KTM ladies day academy

Having only passed my test six month ago and having never been on an off road bike I would never have imagined myself spending a Saturday in a barn razzing round on the latest KTM 250 EXC bikes. Well, that’s exactly what I’ve just done and absolutely loved it.

KTM Adventure Tours, based in Totnes, have just run their first Ladies Academy Event. The day started with the nine strong group of ladies meeting for breakfast and a briefing of what to expect from the day. We were all of varying abilities, with a large proportion of us having never ridden off road. After kitting us out in full riding gear we had a safety briefing. A couple of the bikes have been restricted and one lowered, to make it less daunting.

To make sure we felt comfortable on the bikes we spent some time riding, in our groups of three or four, round an oval in one of the hilltop fields. It took a while to get to grips with standing up whilst riding and sticking my leg out when cornering, flat cornering. After a first of many, much needed tea breaks, we were taken to the indoor circuit, built in a couple of barns the 450m track was fantastic. Made up of whoops, berms and table tops, all totally new terms to me, it looked terrifying and once Jim and Andrew, our instructors had walked us round it still looked terrifying!!

Jim and Andrew offered excellent tuition, they were patient and helped build confidence. The first indoor session they got us riding round in first gear, sat down and mastering clutch control. Once they thought we would be comfortable we were able to progress to the next stage of stood up riding and flat cornering, and by the end of the day we were doing timed laps, riding round the berms.

Each session on the circuit lasted for ten minutes, I thought it would be a doddle riding for that length of time but the amount of concentration needed to make the 180° turns, bounce over the whoops and avoid the photographer was immense. I’ve found muscles I never knew existed!!

They run loads of different courses throughout the year but what was great about this course was that it was specifically for ladies, so there was no feeling of having to keep up with the boys. The accommodation and facilities are excellent, the tuition fabulous and it made for an absolutely fantastic experience and I can’t wait to go again.

You can contact KTM Adventures on 01752-840831