Trail Rides Wales - offroad riding

Comments from two Chris’s!

"I feared it might end up being a day of riding round a field and not very challenging, but it was excellent and I was not disappointed at how hard I had to try." Chris from Plymouth

"Beautiful countryside, very confidence giving for the absolute beginner, and more demanding for the experienced riders, so something to suit all skills." Chris from Bristol

Land for Off Road Riding

We have negotiated use of two areas of off road land where riders without licences can ride. Riders with their own bikes are welcome. Our off road land is suitable for beginners and riders without much experience. We go to a farm at Pontrhydfendigaid which is excellent for beginners trying offroad riding for the first time. We go to an area of moorland near Dolgellau in North Wales with riders who already have the basics of starting, stopping and changing gear. I regret that our land is not suitable for experienced motocross riders. Trials riders are welcome. The land is used for trials and occasionally is also used for a hare and hounds event, although the lap is quite short at about 2 miles.

I Have Not Ridden a Motorbike Before:
What Can I Expect?

You will start on a Honda CRF230. The day begins with tuition in a flat field where you are taught and then practice basic motorbike riding skills of starting, stopping and changing gear. For some riders, these lessons may take ten minutes, whilst others may need an hour or more. There is no pressure during your offroad lesson. Tuition is always one-to-one initially, and tailored to your own rate of progress. Riders using our bikes must be aged 14 or older and be at least 5' 2" or 157cm tall.

So Do I Just Ride Round and Round a Field?

No! After your initial tuition, you will progress to a lesson in more challenging off road riding. You are likely to encounter hills up and down, bogs, ruts, grassy going and stony tracks, and possibly some woodland too. Lessons include control of the motorbike in tricky slow speed situations as well as faster riding.

"The instructors were very patient and helpful. An excellent day."

Can We Bring Our Own Motorbikes?

You are welcome to bring your own motorbikes, as long as they are not too noisy. Both our landowners have received complaints about noise. For this reason, we do not usually allow four stroke motocross bikes in standard form. Two stroke motocross bikes, especially children’s ones are OK in standard form, as the noise doesn’t carry. If you are in doubt and want advice, please email or phone 01686 430522.

We have an email list to notify riders with their own bikes; if you would like to receive it please email me putting "subscribe family" in the subject line. If you are not on email, I am happy to send details of family riding days to you. Please phone 01686 430522 to give me your address.

Group Activity Days

Although usually we provide one bike per person, to reduce costs or provide riding for a larger group than usual, we can offer a day sharing bikes. One bike per two participants is provided. Please enquire if you are interested in this. We are also happy to discuss your requirements if you feel that you want something different to our normal activity days. Please email or phone 01686 430522 to discuss your requirements. (When emailing, please include a phone number.)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

If you wish to download the Terms and Conditions, please click here if using our bikes, and here if you are bringing your own bikes. Please read he or she where he is used.

Trail Rides Wales require the following:-

If you have a medical condition, please inform the instructor.
If riding in a field or without a leader, riders must always ride in the same direction. If you wish to change direction, ask the instructor.
If riding behind a leader, please do not overtake him unless he signals you to do so. If he is going slowly, it is for a reason.
Your bike must not be excessively noisy.
Ride with courtesy and consideration. Do not race your riding companions.
Do not "roost" your mates, as this is potentially dangerous if his eyes happen to be uncovered.
Do not wheelie or do stoppies.
Riders showing no respect and not showing any interest in learning to ride properly will not be tolerated. The instructor reserves the right to cancel the ride at any time during the day.
If over 18, to sign an indemnity stating that it is understood that this is a potentially dangerous activity.
If under 18, to be accompanied by a responsible adult who will sign the indemnity and our consent form and understands the nature of the activity. If the responsible adult is not a parent or guardian, the young person needs to send an appropriately signed consent form to be received one week before the riding day.

Click here

Please inform staff if there is a change in the number or type of people if this changes subsequent to the original booking. Remember that emails can somtimes go astray — if making changes, please ask for confirmation that the changes have been noted. Thank you.

Note about noise
Both our areas of farm land have neighbours who have complained about noise. If your bike sounds too noisy, you will not be allowed to take part.

Lunch and breaks
Please bring sandwiches and cold drinks with you. Tea and coffee will be available free of charge (hot chocolate and soup too if the weather is not too good!)

PAYMENT INFORMATION

If using our bikes, a deposit will be requested when you make your booking. The balance will be due in cash on the day or by bank transfer or card payment which must arrive on the week day before your riding day.
If bringing your own bikes, full payment must be made by bank transfer, card payment, Paypal or cheque cleared by three weeks before your booking.
If you book more than one day’s riding, you will not receive a refund if you decide after the first day you do not want to ride on the second day.

CANCELLATION POLICY

For riders using our bikes, the deposit is not refunded in the event of cancellation by the client with less than six weeks notice. There is no time limit on setting a new date, although if there is a price rise and your postponement date is more than three months later than the original date, the new price will apply.
A refund of the amount we received for your deposit less a fee of £5 per person will be made if you cancel with more than six weeks notice.
If you have paid more than the usual deposit, the extra amount will be refunded.

For riders with their own bikes, cancellation with more than three weeks notice will not incur any charge.
Cancellation by the client less than three weeks before will require a different date to be set.

Cancellation by Trail Rides Wales:-

Bookings early or late in the year could be affected by bad weather. Normally an alternative date will be offered.
If an alternative date is impossible to arrange, a refund less £5 per person will be made.