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Our club is open for business as usual! We have "Taster Day" courses available throughout the year... but you must be registered with our club to take advantage of our dealz. If you're not already a member of the club then simply JOIN UZ for free today in order to qualify to attend one of our courses.
The Rough Riderz 'Taster Day' scheme is a four wheeled off-road experience, aimed at introducing other people to the newest form of downhill mountain biking to hit our shores. Your booking includes the use of our new club bike, and the provision of top quality protective gear, including full face helmet, body armour, knee pads, gloves and goggles, etc. Training and guidance is provided on the trails by experienced riders, with a minimum of six runs (with free uplift service) guaranteed on the day. Book now to avoid disappointment for only �125*. Plus you get a FREE Rough Riderz T-Shirt (whilst stocks last) with every booking!
*Our Taster Days are designed for one rider only. Any friends or family who wish to attend must provide their own bikes and equipment.
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Our Taster Days are currently being held at Whinlatter Forest in the Lake District. All sessions are held on either a Tuesday or Sunday, on a date of your choice. Please note: All applicants and dates requested will be assessed and approved on an individual basis. Please see Terms and Conditions for further details.
To apply for a course, please complete the Booking Form below. You will then be sent an Information Pack, including a Medical Form, which must be completed and returned as soon as possible. A kit list will also be supplied with this pack, to advise you what best to wear for the activities.
Once your Medical Form has been returned, you will be invoiced (via PayPal) and, once payment has been received, the date requested will be reserved. You will also be required to sign a Liability Release Form on the day of the event.
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This course has been designed for beginners to "gravity MTB" and concentrates on the technically correct way to perform the core skills required to become a competent and confident rider.
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The day starts at 10:00am in the cafe with a full safety briefing. We discuss the hazards and conditions on the trails before getting kitted up and heading out in the van. The taster day ends with a chat / feedback over a brew at the cafe around 4pm.
The uplift service pick-up points are all located close to the end of the trails. Training and guidance is provided on the trails by experienced riders and a minimum of six runs (with free uplift) are guaranteed on the day.
Initial training is given on the forest road on the southern side of the forest. After a few test runs with the bike we then hit the trail itself. The Southern Loop is a good introduction to the sort of terrain the bike can handle. It has a mixture of good features across the upper section
of the route, which then drops into a slower but more technical lower
half, finishing back on the forest road.
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For those wanting more of a challenge the second trail at Whinlatter is in two parts. It begins with a blue section called the Quercus trail. This is a narrow track with a real twist to it. It has plenty of rocky obstacles, with trees and roots to negotiate almost all the way along this tight section of trail.
This first half finishes on the forest road, with a steep descent and a sweeping bend leading up into a section of bridleway, known locally as the Seldom Seen trail. This sharp right turn immediately drops into a fast trail that snakes around the trees. The path then deteriorates quickly into a very rocky section, before crossing a wooden bridge. The last part of this run begins smoothly enough but rapidly gets faster and rougher as you drop towards the valley floor.
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For those members who have already attended gravity MTB training days with the club, we are developing an even more challenging and exciting course! This will introduce riders to some more technical features on a faster paced trail at Ae Forest.
The Omega Man section of the red-graded Ae Line trail is a challenging, high quality ride through coniferous forest. It boasts a more aggressive, freeride style with some rocky drop-offs, bomb holes, table-top jumps and very steep descents! More than enough to test your riding skills.
For more information about the activities please read the feedback below...
"I considered myself a bit of an adrenaline junkie before my motorbike accident in July 2011 so i was well over due some serious fun and excitement after a year of rehab.
So when I did a taster day with Phil at Rough Riderz that's certainly what I got, a fantastic experience that had me grinning all day. Really well organised, and Phil and his dad were great company.
The bikes were incredible, the way they soaked up the terrain blew me away. Don't hesitate to try this out, you'll never forget it."
Sean Love (19th June 2012)
Para T12, Northumberland
"I first heard about Rough Riderz when searching the internet. I arranged to go on a Taster Day with my mate James. I was with them all day and loved every minute of it! I must admit the thrill it gives you, hurtling down the side of a mountain, on a four wheel bike was amazing and something I hadn't felt in a long time. I was buzzing the whole day and even on the long drive home!
If anyone were to ask me if I'd do it again, it would be a definite YES!! And if anyone is interested in an adrenaline filled, off-road mountain bike experience I would urge them to book a Taster Day. Give this sport a go... you won't regret it!"
Dan Edwards (22nd April 2012)
Para T8/9, Kent
"I really enjoyed the day out - that gravity MTB machine is incredible!!! The weather was typical of the Lake district and made little difference... if anything, the rain made it more exciting as the rear end slides on the top end of the run were magical... drifting sideways is great fun!! My Coach provided clear guidance and worked at a pace that suited me - increasing as I started to get the hang of the machine and the terrain. The different terrain available at Whinlatter was amazing - fire roads, slippery slate, mud holes, jumps and tree lined routes made for a fantastic range of surfaces - each with their own challenges and exhilaration! Thanks to the Rough Riderz for a wonderful day out. I would advise everyone to do this.... beware, the speed and adrenaline are addictive!!! I look forward to trying out the next level!"
James Hallam (19th June 2011)
Para T4, Leicestershire
The bike is amazing - anyone who has ever downhilled will love this bike, able-bodied or not. Phil and Dave, the organisers, were fantastic, very helpful and great to talk to. The day is conducted at entirely at your own pace - as slow or (almost... he he) as fast as you want! I'm looking forward to attending the next level now! Thanks again...
Owen Burke (25th August 2010)
Para T10, North Wales
I had a fantastic time with Phil and Dave from Rough Riderz on my Taster Day. After a quick run down the forest road I was keen to get on the trail to see what the bike was capable of. I was far from disappointed!
It was an absolutely brilliant day, made even better by the sunny weather. The guys were really well organised, it was great fun, so all in all everything went to plan. Cheers lads!
PS. Phil just needs a bit more practice so he doesn't hold me up as much next time, ha ha ha!!
David Wise (28th July 2010)
Para T4/5, West Cumbria
I've been interested in gravity MTBing and a keen follower of the Rough Riderz for some time, so when I heard about the taster days, of course I was very quick to get my name on the list. The session had been well organised and clearly planned to accomodate me as a newbie.
Although Downhill Phil seemed able to ride it with his eyes closed, I found the first trail we tried quite challenging. I really enjoyed finding out how responsive and well built the bike is. In fact, I could have stayed on the first trail all day but the downhill brothers were keen to stretch my capabilities. After lunch we had a few runs down a more rigorous purpose-built track. I'm glad we did coz that second track was the dogs kahunas and the bike really showed me what it was capable of.
So I'm now sat here wondering if HSBC will lend me 11k Canadian Dollars! I must thank Rough Riderz big time, and eagerly wait their next sessions...
Ben Owen-Jones (2nd June & 14th July 2010)
Para T9, South Wales
PS. If you are wondering about grabbing a bite to eat on your way to Whinlatter, Ben has developed an hilarious way of driving whilst preparing a tasty homemade meal at the same time! To find out more about this ingenious method watch the 'Carbeque' video for a great recipe with full cooking instructions...
I had a fantastic day at Whinlatter with Dave and Phil. A very well organised day was made even better with brilliant summer weather. After an introduction to the bike on forest roads on the South side, we then went onto the Southern Loop trail.
Although the trail was more testing and quite tricky, the instructors were with me all the way. My riding really improved as the day progressed and I can't wait to come back and try it again! Cheers ladz.
Rob Bailey (22nd May 2010)
Able-bodied, West Cumbria
