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.

Gary Taylor

Gary has been in the motorcycle scene for nearly 5 decades!

He has raced on track, taken part in the British Enduro Championship, coached riders on track days and off road.

For many years Gary was the training manager for Riders for Health, a charity providing motorcycles, training and support for health workers in some of Africa’s hardest to reach communities. 

Gary has been in demand on the big screen as well, part of the stunt team for films including Man from Uncle, standing in for the lead actor in a breath taking motorcycle chase. 

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.

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.

James Meston

James launched the Desert Rose eBike Xperience with Patsy in 2023. 

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. Over the next few years, he was heavily involved in the enduro scene and competed in two prestigious I.S.D.E events. He 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. 

His relaxed and humorous style quickly gives newcomers confidence and new found skills. Zippy has excellent motorcycling skills, but more importantly he has the ability to pass on these skills to others, which is a problem that many ex-champion riders find when they move into teaching. 

Rider Reviews

Check out some of our 5 star reviews from the adventure alumni.

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.

Ready to ride?

Response time: 24 hours

(Please note, we only run private and group events on weekdays)

Email:

info@adventureridingacademy.com