In March of 2011, I took the “Intro to Adventure” rider training program from RawHyde Adventures. Venture asked me to write a bit about the experience.
Executive Summary:
Great instructors providing individualized training. Well maintained bikes. Good food. (I'm not a foodie.) Lots of fun. Free beer. Worth every penny.
I'd suggest taking doing the optional 2-day Base Camp Alpha add-on. I skipped it then regretted my choice.
How did it happen:
About 3 years ago, I was hit while riding through downtown Portland. Torn rotator cuff. Damaged helmet and leathers. $3500 in damage to my SuperDuke. Bummer. When everything was said and done, I ended up with a repaired SuperDuke, new gear, and enough cash to buy a new BMW R1200GSA with extra farkles. The wife wasn’t so thrilled about that last part.
"Before you buy a new bike for a type of riding that you have never done, would you take a rider training course to make sure it's what you want to do? "
6 weeks later I was boarding a plane to LAX.
Target Audience:
The Intro to Adventure course is geared to street riders looking to leave the pavement. There is no expectation that you know how to ride in the dirt when you show up.
My skill level:
Today, I'm 41. I've had a mtorcycle endorsement since I was 16. I rode as a teenage then stopped when I realized I wasn't bright enough to NOT kill myself. I've been back on motorcycles for 12+ years. I have zero dirt experience. But... I've been riding full-suspension mountain bikes since 1995 w/ another decade before that on rigids and hard tails.
Course Outline:
• Street Riding vs. Dirt Riding
• Before You Ride
• Drill 1: Ride Standing
• Drill 2: The Leg Swing
• Drill 3: Lifting a Bike
• Drill 4: The Friction Zone
• Drill 5: Slow Speed Balance and Control
• Drill 6: Trail Stops
• Drill 7: Rear Wheel Skids
• Drill 8: Front Brake Friction
• Drill 9: Turn Execution
• Drill 10: Steep Down Hills
• Drill 11: Restart on a Hill
• Drill 12: Riding in Sand
• Drill 13: Steep Hill Turnaround
Training:
The students were divided into 2 groups of roughly 12 students per group. Shawn, Wil, Hawk, and Sharif led my group. Sharif did double duty as the on-site EMT.
For every drill, one of the instructors would demo the lesson. The demos helped to push ourselves beyond our limited vision of what could be done on one of these big adventure bikes. Drills were repeated until we could comfortable complete it. Students needing a little extra help, got it. Having 4 instructors made it easy for everyone to get the right type of instruction for that individual. I did best when Shawn or Hawk pulled me aside and gave me a little extra insight into what I was really doing vs. what I thought I was doing.
The set of drills covers many off-road challenges. The trail brake teaches you how to pause before you commit. Front and rear wheel slides teaches you to maintain control in situations where you feel out of control. Restarting on hills and the steep hill turn around help you get out of trouble when you've had a misstep. We learned how to tackle tight switchbacks, uphill, with poor traction and fresh cow patties.
I learned a huge amount in a fairly short amount of time. And I only dropped my bike once.
:exclaim:
Take away:
I learned a huge amount about controlling a 600lbs motorcycle at a slow speeds. I got an opportunity to drop someone else's bike while learning how to go really, really slow. (I made the slow race finals.) I learned that I could comfortably control a bike in situations where I wouldn't want to walk.
My breakthrough took place when I realized the parallels between riding full-suspension mountain bikes and riding a 600lbs adventure motorcycle. It all clicked after that moment. (Thanks Hawk!)
I'm still waiting for the arrival of my Super Tenere so I have not been able to try out the skills I learned in a dirt format.
On the other hand, echoes of the training have shown up in very strange ways. While waiting on a buddy, I've found myself doing figure eights in the middle of a two-lane road. In a space I used to execute a three point turn, I can now do lazy loops and figure eights. Bike cranked over. Left foot pointed to the sky. Ankle on the saddle ...just like they taught me. When I need to cross some gravel on my SuperDuke, I stand up. Grip the tank with my thighs. Loosen my grip. Even out the throttle. Don't worry about little roost or slide ...just like they taught me. I find that I have a much better understanding of how to ride at slower speeds and in situations where traction is limited.
In short, it was well worth the money.
I hope that helps anyone that might be on the fence.
If you have any questions let me know and I will try to help.
Ivan
Executive Summary:
Great instructors providing individualized training. Well maintained bikes. Good food. (I'm not a foodie.) Lots of fun. Free beer. Worth every penny.
I'd suggest taking doing the optional 2-day Base Camp Alpha add-on. I skipped it then regretted my choice.
How did it happen:
About 3 years ago, I was hit while riding through downtown Portland. Torn rotator cuff. Damaged helmet and leathers. $3500 in damage to my SuperDuke. Bummer. When everything was said and done, I ended up with a repaired SuperDuke, new gear, and enough cash to buy a new BMW R1200GSA with extra farkles. The wife wasn’t so thrilled about that last part.
"Before you buy a new bike for a type of riding that you have never done, would you take a rider training course to make sure it's what you want to do? "
6 weeks later I was boarding a plane to LAX.
Target Audience:
The Intro to Adventure course is geared to street riders looking to leave the pavement. There is no expectation that you know how to ride in the dirt when you show up.
My skill level:
Today, I'm 41. I've had a mtorcycle endorsement since I was 16. I rode as a teenage then stopped when I realized I wasn't bright enough to NOT kill myself. I've been back on motorcycles for 12+ years. I have zero dirt experience. But... I've been riding full-suspension mountain bikes since 1995 w/ another decade before that on rigids and hard tails.
Course Outline:
• Street Riding vs. Dirt Riding
• Before You Ride
• Drill 1: Ride Standing
• Drill 2: The Leg Swing
• Drill 3: Lifting a Bike
• Drill 4: The Friction Zone
• Drill 5: Slow Speed Balance and Control
• Drill 6: Trail Stops
• Drill 7: Rear Wheel Skids
• Drill 8: Front Brake Friction
• Drill 9: Turn Execution
• Drill 10: Steep Down Hills
• Drill 11: Restart on a Hill
• Drill 12: Riding in Sand
• Drill 13: Steep Hill Turnaround
Training:
The students were divided into 2 groups of roughly 12 students per group. Shawn, Wil, Hawk, and Sharif led my group. Sharif did double duty as the on-site EMT.
For every drill, one of the instructors would demo the lesson. The demos helped to push ourselves beyond our limited vision of what could be done on one of these big adventure bikes. Drills were repeated until we could comfortable complete it. Students needing a little extra help, got it. Having 4 instructors made it easy for everyone to get the right type of instruction for that individual. I did best when Shawn or Hawk pulled me aside and gave me a little extra insight into what I was really doing vs. what I thought I was doing.
The set of drills covers many off-road challenges. The trail brake teaches you how to pause before you commit. Front and rear wheel slides teaches you to maintain control in situations where you feel out of control. Restarting on hills and the steep hill turn around help you get out of trouble when you've had a misstep. We learned how to tackle tight switchbacks, uphill, with poor traction and fresh cow patties.
I learned a huge amount in a fairly short amount of time. And I only dropped my bike once.
:exclaim:Take away:
I learned a huge amount about controlling a 600lbs motorcycle at a slow speeds. I got an opportunity to drop someone else's bike while learning how to go really, really slow. (I made the slow race finals.) I learned that I could comfortably control a bike in situations where I wouldn't want to walk.
My breakthrough took place when I realized the parallels between riding full-suspension mountain bikes and riding a 600lbs adventure motorcycle. It all clicked after that moment. (Thanks Hawk!)
I'm still waiting for the arrival of my Super Tenere so I have not been able to try out the skills I learned in a dirt format.
On the other hand, echoes of the training have shown up in very strange ways. While waiting on a buddy, I've found myself doing figure eights in the middle of a two-lane road. In a space I used to execute a three point turn, I can now do lazy loops and figure eights. Bike cranked over. Left foot pointed to the sky. Ankle on the saddle ...just like they taught me. When I need to cross some gravel on my SuperDuke, I stand up. Grip the tank with my thighs. Loosen my grip. Even out the throttle. Don't worry about little roost or slide ...just like they taught me. I find that I have a much better understanding of how to ride at slower speeds and in situations where traction is limited.
In short, it was well worth the money.
I hope that helps anyone that might be on the fence.
If you have any questions let me know and I will try to help.
Ivan
