Dirtbike Intro at Honda Adventure Academy

Charles Oertel's picture

Date: 17 April 2010

Riders: 8

I signed up for this introductory one-day course in the hope that it would prepare me for the Country Trax Dirtbike Fundamentals course in July.  But some internet searching uncovered a trip report by a previous participant, and it was clear this was the dirtbike equivalent of the Country Trax Intro course.

When I told Julie that the course would be a cinch for me, she immediately took it away from me and declared that she would do it in my stead.

Getting there

Since it was quite a long way for a dirtbike, and Julie would probably be too shattered to ride home again, we decided to put the bike on the bakkie.  We had to buy bike tie-downs and some ratchet straps to hoist the bakkie canopy to the garage rafters.  All this done the night before - using a door as a ramp into the bakkie.  The dogs thought we were packing for the farm and it was all we could do to keep them out of the bakkie.

Arrival

The usual course registration and coffee and introductions by the instructor.  Julie did this while I unloaded the bike.  Who do I bump into, but Chris Boltman and his friend Chris, about to go for a ride.  Chris lends me his foldable bike ramp to unload the bike.  This being the first time I am untying a bike on the bakkie, I undo the wrong side first and the bike falls over in the bakkie (hint - always loosen the straps away from the sidestand first).

Julie and BettsyJulie and Bettsy

Lecture First

I sat in on the lecture - it is interesting that Honda gave me 50% discount on the course because I had a Honda.  If I had bought it new from the dealer the training would have been free.

Ivo comes from George to give the instructionIvo comes from George to give the instruction

As with all these courses, by the time the mandatory theory session is over, the participants are nervous and didn't hear a word that was said.

Baptism of Fire

The path from the Riverside Restaurant to the practice area starts with a rather daunting (for a beginner) sandy downhill.  Julie froze, so Ivo rode her bike down.  I had positioned myself to get a picture of Julie.  She had to come back later to even the score with that path.

Ivo shows howIvo shows how

The scenery was spectacular.

Sandi and JulieSandi and Julie

Sandi Langton was there on her Honda Tornado.  And who else but my old roomie from the Advanced Course at Klipbokkop - Andre.  He was there with his son.

The Intro Practical Training

Cones and moreCones and more

The training was a more casual version of the Country Trax one day course.  For one, since Honda makes small bikes as well as big ones, there were youngsters (8 years old) and father/son combinations.  Also, since these are dirtbikes, the riding style is more relaxed.

The emergency braking exercise differs from what we learnt in that they do not advocate locking the rear wheel and working the front - if you are on a slight slope or curve then locking the back will cause it to break out to the side.

Also, since dirtbikes are lighter, when you stand you should grip the bike with your knees to stabilize it.

Jay and JulieJay and Julie

Ivo's brother Jay did the practical instruction.  Of all the participants, Julie did the emergency braking exercise the best.  Here Jay is telling Julie that she is a natural.

The outride

After lunch there is a voluntary outride, not actually part of the course.  Julie said I should take the bike and go on it and she would sit out - but then Jay very kindly offered me the loan of Ivo's bike, so that she could also do the ride.  The owner of Riverside, Gordon, convinced Julie that the ride was easy and she would manage it.

The bike I get on loan is a CRF 250X.  Very, very different to our 230F.  The ride crosses the road then goes along the pavement over a bridge then drops off through a ditch and a narrow, winding, deep sandy track.

Gordon and Jay chaperoned us through each obstacle.

Gordon and JulieGordon and Julie

From soft sand we moved onto thick rocky road - the rocks formed a river of stone and I was impressed at how well Julie handled it.  She confessed to wanting to give up, but Gordon encouraged her to keep going.

Near the top of the mountain, we stopped for a rest in some shade.

Smoke breakSmoke break

I rode on to the top with the others while Julie had a rest and Gordon kept her company.

View from the topView from the top

Then we made our way down again.  The faster riders went along a different route, but Gordon took Julie, Bruce and I back the way we came.

On the last sandy stretch, Bruce caught his foot on a stump next to the track and broke his ankle.

Julie on Sandy TracksJulie on Sandy Tracks

When I got back, I was told that Bruce had probably broken his ankle and that Julie would take him home and that I would ride his Honda 250 Tornado home for him.  First I had to load our bike onto the bakkie.

Bruce is a missionary from the US who volunteers teaching life sciences at schools in Kayelitsha.  We met Bruce's family and on the way home Julie told me all about him.

We had a fantastic adventure and Julie felt a tremendous sense of achievement at having overcome her fears and conquered that mountain.  I got to spend time with Julie while she learnt new skills, and not only heard about two new bikes, got to ride them as well!

Comments

Hayleyscomet's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/30

 

Looks Like fun Charles

Ride Like the Wind

Cool

PeterO's picture
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Joined: 2007/09/11

Typical ... put Julie on a bike for 5 min and she gets full of testosterone and verbally abuses the farm owner and then attacks him!  I hope you told everyone you were from Honda not BMW!!!

I suppose that being married to Charles for so long has eventually taken its toll and she has gone off the rails!!!

Laughing

If you can dream it you can do it!

Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14
PeterO wrote:
I suppose that being married to Charles for so long has eventually taken its toll and she has gone off the rails!!!
It's funny you should say that Pete: you are not the first. So, do I change my behaviour or do I change my friends?

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PeterO's picture
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Joined: 2007/09/11

Neither!!!!  One doesn't want one's women becoming complacent!!!

Nothing worse than a woman on the rails Laughing

If you can dream it you can do it!

Dave Wannenburgh's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/02

Hi Charles

This sounds fantastic, my whole family ride dirtbikes and my wife could certainly benefit from this sort of course. Could you give us some contact information please.

Many thanks

Dave

 

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Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14

Hi Dave

Their website is African Dream Adventures

Enjoy

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