Have you ever signed up for a group adventure but been held back by someone who wasn’t up to the challenge? Or maybe you’ve been overwhelmed by a group challenge that pushed you too far from your comfort zone. When choosing trail riding courses, look for one that stretches your skill without breaking your enjoyment.

If you’ve never been dirt biking on off-road trails, start with a Level 1 trail riding course. Punching above your weight leads to frustration. That’s no fun.

If you’ve been riding on-road for a while, it can be tempting to think you’ll ace two-wheels off-road. But off-road riding is a different beast from on-road motorcycling. Uneven surfaces, tricky ruts and sliding gravel are just a few challenges you’ll encounter. But they’re exactly the things that keep you in the moment and get your adrenaline pumping.

Even if you’re used to a motocross track, jumping into an advanced trail riding course may not be right. That’s not to say some motorcycling skills aren’t transferable to off-road adventures. They are. But each level of trail riding course calls for a certain amount of competency on unpaved trails. So if you’re ready to stretch your motorcycling comfort zone, build your rider skills, and choose the best trail riding course for an exciting adventure perfect for you, read on.

Which trail riding course level is right for me?

If you’re a dirt bike newbie, a level 1 trail riding course is your best bet. That’s even if you’ve been riding on motocross tracks or taken advanced motorcycling courses for road riding. If you’ve a little experience in the dirt, level 2 should be fine. Level 3 is for riders who know their stuff and want to challenge their skills while having a laugh along the way.

Whichever level is right for you, there’s huge enjoyment, excitement and a sense of accomplishment awaiting. Getting out in nature is great for your physical and mental health. Trail riding forces you to be present in the moment – you can’t afford to let your mind wander, even for a second. It’s a very physically demanding activity too. You’ll get a whole body workout and the endorphins that go with it. Mastering a new skill is a feeling to prize, and when those skills make your road-riding safer and more enjoyable, all the better.

Level 1 trail riding courses: a firm foundation in fun

Level 1 trail riding days start building a solid foundation in off-road techniques. You’ll begin at our Codford centre. That lets you learn off-road motorcycle skills in a safe setting. The second part of the day puts those new skills into practice on the Green Lanes crisscrossing Salisbury Plains. So what does a level 1 trail riding course cover?

• Proper body positioning, throttle control, braking on loose terrain, low-speed manoeuvering and navigating obstacles.
• Building confidence in a controlled environment and exploring nearby Green Lanes and BOATs.
• You learn all about safety and trail riding etiquette so you enjoy yourself without getting hurt or stealing the joy from other outdoor enthusiasts.

Level 2: increasing the off-road challenge

After getting to grips with Level 1 off-roading basics, it’s time to push your limits a little more! Prepare for the fun to continue and your smile to get wider as you build on your off-road motorcycle skills. We’ll have a brief refresh at the centre closest to the trail riding experience. After that, it’s out into the UK wilds. In a level 2 trail riding course, you’ll learn how to…

• Take on steeper inclines, declines, and more technical terrain.
• Refine your cornering techniques.
• You’ll experience how different weather conditions impact the trail.
• Improve your stamina with a longer ride on Green Lanes.

Level 3: mastering all terrains on two wheels

When you reach Level 3, we know you’ve got a taste for adventure! These days are physically demanding. We’ll cover a lot of ground and your fitness plays a big part in how well you can tackle the tougher terrain. You’ll put your skills and endurance to the test, covering…

• Steep and sometimes slippery slopes.
• Longer out-of-the-way tracks.

Is trail riding on a dirt bike sport?

Trail riding is an adventure sport and it’s physically demanding, so you must be fit. Core muscle strength is crucial for maintaining posture and balance on tricky tracks. Off-roading means spending a lot of time standing on your pegs, so leg muscles get a good workout too. Arms and back muscles aren’t forgotten either – they’ll absorb the vibrations from the bike and bumpy track beneath your wheels.
The unexpected nature of Green Lanes and off-road trails is what makes trail riding so much fun. It’s also what makes it different from motocross. Motocross tracks are built for dirt bikes. Those tracks are kept in good nick too. Off-road trails and Green Lanes are simple unpaved public highways. They’re used by tractors, horses, walkers and cyclists. That makes them rough and unpredictable. And because those unpaved highways are technically public roads, you must have a motorcycle licence to ride on them. It’s also a good idea to follow the Trail Rider Fellowship’s code.

Dirt biking: an all-weather adventure

Dirt biking on Green Lanes is loads of fun no matter what the weather decides to do. So, it’s unlikely any trail riding day will be cancelled due to weather. Some riders even argue that the wetter and muckier it is, the better. Booking with friends doubles the fun and Phoenix Trails takes groups of up to four riders across all trail riding course levels. A word of warning though; this is the kind of activity that keeps calling you to come back to enjoy again, and again.

Prepare to keep coming back for more

Trail riding is a great teacher for strengthening road skills, dealing with the unexpected and having fun while learning something new. When you have fun while learning, you retain the skills and knowledge for longer.

“The beauty of coming somewhere like Phoenix, where you’re actually being guided by people, is A—they know where to go and where not to go. And secondly, they’ve got loads of experience that means they can judge your level and adjust the route you’re going to take based on you.”

Teapot One, Motovlogger

At Phoenix Trails, we provide the bikes, off-road safety gear and waterproof oversuits when the English weather gets, well, English. We even have trail-riding body armour for those who prefer to keep their soft bits safer.
Are you ready to trade the predictability of pavement for the exhilarating freedom of dirt trails? Book your Phoenix Trail riding course today and discover a whole new world of riding adventures! Still have questions? Get in touch with our friendly team. We’ll get you geared up for an unforgettable experience!