MotoVentures, based out of Anza, California, has added a new adventure bike challenge course to their 350-acre track. The course includes “…short steep climbs, tight turns, hill turns, a log crossing, a narrow beam ride, loose sidehills, sand wash, uphill switchbacks, down-hill slalom, a hill climb, downhill rain ruts, and a hill turn slalom.” That definitely sounds like a challenge and a lot of fun.
MotoVentures describes their track courses as a “riding paradise” with countless trails along with motocross tracks, single-track, a sand wash, and a hill climb. It sounds like they have something for everyone, but the nod to ADV bikes is especially impressive. For those of us who ride GSs and other big bikes, it’s great to see the inclusion of terrain often just reserved for dirt or trials bikes.
I first saw a big bike course set up at a Germany Touratech open house in 2017. The course was co-ed, which was already admirable, and all riders had big bikes. It was incredible how adept some of the riders were on their 500-pound-plus motorcycles over log crossings and steep berms—all requiring a precision I myself haven’t mastered yet. Seeing what could be done was inspirational and motivating.
Are you planning a long-distance or round-the-world ride? Hone some of those off-roading skills. MotoVentures also offers dual-sport and ADV rider training. If you’re interested in trying out their ADV track, make a long-weekend or week-long trip out of it and add in some training. Your skills can only improve. Training is offered year-round most days of the week. Use your bike or one from MotoVentures’ collection—keep in mind that they only provide dirt bikes. This is because of their Dirt First motto. MotoVentures prefers you start on a lighter-weight dirt bike, then progress to a bigger bike.
Once you’re all trained up on those low-angle leans, tight-cornering, and traction skills, head out onto the new adventure bike challenge course and show yourself and your friends what you’ve learned. The course has great spectator viewing areas. You may also enjoy comparing your skills with others on the course or hopping onto one of the big-bike friendly loops in the area.
