THE VC DIRT GUIDE - FROM TRAILS TO TRIALS

AMANDA FORDYCE

AMANDA FORDYCE

LOOKING TO GET YOUR KICKS IN THE DIRT ?

There are plenty of ways to get out on the dirt on a motorcycle but where the hell do you start? How do you get to know the difference between off road and trail riding or start to know your enduro from motocross and decide which ones right for you? Arghhhhhhh!

So we’ve broken it down into a quick bite size guide to which dirt discipline is which so you can get to grips with every shade of muddy fun out there and make that big decision where you wanna jump in...


TRAIL RIDING

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Basically trail riding/ green laning is some of the most fun you’ll ever have on two wheels. Its non competitive and if you find the right crew to ride with its basically like being transported back to being a kid playing out with your buds. Imagine ripping through fields, moorland, mud tracks and single track ruts a foot deep. That’s trail riding.

You’ll need a road legal dirt bike to do this (with a number plate etc) as trails in the UK = Byways. Byways are highways over where the public have a right of way for vehicles but they are usually used as places to cycle, horse ride / walk etc.

Its a dicey game getting to know where you can and can’t ride (and can also be a pretty political battle against other people enjoying the outdoor spaces in the UK ) but once you’ve got yourself on some rides with some more experienced trail riders and find out the perfect places ride you’ll never look back. You’ll have access to some of the most amazing riding the UK has to offer and test yourself to the absolute limit ….with guaranteed smiles all day long (apart from when you fall off).

Keep your eye on here for our focused trail riding tips blog post coming very soonz for a ton of info on how to get into trail riding!

KTM FREERIDE

KTM FREERIDE

THE BIKE

Trail bikes (not to be confused with trials bikes) can be any bike. You could go trail riding on any road legal trials, enduro, dual sport or mx bike, equally you could trail ride on an adventure bike or indeed a GSX-R1000. The bike needs to be road registered, beyond that ideally it needs grippier tyres and good ground clearance but truly the world's your oyster with trail bikes. One of the best bikes sited as a great beginner bike for trails is the KTM Freeride. Another great bike is the Beta X -trainer but you’ll find those a little more pricey. Want something more full size off the bat? Check out Honda CRF250s, KTM EXC 350s, Yamaha YZ250s and the Husqvarna FE250 /350. Want something for on road (around town) to also go off road on? Check out dual-sport bikes like the Kawasaki KLX250 / Honda CRF 250 or 450L.

GET INSPIRED - Check out these links to get your self hyped to rip some trails!

@imaclabby

@leahtokelove

@tipsyunicorn

https://www.trf.org.uk

https://trailridinguk.com

Need some more convincing?

…. Check out this vid from FOX where a bunch of homies take to the trails in Idaho (ok not the UK but it gives us all the feels of trail riding trips with our buds) 🖤


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ENDURO

Enduro means riding or racing dirt bikes over challenging long-distance terrain essentially.  Enduro derives its name from “endurance” because the races are typically long and span difficult and varying types of terrain.  Enduro used to refer more to a cross-country dirt bike race, but now is pretty much used any time someone is riding on rough off-road paths. Think of it as more extreme version of trail riding with trials slow speed skills and navigating rough terrain and obstacles thrown in. It’s a novice-friendly sport with plenty of competitions going on all around the UK so chance are there’ll be a club near you.

Next up is extreme enduro or Hard enduro where competitions blur the lines between enduro and trials dirt biking with athletes battling it out on the worlds most challenging moto terrain. Wanna know more? Check out the Red Bull Erzberg Rodeo and Red Bull Romaniacs to get a feel for the pain fest that is Hard enduro!

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THE BIKE

For enduro you’re looking at pretty much the same bikes that are used trail riding except this time you can’t really use any road going machine. Enduro bikes tend to be a sharper turned tool specific for the job and a lot of competitors go for a two stroke as opposed to a 4 stroke due to their extra poke to get you up and over massive obstacles but there’s a huge range of engine capacity making many, particularly older models, perfect trail bikes too depending on if you wanna compete or want a bike that could do a bit of both. Long travel suspension does make these taller and they should have lights and slightly larger fuel tanks than mx or trial bikes.

Check out these bikes - KTM 250 EXC, KTM 300 EXC, Husqvarna FE250 /350 and the Husqvarna TE 250i

GET INSPIRED - Check out these links to get your enduro on!

@janedaniels196

@rosierowett16

@jonnywalker_22

Wanna know more? …… Check out the best in the world compete at Hard Enduro below:


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TRIALS

Trials is a slow speed motorcycle finesse discipline where riders navigate obstacles that seem impossible to ride over—think boulders, cliffs, waterfalls, streams, etc. Yep, NUTS!

When competing at trials you basically have to do all of this whilst never falling off and if you touch the ground you accumulate penalty points whilst getting through a section. Completing without touching is called "cleaning a section."

Trials is basically sited as the mother of all moto skill disciplines with many of the world best enduro and rally riders coming from the trials world like Laia Sanz and Graham Jarvis. If you’re looking for a way to start of riding dirt but are unsure about high speed stuff, trials is a great way to start out and there are plenty of great trials schools in the UK open for beginners lessons. We love Inch Perfect trials in the Forest of Bowland near Clitheroe but there are loads more around too.


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THE BIKE

Trials is the slow-speed, very novice-friendly and a great way to hone your bike control skills. The bikes are categorised by having little or no seat, torquey power, lots of steering lock, soft tyres and are a good deal smaller than other types of off-road machine with no seat (due to the standing stance used in trials) .

Check out bike brands like - Montesa, Vertigo, Beta and Electric motion (kick ass electric trails bikes!)

GET INSPIRED - Check to some of the best in the game and some riding schools to get you started below:


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MOTOCROSS

Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. Think high speed riding on a purpose built track with jumps, twists and turns in everything from sand to mud. Basically the objective is to simply complete a course in the fastest time possible whilst competing against about 25 to 30 riders.

Motocross originally came from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom and over the years has developed into one of the most popular forms of dirt riding in the world with different competition series in different countries. Being a UK originating sport MX clubs litter the UK as do MX practice tracks which all run groups or classes for novice and beginner rider so you won’t find it hard to find one. Also don’t be afraid to go try it out or be intimidated by the big tracks nd big jumps. At first you can just roll over them easily and work your way up. Whats important is that you call up your local track and tell them you’re just starting out and ask when’s the best time to come down so you dont show up on a high speed / experienced riders practice day. They’ll tell you whats up and maybe even throw you a few tips :)

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Variations of motocross

SUPERCROSS - ”SX” is similar to motocross except the tracks are built inside stadiums, jumps tend to be slower but launch the riders higher, and events are run at night under the lights. The race format is timed practices, qualifiers, and one points-paying main event. This is a ”pro only” sport because the jumps and whoops (successive bump sections) are so technical and dangerous.

ENDUROCROSS - Sometimes referred to as "EX," EnduroCross combines enduro and arenacross elements. The temporary tracks are small like an arenacross track, but the obstacles are all offroad based: logs, water, sand, and rock gardens. The racing is done with a starting gate and qualifying system much like supercross. The events also hold amateur races on the same track.

ARENACROSS - Arenacross is similar to supercross except that the tracks are smaller so that they fit into arenas rather than stadiums. Starts are also similar, but the narrow tracks have a two-row start, with both rows leaving together from behind a single gate.

FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS - "FMX" is a contest of midair tricks judged for style and difficulty. Riders jump from steel or dirt ramps and usually land on large dirt mounds. Freestyle is a specialized form of jumping, and riders usually perfect new tricks by jumping into huge pits filled with foam blocks. Freestyle has developed subcategories like Best Whip, Speed and Style, and Step-Up (high jump on a motorcycle).

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THE BIKE

Motocross bikes are similar looking to enduro bikes but have stiffer suspension and more aggressive power than equivalent engine enduro bikes because of the nature of the sport/ terrain/ jumps. Because the tracks are more aggressive the bikes are to match. A straight up motocross bike will also be non road registered (as you’ll only ever use it at an off road track) so you won’t be able to take it trail riding on roads/ by ways etc.

If you think you want to get into motocross specifically check out this great article by Red Bull on “How to get into motocross”


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FLAT TRACK

In a nut shell it’s going fast and turning left on a huge dirt oval but what might seem like a simple idea is actually a super skilled and super fun way to get your dirt fix. Flat track (also known as dirt track) races are on large dirt oval tracks (usually horse trotting tracks) with high speeds.

The flat track scene here in the UK is run by the DIRT TRACK RIDERS ASSOCIATION and is one of then most welcoming and inclusive moto racing clubs in the UK with race classes open to beginners who are just starting out. If you fancy getting into it then definitely try out the mini bike class ( aka the most fun you'll ever have on two wheels!) everyone at the DTRA is on hand to give you a helping hand. All you’ve got to do is ask!

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THE BIKE

Flat track motorcycles can have either two-stroke or four-stroke engines in amateur competition. Flat track bikes have front and rear suspension, and rear brakes. The brakes are what make it completely distinct from speedway, as the brakes allow for a different cornering technique. Four-stroke motorcycles dominate professional competition and depending on the venue, can be single or multi-cylinder. Check out the slides below for some suggestions of the different class of bikes used for racing :

GET GOING FAST AND TURNING LEFT WITH THE GUYS BELOW:

Champions flat track school

Days on the dirt

Dirt craft UK

Dirt track riders association


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SPEEDWAY

Its fast, loud and its hectic!! Speedway is similar to flat track in the sense in that its a high speed, oval track racing sport but there are a few major differences. It’s a predominately team orientated motorcycle sport, where bikes that have just a single gear and no brakes race around an oval track of packed shale and dirt in an anti-clockwise direction. Four riders take part in a race over four laps. Riders use this surface to be able to slide their bikes sideways into the bends, this is often referred to as powersliding or broadsiding. When racing, riders can reach speeds of up to 70mph (110kmph) on the straight sections of the tracks.

THE BIKE

Speedway bikes are a unique type of motorcycle as they do not have brakes (!) , riders use the clutch as a mechanism for starting a race and for slowing at the end of the race . There are two manufacturers of speedway engine - GM engines are produced in Italy and Jawa engines are produced in the Czech Republic. The fuel used to power a speedway bike is pure methanol this allows an increased compression ratio to the engine which then can produce more power than other fuels therefore giving increased results including higher speeds. Bikes must weigh a minimum of 77kgs and by using the rear wheel and engine sprockets you are able to adjust the gear ratio, which need to be changed for different track sizes and conditions to get maximum performance.

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RALLYING

Rally racing is made up of multi-day or even multi-week long events that are a mix of high-speed riding ability, navigation skills, and endurance over long distances. Similar to enduro / cross country in some ways, rallying is done on much larger engined heavier bikes that are better equipped to cover the mileage with larger tanks for better fuel capacity. With some races covering hundreds of miles, riders rely on a road book navigation system to find their way on a mix of everything from rough off road terrain to roads.

At the highest level of competition rallying isn’t for the faint hearted as the most famous rally races are cited as some of the toughest races on earth - The most famous of which being the Dakar Rally.

That being said you can get into rallying at all levels (even just for fun with one off events and rides) and there are many clubs and races in the UK to get you started.

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THE BIKE

Ok, so the Dakar-ised bikes might look like something from space but they actually start off as pretty ordinary dirt bikes or adventure bikes/ dual sport bikes that you can buy straight from a dealership like say a KTM 450EXC or a KTM 690 ENDURO R. The difference between these bad boys and an enduro or MX bike is that they usually have a much larger engine than you’d want to trail ride / enduro ride with (450 - 700cc is most usual) thus weigh more. Basically you can buy a totally off the shelf body kit/ extra fuel tanks etc to rally-ise it and you’ll probs also need an engine retune to deal with the changes.

GET INSPIRED - check out some of the worlds most incredible riders below:

@laiasanz_85

@tobyprice87

@sundersam

@lyndonposkitt


Think you fancy a go a some dirt related fun?

Make sure you follow VC DIRT on instagram for regular updates and new of VC dirt events of all kinds from enduro and beginners days to trials!

THE RIDERS YOU NEED TO FRESHEN UP THAT FEED.....

Images by @akasharabut

Images by @akasharabut

Since it’s the first Wednesday of the month we would usually be either running our VC moto meet up or, since lockdown, running our moto Q&A on our Instagram. This month we’d like to pause and take the opportunity to celebrate some incredible BIPOC in the motorcycle world whose stories continue to inspire us.

Read on to find out more about these incredible riders, groups and organisations making waves in the motorcycle world and follow their stories.

#westandtogether #weridetogether.


THE CARAMEL CURVES

Images by  @akasharabut

Images by @akasharabut

Images by @akasharabut

The Caramel curves are a groundbreaking women's bike crew based in New Orleans. Their mantra is not only to have a great time riding, but to look good doing it.

The group is made up of 13 women brought together by their passion for motorcycles and their desire to bike with other women like themselves. 

In July 2005,  a month before their city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, founders Nakosha Smith and Shanika Beatty, along with a few other women, started riding together and named themselves the Caramel Curves.  “We called ourselves “caramel” because of the colour of our skin, and “curves” because we’re curvy women, and we take curves on the bikes,” Ms. Smith said

As the city rebuilt, so did the group, and in 2006, co founder Ms. Smith started calling women to ride together again as a way to heal. Even more women make up their social club — a support group that helps with their events such as fund-raisers to buy bicycles for young girls.

“I think we’re breaking down barriers here within our own motorcycle community. We’re creating a legacy”.

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“Being a Caramel Curve is about being a woman and loving to ride a motorcycle,” Ms. Beatty said.

“Even if you just had a thought that you may want to do it, come on, girl, you can do that”

Images by @akasharabut

Images by @akasharabut






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TANYA MUZINDA

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15 year old Zimbabwean MX racer Tanyaradzwa Muzinda is inspiring a new generation of racers. 

Tanya and her family are breaking ground by breaking down barriers in the world of motocross in the hope of one day racing in the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship.

She came in third place at the 2017 HL Racing British Master Kids Championships at the Motoland track in England.

"It was my first race overseas and I managed to finish in third place. I also left a record for being the first female rider to win a round since its inception," Muzinda said.

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In 2018, Muzinda was also named Junior Sportswoman of the year in South Africa by the Africa Union Sports Council Region Five Annual Sports Awards.

Despite the financial difficulties Tanya faces competing at an incredibly expensive motorsport, it has not stopped Muzinda from giving back to people in her community.  Tanya uses donations and her Motocross prize money to support children from poorer families, especially girls who are often kept home from school. In August, she paid tuition for 45 students to attend school in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, and hopes to pay for at least 500 more students by the end of 2020.


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JALIKA GASKIN

The awesome Jalika Gaskin is a motorcycle racer and part of Alp racing, California (builders of the “Asymmetric Aero”) - the team that achieved a land speed record crowning their bike “the world’s fastest Triumph.”

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After joining Alp in 2007 Jalika became the Crew Chief when Alp Racing started racing in August 2011 at Bonneville Speedweek. Not long after, they achieved the land speed record in their class.

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When she’s not directing the build of the world’s fastest bikes, Jalika can be found ripping around LA on her custom built pre-unit Triumph Tiger chopper.

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GEVIN FAX

Gevin Fax is an incredibly inspiring and prominent figure in the women’s motorcycle scene; passing on her experiences, welcoming a new generation into riding motorcycles, working tirelessly to build community and to inspire others. 

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Growing up in Los Angeles as an African American in the 1960s, Gevin found that the world wasn't always forgiving. She learned to ride when she was just 10 years old after taking a trip to a dirt bike track with her family. After her brothers slowly lost interest in riding Gevin never did, continuing to ride until today where she is now a prominent figure in the international women’s motorcycle world and is part of the Litas. Upon joining The Litas, Gevin found a community of acceptance through a global network of riders. 

Gevin is also a professional SAG stuntwoman with a pretty incredible list of skills including but not limited to: Knife, Spear and Tomahawk Throwing, Butterfly Blades, Horseback Riding, and Motorcycle and Auto Precision Driving.

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“I was kid that was definitely into my own head. Motorcycles were a way for me to escape. A way for me to escape a crappy day, a way for me to escape feeling inadequate because of the colour of my skin or that my hair wasn’t straight. It gave me something that was individually mine” 

If you haven’t seen it yet check out this incredible video by William Desena about Gevin’s story and the Litas.


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BRITTANY YOUNG

Brittany Young is the founder of the ground breaking charity B360 Baltimore - an organisation that works to teach students as young as five years old to “build, code, design, 3D print and test” using dirt bikes. 

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Young started developing the idea of using the Baltimore's prominent dirt bike culture to teach kids about Science, tech, engineering and mathematics in 2016. 

Much like the children she works with, Young said she knows what it’s like to feel unheard and have undeveloped talent. The 29-year-old said she got in trouble a lot as a kid, until she was gifted a chemistry kit and discovered her love of science.

Between working three jobs — including one at a Baltimore City Community College program that funnels GED students to NASA - Young has made it her mission to not only teach students about the tech and science that is typically embedded in their love of dirt bikes but also to change the perception that riders are ‘criminals.’

As a ground breaking entrepreneur and speaker Young founded B360 after seeing similarities in dirt bike and motocross cultures, and one glaring difference: the demographics of the riders and the way they’re treated for their passion.

“Many of the students grew up fixing their own bikes, unaware that what they were doing was a highly technical skill.”

Find out more about B360 check out https://www.b360baltimore.org/about-b-360

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BESSIE STRINGFIELD

Bessie Stringfield (1911 – 1993) was an American motorcyclist who was the first African-American woman to ride across the United States solo.

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In the 1950s, when women were relegated to housework, either in marriage or as domestics, Stringfield was married several times and worked as a maid yet revved and roared through Florida’s palm-tree-lined streets on her Harley-Davidson, earning the unofficial title of “Motorcycle Queen of Miami.”

Her legend was big enough to warrant a posthumous induction into the Hall of Fame of the American Motorcyclist Association in 2002, nearly a decade after her 1993 death. 

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A masterful storyteller, Stringfield amazed people with her accounts of being chased off the road as she traveled through the Jim Crow South; performing stunts on the Wall of Death at carnivals; and serving as a civilian motorcycle dispatch rider for the U.S. Army in the 1940s.

Due to her skin color Springfield was often denied accommodation while traveling and would sleep on her motorcycle at filing stations. Due to her sex she was refused prizes in the flat track races she entered.

Her lasting power was in her presence, especially in the eyes of children, during a period when seeing a black woman commanding a Harley-Davidson was unprecedented.

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LAKEYRIA DOUGHTY

In the streets of Baltimore, Maryland, 23 year old Lakeyria Doughty is only of only a handful of prominent female figures in the bike life scene making a name for herself as the “Wheelie Queen”.

After getting her first dirt bike at just 13 years old from her father, Lakeyria has ridden ever since and has most recently been featured in the new movie Charm City Kings that follows an infamous group of Baltimore dirt-bike riders.  

Lakeyria is flying the flag for a new era of rider breaking through to the mainstream and has been featured as a figurehead of her scene through collaborations with brands such as Gucci and G Star.

 “There's gotta be something that you wanna do, something that's going through your bloodstream for you to keep doing it. If it was up to us, we would ride 24/7 and never put up. That's bike life. If you don't do it you don't feel right. Riding means nothing but life and having fun”.

Watch the wheelie queen in action HERE !





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CAMP VC COMMUNITY - CASSIE BENNITT

DREW IRVINE

DREW IRVINE

Thinking about learning to ride and coming along to Camp VC this year? Well we’ve got just the person to inspire you to get on two wheels and get involved! In the first of our Camp VC community stories where you’ll meet awesome women who have been part of what we do at Camp VC and VC from the start, meet the awesome Cassie Bennitt!

After first learning to ride 5 years ago with our VC beginner sessions in East London, Cassie can now be found razzing round London on one of the raddest custom Harley Davidson sportsters we’ve seen and road tripping all over the world (including her annual pilgrimage to Camp VC) with her own band of buds. We chatted to Cassie about her life with motorcycles, her journey into riding and her experiences over the years coming along to Camp VC. Check it out :)

Don’t forget tickets for Camp VC 2020 go on sale 2nd May @ 10am over at www.campvc.co.uk!!!

See you there!


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Charlie McKay

Charlie McKay

@miss_lola_mae

Where are you from? 

East London via the Shires of Cornwall.

How long have you been riding and what made you first start? 

I started riding in 2015 and there’s two reasons I started …

1) When I first moved to London I brought my 1960s classic car with me. I realised quite quickly that I couldn’t keep a car up here without a garage so I sold her. I missed having an old classic and realised motorbikes were the solution!

2) I wanted to ride with my Dad before he hung up his leathers for good. 

What is your first memory of motorcycling?

My family are big petrol heads and my Dad has ridden bikes since he was 16. I grew up around motorcycles and have always loved being around them. Also I loved ‘Easy Rider’.

How did you first find out about VC London?  

It feels like yesterday but it was actually 2015! A friend was badgering me about doing my CBT but I kept procrastinating. Then he messaged me a link to a group of badass women (VC) that were putting on their first all-female CBT. I booked in straight away and the rest is history … 

DREW IRVINE

DREW IRVINE

How did you feel the first time you rode a motorcycle? 

Absolutely petrified – I’d had a horrible near miss on a dodgy scooter in Cyprus when I was 17 … but I was determined to overcome the fear so I kept going. 

What was your first motorcycle? 

My 1982 CB100N … a little custom tracker that used to break down all the time. And still does….

What do you ride now? 

I’ve still got the 100 because I couldn’t bear to part with the little sod …. And I’ve got a 1991 Harley Davidson Sportster (which is one of two built by Warrs as a replica XR750 track bike)

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What’s the best moto trip you’ve ever been on? 

Every Camp VC I’ve been to (of course) … and also Southwest Chopperfest last year – a vintage chopper show in stunning countryside.  I rode down from London with my friends Kristen and Charlotte. We went with no idea what it would be like and it was brilliant – no frills, no egos, just booze, bikes, beer and good times. 

What does Camp VC mean to you? 

It probably sounds cheesy but what the hell, Camp VC is everything I love about motorbikes - meeting friends old and new, comparing bikes, stories, anecdotes …. Supporting each other. And hoping daily that I don’t break down….

What has been your best memory of Camp VC so far? 

I have so many great memories from each year, it’s hard to pick just one. I think it has to be a general one - waking up in the morning to a beautiful view, riding all day with a bunch of kick ass, fabulous women and coming back and partying and comparing stories from the day’s adventures. Oh and Namin climbing in the giant fridge after we had drunk a LOT of rum in the first year. That was ace. 

What are you looking forward to most about Camp VC 2020? 

Hanging out with everyone!!!

Cassie VC LONDON
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COVID-19 - WHAT CAN MOTORCYCLE RIDERS DO?

After the crappy wet winter, we’ve all been massively looking forward to the spring and the start of riding season. Aaaaaaaand then Mother Nature decides to send us Coronavirus and weeks of social distancing and self isolation. Yeah, actually it’s really shit. 

But riding motorcycles hasn’t been banned yet! We are allowed to go out and ride - in fact, we are actively being told to avoid public transport. Plus, when we’re riding we naturally wear gloves, keep our mouths and noses covered and keep safe distances. And yeah, it’s probably for the best that we do it alone for now.

But there are even better things you can do to help the wider community during this time if you are well and if you own a motorcycle. Here are some of the great initiatives and help set up for you to get involved with :

  • Join the Bike Shed’s Community Support Riders group on Facebook. They’re still in the planning and testing stage right now, but this is a great way to help people who need it in London and beyond. Check it out and join the group here. 

  • Maybe you’re a healthcare worker or provider (though if you are, we’re sure you’re doing more than enough already), or just want to volunteer in a personal capacity? You can sign up for the National Care Force 

  • Sign up to be a blood donor - people still need transfusions and there has been a massive drop off during the pandemic! If you’re not already a donor, you can sign up here.

  • Check in with your neighbours - especially elderly and/or vulnerable neighbours - put a note through their door. If your neighbours hate you because your exhaust is really loud, now is the time to make it up to them...

  • Respect rules about social distancing! 

  • Don’t panic buy! If you’re only eating all that pasta you’ve hoarded you’re going to emerge from this very rotund and with some serious vitamin deficiencies. 

And if you are riding, now is the time to do it AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE. People aren’t using public transport, but they are out in their cars, and they are anxious and driving in an even more mental fashion than usual. They need more bog roll for their toilet roll fort (or whatever they’re doing with it) and they are probably not looking out for you on your motorcycle. This is not the time to be in an accident because frankly, the NHS have got more important things to deal with. Spot those hazards and avoid them. Let aggressive drivers pass you, suck it up and give way to anyone who looks like they’re on a mission for that last bag of penne.

Stay safe and wash those hands

VC x

CAMP VC X THE TELEGRAPH FOR IWD 2020

We’re absolutely stoked and very proud of this article on Camp VC in The Telegraph ❤️❤️

If you’re still on the fence about whether to come read it! You’ll have the raddest weekend of your summer. Promise 

Read the full article HERE and get ready to book your CAMP VC 2020 tickets when they launch on Saturday April 4th @ 10am over at www.campvc.co.uk !

Annnnnnnnd remember, we have limited tickets and have sold out every year for the past 3 years so JUMP IN FAST!!!

CHARM CITY KINGS AND THE WHEELIE QUEEN

Mannnnnnn we cant wait for this! The epic Charm City Kings has just premiered at Sundace film festival and is due for general release this April 2020. Yassssss!

“Directed by Angel Manuel Soto and based in Baltimore, Charm City Kings is the story of fourteen-year-old Mouse (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) who desperately wants to join the Midnight Clique, an infamous group of Baltimore dirt-bike riders who rule the summertime streets. His older brother, Stro, was their top rider before his tragic death—a loss that consumes Mouse as much as his passion for bikes. Mouse’s mom and his police mentor, Detective Rivers, work overtime to help the charismatic teen reach his full potential, but when the Midnight Clique’s leader, Blax (Meek Mill), takes the boy under his wing, the lure of revving his own dirt bike skids Mouse toward a road way past the straight and narrow.”

Watch out for the awesome Lakeyria Doughty - “The Wheelie Queen” who stars alongside and incredible cast to bring to light one of the most intriguing and infamous subcultures within modern motorcycling today.

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COME RIDE DIRT WITH US @ VC DIRT DAY 2020

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Cant wait until Camp VC 2020 to get on the dirt ?!

We’re teaming up with Docklands riders this March to present a day of dirt training with our Intro To Dirt track day at London docklands inner city track!

Open to riders of every skill level from total beginner with different bikes to suit all experience levels and heights, the sessions are in 3 hours riding slots (morning and afternoon) and include everything from training with professional enduro coaches, all kit, insurance, bikes, and a VC goodie bag.

We’ll also have tons of info on how to get into off road and trail riding in the UK from our community and we’re also bringing along some of our own dirt bikes for you to take a look at where to start out, so come armed with all your burning questions and get ready to hit the dirt!

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DEETS AND HOW TO BOOK !!

LEARN HOW TO BRAAP LIKE A PRO

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Into dirt bikes and not heard of Megan Griffiths aka Megs Braaps yet? 

Well get to know her immediately! The Canadian rider started riding at 17 years old and has since cemented herself as one of the most trusted voices in hard enduro via her socials and youtube channel that has how tis for any type of rider!

Her how- to videos are some of the best we’ve found for simple explanations of all the crazy enduro tricks you wish you could do on a dirt bike to get you log hopping and wheelieing around off road to your hearts content. If you’re wanting to get into dirt bikes especially her videos are a must to help you start to not only understand how to physically do it but also the physics behind how a bike is designed to help you do everything you need to if you can master it properly. 

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On top of this Megs is a shorty rider at just under 5 and half feet so for of those that get in touch with us asking about which bikes to ride if you’re on the shorter side of things, the answer, if Megan is anything to go by, is .... well, any...  if you’re willing to put in the seat time and practice to master a tall bike. 

“There are a couple of things that I absolutely love about riding dirt bikes.  The first thing is the adventure of it.  I can't get enough of exploring new places and finding new terrain.  I always need to see what's around the next corner or over the next hill!  Being out in the woods is the best place for me.  Another reason I love it so much is for the feeling you get when you start improving your skills and becoming a better rider.  There is no better feeling than when you leave your comfort zone and succeed at something you couldn't do before.  There is no limit to what you can do on a bike, the bar just gets higher and higher as you get better.  There is no end to the challenge! “

Check out her insta and YouTube for some vids and prepare to want to get out there on the dirt more than ever. 

IF YOU DO ONE THING TODAY WATCH THIS....

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Operation Moffat follows climber Claire Carter as she navigates the questions facing her life as a young woman while trying to forge a courageous path in life. Claire then finds inspiration in meeting the legendary guide and writer Gwen Moffat, who broke the mould for what women can achieve in the mountains half a century earlier.

This is one for anyone finding themselves torn between what they love doing whilst thinking about the questions of their future. Prepare to be inspired….

To watch the over at www.redbull.com click HERE

LAIA SANZ - DAKAR 2020

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Its almost that time of year again! The famous DAKAR RALLY begins on January 5th 2020 in Saudi Arabia and we’ll be glued to it to watch one person in particular………

The awesome Laia Sanz from Barcelona has been competing in the Dakar since 2011 and has been the fastest woman to compete in the Dakar 7 years in a row holding the prestigious title of completing the rally every year that she has entered with her best finish to date in 2015 when she finished 9th overall.

After starting to ride at the age of two, when her father used to sit her on the fueltank of his motorbike. The family passion for motorbikes took root in Sanz who at four years old was riding her older brother’s Montesa Cota 25cc. Laia was then competing by the time she was only six. The Red Bull athlete has since then become a 13-time Women’s Trial World Champion and 10-time Women’s Trial European Champion in outdoor motorcycle trials. The year 2010 was pivotal for Sanz when she began training with Dakar Legend Jordi Arcarons and also participated in the Women’s Enduro World Championship. The following year she made her Dakar Rally debut and has competed every year since.

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Laia’s goal is to finish in the top 15 for 2020 however, she acknowledges that it will be a difficult task due to the skill level of her competitors. Its been tough year for Laia after contracting Q fever - an infectious disease that forced her to stop competing and disrupted her preparation for her 2019 season so we’re stoked to see her lining up for this years 2020 event as one of the worlds best rally racers. But Laia is no stranger to adversity as she to this day remains the only woman to ever finish the event within the top 10 competitors. The philosophy that keeps this motorbike warrior moving forward is simple. “Above all, I want to have a good time. That’s what motivates me. From here, my goal is to get good results because that will allow me to continue dedicating myself to this.”

This year, Laia is riding the new KTM 450 for the GAS GAS factory team and hopes to repeat or improve on her 2015 results and we’ll be cheering for her the entire way!

GO LAIA!

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NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE DAKAR RALLY ?

Check out the little vid below for a run down of its history and why it’s such an incredible race to watch!

VC BEGINNERS INTRO TO BIKES SESSION!

Brap brap we’re baaaaack! After getting an absolutely overwhelming response to our insta post shout out for bike curious womxn to get in touch we kick started our new beginners’ sessions last weekend with a bunch of newbies in our shitty east London car park! From a new mama (who brought her gorgeous 6 month old along) to a seasoned skateboarder, we gave these rad ladies their first taste of motorbike riding, taking them from complete newbies all the way to riding a slick figure of eight by the end of the morning.

From chatting to people on insta, at our events and at our monthly meet ups we know there are still a ton of womxn out there who are really keen to get on a bike. But unless you’ve got a kind and generous pal with a little bike and bit of space to try it out on (tricky to find in London), you’re sometimes just left with the option of taking the plunge and signing up to do your CBT (Compulsory Basic Training). And this involves committing about 100 quid to doing it - A bit daunting for some and a bit of an investment already… Plus, if you have no experience on a geared bike you’re usually advised to do this on a twist and go scooter , so even after you’ve done the day’s training, ridden out and about on the road and got your CBT certificate, you’ll still need to figure out how gears and everything work on an actual motorbike. PHEW!


Cue our VC complete beginners intro to bikes sessions! A great way to try out the basics, ask any questions you might have and meet other riders!

 

Wanna try? Sign up HERE to get your name on our waiting list for the next available sessions!

All images by Sarah Emma Smith

TRIALS RIDER EMMA BRISTOW BECOMES WORLD TRIALS CHAMPION FOR 6th TIME!

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The world trials championships in Japan saw two fantastic wins for Emma Bristow – the Lincolnshire based rider who continues to dominate the sport of motorcycle trials across the globe.

Emma, 28, has been riding high in the trials’ arena since the age of just 16 when she gained a ninth placing in the 2006 World Championships. Currently reigning GP Women’s World Trials Champion, her 2019 campaign started in Japan this month (June) before heading to France and Portugal for the next two rounds.

And it couldn’t have gone better, with the awesome athlete taking two podium spots.

“I couldn’t be happier with the results from the world championship opener, taking two wins out of two,” said Emma.

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The sport has taken Emma onto the international stage – a hobby encouraged by her parents when she was only four years of age, before her obvious skills saw her climb the ladder, attracting a run of sponsors and turning professional.

She signed for the Ossa factory in 2011 and rode to runner up position in the World Championships, a result she repeated in 2012. At the end of that season Emma joined Sherco and 2013 proved to be a successful year, winning the Women’s FIM Trial European Championship  Emma then went from strength to strength and, in 2014, she clinched both the British Women’s Title and the Women’s FIM Trial World Championship

With the bikes weighing 70 kilos, Emma explained how core strength was vital to her, along with building and retaining her strength and endurance, especially as the British Championships are mixed competitions.

“It is a fact that men have more natural physical strength and to compete on that level I have to ensure I maintain and continually improve my fitness in all areas. The power and explosiveness have to be there,” she said. Training, either in the gym or on the bikes, takes place six days a week and lasts up to four hours, and that has been the case since her competitive career began. As with many teenagers, she had a hard decision to make when she left sixth form – whether to pursue her sporting dream or go down the academic route.

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“I could have gone to University, but I just didn’t know what I wanted to do and was not going to embark on something that wasn’t right for me. I look back and have no regrets.”

Married to James Fry, a fellow enthusiast, the couple are completely immersed in the sport and support each other.

“We love it. And while I know I have been lucky to follow my dream, it is like everything in life – you must work hard and do all you can to do well in your chosen area, whatever it may be,” said Emma.

While it may be assumed that Emma, a solid professional for many years, would be completely confident in her abilities to perform, there is always that nervous determination to succeed.

“Nerves are natural and there would be something wrong if you didn’t feel those nerves in whatever you are trying to do. But again, in whatever you are doing in life, you must put in the correct preparation and believe,” she added.

Source: https://magnavitae.org/sporting-greats-emma-bristow/

THE LITAS FILM FEAT. GEVIN FAX

We’ve all watched them… The piles upon piles of modern motorcycle short films on offer on social media today (dude climbs on pretty uninteresting motorcycle, rides on a large open road with a deep husky voiceover accompanied by some boring and words about said open road riding). Well this motorcycle short film is a diamond in the rough. After coming across at its UK premier screening courtesy of the SHEXTREME FILM FESTIVAL we’ve fallen in love with its hero Gevin Fax. In a sea of instagram snaps of women on motorcycles she is a a true pioneer of the motorcycling world if ever we saw one.

Do yourself a favour and WATCH IT and get ready to wanna go ride instantly.

VC X SUPERIOR MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCES

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What do you get when you send an Olympic athlete, an ultra marathon runner, a pro skateboarder, a flat track racer and a couple of mums on an motorcycle trip through the Dorset countryside? …. A mud filled, bike drowning, offs, tea, cake, and lols…. ALOT of lols…. Welcome to VC does Superior motorcycle experiences.


SUPERIOR MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCES

Based in the beautiful setting of the Dorset countryside Superior Motorcycle Experiences is a motorcycle trip like no other we’ve ever been on.

Run from its Sherbourne HQ by a family of moto petrol heads the company run off road and road riding tours in the surrounding countryside that team up days playing in the dirt on off road bikes with all the luxury comforts you could wish for on your dream ride - From luxury accommodation (did we mention swimming pool??) to support vehicles on your journey and amazing food along the way this is a motorcycle tour company like no other and we went to spend a few days with them causing havoc on the trials and bringing some of our best riding buddies along for the adventure.

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The crew: Natasha Farrar, Steph Bowlam, Gemma Harrison, Victoria Pendleton, Emily Page, Lucia Aucott, Rachel Gomes, Josie Millard

The crew: Natasha Farrar, Steph Bowlam, Gemma Harrison, Victoria Pendleton, Emily Page, Lucia Aucott, Rachel Gomes, Josie Millard

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DAY 1

We all arrived at our Superior motorcycle experience HQ digs one by one as our bunch travelled from different parts of the UK and we’re met with the most incredible 19th Century cottage complete with swimming pool (perfect after a long days dirt riding) .

But then there’s the garage….Oh the garage! A row of squeaky clean Royal Enfield Himalayans await our next day riding in the dirt around the green lanes of Dorest. And then, standing in a perfect line in the back of the garage are the legendary Brough Superiors. A true engineering feat these bikes are some of the most beautiful bikes to be built today but more on these awesome machines later.

So we settled into to our luxury accommodation for the night (aka drank wine, ate a ton of food and of course the mandatory first dip in that pool) for a full day of dirt riding starting early the next day.

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P// Howard Brown

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DAY 2

After a few weeks of promising glorious sunshine, the typically English weather had taken a last-minute u-turn and a very wet affair was forecast for the few days ahead. But this was an off road adventure we were on so of course that didn’t change a thing.

We all got up early, got into our different waterproof riding gear (key for enjoying any soggy off road trip) and expected the worst weather wise and went to choose our steeds for the day. However blue skies and sunshine prevailed the whole day until we made it back to HQ later that evening. Yassss! But that wasn’t to say that there weren’t a ton of enormous puddles to be enjoyed along the ride.

We were a pretty mixed group of riders with varied experience tackling this type of terrain but with some coaching from amazing guide Emily, who was constantly on hand to throw some tips and confidence whenever we were faced with a steep rocky hill climb or deep mud slide, within a couple of hours we were all soon tackling mud-laden tracks, narrow byways, slippy forest trails, and some pretty deep fords.

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P// Howard Brown

By the end of day 1 we had covered a huge area to the south of Sherborne mixing single track by ways with everything from forestry to rocky scree type climbs where we could let the bikes power us out of the tough stuff and then let rip through the amazing scenery in the area with and everyone agreeing that the tea and cake stops (!) along the way out of the back of the support vehicle driven by the awesome James (SME boss man and all round meg dude) were something we wish we wouldn’t have to go dirt biking without ever again (cue tiny violins….) .

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DAY 3

Back on the Enfields for another fun filled day of off roading . But this time….RAIN, RAIN, RAIN. The mud was deeper, slipper and the terrain harder to ride than the previous day and aside for a few muddy wobbles we all smashed it finishing up at Compton abbas airfiled overlooking Shaftesbury and the hills of Dorset watching the vintage planes take off.

Then it was out for an amazing dinner with the SME team in the local Sherbourne village fulled by wine amazing food, friendship with talk of life, love, bikes, careers, adventures, kids and just a little bit of standard misbehaviour on our part :)


DAY 4

Next up, tearing up some tarmac on the Brough Superiors!

Now to anyone who hasn’t heard of Brough Superior the brand is steeped in British motorcycling history. From their roots in 1919 to then going out of business in 1940, Brough Superior has been revived in recent years and has taken a trip overseas to now having bikes built in Toulouse, France where the company build some of the most covetable motorcycles in the world today.

We were riding the Brough Superior SS100’s which are a few of only 300 ever to be made) and woahhhhh what a ride it was. With a £50,000 price tag these are bikes that are on most petrol heads bucket list to ride and we were lucky enough to be amongst very few riders to letting one of these babies loose on the roads.

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The clear blue skies and sunshine were back for our ride out around the twisty roads of Dorset where we stretched these incredible machines legs and rode for a few hours with massive smiles and shouts as we experienced something truly special together. Stoke levels 100000%, CHECK. Bucket list bike ridden with our best riding buddies , CHECK!

With only a tiny bit of rain dampening our way back we headed back to HQ and to say goodbye to the awesome SME team having had an incredible time with some memories made that we won’t be forgetting in a longggggg time.


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OK, SO WHAT DOES A £50k MOTORCYCLE FEEL LIKE TO RIDE?…..

Well, once you get over the fact that the bike is worth probably more than any bike you’ll ever own and stop shitting yourself that you’ll inevitably drop it it rides like a dream actually. It has all the mechanical grunt of a real piece of hand built machinery with its 997cc water-cooled V-twin (not like some of the modern bikes now a days that feel like you’re basically riding a computer) but it also has crazy force, speed and braking (the brakes are crazy keen and really require a gentle approach to avoid any wobbles) that you would expect from a bike like this.

In terms of an absolute engineering feat this bike (which goes a little way to justifying that price tag) is meticulously hand build with CNC everything from the controls to the indicators with a hand built tank to finish it off. Every bit of this motorcycle has been laboured over and the result is that it’s has the best of both new school performance with a nostalgic old school feel.

Fave bit? The unusual suspension system means the headlight mount rises when you accelerate making you see and feel every hand built detail this bike has at its heart. A bit of a shock at first but it’s very specific to these bikes which only adds to the experience.

For a bit more info on the bike check out the lil’ vid about the SS100 from the guys over at The Bike Shed for a walk through of just how jaw dropping this bike is.

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A massive thank you to the team at Superior motorcycle experiences for allowing us rowdy lot come along and have an amazing time on your motorcycles together and to our awesome off road guide Emily Page. what a super hero!

If you’re in the midst of planning your moto trips for 2020 get on over to SUPERIOR MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCES and believe us you won’t be disappointed <3

(Images by Howard Brown)