Newb Training Day - 18 Aug

[Kilo5]

I'm not affiliated with BMW Vancouver, but I do want to attend this course. They need two more people on board before they run it!

Help me out and sign up! You don't need a BMW to play!!

*****

18 Aug - Adventure Bike Off Road Training- Beginner Level 1:

It's Training Time!


For the adventure bike rider, there is no better way to get away from it all than to pack up their bike and head for the trails.

If you haven't had a chance to get out on your bike for a while, want to brush up on some dirt riding skills or are new to this style of riding,sign up for the Adventure Bike Off Road Training- Beginner Level 1. This is a 1 day skills intensive workshop that is aimed at building your confidence with throttle control, braking, gravel, dirt, mud, rock and hills on your adventure bike. The next workshop is August 18th and has very limited space to ensure you have one on one with the instructors. The cost is $225 and includes instruction, a small breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages.
Space is limited to 6 riders.

[Kilo5]

Looks like the course is a go!

If anyone else from here did sign up - Thanks, and I'll see you out there.

[tinpusher]

This course sounds like just what I'm looking for. I tried the register button on the link and it went nowhere. I have left a message with the sales office at Vancouver BMW, hopefully there is a spot left. Kilo5 what are the hours and where is it held?

[tinpusher]

I got the last spot, see you there Kilo5. Thanks for the post or I would have missed it.

[scudafi]

I got the last spot, see you there Kilo5. Thanks for the post or I would have missed it.

By the time I'm done with you, you won't need the course..... J/K

An excellent idea, instruction from a skilled rider is always a step in the right direction.
The most important question to ask is.
"What should I not do?"

Right to the nitty gritty of it.

[Kilo5]

By the time I'm done with you, you won't need the course....

Ominous!! LOL!

tinpusher - that's great news! I'll see you out there. I'll be on the GSA that's decked out for off-road but suspiciously clean and running Anakee 2s.

<---- and I'll have that logo on my topcase.

[Kilo5]

That was a fun day; very well hosted by Vancouver BMW!
The instructors where great, and I learned (and got to practice) some important core skills. It was f'n hot today too, so they made sure we took time to rest & hydrate!

Ended up on my side once practicing low-speed circles, and almost upside-down another time in an aborted hill climb. (Small hill, not enough momentum.) No damage though apart from some scapes on the the supplementary engine guards - which paid for themselves. I have to thank everyone there for providing amazing support, making sure I'm ok, and getting me upright again! My confidence in pilotting BigPig off-road is much higher than it was going in (and now I know the bike can take a bit of abuse). Now I just need to practice on a regular basis to keep fresh and improve.

Great to meet you tinpusher!

[tinpusher]

Agreed, it was an awesome day. There's nothing like being pushed out of your comfort zone for increasing skills and confidence. Kilo5 I matched you with one slow circle lay down but didn't have the nuts to try the rock climb that took you out. Well done on seeing you conquer it on your second try. Any time you want to go practice let me know. To newbies who have not taken this course I say do it, but get engine guards first.

[offworlder]

- and if either of you are up for an evening this week, I'll happily give you a tour of one of our local practice spots, so you can put those tools to use !

[tinpusher]

Thanks, where do you mean by local?

[offworlder]

Thanks, where do you mean by local?

@ t-beach in Richmond

[Kilo5]

Thanks tinpusher! I wish I had the energy left to climb the big hill. That seemed much more challenging than the little rock climb; you did great on that one!

offworlder - definitely be taking you up on your offer, just have to sort out my sched.

Pics are up on the Vancouver BMW Facebook page. Click Here. (I hope that works!)

[Kilo5]

My personal favourites:

Rock climbing win!


Rock descent - So far so good.


Rock climb fail. Not enough gas going up the hill and tipped over with a ninja roll out of the way for safety. Thanks to the ADV Designs engine guards, there was no damage to the bike (apart from scratches on the guards). That, and I had to tighten up my mirror again. Big shout-out to the instructors and other riders who got me upright again!


My follow-up attempts were a bit more fruitful.

BTW, it was MUCH steeper than what it seems in these photos...

[cheeseburger]

BTW, it was MUCH steeper than what it seems in these photos...

It's a sad truth. My wife, a photographer, tells me that a 'large format' camera allows you to skew the lens in such a way as to negate the flattening effect that photos seem to have on hills, but they're crazy contraptions, expensive and huge. So for now we just have to trust that everyone knows to add a mental 2x steepness modifier to pictures and video.

Anyway, congratulations on tackling that terrain. Lots of guys shy away from anything more aggressive than a gravel road, and miss out on a lot of great trail as a result.

One suggestion as you're starting out off road: be choosy from whom you take tips, techniques and advice. Maybe I don't need to tell you, because you've obviously started out on the right foot with the BMW course, but I did a lot of damage to my bike early on because I overheard a random guy at my first noobie ride say, "Yeah, you know, I just use only my front brake." :P

[tinpusher]

Hey where did you find the pics? I looked on the Vancouver BMW Ducati web site but couldn't find them. If you look to the right of the photo showing your rock descent you can clearly see the angle of the cliff face that did you in.