Challenge Camp Virginia

      Greenville, VA, USA

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

      Bret Tkacs, LLC
      • Email address verified
      26 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 options

      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
      26 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

      Amazing class! The instructors are very knowledgeable and a lot of fun. I can't imagine a better way to spend two days. The instruction is very detailed, but there is also time to discuss motorcycles, riding gear, events etc. I'm coming back next summer without question.
      By Perry O for Washington Adventure Training on Jul 25, 2024
      Bret, Paul and Greg are incredible professionals and extremely talented at what they do. Not only that, they all work extremely hard and their passion for teaching is second to none. As someone who had never been off pavement on a motorcycle, and having only 1 week of experience riding my 1250 GSA, this class for me was about learning the processes and fundamentals to becoming a more efficient and safe rider. Obviously three days with Bret and team was nowhere near enough time to perfect all of the skills required to be a proficient rider, however the knowledge and advice on how to constantly improve your riding skills independently and to get to the next level was very insightful. After watching Youtube videos of a hip pocket turn with a rolling dismount and mount prior to the class, I never would have even attempted on my own, but the class broke down each of the steps into sequential lessons and I gained the confidence to do it. Bret told me he didn't think I believed it was possible to do a side stand turn with my bike, he was 100% right. Then he proved to me it was possible. I ended up using the technique later on the trail. The comedy show at camp is only the icing on the cake.
      By Austin E for Washington Adventure Training on Jul 16, 2024
      The Idaho Challenge Camp was exactly as I had hoped it would be; challenging to the level I was willing to push myself knowing I had support from Brett and his team of Paul and Christina. The course started with some quick basics to assess our current skill level, then quickly ramped up on the hills and trails around Helmsworth ATV park. Day 2 got us moving at pace and trying our skills from Day 1 starting from Homedale then heading west to Succor Creek. While heat was a bit of an issue, they provided shade at the lunch stops along with various snacks and water along the way. Brett's direct, clear, informed coaching and Paul's wit and humour make for excellent learning and development. The routes they chose provided a great mix of terrain. I would highly recommend Brett Tkacs to anyone looking to advance their ADV motorcycle training or simply to enjoy some pushing yourself on curated terrain with professional support.
      By Dave C for Challenge Camp Idaho on Jul 03, 2024
      Bret, Paul and Christina led such a great training course and established a very comfortable learning environment through challenges that were just uncomfortable enough to challenge the riders. Though the riders varied in experience they were able to tailor the situations enough to allow everyone to push their abilities and yet still do it safely. As we progressed or lagged, they picked terrain accordingly. The balance of skills training with just riding fantastic terrain is spot on. Who is this course for? Anyone with intermediate or better abilities that wants to be challenged to push themselves further. Whether overall or in a certain type of riding situation such as climbs, descents, sand, loose rocks etc. Who is it not for? If you’re new to off road riding or not comfortable riding gravel roads at a moderate pace (around 50mph) or are still struggling with smaller challenges then a regular training camp is probably better, The challenge camp assumes you can do the basics in some fashion (not necessarily great, but in some fashion) and are not afraid to push yourself into more difficult areas. Bret and Paul love to teach, so if you love to learn, this is a great course! Christina does an awesome job with all the logistics and offering a welcomed respite when it’s time to take a break during the days.
      By Dave R for Challenge Camp Idaho on Jul 02, 2024
      Brett is a superstar when it comes to adventure riding. I have committed to training with Brett each year (4 years so far). I find that I need the refresher as well as learn new skills. I have never been disappointed each year. Brett considers the skills of each rider and tailors training to challenge and train you to go beyond where you are. The concepts are simple, but you must learn to apply them. You won't learn them anywhere else. If you want to develop confidence riding off road, there is no better instructor on the planet.
      By Allen M for Challenge Camp Idaho on Jun 23, 2024
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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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