As we get older, we wonder if resolutions are more trouble than they’re worth. Especially if it’s another plan to diet, get to the gym, eat more vegetables, or other things that are good for our general health and wellness. My 2023 resolution? Learn how to ride a dirt bike.
I’ve been riding on the street for more than 20 years, so I know how to handle a bike. I also know that riding on the dirt is a whole different skill. So, when it came to learning from the best, I immediately contacted Jimmy Lewis Off-Road Riding School to schedule my adventure. Jimmy is a Dakar Rally podium finisher and winner of the Baja 1000, Dubai Rally, and many other events. More important, he’s one of the few champions who can also teach.
He only offers one training program, the Series One Class, designed for every off-road, adventure, racer or dual-purpose rider, regardless of skill level. This is because he breaks his lessons down to the basics and allows riders to build up difficulty based on their experience. This meant that though I was starting from zero, I was never intimidated by the fact that others in my class had years on the dirt.
My journey to learn this skill began just a few days before I set foot on the dirt and included a shopping list for gear and accessories to make my ride safer and more enjoyable. I invested in the full outfit, including motocross-style pants and jersey, helmet, gloves and kneepads. My final decision came when I needed to select boots. I have a complete collection from my time on the Rebelle Rally and other dirt-related events, but after a quick discussion with previous students, I opted for the Alpinestars Tech 3 Stella boots—better protection for an area that could be vulnerable to all the rocks around. My first surprise? Motocross boots are way more comfortable than ski boots, even though they look similar.
Once outfitted for the weekend, I made the trek down to Pahrump, Nevada, from Portland, Oregon. Quite a distance for a weekend program but worth it. Jimmy has a team of experienced riders that play a significant role in his training weekends, all of whom help guide the students to success. I found that different instructors better explained different skills, which was appreciated since I had never ridden on the dirt before. Jimmy’s approach is not to teach students how to ride a motorcycle, it is to make them better riders both on and off-road. Techniques, from counterbalancing in corners to emergency braking, are repeated constantly to make them second nature to the rider.
I was outfitted with a Honda CRF230F for the weekend, a 223cc bike that has been a huge hit with the off-road crowd since its introduction in 2003 due to is electric start and torquey four-stroke engine. It was significantly updated in 2019 with a larger 4-valve engine and fuel injection, so if you can’t find a CRF230F on the used market, the CRF250F is a more powerful and improved version of the bike I rode.
My own challenges over the weekend came from previous experience of riding motorcycles on the street. On pavement, you never want to slide around, you lean into the corners and falling off the bike usually results in serious injuries. That first trip out the rock and dirt-covered trail to the dry lakebed where we practiced many drills was nerve-wracking. Taking each challenge at my own pace, I built my confidence and internalized the necessary skills that allow riders to enjoy those unstable surfaces. By the end of a physically demanding weekend, capped by a scenic trail ride back to the garage, I found myself grinning ear to ear. Despite my uneasy start, I learned I loved riding through those trails, across rocks, and even over a little bit of sandy soil. Will I end up with my own bike? Not sure about that yet but I can definitely say I will go back and play in the dirt again soon.
