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Post By bonnie25
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18 Feb 2018
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Dec 2015
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UK women off-road riders?
Hi!
I'm a Bristol-based lady who's done a couple of nice trips (lots of France, Balkans, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Iran). I'm frustrated by my lack of off-road skills. Now I'm planning another trip and I want to improve my off-road skills. Aside from the usual offroad schools of BMW etc, has anyone got any recommendations and/or ideas? I've considered my local TRF group, but (and this will sound silly) I'm not sure I want to be surrounded only by middle-aged men.....
Ideas or meetups welcome!
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19 Feb 2018
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The franglais-riders
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
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I have been looking at this: Yamaha Offroad Experience - Motorcycle Experience - Enduro
It is cheaper than the BMW one and you can do it either with your bike or one of theirs. Plenty of choice for shorter rides too. The TTr250 is super tall but the 125 would be fine for me. I think it is not too far for you to go?
I have not tested them yet so cannot say but it looks interesting.
I did the BMW weekend course, back in 2005 or 2006. It was ok but super expensive, and the bikes were too heavy. So much more fun (and easier!) on a light bike.
Another thing, that I think helped me a lot, is watching videos on youtube. There are so many and I did learn a lot just from watching. Also lots of good advice there.
Find a mate that could go with you on the green lanes. That also is a very good exercise. No need to join the TRF. They will be happy to let you copy their maps so you know which lanes are open to bikes. I know the TRF Surrey was happy for us to copy their maps. We joined the club for a while but with my other half, we prefer to ride just the 2 of us.
Good luck 
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19 Feb 2018
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Location: Cambridge, UK
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Hello
I have ridden UK to Nepal, Morocco, NZ, and next month Peru.
Before leaving for Nepal, I hadn't ridden off road before, so joined my local TRF to gain some experience.
I'm afraid its the nature of the beast in the bike world that it is mainly middle aged men, but there are a few women riders in my group, but I prefer to choose my co riders based on experience (I ride slowly so don't go out with the boy racers), rather than sex.
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19 Feb 2018
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Thanks for your replies. I think I was hoping to find some secret women's off-road group hidden away somewhere!
Fern, I know what you mean about the "nature of the beast", and I definitely will go out of my way to avoid 'boys in tracksuits'.....
TRF it is then!
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19 Feb 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maria41
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I also looked at this (one of my bikes is an XT225), but they are completely booked until June! I did the BMW one too a few years ago - I agree, I great weekend, but mega-heavy bikes!
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24 Feb 2018
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I was similarly hesitant, but when I contacted the local TRF they were very encouraging, so I went with them for a weekend riding in Wiltshire. I'd only had a bike for a month so went with the slower/more novice group. There were 3 women and 4 guys - all were really great, helpful, supportive and fun. So, I'd say, give the TRF a go.
(I only went once, because I ended up falling off, wrecking my thumb, having hand in cast for six weeks, and by the time I was up to trailing riding again, I set off on a 2 year trip through Europe and Africa... but now confident in my off-road capabilities on my XT225 and would definitely rejoin the TRF if based in one place in the UK long enough to bother.)
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28 Feb 2018
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Hello, middle aged TRF Man here
Just quick plug for the Herts branch who are really good about organising regular runs suitable for beginners or those who prefer their pace a bit more relaxed.
I do know what you mean though about folk who like their rides more on the "challenging" side, what I'd suggest is get to know your local group a bit and you may find people happy to put on easier rides - plenty of lady riders in the groups too.
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1 Mar 2018
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Plus 1 for the Yamaha Off road experience. I've done it 3 times over the years using their bikes.
Instruction is brilliant and they can cater for mixed group abilities. Forest Trails, mud, rocks, water, bogs, jumps, falling off etc...they cover it all!
The problem is getting finding a date with a space avaialable as they always book up fast.
Good luck though
Bones (also from Bristol)
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