Off roading in wales??????
 

Hey folks,

does anyone know of any companies in wales that will hire offroad bikes to go exploring?

Ive got the ten but my mateis bikeless at the mo. He would need a 125 however because he is on a CBT.

We fancy going for a mad weekend and getting muddy.

Alte3rnatively does anyone know (other than ebay) of where to get a cheap 125cc offroad capable bike?

What 125s would he need to look out for?
Is it really worth doing it on such a small bike?

Cheers

Chris

Erm, definitely worth it. It's not all about power, and if he's on a light bike he'll be nice and fresh when it comes to picking your bike up ;)

I think most of the manufacturers do some sort of learner legal trailie or at least something that looks like one. I'd just look for the cheapest thing you can find which has the right size wheels for off-road tyres.

That said, there was a lad turned up to the second day of the Cambrian in August on a 125cc Yamaha with road wheels and tyres (XT125X? WR125SM?). He made it round at least one lap, which was more than his dad did on a BMW G450X :D

Don't know who you'll find to hire a bike to someone without a full licence. If you can't find one to buy it might be best to go with one of the training schools out there - I think some of them are able to run courses entirely on private land, which makes the licence thing less important.

Cool thats good to know.

We have looked into the Yamaha school but im guessing because it is endorsed by yammy its going to be chronically expensive compared with say some for of other lesser named company?

Give JaseXT a nudge he may be able to help, we had a few excellent days riding with him a while ago.

Hi Chris - I recommend you give Black Desert Training a call (run by ex-Dakar riders Craig Bounds & Tamsin Jones) - they are based in South Wales near Merthyr Tydfil, and have a range of bikes available - including some smaller stuff as they are involved in various kids/teenage projects too, which in turn means they have access to private land - handy for beginners/non-full licence riders...

To be perfectly honest, if what you want is to mess around and get muddy, and of course hopefully learn a few skills along the way - then doing something like that on a private site is better than arsing about on green lanes which is only going to fcuk it up for people who like to trail ride sensibly - no offence intended, but the reason so many lanes are now closed is because some riders don't consider the environment they are in, think they are enduro gods, make too much noise, ride too fast, and basically cause conflict with other users...

Going on a dedicated course is ideal for a beginner and someone new to the whole 'off-road' thing in general - you'll learn great bike skills, and hopefully the difference between riding 'off-road' which is on a dedicated course like a motocross track where pretty much anything goes, and 'off-tarmac' which is an unsurfaced 'road', where prudence ought to be applied...

Hope that helps.

Jx

I meant to mention Craig and Tams earlier, but somehow it didn't make it into my post. They are *really* good teachers as well as (obviously) great riders.

A day or so with them will be the best couple of hundred quid you ever spend on bike-related stuff. Seriously.

Cheers folks. We werent planning on simply arsing around on the lanes. We really wanted to go on one of the experience days.

Its good to know that companies have lots of private land.

Up in the lakes UT and bernard gave me a good thrashing around the lanes and I learnt a heck of a lot, but it would still be great to get some extra tuition however on a bike that im not affraid of trashing.

I think alot of the time, I find I hold back because of the risk of smashing my bike up. I did find out in the lakes that being confident (Not cocky) helped allot with allowing the bike to do what its best at.

I found it was at the times when I was worrying to much or wasnt being confident that I ended up on the floor.

I think we are looking forward to it.

:YellowWow_KKPB92:

Hi chris
If you get an back issue of adventure bike rider of last month I am in there on Page 52 I and another rider Mike Beddows did an report on the Stata Florida Trail lane . Its a neat lane to ride .Yes there are few techi bits but pleasent to ride . I have a pic of me on my back wheel through the river but was done for the mag ...lol Jenny Morgan probly back me on this trail its a fun trail .
regurds
martin

Strata Florida:

http://vimeo.com/51813348

Thanks for sharing, pretty good video!

Ive raced enduros in wales a couple of times, eppynt & crychan and have so far not rode the fabled strata florida, its on my todo list! like so many other things!

Would anyone perhaps be up for doing the Strata Florida next year at some point?

I was planning on doing it in my hilux before I sold it and never got around to it.

Just enter the Cambrian next October ;)

Haha I'd probably spend more time on the floor laying down than standing up.

I,ll take down there if you want.

Easy trail really just depends on the water level.

Might have a look next week if I can blag a day off