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Wheeldon Off Road School

Posted: 29 May 2018, 12:26
by Cavetroll87
So apologies this has been a few a little while in coming, But I really didn't want to type out the whole review on my phone and left my laptop in the office so waited until I was back at work to type it up. So here it is.

Last Monday (21st) Me and my Father in law (who hasn't ridden a motorbike at all for over 30 years) drove down to the wheeldon off road school in south Devon for their off road academy day. Having never ridden off road before in my life I wanted to go and get proper tuition before attempting it myself and hurting myself a lot. We met Andrew who runs the school and he told us it was literally us 3 all day, he likes running small days and does 99% of it himself and with the help of his 2 lads who are both National level motocrossers.

All the gear is provided so after a quick fitting we go meet the first bikes for the day. Father in law started on a Honda cbf150 as he hasn't ridden in so long and I start on a 230cc Honda enduro bike. We go straight inside on to the full size indoor motocross circuit he has in his barn and have a wobble round the circuit to learn which way round it went.

Now first ever time offroad for me, I was very nervous riding round, managed to stay upright unlike F-I-L haha, all the ramps and ruts felt very alien to begin with, so after a few laps Andrew pulls us over to talk us through correct cornering on flat corners, glad he did as he explains I'm cornering like a road rider and leaning to the inside of the bike, after a 10 minute explanation of staying upright on the bike go out for run number two. Instantly felt more comfortable and start enjoying feeling the bike moving around under me while cornering. again after about 10/15 minutes Andrew calls us bac and we go over using ruts to corner, after this we go back out to put that into action and find myself getting faster and faster and enjoying it more and more, then 1 more break to talk about standing and time to put it all into action. Very quickly felt like I was getting the hang of it, after this we stopped and started riding the track the opposite way. The idea being we used our new found skills to read the track rather than having learnt it, This was so much harder than I though but great fun. It was at this point I had m first crash as I was getting cocky, went into a corner a bit quick and as I wasn't thinking and reverted back to road cornering, a quick chat about why I crashed and good to go again.

All went for a nice homemade lunch from Andrews wife, Salad, sandwhiches, quiche etc sorta of things you want when riding all day and the afternoon session we are going to the outdoor motocross track and getttin new bikes. F-I-L moved up to my 230 and I jumed onto a Honda CBF250X Enduro bike, 20cc cant be that different right?

My god the new bike was so much more of a handful, so much more revvy and aggressive but seriously fun round the bigger outdoor track. Found myself pushing harder and harder and riding in a way I never though possible when I 1st wobbled round the track indoors. Got really good feedback from Andrew that I was riding it beautifully, found myself hitting the jumps harder to actually get some air and using the clutch to blast out of corners.

We stopped for a bit to do some hill climbs and descents just to learn how to deal with really steep hills if we were to go enduro riding and then last bit of the day back on the outdoor mx track just for fun. ended the day exhausted but beyond happy. Honestly the most fun I have had on 2 wheels for a few years now and im desperate to get back off roading now.

I would not hesitate to recommend this place as Andrew was a fantastic teacher, the facilities are brilliant and it was a cracking day. cost about £225 for the day which included bike, gear and lunch and it was worth every single penny.
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Re: Wheeldon Off Road School

Posted: 29 May 2018, 12:31
by Kwacky
Nice report.

I do like off road riding, it's a laugh, you learn loads and you don't mind falling off.

Re: Wheeldon Off Road School

Posted: 29 May 2018, 12:41
by Cavetroll87
Cheers mate, honestly enjoyed it so much, been looking at where I can go offroading down here if I can get a bike at some point, felt very odd riding a road bike with grip yesterday haha

Re: Wheeldon Off Road School

Posted: 29 May 2018, 12:43
by StMarks
Sounds like you had a good time Mr Troll, but how did FIL & the 3rd student get on ?

Re: Wheeldon Off Road School

Posted: 29 May 2018, 13:22
by Cavetroll87
StMarks wrote:Sounds like you had a good time Mr Troll, but how did FIL & the 3rd student get on ?
FIL loved it and was very happy and got pretty quick towards end of the end of the day, there was no 3rd student just us and the intructor

Re: Wheeldon Off Road School

Posted: 29 May 2018, 17:13
by StMarks
Cavetroll87 wrote:
StMarks wrote:Sounds like you had a good time Mr Troll, but how did FIL & the 3rd student get on ?
FIL loved it and was very happy and got pretty quick towards end of the end of the day, there was no 3rd student just us and the intructor
Ah, I see now what you meant mate. I misunderstood that bit. (headbang)

Great that he also enjoyed it. Now you can encourage him to buy an enduro for the two of you to share (-translates as; He'll loose interest before long, and you'll have a free bike for winter hacks & occasional dirty fun (nod) )

Re: Wheeldon Off Road School

Posted: 29 May 2018, 17:14
by DaytonAndy
That does sound like a good day and a nice write-up (y)

Re: Wheeldon Off Road School

Posted: 15 Jun 2018, 02:44
by kiwikrasher
Sound alike a great day Cavetroll.

I rode off-road for years back in NZ and was tempted to get another once I sold the track bike. But sensibility got the best of me and decided riding solo in the Aussie bush with no phone reception and kids expecting me to be home when they got off the school bus wasn’t the best idea.

You think the 250 had punch, try a 450, they are fecking insane!! More scary than my 2 stroke 465cc I had years back.

Re: Wheeldon Off Road School

Posted: 15 Jun 2018, 10:51
by Cavetroll87
kiwikrasher wrote:Sound alike a great day Cavetroll.

I rode off-road for years back in NZ and was tempted to get another once I sold the track bike. But sensibility got the best of me and decided riding solo in the Aussie bush with no phone reception and kids expecting me to be home when they got off the school bus wasn’t the best idea.

You think the 250 had punch, try a 450, they are fecking insane!! More scary than my 2 stroke 465cc I had years back.
Yeah I know Im not ready to try a 450 haha, kinda like when your a new road rider and you just know a litre bike is too much at firsy, but when you know your ready you know haha

Re: Wheeldon Off Road School

Posted: 27 Jun 2018, 10:07
by Rossgo
Quite late here but brilliant report. Sounds like a class day out

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