Devon TRF Group Forum

willywombat · Clubman B

basic off road riding skills ..any tuition available locally ?

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

I dont know of any specific training locally although wheeldon farm may be able to help.

http://www.wheeldontwo.co.uk/

But get out and ride is the best bet and learn on the job

if there are no novice friendly rides available to suit you dont be afraid to request one

somebody may well be available for a few hours to pop out for a bimble with you.

Roger

RichT4 · Champion

Best thing you can do is to get on a strictly novice run. That way you can be lead and followed by an established rider.
That will enable you to follow the rider in front's line while the one behind can see if your doing anything wrong.

Following that it's all about practise and pushing yourself a little more each time.
I think the main enemy is speed when your starting out, but saying that going too slowly can make it more tricky sometimes.

Come October most of us will be scared novices for a while until we re-adjust to the more slippy ground.. biggrin

-- Edited by RichT4 on Wednesday 31st of August 2011 03:39:42 PM

Cubber · Expert

Bill, try a few articles that you will find on this site http://www.thumpertalk.com/

There are quite a few that may be just up your street, if not lane. smile

My advice would be to locate a few quiet local lanes and get to know them. I started "raw" just over a year ago with a Tiger Cub.

After my first initiation I bought a TTR and haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face yet.

If you get really desperate then Pinhoe isn't too far away from me and we could arrange to meet. I could then show you the way - although I'm no expert but have learned to fall off disgracefully. doh

Martyn

gaschef · Devon's Best

Bill

Will be out riding next week, quite happy to take you out and point you in the right direction. But as with most things skill is knowledge, perception and dexterity and lots of practice in many and varied conditions

If you are intertested send me a PM

Big T · Expert

Hi Bill,

I'm in Whimple which is pretty close - I'd be happy to take you out and give you some tips if I felt you needed them. However, if you've done a bit of mountain biking, then your probably half-way there at least. It's probably more akin to the mountain biking than road riding, in terms of having confidence in allowing the wheels to slide around if they wish.

A few top tips (based on experience, not training!):

- Just as in road riding, look ahead when riding, not down at your front wheel. This allows you to anticipate what is coming and prepare for it. If you look down at the ground by your front wheel, chances are that's right where you'll end up!

- Also as in road riding, look where you WANT to go. You'll hit what you're looking at, so don't look at the tree, look at the gap next to it. This is based very much on painful experience!

- Relax. The bike is far more capable than you. If you fight it, you will often lose!

- On the rougher stuff, stand up (as per MB riding) and move your body to adjust balance and tyre grip accordingly.

- Keep the front wheel pointing in roughly the right direction. The back wheel will tend to follow, so don't worry if it slithers about a bit or skips sideways over a rock. That's normal and if you keep the front pointed, the bike will (normally) keep going where you want it.

- It can sometimes be easier to ride the rough(ish) stuff if you maintain a bit of speed to go over the top of it. Otherwise you'll be picking your way over every rock which can be exhausting.

- Don't be forced to ride faster than you're comfortable with. That's just asking for trouble! If the others won't wait, don't ride with them again. This is supposed to be fun and there are plenty of other riders who will be sympathetic. Even if they do laugh when you fall off. We all do it now and again.

- Ride the 'Lane of Pain'. Once. Avoid it for the rest of your riding career.

- Watch other people and learn from their good techniques as well as their mistakes. Most of us started where you are now, not very long ago.

- Don't be afraid of your front brake, even on downhills. Obviously if its particularly slippery, then you'll probably want to avoid it, but other than this, it can be the most effective way to slow down (or stop) on a hill.

- Try to keep both wheels rotating at all times when you are moving. If you e.g. lock the back wheel going downhill, you'll lose directional control from that wheel, and have reduced braking. In most cases, that is not the desired outcome.

- Give your bike a once-over before you start. Make sure your chain is not too loose (or tight) and is well lubed. Check your tyre pressures are OK. Depending on your tyres, you may want around 12 PSI (some have more, some less). This can make a huge difference to your ride. If you have 20+ psi in your tyres, you'll simply be providing entertainment for the others riders!

- Carry at least a basic toolkit (there's discussion about this somewhere else on the forum) - learn how to mend punctures with the tools you're carrying!!!

- Carry a drink, and keep hydrated as you ride. It can really take it out of you, especially if you get caught on a tricky part.

- Wear appropriate clothing (and protective gear) for the conditions and the temperature. You WILL fall off. More than once. Get used to it.

- Come along to the 'group' events such as Whiteway Barton, Haccadown, Hazelwood etc. They are great for trying things out, exchanging tips and tales and simply having a good time!

I will point out that much of the above may well be disputed by other members - this is only my own input based on my 3 years of TRF membership.

Come on chaps, do you have anything else to add?

Alex

doh ! · Clubman A

im not sure if he is still doing his training schools but Rob Wrayford used to do groups or one to one he lives in liverton i have his number if you want it just drop me a line

jt · Powermonger!!

Big T wrote:

- Ride the 'Lane of Pain'. Once. Avoid it for the rest of your riding career.

What ????? we talking about 241-2-3?

No way wink It's a right larf - in the wet is brilliant!

willywombat · Clubman B

many thanks to all who've replied it's much appreciated
I'll be in touch re the kind offers to meet up ........ just need to find a good deal on insuring the TTR before I can come out and play !

chrisoncbr · Expert

Wow Big T. So much good stuff in there. smile

Pete · Devon's Best

Big T has made many good points above.
Two spring to mind especially;
You will go where you look, so don't fixate on an obstacle or you will hit it. Look past the root,rock,step and you will go there.
Don't be afraid of the brakes. You need to be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear just as on tarmac. If you cannot then you are out of control.

Your welcome pack, I assume you have joined the trf, will give a lot of pointers too.

There is no substitute for experience. Get out there and ride. Tell the run leader about your level of experience because any run can be tailored to suit the abilities of the riders on the day.

Don't expect to be able to ride all day first time out no matter how fit you are because trail riding uses muscles you do not use much in everday life as you will soon find out.

All runs travel at the speed of the slowest rider. Never let yourself be pressurised into riding faster than you feel comfortable with. I would rather wait a few seconds at the end of each lane than have to call an ambulance for someone who tried too hard and didn't get away with it.

You do not need to keep the rider in front of you in view, every rider on a run should be taking responsability for making sure that the person following knows where to go at every junction where there is a change of direction. If the group takes a turn someone will be waiting at the junction.

PS: If you like a challenge be careful what you wish for because east devon riders only think 192-241,2,3 is tricky because they don't know 202-185, which is by far the sternest test of balance and stamina and truely deserves the 'lane of pain' title. I enjoy 241,2,3 every time, but only once did I enjoy 185, when I cleaned it, for the only time.

Big T · Expert

202-185 is the 'Lane of Pain' I was referring to. The 192's on the golf course loop are a piece of cake compared to 202-185's extended deep rut!

Pete, your advice about not keeping the rider in front in view is good. It's all about working as a team to ensure the rider BEHIND you knows where they are going. The guy in front of you should be doing the same for you. Therefore, at every junction, check behind to make sure the next person knows which way to turn. If you can't see them, then stop and wait until you can.

Lost · Expert

I can help private land pm me ? Dawlish

Big T · Expert

Bumping this up to the top for the benefit of Titchy2 and other newbies who were asking for advice today.

snasher · Clubman B

About twice a year I take my son (now 15 year old) off to muddy weels for a 1/2 day trials riding. Less MX focussed than Wheldon and more variety as wheeldon is indoors (unless you do a green lane package). 250cc 2 stroke trials bikes but huge fun. He provides all the kit. £80 for 2.5 hours.

http://www.muddy-wheels.co.uk/

http://www.muddy-wheels.co.uk/all-your-questions-answered

http://www.muddy-wheels.co.uk/green-laning

If you have really deep pockets the BMW school is good but pick the smallest bike (650 or 400) and take body armour as they don't provide it. Again great fun and they will teach you well from the very basics re braking on loose surfaces; clutch control and how to pick up a bike correctly.

Other off road schools are available but I haven't tried those as once I had done the above and then realised the TRF and Devon lanes were on my doorstep I thought all my Xmas's had come at once.

Wheely · Expert

Wheeldon is a good learning experience and they will help you hone any techniques you have issues with. They do have an outdoor mx based track as well which they use when the weather is ok.

Hoops · Elite

Wheely wrote:
Wheeldon is a good learning experience and they will help you hone any techniques you have issues with. They do have an outdoor mx based track as well which they use when the weather is ok.

And when it's not in my experience

Good place to go, highly recommended.

kevdoyle · Clubman B

on downhill, if you have a 4 stroke, just use low gears closed trottle, and dont touch your brakes, depending on steepness use 1st or 2nd , this will slow the bike down to a reasonable slow speed, this works for me, as with ruts i know people who love them,they say look forward, me not a fan lol,kev

ps, best not to ride alone, once came off on rutted lane that was cambered and couldnt get the bike of me, glad i was in a group to get bike of me, might still be there now lol, seriously plenty of guys to take you out on organised runs, and as said before go at a pace you find comfortable and dont feel you need to keep up or feel you are holding people up, we where all newbies once and we dont mind, and rather you enjoyed the ride : )

-- Edited by kevdoyle on Thursday 5th of July 2012 07:58:21 PM

Scramble · Novice

If you ride a mountain bike you will be fine, get out there and dont be afraid of falling off because it is going to happen! if there is one thing that I personally feel is most important............ get the right TYRES! now that will open up a never ending topic!
Good luck and have fun!

willywombat · Clubman B

was out yesterday as a total novice alone and made fairly good progress really enjoying the mud and ruts that many local lanes have become at the moment . So far my MTB skills have kept me safe but I know it's only a matter of time before I hit terra firma ( or should I say terra sloppy ) . Also having some armoured protection made me feel a lot more relaxed . was still unsure whether to attempt standing up through muddy ruts and slippery sections! Got so much to learn

V Twin Funster · Expert

Riding alone I have been hit by a car that was travelling at high speed and suffered considerable injury and a write-off bike. I have also broken ribs whilst trail riding and had mechanical mishaps that without the assistance of fellow riders would have meant some very difficult journeys home.

I hope to be leading a couple of evening runs soon from the Dawlish area if you are interested.

Craig

willywombat · Clubman B

thanks guys
yes definately interested in Dawlish area runs

Simmo · Expert

Rob Wrayford Enduro Schools - Newton Abbot

http://www.biker.force9.co.uk/rwes/#ABOUT%20ROB