16 August 2019

Riders to learn from the pros at Day in the Dirt

| John Thistleton
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Day in the Dirt

CMC’s Day in the Dirt. Photos: Dean Thompson Photography.

Preparing to step up skills on your dirt bike for any event, whether a Saturday afternoon ride or the 2021 Dakar rally in Saudi Arabia, riders will come away with something of lasting value from the Day in the Dirt training day on August 25.

Canberra Motorcycle Centre ambassador Simon ‘Simmo’ Arthur who is preparing for the Dakar Rally, is always reviewing his technique, and knows everyone from youngsters to A-grade riders will come away enriched from a Day in the Dirt.

Much can be learned riding alongside experienced people, seeing where they place their weight, where and when they sit or stand, how their bike is set up, when they brake and avoid braking, and when they accelerate.

riders

A day for riders young and old.

Simmo is passionate about dirt bikes because of his love of the bush, whereas other riders like dirt bikes because they miss out on the bush. He is preparing for the Dakar Rally because it is the ultimate challenge of man and machine, navigation skills, and riding to a speed that allows him to finish, to maintain his bike and tackle who-knows-what other challenges.

That’s part of the appeal of the Canberra Motorcycle Centre’s Day in the Dirt.

“For young riders, for everyone else for that matter, you go to one of these days and rub shoulders with guys much more experienced, and who have done some things you would like to do yourself,” Simmo says.

“This is a great opportunity to tap into their knowledge and experience of different types of racing and events.”

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"A great opportunity to tap into their knowledge and experience of different types of racing and events".

“A great opportunity to tap into their knowledge and experience of different types of racing and events”.

One of the industry’s most experienced coaches Dave Harvey will be in attendance, along with Canberra Motorcycle Centre staff to help with advice for the general dirt biker interested in racing motocross, enduro riders, and anyone who wants to advance their skills on a dirt bike.

“It’s a good place to meet like-minded people if you are new to town, or looking for other guys to hook up with and ride with, that is also something to take from it,” Simmo says.

Canberra Motor Cycle Centre General Operations Manager Kane Piper is looking forward to welcoming Dave on the day.

“Our training days are special. Dave often tells us that there isn’t another store in Australia doing anything like this,” Kane says.

riders

A good place to meet like-minded people.

Simmo likes the fact that riders will be on a sandy surface. Just like walking on a beach, riding on sand is not as easy as it is on a dirt road.

“Sand wants to draw you in, when you turn the sand moves. It is an important skill to have because after you ride in sand, coming back to the dirt is easier,” he says.

Join Dave Harvey and the CMC crew for a fun day of riding and learning. The $100 registration covers entry, breakfast and lunch and refreshments throughout the day as well as a CMC gift.

Date: Sunday 25th August 2019
Time: 9 am to 2 pm
Location: Larbert MX, Larbert road Braidwood , NSW 2622

To book call Canberra Motorcycle Centre on 6175 4444, or call in at 30 Ipswich Street, Fyshwick or purchase online here.

Jump on to CMC’s Facebook to see how they will be helping everyone get involved on the day.

Here are five things great dirt bike riders have in common:

  1. The right gear – helmet, goggles, gloves, armour for chest, shoulders, back and arms. Kidney belt, knee braces, padded pants, motorcycling boots. “I won’t get on a bike without wearing that gear,” Simmo says.
  2. Basic mechanical knowledge and understanding your bike and how it is put together. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. “It’s a long way for me to travel somewhere and my bike fails in the first five minutes because I hadn’t prepared properly.”
  3. Awareness of who and what is around you. You could be going past wildlife, spectators in cars in the wrong spot, different terrain.
  4. Attitude in being willing to help when people fall over, get stuck. In the bush, there is no one out there to help you if something happens, so you rely on each other. If someone is hurt, stay with them, wave down the next rider and send them for help.
  5. Sense of adventure and fun. “It’s why we all do it, we enjoy the thrill of it, the acceleration, being in the air, the g-force of going around a corner, berm, and racing your mates as well.”

Finally, Simmo recommends anyone interested in motorbikes to watch the 1971 American documentary, On Any Sunday. Even non-bike people will find it captivating.

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Canberra Motorcycle Centre1:49 pm 19 Aug 19

We are really excited about this weekend. This will be the 5th iteration of our day and it just keeps getting better and more fun each time. I encourage anyone considering coming along to do so, if you are not sure come in and say hi at the shop this week and one of our team members will help out.

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