Challenge Camp Virginia

Greenville, VA, USA

BT
Bret Tkacs, LLC
  • Email address verified
54 reviews
Apr 11 - 13, 2024
Group size: 6 - 12
Challenge Camp Virginia
Greenville, VA, USA

Bret Tkacs, LLC
  • Email address verified
54 reviews

Apr 11 - 13, 2024
Group size: 6 - 12

About this trip

Looking to learn in a more challenging environment?  This is your event! Designed for returning students and riders looking for a more challenging learning environment. The same low energy, technique-over-brawn concepts that are taught in the ADV Camp are taught during the Challenge Camp, however they are all learned in more challenging environments.


Due to the nature of this training camp unexpected learning opportunities will occur, ensuring the lesson plan will be fluid, creating a unique class you will never forget!

Make sure you watch this video before signing up.

Riding Conditions

This training primarily takes place on Class 3 and Class 4 or unintentionally Class 5 terrain at Penmerryl Farm. You are not expected to be able to ride your adventure bike through this type of terrain when you arrive, but you are expected to have the physical conditioning and mental drive needed to methodically work through challenging terrain.


This is not a class to show how much you already know or to pound your chest and “just send it”. This is a place to learn strategy and skills for overcoming difficult terrain on big bikes in a controlled manner. 

Additional Requirements

1.  Boots. Due to the high risk locations in this training environment, you will not be allowed to participate wearing "Adventure" boots, work, street, or hiking boots.

2.  Tires. It is highly recommended you show up with 50/50 tires or better. Each lesson is taught in a different area and your bike needs to be able to make it to the next location.

3.  Mental Stamina. You need to show up with the mental ability to override your fears.

4.  Physical Condition. Due to the mobility of this course, if you become physically exhausted, you may not be able to attend all lessons.

Tuition / Trip Insurance

Cancellations typically occur when a rider because of an injury or a damaged motorcycle. In these situations, we seldom have enough time to sell your spot and are unable to issue a credit or refund. This is due to the considerable amount of time and money invested into preparing your event - transporting equipment cross-country, flights, lodging, food, and transport for instructors & staff, renting property, ordering food, etc. as well as a limited number of training spots, a short training season, and our goal to keep tuition low by minimizing profit margins.


Please consider purchasing tuition insurance (through us upon registration) or trip insurance (Travelex, Allianz, or any other) if you cannot afford the loss of your tuition in the rare case you are not able to attend.

What’s included

  • Welcome dinner
  • Graduation dinner
  • Daily breakfasts
  • Snacks and beverages
  • Camp / hammock spots
  • Dry RV camping

What’s not included

  • Lunches & Friday dinner
  • RV spots with hookups
    Available on-site for purchase
  • Cabins
    Available on-site for purchase
  • Gasoline
  • Medical/Travel insurance
  • Motorcycle rental

Available Packages

Adventure Training
$1,500
Adventure Training PLUS Sunday School

Sunday school is all about mastering trail strategies while putting your newly polished riding skills to use during a  4-5  hour ride on Sunday. This optional add-on is not just going for a ride, but is an intense full day of learning critical ADV riding strategies, developing road reading skills, and polishing your skills from the previous days in a real life environment. 

$1,950

Available Add-Ons

Guest Welcome & Graduation Dinners
$20

If your guest (anyone not signed up for class) is planning on eating with you during the two dinners, please click this option.

Guest Breakfasts
$20

If your guest is NOT staying in a room at Penmerryl and would like to join you for incredible breakfasts, please add this option. 

Tuition Protection Insurance
$110

Protect your tuition from unexpected cancellation due to personal injury, illness or accident that prevents you from attending. More info.



Itinerary

Thursday
Meet & Greet

Check-in begins at 3:00pm on Thursday afternoon.  You will have time to check into your room/cabin or set up your tent (if camping), and get acquainted with your fellow participants.


Around 6:00pm, join your instructors and fellow riding partners at the BYOB Tavern for a catered dinner and discuss what specific skills you will be learning. 


Penmerryl Farm is only 170 miles from Washington DC. At this location, you have the option of staying at this incredible privately-owned farm in a cabin, tent camping (no cost) or your RV.

Your Organizer


BT
Bret Tkacs, LLC
54 reviews
Bret is a master of ADV riding and an exceptional instructor who started teaching adventure bike specific classes in 2006. Bret is now recognized as one of the most accomplished ADV instructors in the nation.

Reviews

I attended the basic adventure training course in Virginia, led by Bret and Paul. This is an amazing course. It's obvious that Bret and Paul have put a lot of thought into this course, not only in what to teach but also in how to teach the material. It's also obvious that they are still trying to perfect things. For example, after one exercise, Bret asked us which thing he said actually helped us do the right thing. One aspect I appreciated is that there's an emphasis on getting as much practice time as possible for each student. We didn't spend time waiting in line for our turn to practice a skill. We were given group instruction, and then we were sent off as a group to practice the skill in question. Individuals who needed it were given feedback to correct what they were doing, but this didn't hinder others from continuing. The location was also excellent. Penmerryl caters to motorcycles, so they have large practice fields and trails on the property. The owners are also delightful people. It was nice to exchange cheery good mornings with them each day at breakfast. The fire pit provided a nice place to gather in the evenings and socialize, talking about motorcycles or whatever else. This aspect definitely added to the experience. It wasn't the case that everyone disappeared to their separate hotel rooms at the end of the day, it was a friendly, social atmosphere.
By Chad M for Virginia Adventure Camp on May 17, 2025
The Virginia Adventure Camp with Bret Tkacs and Paul/Christina was terrific. The venue was really excellent, food was very good, the training was outstanding and the group of riders collected were fun to train and ride with. Good sign when everyone stays around the fire pit shooting the breeze after spending the entire day together. Can definitely recommend this highly for someone interested in improving their off road/general skils on a large ADV bike. Unless you were a beginner off road, I would estimate the course was too easy on a DS bike and a better challenge on a mid to large ADV bike. Thanks to Bret and the crew for a great experience.
By MAXIMILIAN G for Virginia Adventure Camp on May 14, 2025
Bret, Christina, and Paul put together a fantastic training in an equally perfect setting. The content, balance of teaching vs on-bike time and being able to address all levels of experience simultaneously was outstanding. Both instructors are CLEARLY experts in their field. I'll be taking another class from them in the future. About that setting... Penmerryl Farm in Greenville, VA was amazing. The rooms, pavilion, moto shop... all a cut above. The owners, Laura and Blair, were always available and provided top notch service. Great people to engage with. And the food she prepared! All a pleasant surprise. My helmets off to all who attended, presented, and provided. One of the best weekends on two wheels.
By Patrick W for Virginia Adventure Camp on May 13, 2025
Just wrapped up an ADV training camp with Bret Tkacs and Paul Solomonson at Penmerryl Farm in VA... it was a fantastic experience and I was able to take on many challenges I wouldn't have dreamt of previously (sometimes working through failures to finally reach success). 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. Had a great time and look forward to taking more courses with them in the future.
By Nathan V for Virginia Adventure Camp on May 12, 2025
After years of watching and learning from Bret's YouTube videos, my wife suggested that I find one of his schools and attend. When I found one less than a hour from our home in Charlottesville, I signed up. Nothing could have prepared me for the experience, which took place on an idyllic 130 acre property in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A beautiful equestrian/ motorcycle facility (yes, it works), called Pennmeryl Farm, was the backdrop for one of the most educational and fun experiences of my adult life. Two talented and entertaining instructors (Bret is joined by longtime teaching partner, Paul Solomon, who is hilarious) taught a group of fourteen guys of varying skills and experience levels over the three days. From group demonstrations and drills to one-on-one instruction, you are never left with an unanswered question or hands-on explanation. I left the experience as a better rider, with a larger friend group and memories that I hope to add to with my next class. Worth every penny I invested!
By Kirk R for Virginia Adventure Camp on May 12, 2025
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References

YL
I searched a long time to find the right course for me. I was following Brett on YouTube but didn’t know he was doing Adventure training so close to my location. What a wonderful experience! Of course the training was of a great quality but I didn’t expect less, it is everything around it which made this experience so enjoyable and profitable. As we all already know, Brett is really knowledgeable but he is also easy to follow in his training and really relation oriented. He makes you feel confident, provide the right advises and he is funny. Like he says “Attitude Matters” and he always has the right one. The second instructor was Paul. What to say about him…. He is as knowledgeable as Brett, always here to help you in any ways and this Paratrooper veteran probably landed once or twice on his head to be that funny. Great Team, Great Training and a wonderful group of student (We may do some ride together in the future). ….. I’ll be back.
By Yves L on 08 May, 2024

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