Off roading for beginners.
Discussion
Hi all
My mate has just bought a discovery 2 and is looking at using for what it's built for and not just a Chelsea tractor. Saying that, he does not want to trash his new toy as it's his daily driver.
Been looking on the net at some green laming web sites and there always seems to be a picture of a really kitted out 90 going through a very technical section. My mates discovery is pretty standard with some AT tires.
Any suggestions on where to start off? We are meeting up on the weekend of the 14 May is the Surrey area and was wondering if there is a beginners dirt track around there that we could explore?
As always, any help will be greatly appreciated.
My mate has just bought a discovery 2 and is looking at using for what it's built for and not just a Chelsea tractor. Saying that, he does not want to trash his new toy as it's his daily driver.
Been looking on the net at some green laming web sites and there always seems to be a picture of a really kitted out 90 going through a very technical section. My mates discovery is pretty standard with some AT tires.
Any suggestions on where to start off? We are meeting up on the weekend of the 14 May is the Surrey area and was wondering if there is a beginners dirt track around there that we could explore?
As always, any help will be greatly appreciated.
If you are Surrey area then join www.fourwheeldriveclub.com as they always have laning days out going on.
bmwdrivernigel said:
If you are Surrey area then join www.fourwheeldriveclub.com as they always have laning days out going on.
Or alternatively ask if anyone on here wants to go out for a trundle? 
I reckon between us we know all the Surrey lanes, and I've yet to see anyone do any damage beyond the odd bramble scratch.
Also worth browsing some of the LR/4x4 magazines.
LROwner and LRMonthly are the two main stays, and although they're heavily laden with adverts for their annual shows, boringly repetitive reviews of parts, equipment and clothing, and "budget" restorations running to five figures, they do sometimes have some good routes, or at least some inspiration.
Lots of photos showing you what a Disco can do too.
And please don't fit a winch, raised air intake or longer suspension. Yet.
LROwner and LRMonthly are the two main stays, and although they're heavily laden with adverts for their annual shows, boringly repetitive reviews of parts, equipment and clothing, and "budget" restorations running to five figures, they do sometimes have some good routes, or at least some inspiration.
Lots of photos showing you what a Disco can do too.
And please don't fit a winch, raised air intake or longer suspension. Yet.
We have a guy with a standard Disco in our club, I think he has only fitted decent off road tyres to it. Last time out he got on a lot better than many people with tricked out 90s and such!
As said, try and find a club local to you, who can point you in the right direction. It's also a good idea to go with a group, in case you get stuck...
As said, try and find a club local to you, who can point you in the right direction. It's also a good idea to go with a group, in case you get stuck...
Find out where your local pay and play sites are and get down to a few days. You'll learn more about how to drive different types of obstacles, you'll learn more of what the trucks capable of than on most lanes, theres always someone to help you and show you round, you'll meet a great bunch of people. Most sites will have routes that are non damaging.
Once you've got to know people you'll have a good network of people to tag along with. Don't get too hung up on trucks with big tyres and lifts, many trucks are overkill for the typical terrain they are exposed to in my experience. A stock d2 on all terrains is a very capable truck.
Once you've got to know people you'll have a good network of people to tag along with. Don't get too hung up on trucks with big tyres and lifts, many trucks are overkill for the typical terrain they are exposed to in my experience. A stock d2 on all terrains is a very capable truck.
if you want Mud ... znd a few challenging lanes, Salisbury Plain is an ideal place to have a bimble ... its quite dry at present out there, but you can drive most of the tracks.. get an OS map and pop into the Police station at Larkhill Garrison for advice if you are going out as some places are no go areas (firing ranges etc)
I just did a pay n play day at Devils pit in bedfordshire in my standard jimny.
Great fun, no damage done and only £26! Bargain.
There was a few guys there in completely standard trucks including a 6 month old freelander on road tyres who was having great fun!
Its very dry at the moment too so chances of getting stuck are reduced.
Great fun, no damage done and only £26! Bargain.
There was a few guys there in completely standard trucks including a 6 month old freelander on road tyres who was having great fun!
Its very dry at the moment too so chances of getting stuck are reduced.
JVaughan said:
if you want Mud ... znd a few challenging lanes, Salisbury Plain is an ideal place to have a bimble ... its quite dry at present out there, but you can drive most of the tracks.. get an OS map and pop into the Police station at Larkhill Garrison for advice if you are going out as some places are no go areas (firing ranges etc)
Far from all the visible tracks are actual public rights of way. The MOD land agent is reasonably permissive about private vehicles using the MOD range roads, but it's not a free for all.
If you get genuinely lost or stray off a RoW they land wardens are pretty helpful, less so if you claim to be "lost" whilst running Memory Map on a PDA in the cab.
And fer gawd's sake stay well off the CCDA where Clarkson did the RRS v Chally 2 thing.
drgoatboy said:
I just did a pay n play day at Devils pit in bedfordshire in my standard jimny.
Great fun, no damage done and only £26! Bargain.
There was a few guys there in completely standard trucks including a 6 month old freelander on road tyres who was having great fun!
Its very dry at the moment too so chances of getting stuck are reduced.
That must be a very very tame pay and play. A group of us went to a pay and play in uttoxeter and couldnt get anywhere like a swomp. The winches took a hammering that day. Great fun, no damage done and only £26! Bargain.
There was a few guys there in completely standard trucks including a 6 month old freelander on road tyres who was having great fun!
Its very dry at the moment too so chances of getting stuck are reduced.
R12HCO said:
That must be a very very tame pay and play. A group of us went to a pay and play in uttoxeter and couldnt get anywhere like a swomp. The winches took a hammering that day.
There are some tame sections and some very serious sections. I stuck to the tame sections! When I went (over the long bank holiday weekend) it had hardly rained for about 2 months and its quite a sandy/chalky site so I imagine it dries up quite quickly. there were some muddy bits which I avoided...Gassing Station | Off Road | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff