VIRGINIA ADVENTURE TRAINING
GREENVILLE, VA
LOCATION
16 Riders
CLASS SIZE
$1,400
STARTING PRICE
APRIL 9-11, 2026
MAY 7-9, 2026
DATES
VIRGINIA ADVENTURE TRAINING
The Virginia Adventure Training with Bret Tkacs is a two-day motorcycle training program (a third day is an optional add-on) that builds a comprehensive understanding of your bike, and develops both confidence and control for taking an ADV bike off-road, or simply off-pavement. This curriculum emphasizes real-world riding skills through physics-based instruction rather than memorizing rote formulas or waiting in line for competition-based motorcycle drills. Read more about Bret’s training philosophy here.
VIRGINIA ADVENTURE TRAINING: COURSE DESCRIPTION
Join us at our Virginia Adventure Training at Penmerryl Farm in Greenville, VA. This location is a premier experience designed to sharpen your adventure motorcycle skills in the heart of Appalachia. You will train on dedicated trails, fields and challenges surrounded by rolling pastures, dense forests, and rolling hills. If you join us for the third day of training, your route mirrors the conditions riders encounter throughout the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (MABDR).
Your training will take place on private land: across open horse fields, wooded trails, moderate hills, rocky climbs, and a fun technical track called the spaghetti trail. allows us to replicate the unpredictability of adventure riding without the distractions of public traffic or crowded trail systems. Each day presents new challenges, with instruction adapting continuously to the terrain, weather, and group performance. You will develop the adaptability, precision, and decision-making skills required for real-world adventure travel.
In addition, you will experience the generous hospitality of a family-run farm with homemade breakfasts every morning. This is an experience you will not soon forget!
You will learn to:
- Control your motorcycle at low speeds for technical terrain
- Manage traction on loose and mixed surfaces
- Understand and use ABS offroad as well as non-ABS braking skills
- Navigate obstacles, ruts, hills, and uneven terrain
- Develop strategies to reduce uncertainty in new terrain
- Adjust your motorcycle ergonomics to improve your comfort and riding
- Understand how rider inputs affect balance, traction, and stability
Every lesson is explained through the lens of motorcycle dynamics and physics, so you can adapt your skills to new situations without relying on memorizing and recalling rigid formulas. Read how Bret’s courses differ from other ADV schools.
If you are uncertain whether your skill level and goals are appropriate for this course, please contact Bret prior to registration. He is happy to discuss your experience and help you determine whether this course, or another option, will best support your growth. Our goal is to ensure that every participant has the best possible opportunity to succeed, learn, and enjoy the experience.
Our Premier Destination:
Penmerryl Farm isn’t just one of our best training venues; it’s a destination. Riders can relax in comfortable cabins (booked separately), unwind by the pool, gather in the on-site bike shop or BYOB tavern (with a pool table!) to swap stories after a full day on the bike. Each morning starts with a hearty homemade breakfast (included), and the owners of the farm cook a meet and great dinner on Thursday and a graduation dinner on Saturday.
Campers are equally well cared for with clean bathrooms, showers and meals. Whether you prefer comfortable lodging or camping under the stars, Penmerryl delivers an experience that’s as memorable off the bike as it is on it.
FAQs
BEFORE YOU REGISTER
This training adapts to your experience level. By using continuous movement rather than static drills or waiting in line, we create an environment that supports riders ranging from dirt beginners to experienced off-road riders.
Coaching and training challenges are tailored to each rider, allowing individuals to progress toward their personal goals. This adaptive format ensures that every participant, regardless of age or physical ability, is challenged appropriately and able to achieve meaningful growth in their off-road skills.
Prior off-road or off-pavement experience is not required. The ADV training is structured to build skills progressively and focuses on techniques that work specifically on adventure motorcycles (large and small).
No, however you must bring a motorcycle that is capable of accessing the terrain and obstacles encountered during training.
For our adventure training, motorcycle capability requirements are relatively moderate, as terrain and conditions are intentionally progressive and manageable for most motorcycles. This means you can bring any bike you want to take off-pavement.
For the Idaho Challenge Training, motorcycle capability becomes more critical. The bike must have adequate ground clearance for riding in remote, technical terrain. In this environment, motorcycle limitations can directly affect safety and pace.
You can rent a motorcycle through Into the Horizon ADV Motorcycle Rentals.
Not at most locations. However, we do have tire recommendations and requirements which can be found here.
Off-road-oriented tires may help improve your traction and reduce your potential for falls but they are not required. Many riders choose to attend on less than 50/50 tires and still gain significant benefit from the course.
WHAT IS CLASS LIKE?
Class sizes are intentionally kept small to ensure individualized coaching and a safe learning environment. Most courses operate at approximately 8 students per instructor, which allows for meaningful feedback and personalized instruction. Some locations may run slightly smaller or larger groups depending on terrain, staffing, and logistical considerations.
Our Idaho courses are typically smaller, averaging around 5 students per instructor, due to the hybrid nature of the training that combines traditional range-based instruction with real-world trail riding.
Training continues unless conditions are truly unsafe (ie. lightning). Learning to adapt to changing and less-ideal conditions is a key part of adventure riding. We have run classes in snowstorms, pouring rain, and over 100 degree temperatures.
Bret serves as the lead instructor and attends every class. Most sessions (not all) also include instruction from Paul Solomonson and/or in-person support from Christina Tkacs. Read more about our instructors here.
Absolutely. Many experienced off-road riders discover habits or misunderstandings that limit their confidence or speed. This training focuses on why techniques work, allowing riders to adapt to new situations more effectively.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Bring your motorcycle, your protective riding gear (helmet, boots, gloves, jacket, and pants), a camp chair, a coffee mug, and any other comfort items you like. Our recommendations and requirements are found here.
Off-road boots are the most important piece of safety gear in this training environment. While high-speed crashes are rare, slow-speed tip-overs and footing errors are common while learning, and these are where foot and ankle injuries occur. Here are our adventure training requirements
Street boots and many “adventure touring” boots lack the structure needed to protect against crushing and twisting forces from a 500–600lb motorcycle. You do not need the most expensive boots available, but you do need a boot designed for off-road impacts. Riders wearing boots that offer little or no off-road crash protection will not be permitted to ride.
Or chat about your boots here.
We supply morning coffee and a large variety of snacks throughout the day that should accommodate most dietary preferences. Meals are not provided other than an optional graduation dinner. Drinking water is provided throughout the course.
All training locations offer dry camping as part of the tuition, and riders are welcome to bring tents, hammocks, camper vans, trailers, or RVs. We intentionally select training areas that also have nearby hotels and other lodging options.
Every location also provides ample parking, including space for trailers. Some locations may also offer nearby plug-in options for an additional fee.
Detailed lodging and camping information specific to your training location will be provided in the pre-event information sheet sent after registration.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
Yes. The techniques and decision-making strategies taught directly apply to backcountry routes, forest roads, sand, gravel, and unpredictable terrain. You will learn how to make decisions in real-world situations, including situations you’ve never encountered before.
Dirt bike schools often teach techniques that work well on lightweight bikes but can be unsafe on large ADV motorcycles. This course focuses on strategies specifically developed for heavier, road-legal adventure bikes.
No. Training is tailored to help you progress at your own pace. This course emphasizes understanding, control, and decision-making, not bravado or peer pressure. Riders are not forced into situations they don’t feel ready for.
The course is technique-focused, not entirely strength-based. Riders of all ages, including those in their seventies, routinely complete the training successfully. We strongly encourage you to come in the best physical condition you can manage. We teach low-energy riding techniques, however learning, by its very nature, is not low-energy.
Included in your cost: Instruction and personal coaching, snacks (fruit and snack bars), beverages (including coffee), on-site camping for tents and small trailers, daily breakfasts, welcome and graduation dinners, dedicated support vehicle for emergencies.
Not included in your cost: Optional training day (must be purchased separately), lunches and dinners not mentioned, gasoline, alcohol, travel or medical insurance, campsites for large trailers or RVs, hotel rooms/cabins, gratuities or your motorcycle – we do not provide motorcycles.