Simon Paveys Off Road Skills. All excellent. I can thoroughly recommend you go. Tamsin used to work with Simon and I reckon she's a bit of a legend as well, she handles a GS Adventure like a ballet dancer.

Off Road Skills have a few tutors and they are all excellent, each with individual skills but more important they are great at passing this on to the students.

OK tell Simon, he owes me a for that advert

Cheers
__________________
Steven
Perth to Perth 2012
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 4 Mar 2013
Wildman's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Garden of England
Posts: 478
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor View Post
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...
Excellent! Thanks for the info.
__________________
Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 4 Mar 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 336
Just throwing my support out for Black Desert in wales, I recently spent a day with Craig and learn so much more about my riding in that day than in a years worth of uncoached trail riding.

Thanks
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best "travelling" songs. *Touring Ted* Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 62 2 Aug 2014 11:52
BAM and the Road of Bones with Kudu Expeditions 2012 cgvaughan Ride Tales 7 25 Dec 2012 17:19
London to Cape Town, November 2012 Tfoy97603 Travellers Seeking Travellers 56 4 Sep 2012 17:51
A Gringo in Colombia Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 13 20 Apr 2012 03:15
Khartoum to Ethiopia Birdy Ride Tales 2 26 Oct 2011 22:32

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:29.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top