MOTOARK “OFF ROAD” SCHOOL AND FUND RAISER
If learning to ride a motorcycle in “off-road” conditions is your desire then you missed a golden opportunity on Saturday June 17th at the Motopark facility. Multi time Canadian National Enduro and Hare Scrambles Champion Allan Lachapelle provided his experienced instructional services to the 7 adults and 5 children that participated in the event. Motopark (a fully supported off road motorcycle facility) provide the excellent terrain and support structure (hotel, snack bar and wonderful staff)
The instruction began at 10 am with participants ranging in age from 10 years to 59 years. The machinery ranged from a Kawasaki KX 65 motocrosser to a KLR 650 Kawasaki dual sport machine. Interestingly two participants rode their motorcycles to the event and rode them home after (Suzuki DR650 and Kaw. KLR650). Their riding skills kept their signal lights flashing for the ride home.
Initial instruction began at the practice oval with Allan explaining the basics of machine set up for effective use of all controls including suspension. Following an instruction on cornering and braking techniques the group moved to a small practice track to learn the art of clutch use and front wheel placement. Small logs were placed on the ground and riders were taught how to loft the front wheel and place it onto the log. This technique would be a requirement for the afternoon session where logs were to be ridden
in the woods.
After a break for lunch at the motocross snack bar the riders made their way into the forest trails that surround Motopark. A log section was prepared for the school that included two log crossings with logs 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Allan demonstrated the techniques and the riders took turns perfecting the skill. Adjacent to the log area was an extremely challenging log (aprox 12” in diameter) suspended about 8” from the ground. Allan rode over the log a number on times in both directions to further demonstrate the technique in a very aggressive situation. To my knowledge only one student attempted the crossing and never successfully completed it. It demonstrated to everyone what can be accomplished with proper technique and attitude. Any riders that didn’t feel comfortable riding the log section we taken on a single track trail ride to work on the cornering technique (learned on the morning) only this time using it in the woods.
The log section was the tied together with a nice single track “rhythm” section to give the riders some seat time and to link the challenging log crossing with a typical trail section. Again the focus was to use and work on the learned skills as they continue to build during the day’s instruction.
A rest was taken back at the paddock for a much needed drink of water. During the break Allan demonstrated the proper technique for tire changing. Steve Kelly benefited from the session since Allan used his bike as a demonstrator and reversed his rear tire for him. Given the number of questions I’m sure everyone learned something about tire changing. Allan will be getting real fast at tire changes as he prepares for the upcoming World Enduro and the 2006 “Six Days” in New Zealand.
After the break it was back to the forest to learn the proper technique for “off Chamber” riding and hill riding. The two sections were adjacent to one another and provided the riders a choice as they rode the loop that included the skill section. The “off Chamber” saw the most participation. Brian riding a DRZ 400 toppled from the off chamber only to have his handle bar and horn stick into the ground. The bike was on its side with the horn a blazing. Once picked up everything was ok and the horn button popped back into position.
The last section of the day was a ride on a new trail that had just been completed at Motopark the previous week. It was a trail prepared by two of Motoparks members that work on the trail system (Jerrett Bellamy and Tyler McAllister). When Allan rode the trail on Friday he commented that the trail had to be used in the school since it required so many of the skills that would be taught throughout the day. The participants completed the school by riding the trail repeatedly until fatigue finally set in. Allan himself rode the trail seven or eight times.
A real bonus for the school was that ALL proceeds from the participants were given to the Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR) for their efforts in fighting our land use issues. Allan Lachapelle drove the 16 hour round trip from Quebec at his expense all in the name of the sport. Motopark provided a top notch facility for rider use and provided Allan with a hotel room and all his meals. Without people like Allan and the Motopark Facility and Staff the sport would not be the same. On behalf of the Off Road Motorcycling Community and the OFTR I must offer a huge thanks to Allan and Motopark (Carl, Kristen, Gord, Loretta and Jay). The School raised a total of $1200 for the Federation.
