- MEET THE FACES BEHIND THE GOGGLES
Our instructors
With a wealth of experience gained from Desert Rose Racing and literally thousands of miles off road, the Desert Rose Riding Academy is all about sharing that knowledge with you. So without further ado, meet the team who is here to help support your riding adventures.
A little bit about us
Founded in 2009 by Patsy Quick, The Academy is here for anyone who wants to travel overland by motorcycle, explore the unknown, take part in their first enduro, take to the trails and green lanes, join a tour, explore the TET, sign on for a hare and hounds event or take part in a rally. So whether you are a new rider, a born again biker, retired racer or green lane newbie The Academy can help you on your next adventure.
Instructor profiles
Patsy Quick
Patsy Quick is probably the best known female off-road motorcycle rider in the UK today. During more than 20 years of riding, she has completed major overland expeditions, been British Women’s Enduro Champion, European Women’s Champion and competed in many international rallies, including 4 Dakars. Her “can do” and “never give up” attitude is a true inspiration. Patsy featured in the Channel 4 Series, Escape in 2017, hosted by Ant Middleton.
She is passionate about helping people learn and improve, her reward is seeing their enjoyment as they do so. Patsy established the Academy with the goal of providing the best quality training, in a friendly and non-pressurised environment, to take people as far as they want to go, be that competent green-laning or the Dakar Rally.
Harry Michael
Harry has come a long way in a short space of time. He joined Desert Rose at the tender age of 18 in 2015 following completion of a motorcycle mechanics course.
Not only a talented rider, but a natural teacher, coach and instructor, able to adapt his style to riders of different abilities and levels of experience. Harry seems to be able to help riders of all abilities get more from their riding.
Having the experience of supporting international rallies alongside Desert Rose Racing, he has become a real asset to the Academy.
Throughout his time at Desert Rose, Harry has continued racing and reached his short term goal of completing the extreme enduro race ‘Red Bull Romaniacs’ in 2020, completed the Qatar Baja in 2021 and Valleys Xtreme enduro in early 2022.
Paul King
Paul got his first taste of dirt bikes back in the mid 1970s! He really is that old! Inspired by Dave Taylor “The Wheelie King” he loves talking about motorbikes, looking at motorbikes and riding motorbikes.
He has ridden extensively in the UK, across Europe and Africa. Off road riding has included trails in the UK, Southern Ireland and Portugal, as well as harsher terrain in the deserts of Morocco, the hills and plateau of Zambia and the mountains of Lesotho, including the infamous Jockstrap Pass. He has advanced rider qualifications with IAM and ROSPA and is a member of the TRF.
James Meston
James heads up the Desert Rose eBike Experience.
He started riding off road motorcycles at the tender age of 5!
He started competing in motocross at the age of 12 and progressed through the ranks to expert level.
In 2013, in his early thirties he moved across to enduro, competing in the British championships, Red Bull Romainiacs and Hixpania.
His passion for all things off road comes across in his coaching and training style.
CLIVE “ZIPPY” TOWN
Zippy, the man, the myth, the legend! His first rally was the Optic 2000 which he entered with no previous experience of any sort of enduro. His sense of navigation and natural confidence of riding off road, lead him to the finish, where he narrowly missed out on the first Brit award. Over the next few years, he was heavily involved in the enduro scene and competed in two prestigious I.S.D.E events, where he received a bronze finishers medal. Clive was Patsy’s riding partner on the Dakar for three years and like Patsy in 2006, reached his goal by getting to the finishing line. Since then he has also competed in the extreme enduro The Red Bull Romaniacs in 2008 and 2010.
Joe Mercer
We first met Joe when he joined us on the Tour of Portugal way back in 2016, with his background in the automotive industry and easy-going personality he fitted right in with the team.
Joe has ‘an old head on young shoulder’ approach. You can depend on him to evaluate any given situation and come up with a workable solution, a great asset in the Rallye world, where thinking outside of the box is often essential.
Although Joe is more involved with the rallye side of Desert Rose, he is an experienced and confident off-road rider and is able to instill confidence in newer riders.
Every now and then Joe gets the chance to take part in an event as a rider, but Joe being Joe, doesn’t opt for the easy option; most recently taking on the near 2000 km Greek Odyssey Balkan Edition rally on his 1990s Honda Africa Twin. Needless to say, he finished all stages, including the grueling off road sections which had many of the enduro riders turning back!
Take a look at Joe’s Rallye Life over at Desert Rose Racing.
Rider Reviews
Check out some of our 5 star reviews from the adventure alumni.
Mike B
Looking for adventure?
With only 8 slots per session, spaces are getting filled fast! Get booked in with our online booking system, click for available courses.
