Desert Rose Adventure Riding Academy

[Toe]

After a couple of years bouncing around off-road on trails I decided to actually learn to ride off-road. Importantly for me was to be able to do it more safely for myself and others around me.
Up until a few years ago I'd not ridden off-road at all and have gradually increased my % of off-road riding but have been using my experience as a road rider.

So I got myself all booked in with Desert Rose Adventure Riding Academy for their 'Stage 1' course. What an eye opener!
As a copy and paste from their site, this is what I actually did:
• CLUTCH, THROTTLE AND BRAKE CONTROL (all while standing)
• VISION (normal riding and tight cornering)
• CORRECT RIDING POSITION AND BALANCE (normal riding and tight cornering)
• ASCENDING AND DESCENDING PROGRESSIVE SLOPES
• MANOEUVERING THE BIKE SAFELY IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
• CONTROL ON MUD, WATER AND GRASS

By the end of the day I was confidently (important word there) riding around their woods based training area, up hills I'd typically be shaking at trying to ride up, and descending much the same including one that was certainly steeper than stairs in a house.

Zippy the instructor is not only a fantastic rider himself but an excellent coach. Very encouraging, observant of where you need to improve, and enthusiastic... also full of great stories!

Of bike options from 250EXC to 701 Enduro, I went for the 701 as it's closest to what I am/intend to be riding both in weight and size. The bike was incredibly capable doing what everything the 250 did.

Honestly I felt the need to give a shoutout for a good experience (as we often see far too much negative feedback) and for an amazing day helping me improve as a rider and become more confident and safer.

[Andi_Archer]

Strangely enough their website states two locations but doesn't say where.

EDIT finally found the details
Broad Oak, Heathfield, East Sussex or Cottage Lane, Westfield, East Sussex.

[DavidS]

They are local to me and top notch. Zippy and Patsy are good people and look after beginners up to Dakar with the same respect....and as a perpetual beginner I need all the help and respect I can get.

[Andi_Archer]

Always good to have some tuition in the basics, I've done a few days at other places and can fall quite gracefully now

[Geecee68]

I'm doing this in February 20, looking forward to it.