TRF Forums

Hey Guys,

First off I apologise as I am sure this sort of question has been asked a million times before. I did do a fair bit of searing the forum but couldn't find an exact answer. (no doubt someone will put me in my place and give a link straight to a similar answer ). I've been reading through the forum trying my best to get my head around the finer details of green laning. I've been wanting to get into doing some off road riding for a couple of years. Been riding road bikes both on road and on track for six or so years but I'd like to keep riding through the winter and green laning seems to be the answer.

I've got a couple of questions initially that you all might be able to help with. As I'm a complete off road novice I'd like to do an experience day first to make sure I get on with it (although how flying along through mud out of control couldn't be enjoyable I don't know).

I'm based in Leicester so can anyone recommend a good organisation to get in touch with. I'd need to borrow a bike and all the kit. I've seen Ady Smith KTM days advertised. Do you guys rate them?

Second question, assuming I love the off road, coming from a mountain bike background I'm sure I will. What can you guys recommend as a good trail bike for a novice thats also capable of doing a daily commute of say 30 odd miles each way? In case it matters, I'm 30, 6ft and 15 stone with kit on.

Electric start and 4T are must haves so with this in mind. I've read about DRZs and WF450Rs being good for the road (read comfort and servicing lenght/costs) but at the same time quite heavy. As a novice I understand I'll be picking the bike up a lot so a light bike would be appreciated. My budget is around 2k but as I'd be using it for an autumn/winter/spring commuter I could be persuaded to pay a little more if a more expensive model offers a better compromise. Maybe a WF250, but is it suitable for commuting, if I were to pop a set of SM wheels on it?

Am I being silly? Is communting on any half decent trail bike a laughable idea?

Cheers for taking the time to read this, of course I'll be making sure I join the TRF if/when i do find the perfect bike

Bob

Hi Bob,

There's a company called i2i who are baser in Yorks and worth considering, I did their day and Ady Smith's and theirs was more oriented to real-world riding and less enduro-focussed. The i2i training methods are also a lot easier because they bear in mind fatigue issues and use rest periods for consolidating the training.

It depends where you live for your choice of bike. I would normally recommend a DRZ400 in your situation, or a CCM404DS if you can find a good one and can deal with the odd electrical gremlin - it may even come with the second set of SM wheels if you're lucky (but maybe not the best saddle for commuting!)

Hello Bob,
I'm also at the start of off road riding. I've done two i2i days and enjoyed them very much indeed. Tom there is a smashing lad and he has some experienced riders on hand to help you out when you get into a tangle. The next step for me will be to find a simple trail to ride and practise on. I also bought a DRZ sm when I had the chance to with the idea of coverting it for trail riding. That's not a straightforward matter as it turns out so I'm going to swap it for something else when I can. It's a fun bike on the tarmac tho.

So, if you know of a friendly field owner who might let us practice our novice skills let me know. We can fall off together. . . Dave

Hi there

I have done two days with I2I in Thirsk, North Yorkshire and I would say that they are the guys to take your first steps with.
They do a basic course for novices where u basically get a feel for the bike and its capabilities,the 2nd course of a little more extensive and you get to learn how to really ride in the mud. They also do a trail tour around North Yorkshire this is also worth the money but I would suggest doing at least one of the days 1st or you may struggle with some of the terrain.

Hope this helps

Whereabouts are you based?


This affects what makes a good bike choice.

I'm Leicester based and I'd like to keep my trail riding fairly local with say 30 miles. not knowing the area too well I'm not sure if that's realistic or not or what the type of terrain around here is? I do have a trailer for days further away though.

cheers for all the replies so far. ill look into i2i. would they be the nearest to me for what i want?