California BMW Triumph | Dirt Clinic for GS Riders and Bigger Dirt Bikes

I am just back from Jim Hyde's Three-Day Adventure Challenge last week and am totally stoked and excited about riding our dualsport giants in the dirt! I am happy to report that I got a 10th place overall (out of about 65 entrants) on my R 80 G/S against HP2s and modern 1200's, proving the age of the rider and model of the bike is not so important as a good attitude and desire to have fun! The challenge was limited to bikes over 650 cc's, and there were only three singles in the top 10, everyone else was on twins.

Doc Wong and I are teaming up to create a special dirt bike clinic, now that Doc is the proud owner of a new BMW R 1200 GS! This clinic is specifically for the riders of big dualsport/adventure bikes, so save the dates of June 22 and 24th. Details follow below:

Here is the latest on the upcoming beginners/intermediate dirt riding clinic for riders of bigger dirt bikes, like GS's, KTM 950's, Multistradas and F 650's, which is especially aimed at the newbie dirt rider. If you are more of an intermediate/advanced rider we'd appreciate any help you can volunteer by leading a group, giving demonstrations, or just offering additional coaching.

Doc and I will be leading groups of larger dual-sport bikes, but more experienced ride leader volunteers are needed, so let us know if you are willing to lead a group in the afternoon. You can e-mail me or call me for more details on what this entails if you are interested.

The clinic will be held on two separate days. Friday night's class session is a prerequisite for Sunday's drills and ride, releases will be signed, and donations collected for the Clear Creek Legal Defense Fund/Blue Ribbon Coalition. This organization lobbies to keep riding areas open in California and the West.

We are limited to 40 riders. Consequently, if you register and can't make it, please let me know so we can move someone up from the wait-list.

Thanks for reading this, and we hope to see you new GS riders at this clinic, to get a safe and proper introduction to the wonderful world of adventure riding. After this clinic you should be comfortable on logging roads and fire roads, and maybe even easier single-track riding. We'll be doing some dualsport shop rides this fall when it cools off, and you'll be primed and ready!

First Part: Friday night lecture

What:	Lecture required for Sunday's drills and ride: Coming to the lecture is essential and required for you to be at Sunday's drills and ride. We'll be going over vital information and demonstrations of the drills. Of course you'll be doing the drills at your own level on Sunday. Topics covered range from cornering to balance, sliding, braking and wheeling your bike.
When:	Friday night, June 22nd, 7:30pm to 8:00pm.
Where:	California BMW/Triumph 2490 Old Middlefield Way Mountain View, CA 94043 (650) 966-1183 Email Kari Prager
Cost:	$20 donation to the Blue Ribbon Coalition/Clear Creek Legal Defense Fund

Second Part: Sunday drills and ride

What:	Drills covered on Friday night will be practiced until lunch. After lunch we will break up into groups based on skill level and ride some of the larger, easier dirt roads of Hollister Hills SVRA. Most of Hollister is one-way traffic only so it is a safer place to ride than most. More experienced ride leader volunteers are needed, so let Doc Wong know if you'd be willing to lead a group in the afternoon.
When:	Sunday, June 24th 9am to 4pm.
Where:	Hollister Hills (State Vehicular Recreation Area-SVRA)
Bring:	See below
Limit:	40 riders (if you register and can't make it, please let me know ASAP as there will be a waiting list)
Cost:	$20 donation to the Blue Ribbon Coalition/Clear Creek Legal Defense Fund

What to Bring

Food: Snacks, lunch and water.
Gear: Minimally have a good helmet, gloves, heavy boots, blue jeans and a long sleeved shirt. Full dirt riding gear is ideal: Dirt helmet, goggles, chest protector, elbow guards, gloves, knee pads and dirt boots. Regular dual sport riding and touring gear is ok too, but be aware it may get hot.
Mechanical: Bike in good order, knobbies will work best, however dual-sport tires will work also. Street bike tires will provide a unique experience! ;-)
Tools: Having a good tool kit is always good.
Fuel: We will probably ride a total of 50 or 60 miles throughout the day, so it is not necessary to arrive with a full tank (just makes the bike heavier) but be sure to have about 75 or 100 mile range. You can gas up in Hollister for the ride home.

Dear Riding Friends!

First Part: Friday night lecture

Second Part: Sunday drills and ride