New rider on North Shore

[kath]

Hi there,

I just went out yesterday and bought my first bike(s). I got an xt225 and a ttr125l from International Motorsports in Delta. I live in North Van and need some advice about where to ride in the Lower Mainland. Help!

Katharine.

 

[JavaJude]

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Hi Kath and Welcome to DualSportBC

The Spring Newbie Ride is a great place to start. Click on the link for more info:

http://www.dualsportbc.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=7678&forum_id=83

There are a number of events that you can participate in, from the Newbie Ride at the end of this month and The Orca Run in May and of course our Dead Zone event in the summer.

I don't know your skill level but there is always something for everyone from a Novice "C" level rider (logging roads and easy trails)to an Experienced "A" level rider (gnarly deer trails, mud, steep terrain, etc.).

The best way to find places to ride are to come outto events and explore the areas with people who have been there.

-Judy-

 

[North]

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Hi Katharine,

Welcome to the site and congrads on your first Bike.:tup:

I was just wondering if your Bike has a licence and what level of Rider are you? Do you have a Bike licence? These things would determine were you would ride.

But, right now most the riding areas have snow on them, which is not good for newbies, or anyone for that matter.:hr:

To give you a ruff idea, the main areas are around Squamish, Mission, Chilliwack and beyond.


As it warms up, people will post to meet at places and ride from there.

Coming out to the Spring Newbie Ride is a great start.:tup:


Rick

 

[kath]

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Hi Rick,

Thanks for your reply. I am a brand new rider. I got my xt225 so I can learn on the trails without a licence before I look at riding on the road. I got two bikes so that I can ride with friends who don't have a bike themselves.

I will definitely come to the newbie event! Sounds like fun. And yes, I'm hearing there is a lot of snow on the trails. When the snow is gone, where is there to ride locally? What kind of bike do you have?

Thanks again for your response.

 

[North]

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Hi Katharine,

The main riding spots are all the local Forest Service Roads. A few would be Cat lake area past squamish. Stave lake and the end of sylvester road by Mission. Chipmunk creek by Chilliwack. Both sides of Harrision lake. etc.

I have my 610 husky on the road right now.

Do you have a truck or a means to get your Bike to the trials?


My bike is the first one, with the two head lights.

 

[Phoenix]

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Welcome to DSBC Kath, just a heads up that the spring newbie ride does have sections of road requiring a plated bike with licensed rider or at least a learners permit, no lack of licensed riders to hang out with if ya get the learners permit:tup:.

The area the ride takes place in has many areas that are ridden unplated, at least some riding for the newb ride ?

Cheers, Alex.

 

[kath]

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Hmm, any trails in the Vancouver area? I don't want to travel so far!

I do have a 3 bike trailer to get to trails. Didn't realize I needed a plated bike for the newbie event. I've been studying for my learner's so I'll have to get that out of the way before I plan to attend. :hr:

I'm a bit nervous, but I'll study hard. :ted:

 

[Fjr eh]

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Kath,

There is really any trails close to downtown.

The Vancouver group will ride in Britianna, Squamish, and Indian River areas.

We also head up to ride with others that live up the valley, anywhere fromMaple Ridge to Hope

Mark

 

[kath]

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Mark, thanks for that info. I live in North Vancouver so the Indian River area is very close to me! Any tips on where to go in that area? Thanks so much for your help.

 

[North]

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Hi,

I think that you can practise taking the test online. Than, if you take a safety course, one of the restrictions comes off.

Taking a safety course is a good idea.

 

[TLGREEN]

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Hi Kath, The North shore doesn't really have any "legal" riding areas unfortunately.

Right now, Squamish is completely covered in snow & really cold but Chilliwack river area is pretty clear so you would have lots of options to ride the fsr's there.

Have you looked into Fraser Valley Dirt riders assoc? they have all the unplated area's mapped out.

If you get your learners you can then ride with a person who has their licence & that will offer you more freedom to practice.

Cheers,

TL

 

[wjm]

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Katherine

Welcome to bike riding.

My recommendation is to take riding school. You will advance in you riding skill

much quicker by going to riding school.

Langley is a good run to go, but it is worth it.

You need your bike learners.

I am not from the School, I took the course.

There is also a school on the North Shore.



http://www.actionmotorcycleschool.com/



Bill

 

[kath]

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Thanks everyone for your replies!

I heard that the school on the North Shore is not a good one. Does anyone know if that's true?

Thanks again.

 

[Blackbeast]

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Hi Kath,

My wife did exactly the same. We got a used xt225 for her to learn on. I helped her with the basics at the local school parking lot; thereafter she did the course at Action. It was a bit of a trek especially the evening classes and then to work the next day, but they do have some flex schedules. It is well worth the time and $ on the course. She did the course last March and by May she upgraded to a DR650 - however riding her xt was definitely a confidence builder.

 

[North]

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kath wrote:

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I heard that the school on the North Shore is not a good one. Does anyone know if that's true?

Thanks again.

My Daughterwent to thePacific Riding Schoolin Surrey last smmer and really like it. She was 20 and had never ridden a Bike before. At the end of the course they were riding form Surrey to downtown on East Hastings and back. She has a KLX 250s.

I was just wondering what kit you have for dirt riding? The standard is Helmet, boots, gloves. Then Jacket and pants with built-in armour, or amour underneath. Water proof stuff is a plus as well.



http://www.pacificridingschool.com/

 

[wjm]

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Taking students across the Fraser River would be enough for me to favor Langley, with

it being only about 5 minutes more driving



Bill

 

[kath]

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For riding I've bought a helmet, goggles, gloves, plus knee and elbow guards. And I'm going to find some riding boots of course but don't know where to go for these. The ones I've seen are all mid-calf and I prefer longer boots. Any tips on where to shop for boots? I don't want dirt bike boots, but proper riding boots I can wear also when I ride on the road.

 

[North]

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You just have to shop around and compare. Wait for a big sale.

I have a pair of hard-core MX Boots, but I never wear them.

I do like my leather Savanna boots.:tup:

 

[DRZSMS]

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Hi Kath,

Welcome aboard!

Have you every taken a look whats behind Correy Rock down in DC. Up around the power lines. I grew up in the Cove and did lots of riding in that area 20 years ago.
Many trails have been closed but there are still some secret ones out there if you know where to look. Take a drive towards Woodlands some time with your car and scout around. You may still see some trails going up Seymour direction. Lots of single track if I'm not mistaken.
Ciao!

 

[kath]

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Thanks for the tip.

I think the problem is that it's almost impossible to find a trail if you don't have someone to show you where it is.