Another chance to explore the tracks and trails of the Algarve region on a BMW G 450 X this November

This November, BMW Off Road Skills will be returning to the beautiful Algarve region of Portugal – an area which is an enduro and adventure rider’s dream.

Following a sell-out tour in February and overwhelmingly positive feedback, the Portugese Paradise trip is returning twice inNovember. The original tour was inspired by the launch of the   F 800 GS, which Off Road Skills Chief Instructor Simon Pavey helped to host. With the event a big success, Simon returned to the area to scout out the best local tracks and trails to create the five-day riding tour.

The BMW Off Road Skills team have picked the lightweight BMW G 450 X enduro bike for the tour. This dedicated off-road machine will enable riders to explore more of the Algarve’s beautiful hidden trails and tracks in the company of Chief Instructor Simon Pavey. The two tours will run from 01-05 November and from 08-12 November 2010.

Simon Pavey said: “This tour encompasses a mixture of riding. From twisty mountain roads, fire tracks and water crossings to beautiful forest trails. It’s a dream tour for any rider who’s caught the off-road bug.

“The group will be based at a luxury hotel near the stunning Vilamoura marina for six nights. Then over five days we’ll enjoy some of the best flowing off-road trails I have ever ridden – which is quite something from someone who’s raced all over the world! It’s a chance to enjoy five days of brilliant riding and then relax in the evenings.”

Riders will be able to fly directly into Faro Airport and hotel transfers are provided by BMW Off Road Skills.

The tour costs £1,995 per person which includes motorcycle hire, fuel, six nights of 5-star accommodation, breakfast and lunch, an Off Road Skills guide and a back-up vehicle as well as hotel transfers. It does not include evening meals, drinks or flights.

Participants must have confidently completed the BMW Off Road Skills Level One course or have equivalent off-road riding experience.

For further information click here..



The Portuguese Paradise trip will feature BMW G 450 X enduro bikes

Star bikers Charley Boorman and Ross Noble take on Fifth Gear TV challenge at BMW Off Road Skills

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“What could possibly go wrong”

What’s better: bikes or cars? It’s a question that’s sparked off many a discussion between petrol heads and race fans. And it’s one that keeps coming up on top motoring show Fifth Gear. They’ve raced superbikes against sports cars, pitched riders against drivers, run quarter miles and set blistering times around tracks.

On this week’s show (Thursday 01 July on Channel Five at 7:30pm) they leave the tarmac behind and visit the BMW Off Road Skills centre in Wales to take on a pair of R 1200 GS Adventures – a bike which has proven its off-road credentials time and time again. Fifth Gear presenters Tiff Needell and Jason Plato set up a series of challenges for the bikes and cars to compete in – all they needed was two willing riders.

First up is adventurer and TV star Charley Boorman. Charley has ridden around the world for the Long Way Round TV series and from John o’ Groats to Cape Town on a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure. The second seat is taken by bike-mad comedian Ross Noble – who recently completed a stand-up tour of Australia, travelling around the country on his R 1150 GS.

It was a Pro-Am challenge – with Charley and Ross each teamed up with a Fifth Gear presenter. Tune into the show tomorrow night to see how it went…

Simon Pavey, seven-time Dakar competitor and Chief Instructor at Off Road Skills said: “It was great to have Charley and Ross back here at Off Road Skills. They’re both skilled riders – and top blokes. I helped teach Charley to ride before he set off on the Long Way Round and he’s been improving ever since. Ross is a massive bike fan and a GS owner too.”

BMW Off Road Skills is based in the stunning Brecon Beacons. The team of expert instructors, led by Dakar legend Simon Pavey, run a variety of courses which teach the skills required to ride off-road in the fantastic 4,000-acre Walters Arena in Wales.

To follow in Charley and Ross’ footsteps book your place on a BMW Off Road Skills course, spaces are still available on a number of dates. Visit www.worldofbmw.com or call on free phone 08000 131 282.

Jason Plato, Charley Boorman, Ross Noble and Tiff Needell (Credit: Robert Leveritt)

The weekend of 05-06 June saw the selection of Team UK for the International BMW Motorrad GS Trophy 2010 to be held later this year in Southern Africa. The event involved 90 GS owners competing for just three places in the team at the 4000 acre Walter’s Arena in Wales – home of BMW Off Road Skills.

The three GS-owning riders who will be representing the UK are Alastair Allan who took first place in the final round, Kevin Hammond in second and Mark Kinnard in third.

The competitors were put through five varied stages testing a range of off-road and machine control skills. By the end of the first day the 20 top-scoring riders moved on to the next round – and every stage was extended and made a little more challenging. Sunday saw the 20 reduced to five – who then faced a final round. The tension was palpable, with the spectators following from event to event to cheer on the finalists.

The excitement rose to a peak when the scores were tallied and there was a tie for the final space in the UK team – when the instructors decided that the two hopefuls should ride the final stage again – backwards! Rider Mark Kinnard took the final spot in a truly nail-biting end to the UK qualifier.

The tests were completed on a range of 5 different BMW on-off road motorcycles with the final two rounds completed exclusively on the F 800 GS – the machine selected for the International GS Trophy Final .

The UK qualifying event and five special stages created were organised by seven-time Dakar rally competitor Simon Pavey and judged by his team of BMW Off Road Skills instructors and expert volunteers.

Simon Pavey, Chief Instructor at BMW Off Road Skills said: ‘Overall the event was a great success. We had 90 GS owners with a wide range of skills from the Level One of the Off Road Skills course through to life-long off-road riders competing on a challenging course but they all entered into the spirit of the event and it was fun for all involved. The standard of riding was excellent, especially among the finalists.’

The international round of the GS Trophy takes place from 13 – 21 November across South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique and involves teams of riders from around the world competing in off-road challenges and competitions. Other nations entering include the USA, Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, Scandinavia (Denmark/Sweden/Norway/Finland), South Africa and Switzerland/Austria.

For a full list of results from the UK qualifying event of the GS Trophy 2010 click on the links to the right.

World of BMW are pleased to confirm actor and adventurer, Charley Boorman and comedian Ross Noble’s attendance at Simon Pavey’s BMW Off Road Skills School this summer.
Famed for his riding adventures across America, Europe, Africa and Asia, the star of Long Way Round, Long Way Down, Race to Dakar and By Any Means, will be brushing up on his off-road riding, with Dakar legend and chief off-road skills instructor, Simon Pavey.
And if one celeb isn’t enough, comedy legend Ross Noble will also be taking part in some enduro style riding in June. Aside from being a barrel of laughs, Ross is also a passionate biker and most recently completed a 26,000km trip across Australia on a BMW R 1150 GS Adventure.
Simon Pavey, who is currently on Charley Boorman’s Live Tour until the end of March, said: “It will be great fun having Charley and Ross on board. Having taught Charley the basics of off-road riding and watched him complete one off-road adventure after another it has given me great satisfaction. Perhaps – he’ll even have a go at a bit of teaching!
“Ross is also a talented off-road rider, and I look forward to a few jokes as he charges along!”
Set in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, BMW Off Road Skills offers customers the opportunity to develop off-road riding skills or improve on skills already gained.  The two day course takes place at the impressive Walters Arena – a location which boasts over 4,000-acres of land and numerous trails.

Off Road Skills courses are open to anyone over 21 with a full motorcycle licence. Experienced instructors guide participants through a learning programme designed to give them the best possible grounding for getting the maximum enjoyment out of off-road riding.

Simon Pavey, said: “Our enthusiasm for motorcycling is self evident in every one of our instructors. We love everything about riding and are constantly looking at new ways to give our customers the ultimate motorcycling experience. Our courses cater for every level and we also offer riding experiences such as Brecon Beacons Discovery and Day in the Dirt which are ideal for participants to consolidate the essential skills learned on our courses.”

For more information on BMW Off Roads Skills please call 08000 131 282 or visit www.offroadskills.com