We found a local 4x4 training site on the edge of
Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire. The first step was to have a two-hour taster session
using our own vehicle, a sturdy Isuzu Trooper. This session is described as: “A drop in at the deep end”. It certainly was.
I managed to get stuck in a
rut - the story of my life - but the session was well worth doing. We were shown correct recovery procedures for
different difficult situations.
 Next we decided to go on a Peakland Trek with the same
people, who describe this trip as: “Off-road
driving adventures at their best.” This
involved taking 4x4 vehicles into challenging wilderness areas of the UK, either driving
our own 4x4 or one of theirs whilst under instruction from one of their fully qualified
instructor/guides.
We arrived in the Derbyshire
Dales at 9.30 am, meeting the rest of the party at the local hostelry, and after coffee,
biscuits and a briefing we set off in convoy. The day can only be described as
“magical.” It was one of those cold, sunny, clear days when you can see forever.
The views were breathtaking even without the added spectacular of hangliders
leaping off the edge of cliff-edged hills,
their vivid coloured canopies contrasting with the clear blue sky.
 We travelled some
challenging tracks – taking care to always: shut gates behind us, follow the tracks without making new ruts, be courteous to the walkers we came across. After a substantial lunch, we traversed a track
aptly named “the coffin trail .” It
was an old road , once used by the
surrounding high villages as a route to the ancient burial ground at low-lying Castleton. I couldn`t believe that
our trusty steed would make it along this track but it surpassed itself.
Needless to say by now we were
hooked on this strange outdoor pursuit and decided to go for the “big one,”
which brings us back to the beginning of this article, stuck in a forest in deepest Wales,
up to our axles in mud! They said this trip was not for the faint
hearted……
We had arrived on the Friday
afternoon, - twenty four strangers from
varying corners of the UK - to this
delightful working sheep farm set 200 metres
on the southern slopes of the Cambrian Mountains foothills, in the middle of nowhere. (Seven miles north-east of Llandovery to be
precise.)
There were people from all walks of
life, from computer buffs to the two lads who arrived in their military ambulance, store
managers in real life. A motley crew, as were our vehicles.
Some – vehicles, not people - were cobbled-together hybrids; others had
bizarre paint jobs, but they all performed wonderfully, for on the Saturday we were on the
road from 9.30 am until 8 pm, an incredibly
long and tough day.  We climbed mountains,
crossed rivers, drove along forgotten tracks, played in quarries and forests, then ended the day with a trail in the dark along
a river. When we got back to the farm we only wanted a hot meal and the warmth of a
blazing log fire – forget the shower, that wasn`t a priority – and didn`t we all sleep like babies that night?
The brief for Sunday was: pack up
and leave the farmhouse, head east to Hay-on-Wye , play in the forest for one hour then
all split to head for our respective homes.
Only it didn`t quite work according to the brief…
Somehow our convoy of vehicles was
separated and four vehicles – including
us, but without a guide or instructor – took the left route whilst the rest turned
right. Very soon it became obvious that the
“one hour`s play in the forest” was not an option, and when we emerged three
hours later having been winched several times out of the deep mud by our newly-found
instructors, we were very relieved to be back in civilization.
At this point, we said our sad
farewells, swapped e-mail addresses and
headed for the nearest jet wash garage. We
can't wait to try it again.
The more remote areas of our countryside are littered
with old tracks and trails. These include cattle drovers` trails, old country roads and Roman roads, more commonly
referred to as “green lanes”. They offer some of the UK`s finest and most
dramatic scenery including dense pine forests, rugged
mountains, open moorland, river crossing and steep rock and hill tracks. Tour organisers work with local authorities to
ensure minimal environmental impact on the
areas used.
Before you go off-roading…..
Have some professional tuition, then have a short outing before attempting anything more strenuous
Don`t use a vehicle that is
going to be expensive to repair
Don`t use a vehicle that you
want to keep in a pristine condition
Do take protective and warm
clothing and a tow rope
Do make sure there is more
than one vehicle in case of accident
Useful
website addresses:
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