It was at a track in a muddy field near Thirsk, there were 6 of us doing the event, riding KTM 350s, there was one trainer and another 6 helpers riding round with us to help pick up dropped bikes etc.
First lesson we went out on a flat training area to get familiar with the machine and the riding position (i.e. sitting forward to distribute your weigh more evenly, and elbows up in the air so that a panic reaction would not result in locking up your arms ) It felt so wrong, riding a bike in the dirt over loose stones and wet grass but the bike managed it ok. Also practised riding over bumps whilst standing up on the pegs.
Second lesson we had a go at cornering, off road style, i.e. sitting upright, pushing the bike down towards the inside of the corner. Opposite of what you do on the road!
Third lesson was in causing a skid on a corner and how, if you keep the throttle on, it allows the bike to recover its self. (You cause the skid by powering out of a corner. I found this very difficult cos I low sided my bike earlier this year doing exactly that. Well, on tarmac – not mud!))
Next we learnt how to control skids in a straight line. We caused the front wheel skid by sitting right back on the seat, keeping the clutch open, throttle on and pulling the front brake. Next, by simply moving body weight to the front of the seat, this exact same manoeuvre caused a rear wheel skid.
Then we had a go at how to negotiate riding up and down slippery surfaces (you just keep the throttle on and lean your body forwards for uphill and backwards for downhill) Alarming, but it works.
The last lesson was in doing jumps. Ha! That was a laugh! You just ride up to a mound, standing up on the pegs – then keep going. The trick is to maintain throttle open whilst in the air cos if you throttle off the bike tips forwards and you land front wheel first. Well! I thought I was a Red Bull rider but apparently I only managed to clear about 12 inches ha ha. Not so impressive but such a blast.
So, armed with these skills, we were let loose on the main track. Across wet grass, over bumps and hollows, up and down muddy banks etc. Such a rush! All was going well till I watched the guy in front go off the track, across some deep furrows and he fell off. I was thinking “mustn’t go over there” ….. and then did exactly the same thing!! But it didn’t hurt.
After a few rounds of the track the day was over and we rode back to the flat grassy starting bay. I lined up my bike next to the others …… and then just fell off. Ha ha, think I was tired by then.
When I got home, Mr Gecko points to all the sods of mud and grass hanging off the front bumper of my car and says “what’s all that?” lol. As I was driving out of the field after the event I went over some very uneven ground but kept thinking “throttle on! throttle on!” Ha ha, it’s not the same in a car!!!
But anyhow, I don’t know if any of yous have had a go at off road but it is such fun, I do recommend it.
