Learning How To Ride Off Road | Ep1

[@Skiamakhos]

I just did day 1 of this course yesterday - 30th March 2023 - I gotta say the weather was mostly horrendous with sunny spells. I'm 53, and before yesterday it had been roughly 17 years I think since I'd ridden at all - I gave it up when my daughter was very little. I bought a DCT AT in November, a red & black 2020 model, and had a mishap & fell off on my first attempt at riding, and the hoodoo of it had just been growing, me thinking I couldn't ride it, wouldn't figure it out, and how gravelly & potholey my drive was, so it'd been sat in my garage for 5 months now. So on the ride over to the forest road bit where you learn your off road skills, it battered down for most of the way & I'm doing 24mph then getting up a bit, up a bit, till I'm keeping up with the pack (we had probably about 30 guys on mine), doing 55-60ish round all these country lanes. At one point we actually drove through the end of a rainbow! I didn't know that was even possible - I thought rainbows always receded away from you as you got closer, but no, end of a rainbow right there in the road. Now, as a very rusty rider I was definitely going to suffer. I started out with zero confidence, bottom group & I was definitely the worst one there. That wide open bit where you'd got some logs & there was a bit of mud, for us, was a morass of deep clay. There was a trench of water, and the little humps you had there were slippery with muddy grass. At least 2 guys dropped their bikes. I'm really glad I did the course but I underestimated how physically taxing it would be. I didn't book accommodation for the night after the course, and after Day 1 I was sitting absolutely exhausted for half an hour till the pub meal in the Nottley Arms - great nosh, great company by the way. On my phone I'm seeing amber weather warnings, Storm Mathis is coming in. The instructors were confident we'd be alright, but I felt I'd just be holding everyone back. I'd achieved what I set out to achieve, to get some riding experience in on an Africa Twin DCT bike on the only course in the country to offer that. I decided off my own bat to leave the course, & give Day 2 a miss. I think when I do the course again (and I fully intend to) I want to have been going to the gym for a few months prior to it, to build strength & endurance. I want to make sure I book the hotel for the night after the course as well, and I want to have had enough practice in on my own bike that I can do tight turns, like the turning in the road bit we all struggled with in our license tests, easily, as well as control the throttle really well. I think in about a year I'd love to retake the course. I'm really grateful that it's given me the ability to get to the point where I could do that - I needed it to get me to where I could just hop on my own bike & ride it, and I believe that's what I got from it - as well as a hell of a fun day.

[@RichyVida]

What a great comment. You did amazingly well to go there after such a long time out of the saddle. It’s not easy - even for those of us who do off-roading regularly. You’ll get back and finish it when you are good and ready, and you’ll be so much more confident. Top man. I wish you all the best and safe miles in the future! 🙌

[@davewash50]

A great video Rich. Very similar to a KTM one i did a few years ago. Looks a great set up, pleased no one was injured after the falls. You can see that Pete and yourself have a good command of the bikes. Loved it!! Thank you

[@brianrussellbrd]

Ahh now I see why you and Pete looked so confident off road in the Ireland videos! Fair play!

[@bunnydaduk]

Great watch ! I'm like you would have said 2nd gear but it makes perfect sense 4th gear ! Small throttle movements don't result in rear wheelspin or falling off because you loose traction. Good tip ! It's taking me 42 years to work that out. You have a good case for paying for professional tuition. Thanks for sharing

[@bobholley6202]

Nice! That looked like a blast. Especially when you don’t have to worry about dropping your bike!!

[@dogzero1]

Beautiful weather for November.

[@SuperGizzzmo]

One of the best videos I’ve seen in a long while. 😊

[@markfromleeds]

Cracking vid mate,

[@Nexus30]

Great vid Richy. I’m there in July this year so these vids are great to give me an idea of what to expect. I’m also expecting to be the one falling off left, right and centre 😂

[@RichyVida]

Haha it’s all part of the learning curve, mate! You’ll love it

[@gerry9359]

Wow that looked like a great day one . Can't wait for day two Richy thank for sharing.

[@johngittins6244]

Great vid. Normal service resumed. Thanks RV 👍👍😀

[@koromuri97]

Lol, now thats better.... Someone i could listen to for the whole vlog would be the legend Dave Thorpe.

[@johngittins6244]

Dave Thorp. He and Graham Noyce are the reason I started riding off road bikes leading to adventure bikes now. Legends indeed 👍👍

[@GillyBikes]

Really enjoyed watching. Given me some good ideas for my next KZbin videos. Thanks

[@cartzwheels]

great watch. I have been looking at maybe doing one of these for a while now and after watching your vid you have convinced me to go and book onto one.

[@AdyRider]

Excellent. Enjoyed that

[@NBMoto547]

Not only will that course improve your off road riding but I'm certain it will make you a better and more confident road rider too and it looks like great fun 😀

[@johnvaleriewelbers2995]

Wow cool ride up there, and great experience that would be. Thanks for sharing 🤓😎🏍💨💨💨💨💨💨💨👍🏻🤓

[@ollierai2198]

That was Brill to watch

[@colinradford7546]

Loving the video on my doorstep and realising how beautiful it is. And yeah the lanes can be that bad.And missing the chance to say hello.

[@paulmorris3022]

just brilliant. How scenic is the UK. We tend to take it for granted. i am so jealous lol

[@lynsmith1096]

Great first part Richy

[@Baza765]

Nice vid fella's,bloody L Pete you get around dontcha lol ;-) Couple of offs there,hope nobody was hurt Ride Safe Mr B \m/

[@bobcharlton.9701]

Great stuff !

[@garyclifton2180]

Looks brilliant thought ud TUC Martin with you the times that guy fell of lol

[@mikeybikey106]

Great vid as always and nice weather ! I was going to comment on the last Ireland vid and suggest that Martin should go on a 1 day off road course as it’s a must for any road rider , especially for anyone who has stepped up to an adventure bike. It helps you realise what the bikes going to do in all types of slides and lock ups and this in turn helps you relax your riding style more when taking your new adventure bike up one of Dicky Vegas's “easy off road” excursions ( martin pay attention ! )

[@RichyVida]

Haha we can all learn from courses like this, but Martin did amazing when we were in Spain last month. 👍👍

[@bikerbaz60]

Great video, normal service as now resumed 👍

[@marcheighton6436]

That's better great video Richy normal service has been resumed 👍👍

[@EpicMotorcycleAdventures]

Great video Richy. That place is only an hour away from me. Drove past it many a time.

[@motomogul]

That looks like great fun Richy, I need to get myself booked on something like that next year. 👍

[@garethcouhig6055]

Wednesday special good one 👍👍👏🏻Manxman

[@olias6822]

Really enjoyed the adventure. Would love to know who’s handgrips were on the loaner bikes. They looked cool.

[@raybradley6340]

Class Video Rich, looks a cracking spot to learn offloading. Pity there is not one of those in Ireland 😭😭

[@PicosPaul1979]

"dragged me away at my daugters birthday" haha i get this every year @Pete haha costs me a fortune. watching all them bikes go down and nobody seemed bothered, id be in tears if it was my personal bike, looks like HUGE fun though :)

[@RichyVida]

Mega fun mate! You’d love it!

[@MrCRAIGREVO]

I’d put wheelie control off altogether for off-road as it thinks your wheelying when you go up hill and the rear wheel slips.

[@RichyVida]

Exactly what we did.

[@MrCRAIGREVO]

Thought you told him to put it on number 1?

[@Trevor_J_Neville]

That looks like good fun, I might fall off a few times but it would definitely be worth it lol

[@derbyshireruralrider9398]

Went on an off-roading day near Bury before I got bike licence

[@gavinfraser2847]

Great Video....was that a DCT Bike you were on?

[@RichyVida]

Sure was 👍

[@Hutchys-Adventure-Tours]

did you get booked on the ABR festival they got a great track to play on

[@RichyVida]

No but think I will do 👍

[@chrissandy9935]

Looks the business lads. Any chance a quick review of the tyres you have been running recently.

[@RichyVida]

Continental TKC80’s. Mega. But sadly don’t last long at all.

[@chrissandy9935]

@@RichyVida was thinking that. Running the metaz karoo street which are pretty good and has decent life. Just considering something with a little more bite for off road.

[@RichyVida]

The TKC’s and AX41’s (in this vid) defo have plenty of bite!

[@waynedl99]

@25:39 - is his rear tyre on backwards?

[@waynedl99]

Just watched part 2, all the rear tyres are the same, looks weird but guess it's correct 🤣

[@greengoblindave]

Brilliant video Richy. And it wasn’t you that fell. All good 👍 Great riding. Actually watching it again. A place on my list..👍👍 and my brother... If you got time check out my 3rd video lol. It’s not as good as yours but it was my first day ever on green lanes.. And I did drop it 😂 Catch you soon 👍👍👍

[@chrisowens3781]

Cracking vid Rich but what the Fook has happened to egone and gaz haven’t seen them in your vids for a while I miss your old banter between you lot not forget your dad and Jim it’s about time the gang done a day out.

[@headrace4863]

VFR looks well.. 👍

[@jimhammond6395]

I'm sorry but that lot need to go on the 125s that toss pot did first richy ha ha but loved the vid keep safe lad

[@MikeTheBike58]

Great video from one of my favourite vloggers,if you are ever back Oxford way give me a shout ...will get you a pint/coffee

[@advdan]

16:34 Said in a deeply seductive voice: “Private woodland... oOhh yeah” 😂

[@RichyVida]

Haha

[@neiloakey5183]

So I can find it... which way did you turn at the bins? lol

[@RichyVida]

Left haha

[@wright_stuf]

What did the 2 days cost (just the bike days)

[@RichyVida]

£495 I think 👍

[@mellowr1]

Did u not know Clarkson hates motorcyclists❓🤔 great video looks fun👍🚜

[@derbyshireruralrider9398]

I’d be more impressed meeting Henry. If down that way !

[@ianbrowne9636]

Do you need any prior OR experience to do what did on this course?

[@RichyVida]

I don’t believe so. It’s a great way to learn as they also split you into separate groups after the morning steady session. It’s all about getting the tuition over going balls out for the crack.

[@davem7785]

Where's Egon now days?

[@ericstephenson3607]

Where abouts is this place based?

[@RichyVida]

Watchet, Exmoor

[@ericstephenson3607]

@@RichyVida thanks superb video footage, really shows what these bikes are capable of.

[@simonrobinson7536]

Off road not my thing, but still interesting. Has Pete moved in with you he’s a regular now

[@stephenchapman8344]

👍

[@billtrett2331]

What happened to Egone has he left the the group ?

[@aidebethune]

Pete appears alot these days. Is he a new sponsor! 😁

[@RichyVida]

No. Just a good bloke who loves riding!

[@aidebethune]

@@RichyVidaGreat vid. Would love to give this a go sometime to get some off-road skills.

[@jimhammond6395]

Just shows you can't beat having skill technology will not get you out of the sh..

[@jimhammond6395]

Pity you speeded up the best bit richy

[@Northernlanes]

was it the same guy who kept falling off? 😳

[@P.O-Guzzi-traveller]

👍👍🤘👍

[@Kurlach]

It’s Jeremy Clarkson, not the second coming. 🙄

[@5tevieb954]

How come you got hay fever? Didn’t you have that magic jab?

[@RichyVida]

As it said at the beginning of the vid, this was in June - before the magic jab! Not had a single hayfever symptom since, thank god!

[@5tevieb954]

@@RichyVida that’s good news - I’m going to get that next year. That day must have been tough going if it was pre jab.

[@RichyVida]

Yep, fully recommend it. I’ll 100% be having it again.