I’m standing on the footpegs of Honda’s famous Africa Twin motorcycle and gripping the handlebars as the 225kg motorcycle bucks, roars and fishtails its way up a long, terrifyingly steep, rocky hill in deepest Somerset.
Looking well ahead as instructed I’m picking out a path along the heavily rutted track and steering the bike with my feet as the speedo nudges 30mph.
It might not sound fast on the road but here - surrounded by rocks, trees and plunging drops - it feels like 100mph. Finally - exhaust bellowing and panting like a racehorse - I crest the hill in a burst of adrenaline, catch my breath and admire the long sea views. Whew.
It’s the highlight of a two-day Honda Adventure Centre off-road riding course on Exmoor, overseen by world motocross champion Dave Thorpe. I’m joined by 14 riders keen to sharpen - or learn - off road skills for the sheer fun of it, or to improve their on-road ability and confidence.
Most of us are on big Africa Twins, some of them ‘clutchless’ DCT versions. Having ridden the DCT in London - where the absence of clutch and gear lever makes concentrating on traffic easier - I’m here to discover how it copes with the rough stuff and to see if it improves my road riding too.
The course unfolds at a traditional farmhouse with a friendly introduction from joint chief instructor Pat Jackson after we’ve donned helmets, sturdy motocross-style boots and, for many of us, as much extra padding as we can squeeze under our riding suits. Just in case.
We’re told how to mount and dismount, keeping bikes on their side stands and using the footpegs to avoid falling off on uneven ground, told to ride ‘loose and relaxed’ and (I’ll forget this as excitement gets the better of me) not to ride tired, as, we’re warned, we’ll lose concentration...
A brief on-road ride takes us to private forestry land where we’re ‘triaged’ as we negotiate a cones over rough ground. Off-road virgins are told to dab their feet for confidence.
With (limited) off-road experience, I stand on the pegs off-road-style, using them to steer the bike and am selected for the ‘advanced’ group. I - and two far more accomplished riders - zoom into the hills with joint chief instructor Flash, and the fun begins.
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While the beginners group starts by riding around cones, learning to balance on the footpegs and negotiate slopes, Flash, Phil, Sandy and I explore exhilarating forest trails, riding over logs, tree roots and through muddy stretches that have the rear and front tyres squirming for grip.
Why you need to invest in the TCX X-Helium Michelin boots
Your legs and feet are vulnerable while off-roading, which is why schools insist on proper, sturdy motocross-style boots, and why all safety kit can be hired from Honda on the day.
It’s hard to do better than the TCX X-Helium Michelin boots I ‘road-tested’, however. They needed virtually no breaking in and - despite impressive levels of ‘armour’ - proved soft, lightweight and comfortable throughout the two days.
Allowing a good degree of ‘feel’, bike control and ankle articulation, they also offered a high level of protection when - as fatigue mounted - I fell off repeatedly. Impressively, even when the bike pinned me to the ground, I emerged unscathed.
At £299.99 they’re not cheap but what price safety? The uppers use a combination of leather, microfibre, with a breathable lining, backed by heat guard, shin plates, polyurethane heel, ankle and toe guard. Each boot is held firmly in place by four sturdy, easy to use, widely adjustable aluminium buckles and they have thick, grippy soles. I’d recommend them highly. More at nevis.uk.com
As we negotiate steep, loose hill climbs, the DCT system comes into its own. Using the handlebar manual override buttons it’s child’s play to change from first to second or third gear, not necessarily to go faster but to harness the 1100cc engine’s prodigious low-revving ‘torque’, minimising rear wheel spin, ensuring more grip, more fun. It’s easier than fishing for a gear lever with your left foot while trying to keep your balance, too.
Next come steep - scary - descents over loose shale, controlling our bikes with the front and rear brakes, antilock braking switched off. Keep it on and - on the loose - the wheels can’t dig in to brake. We’d risk sliding to the bottom in a heap.
This is just one of the technological benefits of the Africa Twin, which is infinitely ‘customisable’ at the flick of a switch. We disengage Wheelie control to ensure maximum power on steep uphill sections and dial the traction control from seven to one, so that we - not the bike - control the slides. It’s motorcycle nirvana.
Deep in 7,000 acres of private land, Flash explains how a relaxed rider is a better rider and - crucially - tells me to look where I want to go. “Stare at a rock you want to avoid and you’ll hit it. Look at the smooth ground to the side and that’s where you’ll go.” So it proves.
After lunch my energy levels plummet and I start making mistakes. I ‘bin’ the heavy bike on a muddy bend and go sprawling in the undergrowth. No harm done but they’re heavy machines to lift and - as my energy levels hit zero - it takes three of us to lift my bike after a succession of slippery falls.
On day two the challenges multiply as - on a picturesque hill above Minehead - we practice what we learned on day one. I feel like a pro as I tackle small jumps, steeper ascents and descents, negotiate a river and even enjoy the thrill as the bike slips and slides in mud.
My confidence soars until - after lunch - fatigue again sets in and I spend more time underneath the bike than on top of it. I’m thankful for my cheery, far more accomplished fellow riders and instructor as - repeatedly - they help me right the increasingly muddied bike. And for that extra padding.
After 80 miles in two days it’s suddenly over. I’ve enjoyed every minute, discovered the advantages of clutchless DCT off-road, learned lots of new techniques from the brilliant and patient instructors - and boosted my off-road skills. On subsequent rides in London I feel sharper, more balanced - more competent, too.
I shall let one or two bruises fade, and go back for more...
More at davethorpehonda.com
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