Which course to choose?
23 May 2009 - 2:56pm
I'm hoping those of you that have done the Country Trax training could provide me with some advice...
I'm trying to decide with which off-road course to start: the beginners or the intermediate course at Country Trax.
I've been riding for a few years now, and consider myself quite able to control my bike. However, most of my experience has been on road bikes - I got the GS a bit over a year ago (with the idea that it would open up numerous new routes for me), but so far I've done hardly any off-tar riding at all.
I'm quite keen to do some training to gain the extra (and different) skills one needs on the dirt.
I've had a look at the Country Trax website and also at all the various postings on the site from people that have done the course.
I see both the intermediate and the beginners’ courses get rave reviews.
Here's my dilemma though: I've done at least two previous bike courses (one in Joburg, one overseas) - both did a lot of work on low speed skills and also on emergency manoeuvres (both were "road" courses). While I'm sure I can always improve my slow speed skills by doing this type of course again, what I really want to learn is the off-road stuff: handling sand, gravel, negotiating typical off road obstacles, etc.
So, what I'm saying is that I'm really interested in the skills I think I'd pick up on the intermediate (week-end) course. But, having practically no off-road experience - would it be better to start at the beginners' course?
I did see a previous post by Charles saying the weekend course was split into groups depending on dirt experience.
Any advice? Would I cope with one of the less experienced groups on the intermediate weekend? Or should I try and be patient and do the beginner's course first?
Thanks,
Ravid
23 May 2009 - 4:29pm
#1
Hi Ravid
You have only two options:
# The [http://www.countrytrax.co.za/venue.nelsonscreek.php Intro to offroad] one-day course at Nelson's Creek for about R790, or the
# [http://www.countrytrax.co.za/venue.klipbokkop.php Offroad Weekend at klipbokkop (Intermediate)] for R3350 for 3 days
The first day of the offroad weekend covers what you do on the Intro course at Nelson's Creek.
You can do the intermediate course with no prior experience whatsoever (when I did it, one chap had bought his first bike that monday and never ridden dirt until the farm road to the venue).
However, unless you do a lot of riding standing up, and are very physically fit, the off-road weekend can be too much in one go:
* Most people are quite exhausted by the one-day course, and stiff and sore for the next week, and
* since the slow-riding, standing-up, working the clutch and front-brake with just two fingers is new to most people, by the end of day one their arms and wrists are seized up.
* Even riders who are fit and experienced tend to be sore and stiff on the morning of the second day at Klipbokkop.
My advice for getting the best value is: do the Intro one-day first. This will give you all the basics you need to ride offroad. You will then be able to get familiar with riding standing up, practice the skills, and get fit for the off-road weekend.
This will also allow you to ride in the more experienced group when you do the weekend course, and you will get more out of it.
HTH
Website Administrator
[http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]
23 May 2009 - 6:10pm
#2
I did both Charles mentioned, about one year apart. I was amazed how much I remembered or got right from the Intro-course when they started the week-end- course with the same basics.(and glad!)
I think that the intermediate may be a bit overwhelming if you do not have any prior experience.
Ravid, in your case, I think since your previous other experiences and courses, the Intermediate is not a bad start - but if you can do both, Charles' advice is in my opinion good!
24 May 2009 - 9:41pm
#3
Ravid - I second what Charles and JohannM both say - where possible, try the one day Intro Course at Nelsons Creek, THEN Klipbokkop.
I did it this way, and can seriously recommend it. Everything they say about sore/stiffness on the one day course is true, and then you get more 'bike fit' as well as bike aware, and when you eventually get to Klipbokkop, day 1 is a great refresher, and you embrace it with eagerness, having done it before.
My 5c
http://www.themanorcottage.co.za
25 May 2009 - 10:29am
#4
I've done both as well and my advice has to do with value for money.
The intro course gives you a set of skills you can practice on your own to improve. Once you're really comfortable with those skills, you'll get much more benefit out of the Intermediate course. In fact the better your riding skills the more fun you'll have on the Intermediate course and you'll probably take your riding ability that bit further.
So from a slightly different angle, the advice is the same as Charles' ie do both.
''If you can dream it you can do it!''
27 May 2009 - 6:14pm
#5
Thanks everyone for the considered advice.
While I was kind of hoping that I could just bypass the intro course and go straight into the intermediate, it looks as if the general consensus is that both courses are extremely worthwhile.
I'll definitely take all your advice into account. Next step is to sort out my schedule...
Thanks very much,
Ravid
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