Ducati has gone big on adventure bikes in recent years, and for good reason. It’s a hugely popular market sector and their DesertX and Multistradas are as good as anything else out there.
So it’s no surprise to see the premium Italian manufacturer offer a UK-based riding experience, for riders who really want to unlock the potential of the big off-roaders in their natural environment.
Ducati has always been good at laying on a swanky day out through its DRE (Ducati Riding Experience) programme, and this Welsh adventure looks set to follow in the same vein. From track days on Grand Prix level circuits, to off-road schools and rookie courses, the programme has flourished at home in Italy and at venues around the world, and now they’ve teamed up with the guys at Sweet Lamb in Wales to create the Sweet Lamb DRE Adventure Academy.
For the uninitiated, Sweet Lamb is a 6,000 acre area of adventure bike nirvana. Located in the Cambrian mountains, the privately owned facility allows customers to ride around on models from the Ducati range, including the DesertX, DesertX Rally, Multistrada V4 S and Multistrada Rally, under the guidance of some world class instructors.
We visited Sweet Lamb a few years ago and had an amazing day’s riding, while KTM also use the centre to host its adventure riding experiences. Ducati has its own reception and hospitality area at the vast site, with lunch provided and generous amounts of genuine Italian coffee served throughout the day.
Training is led by Mark Molineux, a multiple enduro, motocross and rally raid champion who has an outstanding reputation as a trainer, while Ducati have promised the odd international guest instructor will drop in throughout the season. There are four levels of course available, from a £295 rookie day to a two-day adventure weekend at £599. There are three levels for the weekend courses, and prices include bike hire, meaning there’s no worries about dropping and damaging your own expensive adventure bike during the course.
From experience, Mark and his team are very good at judging a rider’s basic ability and teaching new skills in a safe and progressive manner. The one-day rookie course teaches all the basics and includes a relaxing trail ride around the facility, which is all held on privately owned land. The three levels of two-day course build up the skills repertoire to include hills, water obstacles and gullys. By the end of level three you’ll have learned how to cross large rivers, tackle steep descents and even do power turns and rear brake slides. You’ll be amazed at what the bikes, and a previously ordinary rider, are capable of!
Talking about the new programme, Mark said: "We are very excited and honoured to be working with Ducati and helping bring the DRE Adventure Academy to the UK. With its carefully crafted training areas, seemingly endless network of trails, and unbeatable Welsh scenery, Sweet Lamb is the perfect UK home for the academy. We can't wait to show riders everything we have to offer them. The experience is world-class, with everything from the bikes and trainers to facilities fine-tuned to bring you the best of the adventure world."
Sound like the day out for you? You don’t have to be a Ducati owner to attend but you do need to book in advance through the DRE website, where you can also find our more information, including dates and availability.
