I took an eight hour dirt bike riding class at Motoventures (www.motoventures.com) a few years ago. I was really fortunate in that the only other student scheduled that day didn’t show and I had the instructor all to myself (and a couple of extra hours kindly tacked on because I was enjoying it so much). I didn’t find out until later that my instructor is the owner, and a world class motorcyclist (is that the correct word?), and doesn’t often lead classes himself. He, Gary LaPlante, is a great guy and a fantastic instructor. He is conscientious, patient, and to be frank, quite exacting; he is passionate about his sport and it shows. Also, and rather imporantly, this class is designed to be a serious course in dirt biking not a time for fooling around or living out your (naive) daredevil fantasies as safety, technique, and precision are of prime importance. I took a basic class as I had never commandeered a motorcycle, but I believe that there are a variety of classes and levels on offer as well as tours for the more advanced.I thought that I was in pretty good shape (running about 25 miles a week), but dirt biking uses muscles that I didn’t even know I had—I was thoroughly exhausted, but in that ‘ah I learned something really cool and had a great time’ kind of exhausted. But, I reiterate, this is WORK mostly because you are (STRONGLY) discouraged from letting your bottom touch the seat as it is poor form to say the least. ;)The ranch is near Yucaipa and it gets hot as hell out there, so be prepared or go during the cooler months.
