I truly didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for this school, but I knew that I had to have another tool in my box and from everyone I knew that took this school, this one was essential to becoming a better rider/racer. Days before I left I was excited, the day before I attended the school I was anxious and unable to sleep, the day it was over…I was banged up, bruised, full of knowledge from a pro (that I will be able to refer to when I need) and man, I slept like a rock!
Coming from only understanding and riding for the street/road, this concept was very foreign and hard to remember at times when we were practicing drills. Dirt riding is all about maneuvering the bike underneath you and slightly offsetting your body to counterbalance the bike. Using your foot as a pivot point and keeping those arms up and out of the way while keeping your body towards the front of your bike and if you needed a little extra traction rolling it back to shift the weight to the rear tire. The transfer of weight wasn’t hard to remember however remembering to keep my elbows up was a challenge and something I will work hard on in the future as dirt bikes will add to my skill set.
I was amazed at how each lesson introduced yet another skill that built on the last, until we were all sliding out bikes in a slalom course at pretty decent pace. By the second day, we were all ready to run the courses set up in various combinations. After a very humbling run on a mud course (imagine riding on glass), we did 5 lap races for the majority of the day, ending up with the main event…a 25 lap race with a prize of a life-size foam cutout which would be mailed to you.
Rich Oliver instructs the school, his wife makes sure you are well fed and comfortable and his kids are the instructors and track supervisors. The school is well thought out and very helpful for the first time dirt rider as well as those with experience. From the viewpoint of the first time rider, it was eye opening and overwhelming at the same time, but if you want to learn proper skills and be ahead of the curve, Rich doesn’t disappoint. If you are a seasoned dirt rider, Rich would be an amazing source of information and give you the added skills necessary to edge out a buddy in your next dirt adventure. This school is geared to teach every level of student, be prepared to learn a lot, fall a lot and have fun. Rich’s idea of learning is a lot of time on the bike with little classroom time and discussion, it truly was an experience that I would repeat again.
