UK Women in Motorcycle Sport
As well as trail riding, occasionally in conjunction with Tamsin Jones of Dirt Rides UK we organise off road riding days. Our trail bikes are not suitable for riders less than 5' 5" tall, so the off road days give smaller women the opportunity to ride, and also to passenger on off road sidecars.
Our first one was in March 2024, when Marianne, Tamsin Jones of Dirt Rides UK and Mo Rapley (with Rob Williams) teamed up. Tamsin provided introduction to basic offroad and enduro sessions, Rob and Mo provided beginner trials sessions, and Marianne organised sidecar passengering on three different types of off road sidecar: grass track, enduro and classic motocross, and trials outfits.
Our next is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11th, 12th and 13th April, and although is mainly aimed at women, there will be opportunities for men as well. The venue is Hafod-y-Dafal, Aberbeeg, NP13 2ER, South Wales (only half an hour from the M4 near the bridge).
There will be sessions for trials riding, enduro training, beginner and intermediate offroad with bikes supplied or bring your own. Some sessions are women only and other are mixed men and women. The enduro training for riders with their own bikes only. Participants must be able to ride a motorcycle using clutch and gears but do not need to hold a motorcycle licence as the event is on private land. Motocross clothing is available for a small deposit of £10 cash, which is refunded when all clothing is returned. It must be booked in advance on a first come, first served basis. See below for more information.
Sidecar passengering and driving (subject to the owners consent): grass track, enduro and trials. Also we are hoping to have quad driving available. Basic camping available – Saturday night social in a local restaurant.
Enduro training with Tamsin: hire or bring your own trail, enduro or motocross bike. Available for 14 years up, minimum height 4’ 10”. Price £59 for your first session with hire bike and clothing, if you choose to do a second session it is £49; e.g. you might do a beginner and then an intermediate. Bikes supplied are small wheel TTR125, large wheel TTR125, a CRF125, two CRF230s, a DRZ400 and an enduro bike. On your own bike, the first session is £39, with a second session being £29. You must sign on at least 30 minutes before your session time.
Due to insurance restrictions, trials riding, quad driving and driving and passengering on the sidecars is for 18 and over only.
Trials riding: this is to be provided by my friends on their own personal trials bikes, for which I am immensely grateful. Mo and Rob are happy to demonstrate and teach, so we are still able to provide trials. The sessions will be one hour and cost £49.
The sidecars and quad: sidecar passengering available on enduro and motocross sidecars and trials outfits. A grass track “old and new” sidecar will be present, but the land is not ideal for it – you are welcome to have a short go driving it. Passengering is tiring and you will only do a few minutes at a time. Just turn up and hop on when you are ready. The drivers will advise, as will any experienced passengers. A full set of motocross clothing including body armour is required for the grass track and enduro/mx sidecars – this can be supplied for a returnable fee of £10 cash payable on the day. Driving the sidecar will be at the discretion of the sidecar owner. If you are doing a solo session, the sidecars are included. If you only want to drive and passenger on sidecars, and/or the quad, the price is £29 a day to cover the land use and your insurance.
To book clothing, please let us know what items you need, your height and your sizes: helmet, boots, body armour (back protector and arms), knee pads, mx trousers, shirts/jacket, gloves.
The club can provide information on most sports. Women interested in taking up motorcycle sport, please join our Facebook group.
