CONCLUSION

Yeah, it’s a bit off piste from our usual tarmac escapades, but my god, riding dirt bikes is serious fun – whatever the weather. In a day of getting dirtier than an Amsterdam sex worker, I don’t think the three of us have laughed so much – plus it’s the most I’ve ever seen Boothy end up on his face, which is always a laugh.

And I couldn’t praise it enough. There’s loads of places around and I’d definitely recommend having a craic at off-roading. Not only does it seriously hone in on your road-riding skills, but it also teaches a whole new aspect of bike control... although I’ve yet to find it. Thankfully, I had a good bike underneath to at least make me look like I knew what I was doing, and I can’t wait for the next time. There’s a load of places around, so drop your cuppa and have a craic today and I reckon you’ll love it. Between us, I might even try and sneak out another outing before the big day, but I’ve got to say, it does give the old body a proper battering… so I’m writing this feeling a bit sorry for myself, sitting in my slippers waiting for a nice hot bubble bath.

But then again, the games get serious now. As you read these hallowed pages we’ll be just gearing up to take on the Skeggy Beach Race. Before that though, we’ve got some prep to be doing. Our brand spanking new gear needs a bit of a wash, and we’ve got some super trick sand-special Oakleys coming for good measure. Couple that with three prime, clean and new KTMs, and we really will represent the whole ‘all the gear, no idea’ notion.

Three blokes, three different bikes and barely a single brain cell between us… all ready for the big brawl. Bring it on, Skeggy.