This weekend I attended a 2 day off-road clinic put on by Ned (ADVRider Neduro). He's been doing them for several years now and doesn't get out east very often so when this one came up, I decided I'd do it. Sunday was the "101" class that he's been giving for a long time and it was full with a dozen or more riders. For Monday, spots were limited to 5 or 6 and it was the "201" advanced class that he is still developing so we were kind've beta testers. In both cases, the focus was on drills that isolate and practice separate techniques. Learn to do them slowly, then add speed and difficulty once you get the basics down. Both sessions were very good and I learned a lot in each one, but the 201 class was better for me.

Most folks were on light dual sports. There was a big BMW GS there and that guy was having a hard time with that big bike. There were a lot of KTM EXC, most of which were 450 - at least 4 or 5 there, with one 525. There was a TE450 there, a couple of XR650's, a few CRF230's, a few LC4s, and an XT225. No KLX's, I was kind've surprised.

Both days we spent the morning doing drills and the afternoon on a ride where we did some pretty challenging terrain. The trials are a mix of rock and slick clay. They were loads of fun - long never ending hill climbs that were very tough and seemingly went on for miles! I lost a blinker somewhere back there, I don't know how, because I only went down once during one of the hill climb drills and that was on the opposite side.

Here's some photos.

Some day 1 turning / balance drills:



Braking drills:



Slow hill drills:



Day 2 cornering drills:



Neduro:












Some of the terrain:
















Someone took a picture of me ...



... taking a picture of the trail.




Someone got in a little over their head and Ned had to bail them out:




Some group shots:








Big electric wind driven generators at the top of the mountain:








Some fork seal problems:




How to make a Dunlop 606 front tire suck less :




I had a great time, it was a blast learning new stuff and meeting new people and riding in a new place. I'd definitely recommend it if you get the chance. Especially the "201" clinic.

 

Cant believe someone would want to drive that big Beemer through rocks like that. Ive taken my XR650L through rocks like that---decided to sell it soon after I did.

 

Great picks and ride report, ahve a similar thing coming up here in oz soon -can't wait
cheers hatto

 

There were a couple of XR650's there and one guy who was actually a very good rider and was helping Ned with the class as opposed to taking it, ended up having to stop near the top of one of those mile long greasy clay mud rock mix hills. He was a big dude too and it took three of us to get it the rest of the way up after he lost drive. It had a big Acerbis tank on it which may have been a factor.

But Beemer didn't go on the trail ride, no way that would have worked. He just did the kindergarten drills. He still ended up on the ground several times. I kind've felt bad for him. I think he was expecting something less dirt oriented.

 

Great pics! Having fun and learning too - sounds like a great way to spend a couple of days Brian, what did it cost if you don't mind me asking?

 

You know what they say ... if you have to ask ...


I took a few days off work to do it, that was my mini vacation. Just what the doctor ordered.

 

Hey Brian, thanks for the pics, sounds like they ran you through the paces.

 

looks like a good time... id like to take something like that... nice pics.

 

Those trails look awesome, i cant believe theres actually marked trails out there...Looked like fun !!!!

 

Hey if Charlie and Ewan can do it...right?

Great pics!