Adventure Camp #1 "Intro to Adventure":
An introduction to dirt riding techniques

Motorcycles like the BMW GS and KTM 990 or Moto Guzzi’s Stelvio are the SUV’s of the motorcycle world, yet many riders of these bikes are nervous about taking them off into the "dirt" even though that’s what they were designed for. Why is this? Well, mostly because they are “heavy” and awkward, as well as expensive to repair. This combination makes riders reluctant to ride them off the pavement.

But even if you’re “on the pavement,” how many times have you had to creep through miles of mud and gravel along a section of "road under construction?" Or wanted to visit a special attraction in a national park only to find it “way out in the dirt somewhere.”

Even if you are not interested in becoming a “dirt rider,” it can be useful to have some “dirt skills” because sometimes you find “dirt” in unexpected places. If our training helps you avoid one “unintentional dismount,” then the savings you get from not having to repair your bike will pay for the class. And as an additional bonus: it’s a recognized fact that dirt skills improve your street riding.

So, speaking of dirt, ponder this: Many of our National Parks have some of their most incredible natural "wonders" at the end of a dirt road. Let's use Death Valley National Park as an example. Death Valley is America's 2nd largest national park, but it sports only 150-miles of paved roads, while there are over 1100-miles of dirt roads. Imagine that...in actuality, almost all of Death Valley's most incredible views and natural wonders are 10 to 30-miles into the back country on rough, dirt roads. And most of our National Parks are similar.

So, this is the class that will help you to get comfortable with the basics of riding the dirt roads of the world. For additional perspective, consider this fact: more than 95% of the world's roads are dirt.

In our Intro to Adventure program you will:

  • Learn the risks of using ABS in the dirt.
  • Learn the basics of controlling your bike on all types of dirt roads.
  • Learn the top five mistakes all street riders make in the dirt.

We'll teach you a series of "building block" skills which will dramatically increase your confidence off-road.



The Intro to Adventure class will include:

  • An introduction to dirt riding techniques and the top mistakes most people make.
  • Body position for effective off-road riding
  • Throttle, brake and clutch techniques
  • Weight-shift techniques for steering
  • Balance techniques
  • Turning technique using counterbalancing
  • Obstacle avoidance
  • How to control front and rear wheel skids
  • Hard Acceleration technique on dirt and gravel
  • Hill Climbing
  • Descending steep hills in a controlled manner
  • How to ride in Sand and Gravel
  • How to recover from a stall on a steep hill.
  • How to turn around, fully loaded on a steep hill.

Adventure Camp also provides hands on technology overviews, opportunities to learn about the tools and equipment that are available for the adventure rider, plus demonstrations about such important things as tire repair "on the trail". Click Here For More Information.






"Intro to Adventure"
Camp Includes:

- 2½ day program, Friday afternoon to Monday morning

- includes arrival dinner and orientation

- includes 3 nights accommodation

- 2 days of instruction

- all meals and drinks

- souvenir shirt - includes technology and field repair seminars

- Optional 2-day Base Camp Alpha “adventure” following training program - Classes scheduled monthly—call for details!


RawHyde Adventures
PO Box 244
Castaic, CA. 91310
(ph) 213 713 5652



Click in this box to download a PDF of author Donya Carlson's article in the June '08 issue of Rider Magazine about her own Adventure Camp experiences.

Article reprinted with permission of the author, Donya Carlson, and Rider Magazine.



Click in this box to view a recent clip from television's The Men7 Show. The show's host, Hoyt Christopher, learns a little bit about "Adventure Riding."

Although it's a bit "staged," its worth a watch to see some of the lessons taught at Adventure Camp. PS: Always wear your helmet; you'll see what we mean—but hey, it was their show!