Without further adieu, more photos from day 1:
Our intrepid instructors.
Clever hack to prevent broken turn signals. Street legal, too!
I look stressed, don't I?
This one requires a bit of back story. I was following right behind this gal when her bike decided to take a nap right then and there. I was so surprised that I seriously almost ran her over. Can someone say “target fixation“? Lesson duly noted!
Slinking off after the near-miss...
Instructor Bret handled his F800Gs in impressive fashion, as if he were riding a tiny dirtbike.
The 9 inch OBSTACLE.
Let's start small first...
Whee!
I’m still kicking myself that I didn’t try the 9 inch obstacle, but I ran out of practice time. Next year, I promise! But after this failure, I wasn’t about to skip out on the next set of obstacles: the Pyramids!
Eyes forward makes it easy as one...
two...
three...
I was so stoked about my successful ride over the Pyramids that I immediately biffed it on the easiest obstacle on the course: a flat board! I rode off the board’s edge and somehow edge-trapped the front wheel against it.
Oops!
Here’s how you can help a friend lift a dropped bike:
See how I’m balanced on the rear wheel? I’m using my weight to help pull the bike upright. When the bike reaches the point that you can feel that it’s coming upright successfully, jump off and get out of the way.
Instructor Gary demonstrating good body position for hill climbing.
Good body position for downhill descents.
The next three photos show how to turn your bike around on a hill if you find that you can’t continue up any further and have to stop.
Step 1: Turn the bars to full lock and use gentle clutch control to let the bike roll backwards down the hill. The bike will curve behind you.
Step 2: The bike will automatically stop rolling when it’s perpendicular to the path of the hill. Then, hold the brake in and quickly turn the handlebars from full lock to full lock. This will “kick” the front end of the bike downhill.
Step 3: Once the bike is pointed in the right direction, mount the bike, pull the clutch in, slowly release the brake, and hit the starter as you start to roll down the hill.
Not only does Gary ride a mean dirtbike, he can seriously cook!
That’s all for day one…
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks like fun. I figured you’d get them scanned quickly.
BTW, the turn signal mod is not legal, DOT’s FVMSS requires front signals to be a minimum distance apart and a minimum distance from the headlights.
Having said that, mine are modified in a similar method. *shrug*
Stacy:
I’m learning a lot just reading your post and viewing your photos. All makes sense until you try it on your own, on someone else’s bike if possible.
Hmmm, I wonder how the SV would do on the hillclimb ?
bob
Wet Coast Scootin
That is so awesome!! I’m so there next time! Is there a next time??
Allaina
@tedder: I suppose.
@bobskoot: “All will make even more sense when you try it on your own.”
Fixed it for ya.
@Allaina: Most likely, yes.
Sweet!! (I just went back to where I asked that question earlier and saw your response.)
Looks like a total blast!
Great course! Wish I’d attended one when I was young as I’m pretty useless off-road (good at face plants though)!
Geoff
I am really enjoying this series, Stacy! And I’m learning stuff, too. Yippee! I wanna go next year…
Wow! I’m really impressed by those skills. The Pyramid exercise looks especially difficult.
Wow, impressive! And somebody did a great job photo-documenting this. Not there yet, but I also intend to do an off-road training eventually, I mean before I get too old for this stuff… Cheers, SonjaM with the yellow Beemer
Stacy, I am VERY impressed!