Experience
Taking your first trip off-road and into trail riding can be daunting, so easy step-by-step training is essential
FABULOUS AND REWARDING it may be but unless you’re introduced to the world of off-road riding carefully, it’s too easy to be discouraged from carrying on. Worcestershire-based Trailquest Adventure Rider Training is well aware of this and provides a safe, gentle and welcoming initiation.
Owned and run by hugely experienced global bike traveller Richard Jeynes, Trailquest runs Royal Enfield Himalayans. Undoubtedly one of the most user-friendly adventure bikes on the market, riding it on less-challenging terrain means getting accustomed to the life of lower grip and gradients couldn’t be more straightforward. “It’s not about speed,” says Richard. “We focus on teaching people how to ride adventure bikes safely.”
Keen to build his skills is off-road novice Pete Nichols. He’s back on his own Enfield Himalayan for more introductory training after the second day of his first experience was washed out a few weeks earlier. Before we ride, Richard outlines the schedule, reminding Pete of the real-world risks and
“You do get the impression you’re on a real adventure”
responsibilities of taking to the dirt. All three of us then begin the day’s adventure on our 25bhp Himalayans.
One-to-one tuition like Pete’s isn’t unusual but it’s more typical for training to involve two or three riders per instructor. Richard won’t have more than four in a group, to give a personal service and so his training is friendly and efficient.
Pete’s experienced the first part of the day before but re-acquaintance with slow and controlled cornering instruction in a flat, damp field proves useful. We’re reminded of the advantages of sitting down and being prepared to stick a leg out in the turns. “Most falls come in the first hour. Using this technique gives a much better chance of saving things sooner,” says Richard. When a rider is judged competent, as Pete is, they’ll go to the next stage, a wooded area. The twisting trail ride through the trees offers just the right level of challenge and warms us up nicely for the rest of the day.
Tuition becomes a little more serious, with lessons on how to cross a stream in a shallow, tree-rooted ravine — we head down and out through it several times. As a mark of how tailored the training is, Pete is reminded of the particular importance of using the most effective technique. He’s signed up for one of Trailquest’s expeditions to India next year and he’s reminded that during the event it’ll be all the more important to be able to read routes and deal with obstacles like this.
Those not heading for India, like some customers who’ve returned eight or nine times to do this same basic riding course, are always given appropriate instruction. “We never push too hard or too soon and nobody’s asked to do anything they’re not comfortable with,” says Richard. “It’s why we get so much repeat custom.”
With a large variety of routes to choose from on the private 1200-acre site, we tackle some speedier, but still easy to manage, climbs and descents to get even
more of a feel for the Royal Enfield. Its modest engine power and low seat height help make it a great choice for the inexperienced, while riders with more miles under their enduro boots can also gain enjoyment from it. The fact is, the 410cc bike is a lovely little thing with its user-friendly nature allowing you to concentrate on learning the art of riding on knobblies.
Armed with more experience, we go on a minitour of the area’s network of forest trails. Giving a great view of the Worcestershire countryside from the hill summits, you get a real taste for one of the greatest pleasures of trail riding — the sense of escape. You might only be a few miles from civilisation but you get the impression you’re on an adventure far away from the madding crowd.
There are some more-testing sections to negotiate and you’ll need to apply skills and belief to get through them. Where necessary, Richard will stop to give warning and advice to make sure you’re ready for things like adverse cambers, muddy ramps and awkward-looking roots and ruts. There’s a balance of terrain to give you a great sense of achievement when managed successfully, but it never generates a feeling of fear or discouragement. Richard points out his 16-year record of serious-injury-free customers. It’s no wonder people like Pete and many others sign up for more.
And there is a lot more if you fancy it. With more challenging days available, you have the chance to raise your skill and experience levels still further. Or if you want to go the whole hog, as Pete’s elected to, you can spend time with Trailquest on one of its expeditions exploring places like India, South Africa, Iceland or Finland. For these, training will involve higher levels of tuition and team-building classes to check your suitability. Trailquest’s Adventure Rider Training can not only provide that all-important gentle start to the world of off-roading but can then help you explore some of the more distant parts of the world using those new-found skills.