I got in! Shane Watts Dirtwise school

[troy]

Woohoo! The Oct 2 & 3 Dirtwise school in Warrensburg, MO was full, but I was first on the waiting list. I got the call today that someone cancelled, so I'm in!

The class is led by Shane Watts, whose achievements include:

• Six Time Australian Enduro Champion
  Australian 500cc Motocross Champion
  1997 World Enduro Champion
  1998 International Six Day Enduro Overall Champion
  2000 Grand National Cross Country Champion

I've ridden motorcycles most all of my life either on the farm or commuting around town. Only in the last 5 years have I gotten "serious" about motorcycle riding. Although my off-road skills have greatly improved, I'm still a novice when it comes to anything technical. I don't know how to ride a wheelie. I don't know how to do a stoppie (except by accident!). I usually lay the bike down when I try to be cool and slide sideways to a stop (some of you have witnessed this first hand! Doh!) Shane will teach me how to ride a wheelie, do a stoppie, whip a 180, ride over logs, hill climb, etc. I am hoping to take my riding skills to the next level. Wish me luck.

Check out the video on Shane's home page showing a class in action:
http://www.shanewatts.com/home

[KC]

Yeah, Great. Now when you get your Shane Watts Dirtwise Certificate you will be too good to ride with the "Girly Men" won't you???

Congrats, Bro...wish I could go with you. No matter what your skill level is, I think that class would be a whole lot of fun.

[MacWildcat]

Cool, now when we come to one of those obstacles that no one wants to try. We can send the "expert" out in front. I'm sure you will make us all proud Troy....and we be waiting with our cameras when you show us you new found skills!

I wish I had the skills to ride wheelies, do stoppies, etc. Maybe I wouldn't have so many medical appliances laying around.

[Savage]

That looks like alot of fun. Before my dang accident I use to dink around on the trails alot. I'd go down small hills and put on the front brake and stop and see how long I could stand there upright. Stoppies are tricky. I could do them but couldn't ride them out. I got really good at wheelies on the DRZ. The longest one I did I had to go back and pace it out. Came out to 444 feet. ah those were the days.

[ajayhawkfan]

Professor Troy-I will have 15 minutes available, teach me everything you learn.




I'm envious. I wish I could go.

[Hank Moody]

Just remember Troy we will be there to help you up when you fall "expertly" I wish I could go, but for a number of medical and social reasons I can't. Just don't let Shane get you on a KTM!

[troy]

Professor Troy-I will have 15 minutes available, teach me everything you learn.

What are we going to do for the other 8 minutes?

[troy]

I wish I had the skills to ride wheelies, do stoppies, etc. Maybe I wouldn't have so many medical appliances laying around.

EXACTLY! When I explain that I want to learn how to jump, do wheelies, etc, some people think I'm wanting to become a motocrosser or get into dangerous stunts, etc. On the contrary, I want to keep doing the relatively aggressive trail riding I do now, but I want to do it with more skill. I want skills that allow me to ride out of situations that otherwise leave me laying on the ground in pain.

I'm curious to see what I learn about riding over logs. This is one of the specific things Shane teaches on day 2. I've ridden over a few thousand logs--some bigger than I thought I could. I feel like I know what I'm doing, but I still get caught up on too many of them. Logs make for some good photo and video opportunities!

Here we see our own Slimtrader showing how it's done:

[MacWildcat]

Troy, have you viewed the instructional DVDs Shane Watts produces? I'm thinking I could pick up a few pointers for $24.95. I'm sure the hands on experience will be invaluable.

[troy]

Troy, have you viewed the instructional DVDs Shane Watts produces? I'm thinking I could pick up a few pointers for $24.95. I'm sure the hands on experience will be invaluable.

No, I did zero research into Shane's qualifications other than his Bio on his own website. Seriously, I did not even know his name as I do not follow motorcycle racing. I enjoy watching it when I happen to catch it, but I don't know the players. I saw that he has instructional DVDs, and I bet they are good. The class is costing me $350. It's not chump-change, but I think a bargain for what I hope to get out of it.

I have an adventure bike techniques DVD from a popular guy on AdvRider that I found to be very good. Watching a DVD can teach you more than you might expect.

[Harvey Mushman]

There has been a number of FMHS guys that attended Watt's program and they said they enjoyed it alot. I bought his "Dirtwise" DVD about a year ago and it has some good instruction on it. I also understand Watts is very patient and offers alot of individual instruction with each student. Watts is a hell of a rider and has the creds to back it up. You should have a good time.

-Harvey

[slimtrader]

If Shane wants to contact me on my log crossing skills just give him my number Just don't tell him about my trick knee adjustment I invented during wheelie practice. Really does sound like a fun class! I wish I was going to be there with you! Have fun...

[troy]

Due to a cancellation, a slot has opened in the class if one of you wants to join me for this training. Give me a call as time is short. (913) 669-0958

For a taste of what you'd be doing, go to YouTube and search "Shane Watts" then click any of the Dirtwise video links. I hope I leave the 2 days with the ability to do that wheelie 180 turn-around! How many times have I been down a narrow, rocky trail and had to turn around then struggle to get the bike facing the other direction. Hmm...happened maybe 20 times this past weekend in NW Arkansas.

[troy]

If Shane wants to contact me on my log crossing skills just give him my number Just don't tell him about my trick knee adjustment I invented during wheelie practice. Really does sound like a fun class! I wish I was going to be there with you! Have fun...

Hey, Slim! Shane saw this thread and contacted me to see if you'd be willing to be a guest instructor for the log crossing portion. I guess he was very impressed with that photo.

[ajayhawkfan]

Would a big bike be allowed?

[troy]

Would a big bike be allowed?

Eddie, I encourage you to go to YouTube and watch several of the videos people have taken of class and decide if it's right for you and your bike.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... type=&aq=f

From what I've heard about Shane Watts, he'd probably welcome you and you'd learn something, but you'd be odd-man out by a long shot. The class is designed to learn enduro / hare-scramble type skills from a pure dirt bike. Even my TE450 will be a bit larger and heavier than most guys will be on. Also, I believe motocross boots, chest protector, etc are required.

While I have no intention of racing, the same skills required to ride a hare-scramble or enduro are what I need to ride the ATV and single-track trails in Arkansas and Colorado. This kind of riding is what I love more than any other style. I'm hoping to sharpen my skills to prevent injury and allow me to expend less energy while trail riding. I imagine it is similar to snow skiing. I can snow ski, and I love snow skiing. However, my skills are low blue at best. When I watch highly-skilled skiers, their movements seem effortless--because they almost are effortless! In contrast, I expend a massive amount of energy getting down the mountain without falling.

When I'm on a rugged trail crossing 2' deep creeks, bouncing over huge boulders, jumping logs in the trail, scrambling up or falling down a steep hill with 10" rock stair steps and washed out ruts, I'm wasting a lot of energy due to my lack of skill. I have an absolute blast! ...but I expend a lot of energy compared to a super-star like Shane or even compared to guys on this forum like Stu and others.

The more of those Dirtwise video clips I watch, the more I realize I'm taking the right training for what I like to do. There is room for one more student. Contact me if interested.

[ajayhawkfan]

Looking at the Vid and the other information on the class I don't think my monster bike would fit in.

[troy]

BAD NEWS! I got the bike and gear loaded up then got the call--Shane Watts was injured riding today. The school is cancelled of course. The injuries sound bad as in "several broken vertebrae". The caller said he was flown to Kansas City.

[slimtrader]

BAD NEWS! I got the bike and gear loaded up then got the call--Shane Watts was injured riding today. The school is cancelled of course. The injuries sound bad as in "several broken vertebrae". The caller said he was flown to Kansas City.

That stinks. We'll have to make due with our skill lacking slow riding ways for a little while longer. I was hoping you'd give us free pointers and save us the $$$ of taking the course. The nice part is that when I fall with my bike it is usually when going very slow or even stopped in the tight technical stuff. Not too much risk for serious injury there. I only get hurt at home trying to ride 3rd gear wheelies.

[troy]

I found this at http://blogs.dirtrider.com/6591387/news ... index.html

Offroad racing legend Shane Watts was seriously injured yesterday in a crash while setting up for a Dirt Wise Riding School in Warrensburg, Missouri. Watts endoed off of a creek bank and was drilled in the back by his bike. He was forced to walk out by himself. From what we know right now, Watts has fractured the T-5, 6, and 7 vertebrae and is in the ICU awaiting possible surgery to stabilize one of those vertebrae. Along with some broken ribs and other minor injuries sustained in his crash the doctors are keeping him immobilized to prevent any further damage. Shane's wife, Carrie took an early flight this morning to Kansas City, Missouri where he is currently hospitalized at the Research Medical Center. There will be more scans coming soon and further updates will be given as soon as available. Please keep Wattsy and his family in your thoughts and prayers!