Once again the Desert Rose team headed out to the Western Algarve for 3 weeks of trail riding. We had several groups of riders join us, from those who wanted to hone their own navigation skills and technical riding to those who wanted a guided trail ride. The guided trail ride group had opportunities for some coaching and tips from the Desert Rose instructors along the way, helping everyone improve their riding and build their confidence.

Wow, wow, wow. What a year it’s been. From keeping warm round the fire pit in early January and Patsy’s warm up drill running across the fields, to the heat of the desert in Morocco in November. We have been lucky enough to see 100s of riders come through the Academy this year, we have become a BikeShed accredited partner, we have attended Camp VC for the first time, the Malle Mile and BikeShed show, we have spent the weekend at the ABR festival, taken groups of riders through trails in the western Algarve, we have hosted the Met Police BikeSafe Team, the Kent Fire and Rescue Service Biker Down Team, the Malle Marshals and we have helped the BSMC Rallye Team realise their dream and take part in their first rallye, over in Greece. We have partnered with the team at Sinnis to create an off road training school for learner and newer riders. We have seen riders attend our courses from ROSPA and IAM advanced rider groups as well as corporate days out for different companies.

After a long enforced wait, Desert Rose are finally back in the desert. It could be said that it is our spiritual home, with miles and miles of open flowing desert piste and sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see it is the perfect location for our desert boot camps. We were lucky enough to be able to call on the experience of “Zippy” who many believe lives out here in the desert, along with Harry, to provide the important insights into tackling deep sand, sharp seemingly limitless and practically sheer faces of the bigger dunes.

Ever wanted to do some basic maintenance on your enduro bike? Whether you want to know how to change oil and air filters, change worn brake pads or put new tyres on your bike this short 1/2 day workshop will give you the confidence to know what you are capable of. We will talk about: Tyre Choice: Tubes – tubeless – tubeless – mousses Trail tools vs workshop tools Bike set up Know your bike – fuses, fuel, oil fill/drain plug, display, ignition/power lead, map switch/abs switch Levers – Bars – bar risers Daily/Pre Ride Checks Nuts and bolts Wheels/bearings Chain/sprockets Brakes Routine maintenance including Oil and filter change, brake pad change and tyre change.