Off-road training in France: level 1, 3 days

For riders who already ride regularly on the road, are reasonably fit, and want to learn off-road riding or improve after a few outings on tracks. It teaches riding off tarmac; it is not a road-riding refresher. The group is limited to 8 participants, led by an English-speaking instructor and guide certified by the French Motorcycling Federation.

The one-day course stays on private land. The 2-day course adds one ride. This one adds two, about 174 miles (280 km) of tracks and back roads after the day on the training ground: it is the format that gives you the most time to make the moves second nature. Level 2 comes next, once you have done a first course.

Day 1, a briefing and then a private 4x4 ground in the Beaujolais: obstacle crossings, side slopes, slow riding, braking and exercises matched to your level. Day 2, about 99 miles (160 km) through the wine villages and over the hills on forest tracks. Day 3, about 75 miles (120 km) of hills, flowing tracks and small roads of the Rhône. You spend two nights in a hotel.

That is one of the reasons it exists: two riding days in a row put you in real touring conditions, on tracks and back roads. Some of our tours ask for previous off-road experience, for example From the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Dunes or Upper Mustang. Your travel advisor will tell you whether this course is enough for the tour you have in mind.

A recent Royal Enfield Himalayan 411, an adventure bike built for both road and tracks. You need a full motorcycle licence (A or A2 category) and regular road riding. Unsure whether the bike suits your height? Ask your travel advisor before booking. For travel to France, see the FCDO entry requirements.

Yes, with two riders with a pillion at most per course. With the rider’s agreement, the pillion first rides behind the instructor to learn the right moves, then helps their rider correct theirs during the rides. For the pillion price, ask your travel advisor.

£890 (€990) per rider. The price includes the motorcycle, fuel, third-party motorcycle insurance, the instructor and guide, two nights in a standard hotel, lunch on day 1, dinner on days 1 and 2 and breakfast on days 2 and 3. You pay for lunch on days 2 and 3, your riding gear, travel, a €600 deposit per rider, medical cover if you are not affiliated to French social security and, on your first booking with us, a registration fee of £31 (€35).

Yes, nothing is lent and full gear is compulsory: an approved full-face helmet, high boots, reinforced gloves, a jacket with back protection and trousers with knee protection. Add a rain suit and a water bottle or hydration pack for the rides; nets hold your backpack on the seat. The details are in our help centre.

At 8.30am at Sain-Bel station (69210), west of Lyon, which you can reach by train from Lyon; from the UK, the nearest airport is Lyon Saint-Exupéry. The night before the course is not included. Travelling solo, you share a twin room, or take a single room for €129. There is no support vehicle: if needed, the instructor calls the emergency services.

The season runs from March to November. No dates are online at the moment: your travel advisor will give you the next planned dates and remaining places, and other dates are possible on request. How the tracks ride depends on the weather in the days before, hence the rain suit.