ADV & Dual Sport Riding Clinics
Join Appalachian ADV in Fools Ride Territory near Richmond, Ohio for - One and Two day - ADV & Dual Sport - Group and Private - Riding Clinics! We also perform a few at some of our friends' events, see below for more information on the Hogrock Adventure Rally+Clinic and the 304 Detour Clinic+Rally. These Clinics are intended to familiarize riders with the theory, physics, and skills necessary to ride ADV and Dual Sport bikes on gravel and dirt surfaces (16+ with motorcycle endorsed license, riders' bring thier own bikes). Group Clinics include 6-10 Riders and 1-2 USMCA Certified Coaches! Sign up for our Sporadic Newsletter below to keep tabs on all of our Events & Clinics.
For the Group Clinics, in the first session we start with bike set up and ergonomics then build upon each aspect from bike lifting techniques through bike balance, friction zone, body positioning, braking drills, steering techniques, maintaining and breaking traction, line selection and tire placement, managing and negotiating obstacles (ruts, rocks, loose gravel, small logs, potholes, hill climb and hill climb recovery, mud, etc.). The second session takes us into the real world, building on the skills & drills from the previous session. Trees, rocks, ruts and other natural features replace the cones. The controlled environment at Base Camp is replaced by a semi-controlled environment when we hit the road. We review how to interpret terrain features that have been weathered and run through by other off-road vehicles. Our clinics are designed to have a more practical approach and hit basic fundamentals so that riders can gain a solid foundation, experience, and confidence in their machines and themselves.
Left: Coach Tom MacConnell; Right: Coach Kane Wagner
The rider to coach ratio in our Group Clinics is low in order to semi-customize your experience and to help build a temporary team of riders. Watching riders take on a challenge, sometimes reluctantly, and making it through the other side with a huge smile on their face, their clinic teammates cheering, and high fives all around is super rewarding for all and one of the best feelings to share with the group. When you don't make it through a drill or the real world features and your bike takes a closer look at the ground, your teammates are there to pick up your bike and your spirits. We review the failure point on the spot and, if desired, take another crack at it. Our goal is to help riders build confidence in their abilities and the abilities of their machines.
Level 1 Beginner to Intermediate - ADV & Dual Sport Riding Clinics
Riders that sign up for the Level 1 Clinic should be clutch capable and have basic experience with street riding. If you are brand new to riding a motorcycle we recommend that you take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course and gain some experience with your bike before signing up for our Clinics. The Level 1 course is designed for Beginner to Intermediate, Clutch Capable riders that are looking to gain experience and basic skills for dirt and gravel roads. Clutch Capable refers to the rider having experience and comfort with basic operation of the motorcycle. This course is ideal for returning riders, street riders new to ADV, riders looking to brush up on skills & techniques, riders looking for new or different techniques, and riders looking for real-time feedback & coaching. The Level 1 Clinic is not “off road” training but uses basic off-road techniques to help improve overall non-pavement riding and build confidence within the rider and in their bike.
Level 2 Intermediate Gravel - ADV & Dual Sport Riding Clinics*
The Level 2 Gravel course is designed to be a more aggressive gravel experience compared to the Level 1. Where our Level 1 is intended to break down individual theories and techniques the Level 2 is designed to combine multiple things and introduce new, more difficult skills that pertain to dirt and gravel road riding. The terrain becomes more aggressive and there are more loose gravel areas, off camber, and drivable trail style roads utilized compared to our Level 1 during the second session. ADV or Dual Sport bikes can sign up for our Level 2 Gravel Group Clinics.
Level 2 Intermediate Trail - ADV & Dual Sport Riding Clinics*
The Level 2 Trail course is designed to be a more off-road leaning experience compared to the Level 1. Where our Level 1 is intended to break down individual theories and techniques the Level 2 is designed to combine multiple things and introduce new, more difficult skills that pertain to trail riding. The terrain and obstacles become more aggressive and there are more off-road areas utilized compared to our Level 1 during the second session. ADV or Dual Sport bikes can sign up for our Level 2 Trail Group Clinics.
*Our Level 1 Group Clinic or a Private Session is required prior to attending our Group Level 2 Intermediate Clinics. If you have ridden with Appalachian ADV at another one of our events or have taken similar training somewhere else, please reach out to Kane@AppalachianADV.com to discuss options prior to signing up or for any questions. We expect riders to have the fundamentals and similar experience level from our Level 1 Clinic when participating in the Level 2s. Our goal is for riders to get the most out of our Clinic, enjoy the experience, and gain skills so it is imperative that riders have the appropriate familiarity before signing up for either of our Level 2s.
Level 3 Advanced Gravel &/or Trail - ADV & Dual Sport Riding Clinic
Our Level 3 Advanced Riding Clinic can only be booked as a Private Clinic (see below for more info on our Private Clinics). Riders should have taken our Level 1, Level 2, and/or attended a Private Clinic in the past. We are offering these Level 3s as Private Only to allow us to fully customize the lesson plan for the rider(s) and to be able to adjust the Clinic on the fly as we work through the day(s) so that the rider(s) get the most out of the experience.
2027 Level 1 Beginner to Intermediate Group Clinics
Registrations open after the New Year!
**LADIES ONLY Riding Clinic with special guest co-coach Melissa Fike! Melissa and Kane went to high school together and if you came to the 2026 Fools Ride Rally, she ran sweep for Kane on the Dual Sport Moderate routes each day. We will run the Clinic in Fools Ride Territory near Richmond, Ohio on June 5-6, 2027.
Melissa has been riding for over 25 years spending decades accumulating seat time on a multitude of terrain including hare scrambles, motor cross tracks, and street bikes. Her comfort zone has always been off road tackling technical terrain. A mother of 3, daughter of 13 and 12 year old twin boys, she's had the privilege of teaching them how to ride as well as coaching youth competitive soccer. Melissa is genuinely excited to pass on her motorbiking knowledge with patience and a zero judgement zone.
Level 2 Intermediate Group Clinics
Registrations open after the New Year!
Private Clinics
We also offer private 1 and 2 day Clinics, 1 person or 1 person with 1-2 buddies (for groups between 3-5 riders or for longer sessions please reach out to the email listed below). Private Clinics have a similar set up as the group clinics but we can work on things specifically desired. We can do a Level 1, Level 2, combination of the two, or a more advanced session depending on what the rider(s) wants to cover. We can work on basic skills & drills, lean more off-road, aggressive gravel, hill climb/descent, rocky terrain, water crossings, moto-camping and drills with a loaded bike, basic roadside maintenance such as tire/tube changes, etc.
Reach out to Kane@AppalachianADV.com for more information and to schedule your private session! The fee breakdowns for our Private Clinics are noted below:
1-Day Private Clinic with 1 Rider: $550
+1 Rider (2 Total Riders) add $450 for a total of $1000 (breaks down to $500 per rider)
+1 Rider (3 Total Riders) add $425 for a total of $1425 ($475 per rider)
2-Day Private with 1 Rider: $950
+1 Rider (2 Total Riders) add $800 for a total of $1750 ($875 per rider)
+1 Rider (3 Total Riders) add $800 for a total of $2550 ($850 per rider)
Interested in a 2-Day Private Clinic but don't currently have the funds to pay the full price in one shot? Appalachian ADV has a 0% interest payment plan option for 2-Day Private Clinics and Guided Tours where we can cut the full price into 2-3 separate payments (we DO NOT have a payment plan for our Group Clinics, 1-Day Private Clinics, or Rallies). Reach out to Kane@AppalachianADV.com for more information. We are not a bank and I have no interest in gaining interest from your interest but want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to beef up skills and enjoy our offerings.
Guest Clinics
Kane Wagner from Appalachian ADV will be running special Level 1 Beginner to Intermediate Riding Clinics at the 2027 Hogrock Adventure Rally! Sign up for our Hogrock Clinics through the Hogrock Rally Registration linked below! We will run Group Clinics on Friday and Saturday of the event.
Hogrock Adventure Rally will take place on June 24-27, 2027 in Cave-in-Rock, Illinois. Four days of scenic rides, outdoor fun, and community in the hills of Southern Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.
Join Kane Wagner from Appalachian ADV for a special Intermediate Dual Sport Riding Clinic at the 304 Detour Rally in Fairmont, West Virginia on July 16-18, 2027. This Clinic will only have 8 open spots plus 2 Riding Coaches. Participants must bring their own bikes. To check out the main rally: 304 Detour Rally.
An Intermediate Trail Riding Clinic intended for Dual Sport bikes will occur on Friday July 17th at the Wolfhaven Tree Farm and include basic bike set-up, theory and drills, and real-world trail riding tests. On Saturday we will run the group through the 304 Detour Dual Sport Loops. The Dual Sport Loops cover beautiful West Verginia terrain including paved roads, dirt/gravel roads, and trails including single track, creek crossings, hill climbs/descents, etc.!
Registration coming soon!
For general Clinic questions or to be placed on a Wait List for a sold out Group Clinic reach out to Kane@AppalachianADV.com. You can also review our FAQs for Appalachian ADV Events for more general information and our article The Tire Conundrum for some pointers on tire selection. Below are a few selections from the Appalachian ADV Community Podcast including a special video edition with co-coach Tom MacConnell about our 2026 Clinics, a deep dive about Appalachian ADV's owner, and The Five Pillars of ADV Riding. Check out what people are saying about Appalachian ADV Events & Clinics on our Rider Reviews page!
The program was inspired by BDR Ambassadors and volunteers who are veterans themselves. Having experienced firsthand the healing power of BDR adventures, they wanted to create a dedicated community within BDR where fellow veterans can connect, share stories, and continue the sense of camaraderie that service life builds.
This program is about more than riding. It’s about connection, support, and rediscovering the joy that comes from exploring new terrain together. Whether you’ve been riding adventure bikes for years or are just beginning to transition from street to dirt, this community welcomes you. The BDR Veterans Program is your place to find others who understand where you’ve been and share your passion for where the road, or trail, leads next.
Click the link above to join or renew your membership with AMA.
*Membership is not required to attend our Sanctioned events.
Our mission is to promote the ADV and Dual Sport styles of motorbiking through various media formats, education and safety, & hosting group rides, rallies, and guided tours.
Our goal is to bring people of diverse backgrounds into this adventure lifestyle to promote camaraderie, enjoy nature via two-wheeled adventure travel, and build confidence by overcoming the challenges presented to the rider when performing ADV and Dual Sport motorbiking.
Have Fun, Take Chances
A Veteran Owned Company
PO Box 3103, Youngstown, OH 44513
Kane@AppalachianADV.com