Snail Trails Perth

[Cookie]

Bully, I agree with you that people need to build their confidence by getting out and trying new challenges, maybe we can consider organising a similar event - the Snail Trail principal is a great way of getting new riders or returning riders involved, with routes tailored to different skill levels and bike types.

There is nothing wrong with novice riders on GS , GSA's or even my trusty RT's getting out and about on dirt roads, you would have been impressed where my 1100 went whilst visiting the Flinders ranges recently.

[bully1]

Bully, I agree with you that people need to build their confidence by getting out and trying new challenges, maybe we can consider organising a similar event - the Snail Trail principal is a great way of getting new riders or returning riders involved, with routes tailored to different skill levels and bike types.

There is nothing wrong with novice riders on GS , GSA's or even my trusty RT's getting out and about on dirt roads, you would have been impressed where my 1100 went whilst visiting the Flinders ranges recently.

It is all about building confidence Cookie.

[bill9117]

Just to add my 2bob's worth. Having travelled on a number of dirt rides with the likes of Bully , Mike and Steve along with many other riders whom I regard as far more confident dirt riders than myself I would point out the following.
Dirt riding can be dangerous if not done with a sensible regard to the basics of dirt riding which are well documented in books, mags internet etc. Know your skill level and gradually build on it over time and experience to gain confidence.
Getting out there , not in your comfort zone with more experienced riders who are patient and are willing to drag you along helps build up this confidence. I have found the BMW club has numerous guys taking this on board who are always willing to help. I personally over the last 3 years since I broke my leg, thru club members going for dirt rides I have gained so much, even thou there has been a Lot of clenched teeth and white knuckles along the way.
Your body and bike will be damaged as you develop your dirt riding skills. I broke my leg on my first dirt ride with my GSA. BUt to develop the correct skills it means these are the type of risks one must make.So those that don't wish for these things to occur to them then don't bother. Even on so called Snail Trails, it's still dirt and requires knowledge and a certain amount of courage and being prepared to fork out money for damaged bikes and the inconvenience for repairing damaged bodies. Makes one wonder why bother, but for those that gain the required confidence and skill levels to ride dirt, it opens up a whole new riding experience with its associated pleasures adventure and this makes it all worth it
Jono's point about this being a BMW forum and his comments about some of our more colourful members comments indicating that BMW GS's will be dropped and will be needed to be picked up often, unfortunately this probably will be the case. What they are saying is this isn't a BMW club ride for Big GS 1200 bikes for those that are new to dirt. If members are experienced enough then go for it ,but it is catering for probably the more forgiving lighter and cheaper to fix 650 bikes that some of our members who know the limitations of the GS 1200 bikes own as well .
The guys organising this ride have been willing to invite our club members along and should be thanked and encouraged to contribute to our forum even thou as I suspect some of the comments have been tongue in cheek regarding the capabilities of the big GS's in the hands of newbies

[Hill Billy]

Hi.
I'm one of the idiots riding a GSA and I thought I might add my 2cents worth here.
Firstly, I agree Bully's comments probably weren't very helpful but he has been around long enough for most to know not to take him too seriously, and at least , it has provoked some discussion.
As I am the one who has set the course for this ride, I must point out that this is an off road ride. If you are not comfortable riding your GS on a gravel road then do not bring it on this ride. It is a combination of gravel roads, graded tracks, and the easiest twin tracks I could find. It is aimed at the 650 machines, but is easily doable on a GS.
But it impossible for me to say who can do it on a GS. I have a mate who after 30 years of road riding bought a GS and his first outing on it was much tougher than this ride will be and he had no problems. A few months later he rode it across the Gunbarrel Hwy.
I have another mate who apparently used to ride motocross, that bought a GS and a good gravel road scared the hell out of him so he put his bike back in the shed and left it there.
So my point is some will do it easy, and some will probably never do it.
I understand that a lot of club members have done an offroad skills course, so most of you will know more about riding offroad than me.
To improve your skills you need to challenge yourself but different things represent a challenge to different people. If your bike falls over at the slightest hint of a loose surface then this ride probably won't be very enjoyable for you. And the last thing we want to see is people hurting themselves and damaging their bikes. Although I've found it fairly difficult to damage mine and I've tried pretty hard.
So as said before, everyone is welcome, but only you know your capabilities and limitations.
Cheers
Howard.

[Cookie]

Well said Howard and thank you for your efforts in setting up this ride, I'm sure a lot of people will benefit from the tips they will learn.

[Davey_sprockeT]

Hey all,
lets get this back on track

firstly anyone interested in knowing what's going on, or indeed coming along should read the thread link posted earlier in this thread:http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=915010 and also the disclaimer bit. This should explain the spirit and the thought that has gone into this ride.

Brian, (a self-confessed newbie),the originator, wants to get these snail trails rides off the ground over here, as they've proven a real success over East. By reading that thread, you will get a good appreciation of what the intention is.

When he first suggested the idea, some more "experienced" riders ie Howard, Bully, and several others volunteered. All at no cost to anyone. It looks like OB and Digger, could possibly join us.

Make no mistake, these guys can ride, and to get amongst them on a snail trail ride is a great opportunity to see and talk about how its done. If Ewan and Charlie were putting this on, you wouldnt get a look in, or have to cough up $3,000 for the pleasure

I was the first one to put my hand up to become a "student & participant", as I'm keen to develop my "off-road skills", having said that I was very comfortable on a loaded GS @ 130kays, on the recent border run along the Norseman-Hyden road, as were others including a red loaded K100, but I don't consider myself a competent off-roader.

As many ADV riders own BMW's, and we own "Dual Sports" bikes, it was only natural that the topic (and invitation bye the way) appeared here.

IMHO, any time spent on the bike, off the bitumen is an investment in yourself and your confidence will only increase, developing you as a better rider - after all we live in Australia and non-bitumised roads are a fact of life here, aren't they?

If you take out any ribbing and satirical jibes (read piss-taking), all are welcome, and you are able to ride at your own pace, watch how its done, swap tips & tricks, possibly demonstrations all at no cost, and enjoy a great day out, with like minded idiots. Even if you come away with just a couple of fundamentals locked away.

BTW If you want to see Howard on a GSA at mach 1,............. just ask him, I have and it's bloody awesome!!!

See you tomorrow, ...you'll never know, if you don't go...

[KoosWA]

We'll look out for them....don't worry. Last count there were 8 or 9 very experienced guys that I have ridden with countless times, all committed to share the ride experience with new / newer riders.

I'm looking forward to it.

Bully is just being Bully....larikin, mostly taking the pi$$, great club man [not just bikes], always very helpful with advice, shed space, tools, trailers etc.

Jono, how abaout that GS 800 HPN, would love to see that out and about.

[Swampy]

Jono, how abaout that GS 800 HPN, would love to see that out and about.

Hey JonO, Don't you dare take MY Birthday Present OFF ROAD OKAY?

Swampy

[old betsy]

But what I see on this forum is a number of very experienced riders putting their name down to go along and more experienced riders being invited along for a giggle (at who's expense?)
Its all well and good if the experienced riders are there to help, encourage and teach. But I suspect many will just be there to ride and enjoy which will inevitably pick up the pace. To then see a comment calling folk who take their GS or GSA along idiots is just plain concerning. 1) This forum is associated with a BMW Club, we ride the GS and GSA's 2) your'e effectively telling those novice riders who want to come along on a relatively easy and slow paced ride that they're going to spend the day picking themselves up off the dirt. Maybe its Friday and been a long week but its just sends all the wrong messages to me

Jono

I take offence to your comments. Simply this ride is exactly what it is advertise as. At no time with talks I've had is it going to be anything different.
I personally don't see what is wrong telling people that they may have to pick themselves off the dirt, funny that we are dirt riding. I am sure at some stage tomorrow I will be picking myself up as well. But with some instructions and guidance we hopefully will limit that experience to the new rider.
Bully's comments in regards to the GS or GSA maybe is taking the piss, but maybe the underlying thought here is that some of these guys probably should partake in this type of ride more often. Instead of riding through some road works then telling us they went off road.

Ahab

[Davey_sprockeT]

Some interesting opinions on today's ride....

Cool down everyone and look forward to some entertaining post ride reports and photos.

The dirty boys are due into York for lunch sometime, so why not plan a ride out and catch up for a cafe olay-skinny soy mocha-affagato with a marshmallow on top?

Go well everybody, those on the brown, as well as any black top riders today.

Cheers

[old betsy]

What a great day. 35 people turned up. Nice ride with some difficult sections to test the new rider.
Thanks to Brian for organising the event. Thanks to Howard for leading And towing out, The ever reliable ktm ( hope you got home ok Bayden) . Thanks to Bully the sweep and the other helpers.

Ahab

[bill9117]

Well where are the posts and photos. Would have come but laid up with man flu. Would have been nice weather for a jaunt thru the great outdoors.

[bully1]

Well where are the posts and photos. Would have come but laid up with man flu. Would have been nice weather for a jaunt thru the great outdoors.

right here Bill, they will be more coming over the next week or so.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=915010

[Robbo]

Great fun today, some great tracks, thanks to the organisers and
Everyone else who turned up and made it a great ride.
Robbo.

[Davey_sprockeT]

Bill,
it wasn't a club ride, so I wouldn't expect to see photos posted here. I think folk would have to go to the link if they have any interest.