DirtBike School Adventure

At 7:30 a.m., my children and I had never touched a dirt bike, let alone ridden one. By 2:30 p.m., we were clearing obstacles and making K-turns on a man-made hill! My whole family – including my husband, 9-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter – took the Basic MSF DirtBike School at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Alpharetta campus. As our instructors pointed out, “stupid hurts,” so we got smart about cycling and the rules of the (off) road.
After filling out paperwork, we got fitted for gear (including ventilated bike pants, guards and pads, gloves, helmets, and steel-toed riding boots) and learned about the curriculum. Certified coaches April and Mike were patient and enthusiastic. They have 50-plus combined years of riding and a decade of teaching newbies, so we were in extremely capable hands.
Our bikes had been selected and sized for each of us and we learned how to use kickstands, turn the bikes on, balance them and brake. It was impossible to talk to each other over the sounds of the bikes with our helmets on, so trust in our instructors was essential! April and Mike kept us progressing steadily, giving each person individual attention. We began walking our bikes across the course to learn balancing, and slowly worked our way up to riding. At every step they had us visually take in the next challenge, and then they’d demonstrate what to do, and walk us through it until we were comfortable enough to try it ourselves. They kept us motivated to succeed, although it took some time to get the correct stance on the bikes and maintain their weight.
April and Mike ramped up challenges when we wanted more and scaled back when necessary. For example, after we mastered going over small wooden obstacles, they added on larger elements for us to clear. But when anyone felt unsure maneuvering the bikes, an instructor guided us through safely.
Closing class time was spent reflecting; cementing safety lessons and thinking about the day’s challenges and what we liked most. The obstacle course was my favorite part, while my husband loved riding up and downhill. Both kids liked “free riding” in our final minutes on the closed course. At the top of the course’s hill my daughter shouted, “I did it!” That summed up how we all felt.
Plenty of hydration and rest stops are planned, along with a lunch break. Prepare to commit the day – this is an investment of time and money! Participants must know how to ride a regular bike, and should be at least 6 years old. Many parents register their kids and observe from a covered outdoor area or indoor viewing space, but doing the class together was an awesome family adventure. The day was a rare opportunity to shut out distractions and learn something new as a team. We took home a packet of materials to review safety lessons, and got information about renting or buying dirt bikes and where to ride them.
My son said this was the best day of his life, so we’ll be riding again soon!        
– Mary Block