Train to Tour - Tour to Train
You can ride a motorcycle? Off course you can! You had a 50cc when you were 16 and even before that used to ride and do tricks on a smaller off-road bike. Or you have been riding bikes for over 30 years now and never had a fall. All of this might be true, but it does not mean that you have learned the correct skills to be a safe, confident off-road rider on a bigger adventure motorcycle. Do you really get the full enjoyment from your dual sport motorcycle?
There are many other handy supplementary skills and information which will make your tours and trips just so much easier. By having this knowledge, you can focus on the enjoyment of your adventure, instead of having to struggle and find out everything the difficult way.
Motorcycling is a lot of fun, even if you are not a professional, but being proficient make it even more enjoyable. It will also make you a safer rider.
Our involvement
Wild@Heart has closely been involved with off-road motorcycle training for the past 12 years. Our course contents are structured in a way to learn without being overwhelmed. Exercises are build on techniques learned in the preceding practices and instructors give plenty of feedback and one-on-one advice to create a safe and controlled environment for riders to take on new challenges.
If you are new to adventure riding, have not been riding for some time, changed to a different bike or come from a road riding background and want to venture into adventure riding, we highly recommend that you attend a course.
We have some scheduled courses throughout the year, but custom and individual training anywhere in Southern Africa can be arranged on any other dates which might work better for you.
We look forward seeing you on one of our courses soon.
Instructor
We know the importance of a good instructor - somebody who knows how to ride and have knowledge about touring, accessories, packing, tyre repair and all the other usefull things you will need during a trip. Just as important though is the right temperament, professionalism and ability to encourage learning and transfer knowledge.
Our chief instructor and owner of Wild at Heart Adventure, Johan Oliver has been riding for over 30 years. He is an internationally certified BMW off-road instructor and qualified adventure tour guide, trained more than 2,000 riders over the years and organised several GS Trophy Qualifier events.
Although his current wheels is a BMW 1200GSA LC, you can just as comfortably put him on a KTM, Triumph, Africa Twin or any other two-wheel machine with an engine. Johan is a passionate rider with a lot of experience in all kinds of terrains and situations. He travelled extensively throughout Africa on his own and as tour guide and come with a wealth of knowledge on touring and offroad adventures. He is a natural born teacher with a tremendous amount of patience to demonstrate, guide and convey new skills and information to students in a clear and understandable way.
Be warned, you can expect some friendly banter and lots of laughs while you learn!
What is the "Train to Tour" concept all about?
Many or most training academies focus on riding techniques and skills only. Although these techniques are critical to be able to ride your motorcycle confidently and in a safe manner, there are many other little bits of information to make your short trips or longer adventures more organised and enjoyable. Our courses will equip you to be able to not only be self-sufficient, but also be able to help others and be one of those people you want to have with you on a trip!
We therefore take a holistic approach assisting motorcycle riders in preparing for a motorcycle adventure - be it a weekend away or that bucket list Cape to Ciaro dream.
The extra bits
First of all, one should have a good understanding of your own motorcycle. What are the capabilities, the shortcomings and the advantages and it's special characteristics which made you buy it. Are there inherent commonly known issues one should know about and how can one prepare for it before you leave on a trip?
What riding gear should be considered? What are the pointers to keep in mind when looking for or buying rider gear?
What are good riding tips or protocol (not tips on riding techniqe) - on and off the road?
We have discussions around the pros and cons of soft luggage and those of hard luggage. What and how to pack your motorcycle using the different luggage systems.
We are discussing useful accessories you might want to add to your bike: - Some accessories protect your bike - Some make your ride more comfortable and - Others simply just make everything more convenient And then offcourse you get some bling....
We offer a seperate in-depth tyre repair course for tube and tubeless systems. For many riders even just the thought of having to repair a puncture next to the road is daunting.
Simple Bush mechanics is another information sharing course we offer for those times you might get stranded without help in the close vicinity. What tools to carry along to be able to fix small mechanical issues and how to do it. The course also includes basic routine maintenance.
How to plan your trip and use navigational equipment.
Border crossings in Southern and Eastern Africa and what to consider.
Do you agree - there are so many things that are important apart from riding skills training?
How does it work?
Our courses are modular and you can attend our courses at one of our scheduled group or customised one-on-one training days or you can attend most of the courses online.
When and where are these courses held?
We are based in Cape Town and have a base in Tanzania as well, but courses are presented anywhere in Southern Africa as well as Eastern Africa. A minimum of 5 participants per course is required. Our one-on-one training is also extremely popular and conducted regularly.
How do you learn?
We equip you with the correct techniques and tips to ride well and be able to cope in all terrains and obstacles. By repetition and over time, this will become second-nature. That is how your reaction time, reflexes and knowledge will get you through tricky situations and terrain intuitevily.
FACT
Riding is much more fun if you can do it really well!
TECHNIQUES TO HELP YOU MASTER A SKILL
- Deconstruct or break down the skill in smaller parts e.g. uphills, sand, rocks .. It will make it less overwhelming.
- Imagine yourself doing the skill.
- Commit yourself to at least 40 hours of practice.
- Define what it means for you to “master” the skill. Be specific.
- Be confident, but always stay humble.