Not again!!!

We finally made it to Moto Junkies in Wales for our off-road day. This was booked last year but if you have followed our blogs or the Life2 On-Tour Facebook page you will know that I (Isi) broke my ankle last year. Off-roading! It wasn’t the best start to learning this new skill…

So, on a day with rain forecast we arrived in sunshine, pleading with the weather gods not to cry on us.

Having had the three day course in Dorset with Superior Motorcycle Experiences, we were feeling slightly more confident about it.

We met Jack, our instructor and caught up over a welcome cup of tea. A lovely chap who tailored the day to our needs.

Introduced to the bikes we set off around the beautiful farm grounds to show what basic skills we had (or didn’t). We’ve never met sheep and lambs so nonchalant. They sat around the gates or grazed in their patch, not bothered by us riding right beside them. Those lounging in the sun even had a slight look of disdain on their faces at us disturbing their peace!

After a couple of circuits over bumps, up small hills, back down said hills, Jack found a weak point. I found it first to be fair, by slip sliding down the banks with the back wheel locked up, shimmying across the wet grass wondering how on earth you go down in a straight line. After an explanation and a demo we attempted to ride down the slope at a snail’s pace, trying to keep the clutch in and control it on the brakes. Carl needed to stick his bum out a bit more, but we got the hang of it reasonably well.

Then a lesson on ruts. My nemesis as that’s what broke my ankle (nothing to do with me panicking and crashing into the bank!). First one was ok. I got Carl to go first on the deeper one so that I could observe. It looked ok but I did have a wobbly stop halfway along. I got going again so that’s the main thing.

We did a steep incline over a lip and having looked at it, talked about how to approach it and watched Jack’s demonstration, we got back on the bikes to have a go ourselves. Jack stood by the tree at the bottom to push us away to softer ground should we lose control! That was kind of reassuring and not reassuring…

I turned on the field and got the bike controlled and moving very slowly, but as I approached the drop I just couldn’t make myself ride over it. It dropped quite steeply so you couldn’t see what was beneath it from above. I knew it was fine, I knew what was there because we’d looked at it, but I just couldn’t ride over the edge. I rode round a loop again and slowly closed to the edge, but my ‘horse’ did a second refusal. I told Carl to go. He disappeared over the lip and I had a word with myself. I was really cross. I have done abseiling in the past and I knew it would be like that. Get over the edge and all would be fine but I just couldn’t. I watched Carl have a second go and he did it no problem. I knew I was capable but had a mental block. So Jack suggested riding down with the engine off, on the clutch, using first gear and the front brake to control it. He would walk with me. It was a really good exercise as the back wheel naturally locked up without the engine on and with the weight off it and it was helpful to feel, under control, what the bike felt like when it was doing that and be able to talk it through as we went. I paddled down. I still didn’t want to ride it but I knew if I got stuck on a trail I could use the method and at least get out of the predicament. I was cross with myself though.

I really struggle with my confidence now and it makes me really cross. I know I have the skills and knowledge to do these things but my lack of confidence won’t let me, despite me having stern words with myself! I never used to have a problem and it would be easy to blame my breast cancer four years ago, but that did really change me. Then breaking my ankle didn’t help at all. Cancer introduced a massive vulnerability that I didn’t feel before. I don’t know what the answer is. Baby steps I guess and to keep telling myself that I can do it. Anyway, I felt it needed an explanation as this is our journey and it is all relevant and pertinent. Plus I always feel really angry with myself at times like this. If anyone has any helpful suggestions please do get in touch.

A quick cuppa and then out to the trails we went.

The very first trail we did I came a cropper. A tree root that went in all directions. I couldn’t decide which line to take and so just kind of careered across it. The bike had other ideas and jumped about all over the place before tossing me in a heap on the stones! Carl was brilliant and picked the bike up. Jack arrived back up the hill to see what was going on. I was so angry with myself. It was the first trail of the day and I’d already come a cropper. I didn’t hurt myself though which was the main thing. Carl reassured me whilst I gathered my thoughts. We eventually got going again and I tried to put it behind me.

We had some good riding then. Carl was doing really well and showing great confidence. I then fell again going up a small rutted trail. Long grass on the hill cushioned my fall as Carl asked “what on earth are you doing?” and I lay on the ground laughing my head off. Honestly, you can’t take me anywhere.

Carl helped me pick the bike up again! He is a star. To be fair it is a skill he needs to perfect as I can see this being a regular occurrence!

The forest trail down to Lake Vernwy was awesome. I was happy on that one. No major ruts, a few puddles that were fun to splash through and we arrived at the cafe just as a hail storm started. Perfect timing!

We took a similar route back but also included a ford which was fun. I declined my nemesis trail with the tree root. It had been a good afternoon and I didn’t want to spoil it. The heavens opened on the return journey and we got a good soaking but that didn’t spoil the day.

Jack was a fabulous tutor and guide and we had an absolutely awesome time. The Welsh hills are beautiful. If you fancy some scenic off-roading we can’t recommend Moto Junkies highly enough. They do a range of days and weekends so there really is something for everyone. You don’t even need a motorbike licence for some as they are on private land. You’re guaranteed a brilliant time.

Count your lemons! 🍋

Off-Roading with Superior Motorcycle Experiences