TL;DR: A day of dirt bike training is a great way to gain confidence, new skills and competence for road-riding. Choose a trail riding group that prioritises having fun while learning; you’ll get more out of it.
If you walked onto the public byways in the Peaks this past May, you might have caught a glimpse of something head-turning: a close-knit group of girl riders kicking up mud and leaving any trace of ego far behind. This was the women’s-only dirt bike training day organized by Georgie Roams. Her event proved off-road riding isn’t about brute force; it’s about technique, confidence, and community.
The day was an undeniable success, showing the appetite for trading asphalt for mud isn’t a male-only hunger.
“From when I started the day to where I finished the day, it was so much improvement. You’re having a good time and you’re learning, so for me that’s worth it.”
Whether a day on the trails will boost your confidence or erode it hinges on one decision: choosing the right dirt bike training.
Transitioning from smooth road surfaces to unpredictable dirt, mud, chalk, and loose gravel requires different skills. They’re not skills that come naturally when you swing your leg over a trail motorbike either. To actually enjoy the ride, the scenery and the comradery of a day on the trails, you need structured, high-quality guidance that challenges without overwhelming.
“Leave your ego at the gate”: A conversation with Georgie Roams
“I haven’t been riding that long, maybe about four years now. So I arranged this day as a way of having fun with no pressure and getting all the girls together. I thought we’d just give it a go and see.” says Georgie Roams, reflecting on the preparation for the May event.
“I’m a bit of an overthinker, a bit of a nervous rider. So confidence isn’t my main thing. It’s a mindset thing and if you’ve got the support of the girls there’s less ego involved and it’s easier to learn. If someone falls off in the mud, it doesn’t matter, we’ll all get up together. It was more supportive and good fun. I felt like we all were trying to listen and learn a lot more, which was good.
“The instructors are all very calm and laid-back. They don’t nitpick you, they hit the right balance of letting you enjoy the day and giving you feedback to help you improve. It felt like they knew exactly when to give you advice and when to let you just try it for yourself. They were really good fun as well. They had a laugh and you need that. It makes you feel more relaxed.”
During our interview, Georgie highlighted that when training is fun and challenging, interjected with timely tips and helpful advice before attempting a new trail, you learn more, have a better ride and take more away with you at the end of the day.
Georgie’s green flags for off-road training
According to Georgie, when you are looking for a training program, the absolute green flags to look for are:
- An Ego-Free Environment: “You want instructors who understand that dropping a bike is just part of trail riding, everyone is going to do it” Georgie notes.
- Progressive Instruction: A great course doesn’t just throw you into a deep mud bog on hour one. It starts by breaking down the fundamentals in a controlled space before guiding you onto live BOATs.
“We started our day in a quarry, which has a really long gravel track. It’s got puddles. It’s got potholes, and there’s a little field with some little hills. So, we just rode up and down there and did some turns and things to start with. So, we got used to the bike and the instructors got a good idea of our skill level and what we could handle before deciding what trails to take us on.
“And as the day goes on, we were doing trails that I wouldn’t even in my wildest dreams have ever attempted. At the end of the day I was like, “I can’t believe that we’ve just done that!”
By amping up the challenge a little at a time, the right dirt bike training turns what could be a stressful ordeal into an addictive adventure. Here’s what to look for so you book a day of fun, genuine skill progression rather than just a generic ride-along.
How to choose the best dirt bike training course
When you’re ready to give trail riding a try, it is easy to get blinded by flashy action shots on a website. The thing is, there’s a big difference between a “follow-the-leader” style trail ride and a high-quality off-road training course that actively develops your abilities. One you get a fun day out, the other you get a fun day that builds skills you can take on the road with you.
For a premium experience that builds real competence, use our three-point checklist before booking:
1. Small groups, local knowledge, certified instructors
If you’re riding with a dozen other riders and a single guide, you’re essentially joining a mucky convoy. You’ll miss out on individual feedback. The psychological pressure of “holding up the pack” revs up.
Look for schools catering to small groups led by instructors who know the local geography like the back of their hand. During the Peak District day, instructors JB, Adam, and Justin could tailor advice and the choice of trails because the group was kept to just four riders.
“They were saying that normally their groups are small anyway,” Georgie noted. “And I think that is brilliant because it feels like a private day for you. I naturally hung out at the back because I know I’m a bit slower, but nobody minded. I didn’t actually feel like I was holding people up.”
Local instructors who know exactly where every rock, hidden root, and deep rut sits on a track you’re about to try can prepare you for obstacles before you even reach them. That turns the stressful unknown into a calculated challenge.
2. Access to progressive, varied trails
A great off-road motorcycle school will never ask you to jump straight into a technical green lane on hour one. True skill development requires a progressive environment where you can fail safely, test your balance, and get a feel for the bike’s weight distribution and your positioning before riding on public byways.
Check that your off-road riding guides have an off-road practice area. Something like a private field or quarry circuit is ideal. There, you can master basic clutch control, standing body positioning, and low-speed turns while maintaining momentum. Only when your instructors have determined your group’s comfort level will you transition onto authentic, unpredictable public trails. To see what makes these routes unique, explore our detailed map overview of the best BOATs and green lanes across the UK.
3. All-inclusive premium bikes and gear
The upfront cost of safety equipment is a massive barrier if you’re just dipping your toes in the mud. Your trail riding school should take this away by providing top-tier, road-legal trail bikes (like Honda or Fantic off-road bikes) along with a full kit of certified protective gear. All should be included in the cost for the day, not sprung on you when you arrive.
When checking out a dirt biking day, ask if their charges include the bike you’ll ride and the gear you’ll wear:
- All the gear: Full protective body armor, helmets, boots, goggles, and sturdy gloves.
- Height accommodations: Off-road bikes are notoriously tall. If you’re a little shorter, like Georgie, ask if lowered bike options are available.
Dirt bike training: your questions answered
If you’ve spent your riding life on smooth tarmac, transitioning to dirt kicks up a few logistical questions. Here is what you need to know before you sign up.
Average fitness is all you need. Off-road riding is an active, full-body workout, but it also relies on your bike physics, balance, and smooth throttle control so brute muscle power isn’t needed. If you can manage a standard day of street riding, you can handle a day on the trails.
Not at all. Our trail riding days are all about giving you a taste of off-road riding. We provide road-legal, modern trail motorbikes (like Honda or Fantic bikes) and a full kit of certified protective armor (helmet, boots, gloves, and motocross-style body armour) completely included in your course fee. You just need to show up in comfortable layers. If you have high-leg adventure-style boots, feel free to wear them on the day.
For a closer look at the specific armor needed to keep you safe in the mud, read our helpful guide on choosing the right trail riding gear for an off-road adventure.
Yes. A day with Phoenix Trails will guide you onto live public Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs). Even though these are off-road trails, they’re categorised as public highways so you must have a valid UK motorcycle licence (A2 or Category A) to ride on them. This also means everyone has a basic understanding of machine control and road dynamics, so your instructors can focus on teaching you off-road technique rather than basic clutch control.
If you’re still figuring out your pathway to a full category A, check out our comprehensive guide on what to expect from professional motorcycle training courses in the UK to get up to speed.
Ride your own ride: the clichéd trail secret
If there is one piece of advice Georgie Roams wants to pass on to anyone nervous about hitting the mud for the first time, it is a classic trail mantra: “Ride your own ride”. It might be clichéd but that’s only because it’s true.
When you are out on the byways, it’s too easy to look at the rider ahead of you, panic about their pace, and try to match it. But comparing yourself to others never has a happy ending and copying someone else’s line or speed is exactly how mistakes happen. The beauty of small group environments is their supportive nature—that removes any pressure to perform.
Top trail riding lessons that transfer to the road
The biggest lesson Georgie learned during her training day boiled down to two technical fundamentals: body position and keeping momentum.
On the road, you’re used to sitting down and letting the bike do the work. On the dirt, standing up on the pegs changes everything. By anchoring your weight into your feet and keeping the bike moving forward, your bike naturally tracks straight through loose gravel and deep ruts. You’ll realise that momentum is your friend—and letting the bike dance beneath you is part of the fun. That’s when your anxiety completely melts away and you’ll catch yourself grinning.
You can follow @Georgie Roams on Facebook and Instagram, YouTube or sign up to her Patreon channel to hear all about her next adventure.
| Key Skill | Why it Matters on Dirt | How it Helps You On-Road |
| Standing body position | Drops your center of gravity onto the pegs, letting the bike move independently. | Stop sitting through the bumps or fretting at gravelled parking lots; trust your bike and let your legs absorb the terrain. |
| Maintaining momentum | Gyroscopic force tracks the front wheel straight through ruts, mud and loose chalk. | Rolling off the throttle causes the front end to plow; keep a steady, positive drive. |
| Ride Your Own Ride | Stop panic-induced line choice errors from trying to chase faster riders. | Stick to your own vision and pacing, exactly like managing your space on the road. |
(If you’re wondering how these new trail riding habits change your daily commute, see our article on how trail riding makes you a safer road rider).
Is it time to trade asphalt for dirt?
Off-road riding isn’t about ego, speed, or conquering the landscape; it is about building a supportive community, mastering bike control, and discovering a completely new side to motorcycle freedom. Whether you want to sharpen your road-riding instincts or explore hidden corners of the UK countryside, Phoenix Trails gives you the confidence to do it safely while having fun.
Don’t let the fear of the unknown keep you stuck on the tarmac. Grab a spot on an upcoming date, leave your ego at the gate, and get ready to kick up some mud.
Check Upcoming Dates & Book Your Trail Day with Phoenix Trails Here.
