True Adventure Offroad Academy, enduro school with the Africa Twin

Edited by Marco Mauriello

True Adventure Offroad Academy – On the weekend between 26 and 27 November, in Carpaneto Piacentino, the last event of the year of the True Adventure Offroad Academy was held, the driving school dedicated to Honda off-road vehicles, characterized by a simple, economically accessible formula ( starting from 160 euros) and very successful. Not surprisingly this year all events were completely sold out and the obvious intent is to reconfirm itself in 2017. To participate it is necessary to own a Honda motorbike from the current 'Adventure' range: therefore CRF1000L Africa Twin (by far the most popular and, in our opinion, the most suitable of all), Crosstourer, Crossrunner, NC750X, CB500X, but older models such as Transalp and Varadero are also allowed. For non-owners of Honda motorbikes it is possible to participate by renting one of those made available by the school itself. We have been entrusted with aafrican twin equipped with ABS and HSTC traction control, in the version with the traditional 6-speed gearbox, although, in reality, we were much more curious to try the off-road behavior of the now famous and highly appreciated DCT dual clutch sequential gearbox. Maybe next time. What really matters is that after many (perhaps too many) years of absence, the legendary "Africa" ​​has finally returned in style, defeating the competition and immediately climbing onto the podium of the best-selling motorcycles on the market.

The cost of the course is 160 euros with your own motorbike, or 300 euros with a school motorbike. Really interesting price when compared to those of the competition, considering that it is a two-day course and that two lunches and a dinner in a farmhouse are also included. The True Adventure Offroad Academy might seem like an entry-level driving course, at least on paper, aimed above all at off-road novices, at those who are approaching the world of off-roading for the first time and wisely decide to do so in total safety, under the guidance of expert instructors. For this reason, while we were traveling to the farm, chosen as the base for this two days of off-roading, we imagined we would only find participants who were young, inexperienced or in any case in a condition similar to that of the writer: a good experience on asphalt and driving sporty, but totally lacking in off-road driving knowledge, especially on large maxi enduros. And instead, as soon as we arrived, we were sensationally proven wrong: in fact, most of the students were seasoned enduro riders, some well over fifty who, by their own admission, after years and years of improvised and insecure driving, have decided to improve themselves, discovering thanks to this course techniques and tricks of the trade that they had always ignored before.

On Saturday morning we start with a real theory lesson. The professor is Marcello Romano, known as "Bulldozer". We don't know if this nickname is due to the fact that he is practically unstoppable on enduro bikes or if, more simply, it is due to his imposing size, what is certain is that his CV is top notch, with a long list of national and international races, and even wildcards in the enduro world championship.

During the theoretical session, the Bulldozer and his assistants they insist a lot on aspects that may apparently seem simple but which, on the contrary, are fundamental to safely ride a 95 horsepower and over 200 kg Africa Twin on dirt roads, avoiding holding on to the handlebars and always maintaining full control of the bike, even in the most extreme situations. It is explained to us in great detail the right position in the saddle, the direction of gaze, the correct way to hold the motorcycle between your legs need push on the platforms, as well as the movements to do with the body in the different driving phases (cornering, uphill, downhill, braking). Once the theory is over, the exercises begin with the bike stopped. Believe us, it was truly incredible how even the most experienced off-roaders, once they got on the saddle, initially made a total mistake in positioning their body!

After finding the correct driving position, we move from theory to practice in a special training area, facing a very long series of tests: wide and then progressively narrower slaloms, inversions, accelerations, emergency braking and even a ford at the end of the day. Day 1 of the course ends like this. A completely new experience (challenging without scaring anyone, not even the least experienced) for those who have never done "off", a nice training session for those who have already been enduro riders for some time, with the possibility of learning many useful things, as well as to correct mistakes that perhaps you didn't even know you were making. It is therefore an incredibly useful first day to achieve mastery of the medium, for everyone. Furthermore, the exhausting exercises on Saturday will prove essential to face the much more challenging day 2 without fear.

The Sunday program includes, in fact, 90 km of pure dirt road (Or better, of pure mud given the heavy rains of the days preceding the course) in the splendid Piacenza countryside. Therefore, no more exercises in a closed area with the instructor following you step by step, now it gets more serious. During the day we faced all possible and imaginable conditions: hard, soft, rocky terrain, mud mixed with leaves, very steep climbs and descents, very long and deep fords. The true enduro rider's paradise. Thanks to the lessons and exercises of the previous day, with our maxi enduros we managed to overcome routes that, before taking part in this course, we would have thought could only be covered with light 250 single-cylinder bikes.

Though exhausted we emerged unscathed and satisfied, without ever falling, as happened to more than one student. In any case, including any falls (all strictly low speed and with zero damage to the motorbikes) they are part of the game and, in their own way, serve to learn, because they allow you to understand what went wrong, adjusting your aim, even with the help of the instructors.

Finally, The climate that reigns during the True Adventure Offroad Academy is also truly beautiful. The very nice Marcello "Bulldozer" and his colleagues manage to find the perfect mix between professionalism and humor, making the experience as a whole was truly very pleasant and fun. At certain times, rather than an official Honda driving course, It felt like a normal outing with friends, where the more experienced give advice to the less skilled.
This, together with the low cost and the possibility of conveniently renting the motorbike on site, is the secret of the success of this riding school, certainly also aimed at beginners, but which in reality ends up being equally excellent for more experienced enduro riders, who for years have mistakenly believed they already knew everything about off-road driving.

All the dates for the 2017 season will be published shortly and, given the great success, it is advisable to book well in advance (here is the link to the True Adventure Offroad Academy website).

Test clothing:
Jacket: Dainese Carve Master Gore-Tex
Trousers: Dainese New Galvestone Gore-Tex
Gloves: Dainese Carbon D1 Short
Boots: Stylemartin
Helmet: AGV AX-8 Dual Evo