Neduro's dirt riding class, near Buena Vista, Colorado.  June, 2007.  Four Mile OHV area.

This report was originated on KLR650.net, and is imported here with some editing for structure (due to the import process).  Typos, etc., have mostly been left as they are, fixed only for clarity in some cases.  The authors have been identified by their user names on that website.  SgtMarty is the report originator.  Martin is identified here as SgtMarty.

Ned is a world-class rider, and I've taken his class before (last year).  I learned more this time around.  Don also attended.

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SgtMarty wrote:  Many of you might know Neduro from ADVRider. He's a great rider and a good teacher. At the ADV West Fest in Buena Vista last year, I took his class with five other guys and learned a lot. I decided to do it again.

I really enjoyed taking Ned's dirt class again. I retained some of the class from last year, but more of it really sank in this time.


Class was in the same gravel pit in the Four Mile OHV area near Buena Vista, Colorado. More students this time. A dozen was about max for this gravel pit, though.




The loose surface on the lesser hill was still a challenge when doing the slow drills, and clutch control is something that I still need to work on.




After lunch and the final drills, most of us went on a trail ride to apply the skills. Ned does a good job of stopping and describing the next part of the trail and reminding students what skills will be tested. The trail ride wasn't difficult, but having the discipline to focus on the class lessons and not reverting to bad habits was the main objective.




I prefer going up steep slopes, but the vote was in favor of descending. Good, steady brake control was key. It was rutted in a few places but not bad, really.




I didn't take many pics, and will only use a few here. On the final group stop, I got a couple guys with some of the great scenery in the background.

That's Don, waving.




There was a lot of this to look at.




Having only gotten about two hours sleep that morning, I was pretty bushed at the end of the trail ride. I was initially game for some more rock riding, but when that plan fell through, I must admit that I was glad. The margarita with dinner that night really hit the spot.

Don, Laurie and I had the good fortune of enjoying the hospitality of Duke and Tami in Salida, so we had no need to camp. That was good.

Laurie trailered her bikes (including the XT225 that Tami hypnotized her into buying...) back home, and Don and I had a leisurely ride back. We made the slight detour to the Skyline Drive at Canon City. Love the views! The ridge drops off on both sides, so it is pretty "open."




Cheers all!

kawioops wrote:  Soooo, can we assume you won't be beating the crap out of that poor ol' KLR of yours anymore? I mean, since your "trained" and all? Hmmmm?

SgtMarty wrote:  HAH! It is NOT safe to assume that!

My handlebars are still bent, the clutch lever mount is still broken (replacement is on hand), handguards are still bent, and other repairs are on deck for this weekend. After that, I'll set about breaking them again.

The bike is a testbed. I'm finding out what breaks and how.

(that's my current excuse, anyway...)

JaySoy wrote:  I've been out to that area. It would be a PERFECT place for a dirt class. Steep stuff, sand, rocks. It has it all. (a lot of sand).

We saw a crazy enduro race there one year. Those guys went though it blind (without practice) and went balls to the wall. Like crazy deathwish riding. It was fun to watch though.

It takes a different riding style to rip through there on a KLR (or bigger).


Imagine, that whole area down there is just packed with sweet trails.