BMW's popular off-road skills course came to Ireland for the first time recently. John Wheeler signed up
BMW has run its first off-road skills course in Ireland. The course was led by Simon Pavey, who has competed in the Paris - Dakar race four times on a BMW motorcycle. He also runs the BMW off-road skills course in Wales. Simon was assisted by his instructors and by our own Irish Paris - Dakar competitors, Gary Ennis and Alan Graham.
The venue for this course was Bunclody, in County Wexford. The area around Mount Leinster was our training ground. We had special permission from the powers that be to use this area.
The first day consisted of an introduction and a check on each rider's kit. For those who did not have any off-road clothing or the wrong type of boots then there was equipment available. Ankle protection is very important when going off-road.
It was then time to choose a bike. There was a choice of the BMW F650GS Dakar or the standard F650GS. I am well used to the F650GS as a road bike but, by the end of the course, was very impressed with the amount of harsh treatment these bikes were able to take.
We then followed the instructors to an area where they could show us the basics.
Balance on a bike is very important when riding off-road. The instructors demonstrated how to mount a bike from either side and how to pick it up if it falls, as it did for many of us during the two-day course.
We then practised getting a good feel for the clutch control by walking alongside the bike, first on the left-hand side then on the right-hand side.
Once everyone displayed a good understanding of the basics we moved into a large field to practise the art of balancing while standing up on a moving bike. We practised our balance by travelling with one foot off the foot-peg then with the other foot off; and similarly with each hand in turn taken off the handlebars.
We then went on to tackle a slalom through some cones. This was to help each rider find their centre of balance and become comfortable with moving the bike around whilst still remaining in control.
After a lunch break we made our way up to Mount Leinster to learn more about using the brakes off-road. Simon and the other instructors explained and demonstrated how to use the rear brake whilst travelling downhill. Next we learned how to use the front brake downhill.
We practised this with varying degrees of success. Once we had become comfortable with the back brake it was time to repeat the exercise with the front brake. We were then shown how to gain a more gentle control of the brakes riding uphill using front and back brakes.
The first day ended learning how to recover the bike on a hill in the event you did not make it to the top and then had to turn the bike around.
This technique is rather useful if you and the bike do not want to end up tumbling down a mountainside.
Day two was even more enjoyable. The sun was shining and everyone was eager to get going. We made our way up to Mount Leinster and quickly repeated the exercises covered on day one but on a much more challenging downhill slope, with plenty of ruts, rocks and soft, slippery clay.
We then followed Gary Ennis on a trail ride over a lot of bumpy ground up to a beautiful, scenic area with a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside. As we travelled along the trail one or two people dropped their bikes; this is almost inevitable during the early learning stages.
Once they had picked up their bikes and brushed themselves down they were up and away again. No one was hurt or injured over the two days.
I enjoyed a massive lunch and drank lots of water - very important as you can dehydrate so quickly. My excuse was that I was storing up energy for the afternoon.
Then, having made our way back to the forest, we were divided into two groups. The first group did a trail ride with Gary Ennis while the second group covered a section of the course called "Momentum" with Simon Pavey. This second day was both exhilarating and tiring.
BMW hopes to be running a number of these courses in Ireland in the future.
This was my first experience of off-road riding. My advice for anyone interested in trying it is to go for it. Off-road motorcycling is another fun way of enjoying the wonderful world of motorcycling.