D.A.R.T. ADV Motorcycle Train/Tour Beyond Basics & Advanced

$2100 per person

Adventure Riding Immersion Train/Tour with
Dragoo Adventure Rider Training (D.A.R.T.)

BEYOND BASICS Session • August 19-23, 2024

ADVANCED Session • August 24-28, 2024
Hisega Adventure Lodge
Black Hills, South Dakota

Beyond the Basics training will focus on balance and control, rather than using muscle and speed to get safely through the rough. Our building-block exercises will help you become comfortable with body position, slow-speed maneuvering, line selection, climbing, descending, braking and more, in an off-road environment. First, we will work on off-road motorcycle drills and skill development in a controlled environment. Then, your experience will extend to actual obstacles on real trails.

This ride is for you if:

You have not taken formal adventure motorcycle training but have dabbled off road
You ride mostly gravel or pavement
You’re looking to build a technically sound off-road skills base
You’re looking to complete your first BDR, BDR-X, multi-day off pavement tour or adventure a little further off the gravel.

The Advanced Adventure Bike training will help you go deeper into the back country and to ride more confidently with almost any group. This session is designed for riders with off-pavement experience or who have completed a D.A.R.T. Levels 1 and 2 class (beginner to intermediate) or equivalent and can confidently perform those skills in a wild environment.

In your advanced training and tour, we will focus on increasing your speed through advanced braking, cornering and line selection, overcoming technical obstacles and some single-track. Adventure motorcycles are more capable than many riders realize. This tour will help you achieve a greater appreciation for what your machine can do and equip you with the skills to make it all happen at a faster pace.

This tour is for you if:

You can confidently make small-radius turns on your motorcycle while standing
You can ride short rock gardens with “baby head” -sized rocks
You can self-recover your motorcycle off a steep climb
You have taken an Adventure Motorcycle basics course and can confidently perform those skills learned

Each off-road motorcycle training and tour session is a 4-night/3-day program. Exact routing and elements are subject to change.

Bill Dragoo is an Internationally certified BMW Motorrad off road instructor. His D.A.R.T. curriculum uses “building-block” exercises to bolster your confidence and skill as you progress from one element to the next. D.A.R.T. is truly dedicated to the training of both new and experienced riders

Read more about Bill Dragoo at billdragoo.com

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4 Nights / 3 Days

18+ Age

Adventure

Clinic

Co-Ed

Group Rides

Motorcycle

Destination

Hisega Adventure Lodge, Black Hills SD
Included

Accommondation

Meals
Not Included

All Rental Fees / Trail Fees for Activities

From Our Gallery

Arrival: Saturday

Saturday arrival can be arranged at anytime but usually starts around 2pm. Check in and get comfortable with you accommodations. Reception dinner is at 6:30pm where you'll get to know Bill and the other riders.

Day 1: Sunday

The first day of your adventure starts with an amazing group breakfast and fresh roasted coffee. The rest of the day is all training and will build your skills for the days to come. We’ll travel to nearby locations that compliment Bill’s training program. You’ll learn your motorcycle with a series of drills giving you the confidence to tackle the days ahead. Lunch is served out on the trail and dinner at the lodge after the day's adventures.

Day 2 & 3: Monday and Tuesday

Days 2 and 3 are spent immersing yourself in the area and discovering a fraction of the 3,600 miles of roads and trails the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota has to offer. While we are riding, we don’t forget about training. We will take opportunities to practice a few more skills and drills, as trails allow, for a truly immersive, one of a kind experience. Lunch is served out on the trail and dinner at the lodge after the day's adventures.

What to Expect

What you can expect from training: Proper body position for off-road riding Balance skills Throttle and clutch skills Tight turning Off-road braking skills Traction control Failed hill climb recovery How to tackle and avoid obstacles What to expect while touring: 60-90 miles of mostly gravel roads, double track and trails Support/Chase vehicle Terrain varies depending on the conditions. We’ll prepare you for what’s to come. Lunch on the trail Adventure! We prepare for most things but you never know what the trail might throw at you.

What's Included in Your Experience:

• Comfortable, relaxing accommodations at the Hisega Adventure Lodge • All meals • Post-ride beer and wine • Trail snacks • Off-road skills training day • Three days of on-trail training and touring Support/Chase vehicle • Good times, fresh skills, amazing food and new friends

What to Bring:

• Motorcycle (any brand or size will do) • Off-road/Adventure tires (50/50 or knobbier is highly recommended) Rider protection • DOT or Snell certified helmet, full-face protection is preferred • CE rated elbow, knee, shoulder and hip protection (highly recommended) • Tall, sturdy adventure riding boots • Gloves • Rain layer • Hydration pack with compartment for snacks • A great attitude!

Tips for your days of Training and Touring:

It all starts with attitude. The drills can be taxing and frustrating but remember you’re here to learn and perfect skills. When drills get hard take a deep breath reset and try again. Luggage is bulky and support is never far away during your stay. Bikes will be luggage free to keep the bike light for training. Panniers, tail and tank bags will be left at the lodge to allow you maximum opportunities for fun and adventure. This is training and bikes get dumped regularly. If you don’t have crash bars or hand guards it may be time for the investment. They are much cheaper than new fairings. Ride where you're comfortable but don’t be afraid to stretch that comfort zone. Most of this is new to you and you can only progress if you try. Riding off road for three days straight is hard. Start working out now, increasing your strength and cardio in preparation.

Location

Our adventures are all based out of the Hisega Adventure Lodge, a 111 year old lodge in the easternmost section of the Black Hills National Forest, twenty minutes from Rapid City Center. Here you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature — the wind blowing through the ponderosa pines and the relaxing babble of Rapid Creek as it flows along the property. Our group rides all take place in the beautiful Black Hills National Forest, on designated trails.

Getting here

Hisega Adventure Lodge is located at 23101 Triangle Trail, Rapid City, SD 57702. The nearest airport, the Rapid City Regional Airport, is located 25 miles east of the Lodge. Transportation to and from the airport is available to all guests. For guests who choose to drive to the lodge, here are directions from well-known locations. Sioux Falls, SD: Take I-90 W 345 miles to Rapid City, then take exit 57 for I-190 S/US-16 W toward Black Hills National Forest/Mt. Rushmore/Downtown Rapid City. Stay on this road for roughly 1.5 miles, then turn right onto West Main St. In 5 miles, turn turn left onto Jackson Blvd/SD-44. You'll stay on this road for 9.3 miles. You'll see a sign for Hisega Lodge, and will turn left onto Hisega Rd. Continue for 1.3 miles until you come to a T intersection. Take a left here, and you'll see the lodge on your right. Minneapolis, MN: Head out of Minneapolis on US-169 S. Take this for approximately 73 miles, then continue straight onto MN-60 W for 87 miles, then turn right onto I-90. Stay on I-90 for 399 miles then take exit 57 for I-190 S/US-16 W toward Black Hills National Forest/Mt. Rushmore/Downtown Rapid City. Stay on this road for roughly 1.5 miles, then turn right onto West Main St. In 5 miles, turn turn left onto Jackson Blvd/SD-44. You'll stay on this road for 9.3 miles. You'll see a sign for Hisega Lodge, and will turn left onto Hisega Rd. Continue for 1.3 miles until you come to a T intersection. Take a left here, and you'll see the lodge on your right. Denver, CO: Head North on I-25 N. You'll stay on this for around 110 miles. You'll enter Wyoming, pass Cheyenne, then take exit 17 for US-85 N toward Torrington. Stay on US-85 N (which will merge with US-18 E at Lusk, WY) for 178 miles. Then turn right to stay on US-18 E and head into South Dakota. Stay on US-18 E for 34 miles, then turn left onto SD-89 N. Continue on SD-89 N for 57 miles, merging with US-385 N at Pringle, SD and US-16 E at Custer. Turn right onto SD-44 E and drive 7.7 miles, then turn right onto Hisega Road. Continue for 1.3 miles until you come to a T intersection. Take a left here, and you'll see the lodge on your right.