Off-road motorcycle courses and adventure bike classes with Bret Tkacs, in small groups across the US, April–July 2027.
Same method everywhere, different dirt. Pick the ground you want to learn on, not just the closest.
The only class that moves. New backcountry every day.
Fly in and rent a bike locally
Requires 25+ mph on packed gravel on arrival. Can't keep pace? No refund. Am I Ready?
Also in Idaho
Ozark mud and rock on a private moto ranch.
Tight woods by day, a horse farm with breakfast by night.
Red clay that changes grip by the hour.
Where the Cascades meet the high desert.
Train by day, rally by night.
A purpose-built ADV ranch, hosted by GRIT Moto.
Pick Jul 23–25, 2027 on GRIT Moto's page; its price and terms apply.
| Location | The Ground | You'll Work On | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | Deep sand, loose 30° hills, bedded rock, fast gravel roads | Traction, momentum, hill technique, fatigue management | Nampa hotels or free BLM camping |
| Arkansas | Mud, rock garden, ruts, off-camber, whoops, logs, grass | Obstacles, ruts and traction in mud | Camp or RV on site, indoor showers |
| Virginia | Wooded trails, open fields, logs, roots, hills, rocky climbs; Sunday on MABDR-style roads | Precision control, line choice, obstacles | Camp on the farm, or book a cabin |
| Georgia | Red clay, ruts, steep climbs, off-camber, whoops, logs | Throttle control, balance, traction recovery | Rustic camping, or hotels in Hayesville |
| Oregon | Sand, hardpack, forest roads with roots, grass, logs; Sunday near the ORBDR | Line selection, surface transitions, braking | Dry camping included, RV hookups bookable |
| Washington | Forest roads, deep sand, hardpack, logs, tight turns; Sunday rides the WABDR | Low-speed balance, traction in reduced grip | Camp at the rally, showers included |
| Utah | Rock gardens, sand, mud, water crossings, custom obstacles | Rock, sand and water crossings | Set by GRIT Moto |
They have a cerebral and astute approach to training that provides the ‘why’ behind what they are teaching rather than just directing to do it a certain way without explanation.
The money that I invested with Bret Tkacs in training has far greater value than the money I invested in the motorcycle itself.
I pushed myself hard in a VERY accepting environment to failure. No pressure from others waiting for you to complete a task as the ride area was wide open and more often than not, everyone could practice at once.
Four questions. Get your class and its next dates.
Your Class Appears Here
You learn why each technique works, so it still holds when you ride alone.
Evening meet-and-greet and course briefing.
Seated and standing technique, bike setup, low-energy riding, traction, braking, slow-speed balance, picking up a dropped bike.
Ruts and narrow track, climbs and descents, slide turns, line choice, terrain reading, risk decisions. Graduation dinner.
+$450. 4–5 hours of real-world riding: vision and terrain reading. Idaho: a 6-hour backcountry ride. Needs both training days and enhanced gear.
Bret TkacsLead InstructorTeaching riders since 1996, with a degree in adult education and 49 countries ridden. He reads what your bike is doing to see what you're doing.
Paul SolomonsonInstructor16 years teaching riders. Paul turns complex ideas into simple, memorable language and makes sure every rider gets the support they need.
Christina TkacsRegistrations and Rider SupportKeeps every class running smoothly, from registration to the riding days, and often supports riders in person at class.
Greg DiBernardoInstructor, Georgia and VirginiaRoad racer, dirt rider and international adventure rider.
Nick PalmerIdaho Support RiderHe'll lift your bike when it goes down, and carry it through a hard section if that's what it takes.Bring any bike you'd ride in the dirt; a smaller one is usually easier. Bikes aren't included, but in Idaho you can rent one locally. Borrowing a bike? Fit crash protection first.
ADV Training outside Idaho
Body armor strongly recommended. Hot weather: MX armor under a loose jersey.
All Idaho classes and Sunday School
A face shield is enough eye protection, and MX armor is fine for elbows and knees.
Still unsure? Ask Bret's ChatGPT guides: Bike Guide · Boot Guide (with Atomic Moto)
A $500 deposit holds your spot. Payment plans run until 21 days before class, and trip insurance is offered at checkout. Sunday School: refund minus 15% if you cancel by email by the night before.
| Notice | Refund |
|---|---|
| 91+ Days Before Class | Full Refund Minus $100 Transaction Fee |
| 22–90 Days Before Class | Full Refund Minus $500 Reservation Hold |
| 21 Days or Less Before Class | No Refund |
| Replacement Rider Pays Full Tuition | Full Refund Minus $100 Transaction Fee |
Each class needs a minimum number of riders: 10 at Arkansas, Virginia, Georgia, Oregon and Washington; 4 for Idaho Adventure Training and Idaho Challenge Training; 2 for Idaho Head Start Training. If a class can't run, we'll contact you to arrange a refund or a move to another date.
No. If you're comfortable on pavement, ADV Training starts from the basics. Idaho is the exception: 25+ mph on packed gravel on arrival.
Probably, at low speed. Picking up a dropped bike is taught on day 1. Fit crash protection and lever guards.
Riders in their 70s finish routinely. It runs on technique, not strength, but full days of learning are tiring, so arrive in the best shape you can.
Yes, anywhere except Idaho, where the class rides all day.
For most riders, the group: you learn from watching others and progress faster for less. Private lessons suit competition prep, a specific skill or advanced technique, anywhere in the world. See Private Lessons.
We ride unless it's truly unsafe, like lightning or impassable terrain. We've trained through snow, downpours and 100°F heat.
See the Stay column in the table above. Lodging details arrive by email after you book.
No. Everything is built for heavy, road-legal ADV bikes, where dirt-bike technique can be unsafe.
WABDR, near Mt. Adams
Class dates for the regions you ride, plus new lessons from Bret.
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