AMANDA FORDYCE
Calling all wannabe newbie riders coming along to this year’s sold out CAMP VC event (or anyone wanting to try out dirt riding for the first time for that matter!)
Thinking about getting on two wheels this year and want to learn with the raddest team around? Then look no further than the awesome Leah Tokelove and her Days on the Dirt dirt riding school!
Open to anyone from total beginners upwards Leah and her team teach every year at Camp VC and have got over 200 riders ripping those fields in that time. Outside of the event Days on the Dirt is an amazing dirt riding and flat track school based in Lincolnshire that anyone and everyone can get involved with.
We chatted to Leah all about Days on the Dirt and what her and the team will be bringing to Camp VC this year (aside from bringing plenty of mega riding stoke!! ) Check it!
BRAKING POINT IMAGES
Hee Leah! Let’s start at the beginning. How did you first get into riding motorcycles?
Growing up in rural Lincolnshire there really wasn’t much to do, so with a house backing onto farmland owned by a very friendly farmer and having a Dad already into bikes- riding motorcycles was a very accessible pastime. I started riding on a PW50 from the age of five, always for fun never with any intent for it to become my life, although at five I probably wanted to be a Teletubby. Lots of riding around little tracks my Dad built just progressed into started to race at thirteen - ten years on and my life has been so heavily influenced by motorcycles, of course for the better.
LYDIA HARPER
So tell us , what is Days on the Dirt all about?
Days on the Dirt is about opportunity. Fuelled by passion and a desire to share motorcycle fun times with those that have not had the opportunity to adventure out on two-wheels, Days on the Dirt exists to nurture the ambition of women who want to get rolling on two wheels - but don't know how.
Whether it's simply learning how to ride, if you're after some pre-CBT confidence boosting or want to get into off-road riding - Days on the Dirt will have a course for you.
By enabling opportunity Days on the Dirt is authentic and realistic in its goal to encourage and support women to get out there and do what they love.
Where did the idea for Days on the Dirt come from?
I am forever grateful and conscious of my opportunities. From supportive parents, great friends and encouraging partners - I haven’t been short of people to enable me to do what I love. But I’m also aware that this isn’t the case everybody and I wanted as many people as possible to experience the motorcycle fun times that I have. From seeing the success of the annual DirtCamp, run in association with the DTRA I felt that there was a real hunger for regular all-inclusive motorcycle training for women.
Getting into something new is daunting, let alone something like motorcycling - the skills, equipment needed and information you’re offered can be so overwhelming. So Days on the Dirt exists to answer all the questions you have thought of and haven’t even considered yet. We run training for total newbies, we can get you ready for your CBT but what we really specialise in is giving you a taste of dirt (not literally) with our off-road experiences in flat track and motocross.
What’s the best thing about Days on the Dirt?
At 4pm when the sessions at CAMP VC finish, that’s not where the relationship ends. We’re here for you and alllll your questions and concerns. Because when women support women, rad shit happens.
“Because when women support women, rad shit happens! “
You’ve been involved with VC and Camp VC for many years now. Whats the thing you love most about the event?
I think that it’s got to be the buzz. I’m a people watcher anyway but I love seeing everyone arrive on the Friday, full of anticipation and excitement about what their weekend has in store for them. The biggest thrill I get is seeing how pumped everyone is after their activities, whether it be skating trials, painting, yoga or a beginner riding lesson - the smiles go for bloody miles. And I’m so proud to be part of that.
What will you be bringing to Camp VC this year?
Suncream and a giant hat to avoid having heat stroke for a third year running! Jokes aside, I’m gonna bring the motorcycle fun times for all the lovely ladies starting that journey.
LYDIA HARPER
Any advice for anyone wanting to come along to the beginners riding lessons you have on offer throughout the weekend?
Well, they sell out fast! So if it’s something on your ‘to do list’ make sure you get booked in when the tickets go on sale. Hopefully we will be able to do a bit of ‘surprise and delight’ once we’re on site and add in a few more places.
If you’re not able to secure a spot don’t be afraid to hang about if anyone drops out, especially the early classes (some ladies party HARD and don’t make it). If you already ride and have any questions just have a wander over to chat to us, we’ll be in a big group of very friendly people that can answer nearly all moto related questions.
If you get booked on, we’ll supply the helmets and gloves. But ideally if you’re able to wear clothes that cover all your body (we’re not prudes but exposed skin on a motorcycle is a no-no) and some decent shoes (ideally boots - Timberlands, Dr.Martens - etc) or trainers are fine too, that would be great! You won’t be going fast and you’re not going to crash but it’s best practice to get into good habits. It’ll also help if you can ride a bicycle! If you can’t and get booked on, don’t worry just give us a heads up so we know!