Who can teach trail riding?

[nzspokes]

Don't be put off Riverhead. It can be difficult especially after rain, but the club understands this and re-routes the course or puts deviations in, they don't want stuck bikes! Stick to the single arrow track and you will be fine.
Up until two weeks ago it was dry and dusty.
The trail ride this weekend will no doubt incorporate the vinduro course so shouldn't be too taxing.
You won't get a trail ride closer, its nearly on your backdoor.

Cool, cheers. I need to get the bike checked over which wont happen until after xmas. Then will head out to Thundercross to remember how to ride it.

But always liked riverhead so will give one a go.

[Crisis management]

Don't be put off Riverhead, I rode the Vinduro on a twin shock XR200 and had a hoot, it was a lot drier than usual but even muddy it just takes a bit more time and some sharp tyres. If you're finding it hard try getting fitter, I ride a bicycle for fitness and plan on being able to ride flat out for about 90 minutes so I have the necessary fitness for a 3 or 4 hour ride, I'm also 60 in a month (how the fuck did that happen?) so it's quite achievable. I would spend the money on training, I've always learnt something and it makes riding easier, Tony or Chris Birch would be my pick but get something aimed at your skill level, there's nothing more embarrassing than being surrounded by smart arses wheelstanding past you....
Maramarua is good too but, like Riverhead is muddy in the wet, lots of rides coming up, get out there!

[takitimu]

Chris Birch or Broxy would be your best bets,

I think teh Sandpit does some as well, Tony might be worth a call,

What Scott says, both are excellent I've had training from both & I think the best money you can spend on going faster/safer ( no training will make up for my lack of fitness, but that's a whole different story ).

They'll make sure you have the basics right. My one suggestion is write up notes that night & reread them every few months.

Tony's a good bloke who knows his stuff as well, ridden with him, but never had training from him

[george formby]

Not sure exactly what you want to learn, technical stuff or how to ride faster but I put a trials bike in the shed a year ago which has transformed my riding. I do basic practice in the garden, full lock turns, steep banks, logs, balance, wheelies etc. I watch the cross training vids then go out and try to put it into practice. Easier to type than do but practice makes perfect. What I've learned in the last year translates straight to my bigger bikes, had a blast at The Farm recently on my CRM, tackling stuff I would have baulked at without the practice. I'm nearly 50 and fitness is not in my vocabulary but better technique has extended my riding time and increased the fun.
I spent Sunday arvo hopping along behind my gasgas trying to put the front wheel back down, half a wheelie..... must find that back brake... But no damage or injury if I have a tumble, the bike is so light and agile.
Summit to think about, anyhoo.
Next time Chris Birch does a clinic at The Farm I will be over it like a rash so I can learn the harder techniques. Nothing like a bit of peer pressure for getting out of the comfort zone.

[Sidey]

Hi Spokes

Chris Birch is quite a good rider, eh? To put it mildly. Guess where he learned his skills: Trials. Same as most of the top guys in extreme enduro. It makes sense: learn at low speed where it doesn't matter if you fall off a bit. Blokes come off trials bikes all the time but nobody gets hurt apart from a bruise or scrape. Go to the Trials Australia website and gobble up the "how to ride" information there. Troll through youtube too. Then get a trials bike and go to Waitemata club trials. See my mate Andrew Meisner there and ask for help with your riding, you'll find the trials boys are friendly and don't mind helping noobies out. Careful though, the trial can be addictive and you might end up liking it more than trailriding!

Cheers ... Sidey

[george formby]

Hi Spokes

Chris Birch is quite a good rider, eh? To put it mildly. Guess where he learned his skills: Trials. Same as most of the top guys in extreme enduro. It makes sense: learn at low speed where it doesn't matter if you fall off a bit. Blokes come off trials bikes all the time but nobody gets hurt apart from a bruise or scrape. Go to the Trials Australia website and gobble up the "how to ride" information there. Troll through youtube too. Then get a trials bike and go to Waitemata club trials. See my mate Andrew Meisner there and ask for help with your riding, you'll find the trials boys are friendly and don't mind helping noobies out. Careful though, the trial can be addictive and you might end up liking it more than trailriding!

Cheers ... Sidey

Bang on in bold. The wee trials bike encourages shenanigans out of the comfort zone. What's the worst that can happen? Put a foot down or have a mild tumble. The skill set is mad. Just the basic stuff I'm doing is a revelation. Steering with the footpegs, working the suspension for grip, wheelies, stoppies, zaps etc. Balance.... eek. Timing, OMG, it goes on. A revelation in bike dynamics and rider ignorance.

[scott411]

no doubt trials skills help,

but professional coaching helps as well,

in a perfect world you would do both,

BT and Josh both had trials bikes in the shed for play riding/ skill building when they were racing in europe,

[george formby]

no doubt trials skills help,

but professional coaching helps as well,

in a perfect world you would do both,

BT and Josh both had trials bikes in the shed for play riding/ skill building when they were racing in europe,

Yup. Coaching speeds the process up and prevents bad habits becoming ingrained. Daniel at The Farm has offered to do some training with us. Must take him up on it one day.

[nzspokes]

Well went up the Sandpit this morning. Apart from one OTB moment I had a great time. Watched lots of Utube and got tips on how to stand properly.

I can now blitz along on the soft sand at some speed. In fact I started looking for it.

Next is learning how to stand on climbs, think my bars could do with being a bit higher.