Taking the training up a notch...

BMW's this time. These bikes are mad - in a good way. On paper it just shouldn't work. They are big, heavy, 50/50 tyres and ABS. Even in my limited off road experience, it is quite amazing how they just eat up the ground, the hills, the mud and the descents. Particularly the descents. Going up hill is pretty easy and fun, but going down can be a touch scary initially. The confidence these things give, whether it's all brake, or all engine braking or a bit of both, is quite astonishing. The Honda's the other week were great - a very clever bike - but I immediately felt more at home on this big Beemer.

So south Wales was the location. A few thousand acres of amazing forest with classic gravel roads. Wide enough in places to get up some decent speeds, but also with some hidden away trails that were single track or more technical.

Conditions were 'Welsh'. A little slippy in places but nothing too scary

I think over the two days, every skill I'd be introduced to a few weeks back got a lot better, which is positive. My body position on the bike, feet location, weight distribution, two finger brake lever control (I had to get out of bad road habits of either nothing on the lever, or grabbing a big handful), and two finger clutch control. Pulling away from a standing start in 4th gear with NO throttle is, it seems, quite possible. Who knew?

On the bike, all my usual aches and pains were gone, probably just because I was more relaxed and confident. I was very sore in the hotel at the end of day one, but I keep resolving that it's all adding to my fitness, and working muscles that I need to get going, so I'd rather take that pain now.

Sam demo's how it should be done

You might recall my rear brake dilemma on my own GS - it is tricky to reach with the big boots and space to press it is compromised by the carburetor. Well I'm rather more relaxed about the whole thing now. I appreciate that these modern bikes have linked brakes (you squeeze the front and it applies just the right amount of rear for you), but having a rear for emergency only, rather than as a default is probably OK - perhaps even more desirable off road. And actually, the more I did descents, the more I favoured first gear and engine braking only anyway. The bike has a certain momentum that feels right, and I could just concentrate on my line without fear of lockups. Perhaps the aficionado's are shaking their heads now, but I think if you find a process that works for you, that is 90% of the battle, even if it could be technically better. I'll take that.

Middle of day 2, leaning on the handlebars during a break was preferable to getting off!

Not much else to report. A great school - link below - that I would highly recommend. Many thanks to our instructor Sam who was very encouraging and enthusiastic, and a shout to the rest of the group who were great company and have kindly shared a few photo's which I've nicked for the blog.

Positives: No falls, no injuries, much improved confidence. Learned lots about my kit - see forthcoming 'Kit Part II'

Negatives: None really, just a reminder to keep working on the fitness levels. At the end of day two I was ready to get off. That is one third distance for Tunisia.

https://www.offroadskills.com/ I did level 2 foundation which was about right for me. There are starter levels and more advanced.