MuddX Introduction to Outrides & De Wildt - 16 August 2008 (Newbies)

Dear Noobie Dirt Biker.

 

There are two types of dirt biker out there. The Motocrosser (these are the folk that prefer track riding with jumps and berms and the like), and the Enduro rider or outrider (that’s me – take your bike out into the bush and deal with what nature throws at you).

 

If you’re just getting into the game and the “outride” option is the one doing it for you right now then read on.

 

MuddX (Pty) Ltd is an organization committed to extreme sports, initially in South Africa, with specific focus at the moment on dirt biking. We do this through the marketing of branded apparel and products and the organization and hosting of tours and events.

 

One event that has had enormous success this year is our monthly Introduction to Outrides and De Wildt.

 

One of the biggest problems for new enduro enthusiasts is that the available places to go and ride in Gauteng are very limited, and due to the ever increasing number of like minded enthusiasts, very crowded. Most folk in this game have heard of the De Wildt area in the North West Province near Brits. It is considered the mecca for outriding if you’re from the Gauteng or North West Provinces. The only problem is that it has this stigma attached that it is only suitable for intermediate or extremely seasoned riders. This is absolutely not so!!!!

 

What our Introduction to Outrides and De Wildt events tries to accomplish are the following:

• Introduce new offroad riders to a proper Outride
• Introduce new offroad riders to De Wildt
• Provide some low-level rider training
• Make sure that everyone has so much fun and gains enough confidence to return on their own and enjoy this sport

 

How we do this is very simple. We take between 20 – 25 riders on a well organised outride that leaves from and returns to the Morula Sun Hotel. The pace of the ride is limited to that of the slowest in the group. We have frequent stops to:

• Show you where you are in the De Wildt area, with specific reference to recognisable landmarks
• Explain the type of terrain coming up
• Explain how best to ride the terrain coming up

 

There are usually at least five MuddX riders to assist. One in the lead, one at the rear, one on each flank, and one roving up and down the rider column. We make sure that nobody gets lost, that nobody is pushed beyond their limits, and that everybody has fun. If there is an obstacle on the trail that a rider is not comfortable with, there is never any pressure to attack it. One of the MuddX riders will either take your bike across the obstacle for you or show you an alternate route around it.

There is a drinks and snacks stop approximately 65% of the way into the ride and a boerie roll braai and drinks waiting at the Hotel when we return.

The Morula Sun Hotel is approximately an hour’s drive from Johannesburg. We meet there between 8:00 and 8:30 and try to get riding by as close to 9:00 as we can. We usually return back to the Hotel by 14:00-14:30.

 

The event will cost each rider R175 which includes the half way snacks and drinks and the final braai and drinks. The hotel swimming pool is also available for a nominal charge of R10 per head.

 

If this interests you, give me a shout on 083 615 8776 or drop me an e-mail at steve.lauter@iafrica.com

 

Our next one will be on Saturday, August 16^th 2008.

 

Hope to see you there

 

Steve Lauter

  

 

Some comments from previous participants:

Had the best time ever out at Dewildt on Saturday, and you did a great job organising it all. Thanks again and I look forward to riding with you guys now that I’m more confident … the riverbed and 3 Fences and Back of the Moon that we couldn’t fit in.

*******************************************************************************************************************************……and I think you and your crew deserve all the plaudits you get. It was an excellent day out…..This rates as probably one of the best days of riding I had since I started. Did not feel compelled to do anything I was not comfortable with. Challenging as well.*******************************************************************************************************************************Thank you so much for the ride on 3 Feb. it was great I learned so much and a very big thank you to all the guys that helped me out on the ride they were really great, I will definitely be there on the next one please book me in, just let me know when the money is requiredOnce again thank you so much*******************************************************************************************************************************Just to say thank you for the ride on Saturday, think it is the best ride I have had at DeWilt. It was nice to ride up front and not to be worrying about getting lost or upsetting people by riding too slow. It was a great confidence boost for me as I realized my riding skills are not as bad as I thought, it is my fitness that needs worked on. Thanks again for your help and patience with us slower riders. Best R150.00 I have spent since I got my bike ! Thanks to all involved. *******************************************************************************************************************************Awesome, awesome day, I feel so much better about riding, still not where I want to be but you and your helpers are awesome. Please book me in for the next one, just let me know when************************************************************************Hi Steve, had a great time on Saturday. Thanks to you and your team for a really well organised ride.**********************************************************************************Well done again. Very well organized. Awesome, and thanks again.********************************************************Thanks so much for a fantastic ride on Saturday. It was really awesome! Please keep me on your mailing list as I hope to join the rides as often as possible.*****************************************************************************Big ups to you and the sweepers, thanks for another fantastic day out at De Wildt….I have been to both these Newbie rides and to everyone considering them, they are well worth it. Organisation was fantastic. Once again thank you for an unreal day in bringing a no go zone for newbies to us…*****************************************************************************Just wanted to say great job on this past saturday, it was an awesome day out in the dirt. Would like to thank you and the rest of the guys that helped out for a great ride and introduction to DeWildt. Would glady join if anymore of these socials are to happen, (please keep me informed).****************************************************************************Just wanted to say great job on this past saturday, it was an awesome day out in the dirt. Would like to thank you and the rest of the guys that helped out for a great ride and introduction to DeWildt. Would glady join if anymore of these socials are to happen, (please keep me informed). *****************************************************************************Thanks again for a great day on Saturday, I feel like I am getting better and better all the time Its awesome!!!!!!!!!!!My confidence is way up there, I can join in on Sams race on 17th  thanks to you and your guys : )*****************************************************************************To all who attended the ride on Sat I just like to say thanks you’re a great bunch and i had a lot of fun. To Steve and Brad and Sean and all the other marshalls , a special thanks, it was far better than expected and I believe that for people who haven’t realy experienced DeWildt properly this would defenately be my recommendation of the way to do it especially for the first time. Steve great organisation far better than expected and I will return as my small brain coudn’t process all the directions and markers in one ride. Will need a few more in order to really get my bearings. Thanks a lot guys, keep up the performance, you’re doing a great job of promoting the sport. *****************************************************************************Hey Steve,Thanks again for the ride on Saturday…best fun I’ve had on my bike so far.******************************************************Hi Steve,Just a quick note to say thanks for a great ride on Saturday, Having done the Newbie Ride a month ago, and now the intermediate, it has certainly given me the confidence to go to Dewildt with mates, and would be highly recommended to anyone I meet.******************************************************Hi Steve,Thanks for a great day on Saturday,  I really enjoyed myself and liked the terrain at De Wildt. I will certainly be back, keen to try out the tougher sections and get more familiar with the area.***********************************************Thank you once again for a perfect day : )

***********************************************

We had a great ride the weekend at De Wildt and will be back soon thanks for the effort and time spent with us newbies.***********************************************Hi Steve, Just to say thank you for another great ride on Saturday.  Once again just like to say thanks to you for giving your time to us slow riders and newbies. It is really appreciated. Please pass my thanks on to Brad, Anthony and all who helped on Saturday. ***********************************************Man, that was an awesome ride, can’t wait for the next one. Those who have not done one of these rides do yourself a favour and go on the next one. The terrain is so varied and the marshals are very helpful. I learnt a lot and can’t wait to try it out on the next ride. Definitely the best ride I have done.