I need to learn the basics, what is my best bet?

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wingnutLP

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Location
London :( But I am moving to Freetown in Sierra Le
I want to learn the basicss of recovery and off roading in general. I don't have any experience at all but I am reasonable mecanically minded.

I was thinking about a Thames Valley 4x4 meeting has anyone any experience of them or the Avon Dassett site?

Or would a paid up course with an instructor of some sort be a better beet? If so any suggestions for one?
 
I'd 2nd that - I am new to the greenlaning thing too but have a bit of off-road experience in Africa. I have made contact with the Surrey crowd and hope to join them on a gentle :rolleyes: trip in the next few weeks! I have a Landcruiser so you've been warned :D I have also been in touch with a few new cruiser owners in the Surrey area who are keen to explore, so you're more than welcome to join us.

Whereabouts in London are you?
 
+1 to both previous posts. You can go and learn off an instructor or you can get out and learn for yourself with the many years of combined experience you'll get from greenlaning with a local group.

Just let them know the set up of your vehicle, example...tyres you have, any mods or lift etc and they will let you know if the route they are taking is suitable for your bvehicles capabilities. If you get stuck, you'll learn properly how to be towed or tow others out of various situations and such like.

When my bf Stretchie took our disco out for his first time off roading, we had alot of mud to get through and his first instinct was to drive out of the ruts and try to keep the wheels on high ground. I spent a while sitting in the passenger seat travelling sideway down the track before telling him that if you just let the wheels stay in the ruts.....the car wil steer itself and you won't risk sliding all over the place. He saw the benefit to that as the next track had 4 ft ditches on either side!

There are times when it's better to stay out of the ruts......but that's what experience teaches you and there's no better way to learn than to just get out and do it.

Enjoy yourself and don't panic if you get stuck.....we all do sometimes!!!
 
depends where abouts in london you are based but the herts group will be organising some trips soon and mabe a few of up are up for a trip to a local pay and play day that will be a day of recoverys and techniques and fun Jai
 
gruntygiggles said:
+1 to both previous posts. You can go and learn off an instructor or you can get out and learn for yourself with the many years of combined experience you'll get from greenlaning with a local group.

Just let them know the set up of your vehicle, example...tyres you have, any mods or lift etc and they will let you know if the route they are taking is suitable for your bvehicles capabilities. If you get stuck, you'll learn properly how to be towed or tow others out of various situations and such like.

When my bf Stretchie took our disco out for his first time off roading, we had alot of mud to get through and his first instinct was to drive out of the ruts and try to keep the wheels on high ground. I spent a while sitting in the passenger seat travelling sideway down the track before telling him that if you just let the wheels stay in the ruts.....the car wil steer itself and you won't risk sliding all over the place. He saw the benefit to that as the next track had 4 ft ditches on either side!

There are times when it's better to stay out of the ruts......but that's what experience teaches you and there's no better way to learn than to just get out and do it.

Enjoy yourself and don't panic if you get stuck.....we all do sometimes!!!
Click to expand...

Ah, your Strechie's other half. Saw the pics of dismantled engine parts all over the lounge and PMSL, thought he must have a very understanding OH. :D
 
Medusa said:
Ah, your Strechie's other half. Saw the pics of dismantled engine parts all over the lounge and PMSL, thought he must have a very understanding OH. :D
Click to expand...

He moved in a a lodger, took over the garage, filled my lounge with bike engine and upped my intake of beer by ten fold.......gotta love him....lol
 
The essex lot are a friendly bunch, as are we Herts crowd. You'll learn more by going laning and listening to the advice you are given and getting involved in the recoveries than you ever would anywhere else, (though someone will contradict me I am sure).

I started laning a year ago, made some silly mistakes and took the ribbing that came with it but I have learned more from my friends in Herts during the last year than i ever could have anywhere else.

There is also a wealth of experience and expertise on this forum (sometimes well hidden, occasionally denied but its there nonetheless!). People will give you straight answers (unlike other forums). Don't be afraid to ask questions that seem stupid. They are only stupid when you know the answer, and I can tell ya there are times you wish you'd asked instead of finding out the hard way!

Kris 300tdi is down essex way and is a good contact for laning down there. Or come see us on the Herts Green Laning thread, we don't bite... (unless you ask nicely ;))
 
I was thinking along the same tracks. I have done plenty of miles in sand and in the middle of nowhere, but not a lot on twisty muddy places. What kit is essential for green laning? Chances are I have most of it anyway but I'd feel like a right dunce turning up without something obvious!
 
rustyrhinos said:
I was thinking along the same tracks. I have done plenty of miles in sand and in the middle of nowhere, but not a lot on twisty muddy places. What kit is essential for green laning? Chances are I have most of it anyway but I'd feel like a right dunce turning up without something obvious!
Click to expand...
Nobodys got everything your ever gonna need(spare 300tdi, injun crane etc) but here are a few ideas http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f13/essential-kit-green-laning-70176.html
 
Thanks for the link goonyarmy...only thing I dont have on there is a proper front recovery point I think...something that I meant to do before my last trip but never happened.

Will a standard series landie keep up with you guys?
 
rustyrhinos said:
Thanks for the link goonyarmy...only thing I dont have on there is a proper front recovery point I think...something that I meant to do before my last trip but never happened.

Will a standard series landie keep up with you guys?
Click to expand...
MY old series three only seemed to get stuck when the springs rode up on rocks or summit hard removing traction.Aint got much better ground clearance on me rangie, that tends to let me down.A S3 with decent tires on tickover will slowly chug through mud till the cows come home.Would get a front recovery tho.
 
Desperate Zulu,

If your up Herts way don't worry about the Non landrover you have. It just means more **** taking from us but it doesn't really matter. Ryder somtimes brings out his shogun. Jai
 
Thanks for all the generous offers of a tow, guys :D

I added some Kumho KL71s to my cruiser yesterday, so hopefully I will be a bit more self-sufficient in future! I am playing with the cruiser-boys this weekend but I'll be joining the Surrey LR crew for some lanes soon :cool:

IMG_1634.jpg
 
Desperatezulu said:
Thanks for all the generous offers of a tow, guys :D

I added some Kumho KL71s to my cruiser yesterday, so hopefully I will be a bit more self-sufficient in future! I am playing with the cruiser-boys this weekend but I'll be joining the Surrey LR crew for some lanes soon :cool:

IMG_1634.jpg
Click to expand...
Them tires are designed for slittys.Supposed to be good.
 
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