Maschine Adventure Academy

This is the most comprehensive rider training course an adventure rider can throw themselves into. Most rider training courses run for one or two days. This academy runs for four days and is designed to cover more than just riding skills; you will also learn some of the “soft skills” of trailside repairs, GPS & navigation skills etc.
 
This is a “live in” training camp where all riders and instructors stay on site at the same accommodation with the education continuing into the night once the riding is done for the day. Basically you get to eat, breath and sleep adventure riding for four days!

What skills or topics can you expect to cover in this course?

• Core – Level 1 riding skills
• Advanced – Level 2 riding skills
• Specific obstacles; hills, rocks, logs
• Bike set up, understanding electronic traction aids
• GPS and map reading navigation skills – both theory and practicals
• Basic First Aid and accident scene management
• Basic wilderness survival skills
• How to pack for adventure riding
• Camping from an adventure bike
• What accessories are useful and what accessories are just “farkles”
• What tools to pack and how to use them – trailside maintenance & repairs
• Everyday Carry for adventure – what gear you should have with you all the time
• How to dewater a bike after drowning it
• Riding gear – how to dress and be prepared for all riding conditions
• Fitness and fatigue management
• Planning for expedition length or overseas trips

Some of the skills will be developed in a controlled environment. Some of the training will take place in the classroom. Some of the training will take place out on the trails where we will tackle whatever comes our way!

The venues chosen for this course include quality 3-4 star accommodation in rural settings so we can concentrate on the learning.

Our lead coach for this course will be Maschine’s own Nick Selleck. He is a Motorcycling Australia Level 1 accredited coach and has been riding off-road for 40 years.  He takes pride in being a smooth, safe and consistent rider. Nick has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share when it comes to off-road riding. Nick grew up riding off-road and after several years competing in Motocross, Enduro and Supermotard he has spent the last 12 years planning and organising motorcycle adventure tours.

His experience in adventure riding over since 2011 includes exploring the iconic regions of Australia; Victorian High Country, Tasmania, Flinders Ranges, Corner Country and Birdsville, researching and retracing the Burke & Wills expedition route – Melbourne to Karumba, Tanami Track, Kimberley region including Gibb River Road, Arnhem Land, Cape York, Savannah Way and Gulf Country and exploring the length of the Great Diving Range amongst others.

Aside from domestic tours Nick has also amassed tremendous experience riding and organising tours overseas through many European countries which helps to put things in perspective on a global scale.

Throughout most of these trips he has shared them with many riders so has not only learnt from his own experience but noted the challenges other riders have faced.

It would be fair to say few riders in Australia could claim to have such a broad knowledge of riding and managing motorcycle tours in as many regions as Nick Selleck. Others may have more intimate knowledge of specific regions but few could match Nick’s spread of knowledge. This all adds to Nick’s ability to relate to riders challenges and help create a path for them to improve their riding skill.

Where additional coaches are required for courses we choose to work with the best of the best. Coaches are chosen not only for their riding skill but also their personality to ensure they can explain often complex riding techniques which can add valuable input to the training courses.

When asked where the motivation came from for this course Maschine’s Nick Selleck had this to say “Some 20 odd years ago I attended a 5 day Academy of Off-Road run by Stephen Gall for motocross racing. The lessons that I learnt during that school have stuck with me for all this time because it was such an immersive training environment. My goal is replicate that immersive environment with our four day Adventure Academy. There is so much adventure riders have to become proficient with in order to successfully complete the big ambitious expeditions that many of us aspire to do.”