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Training Tour Descriptions

Learn the "Secrets of Smoothness" & Choose from 6 Great Training Routes! To better help you choose an appropriate training tour, we've a synopsis of each one: 2-Day Training Tours: West Virginia/Switzerland of Ohio Shenandoah/Blue Ridge Wisconsin Backroads 3-Day Training Tours: N. Georgia/Smoky Mountains

Here's the rundown...

The 6 NeoAlpine Training Tours are similar in that they offer riders of nearly every motorcycle type and experience level a fun opportunity to learn visual strategies and techniques for smoother cornering and safer riding on twisty, scenic roads: real world, on-road training, the UN-Track School way. And the pupil/ instructor ratio is always three-to-one. As students take turns leading and following, they receive "real-time" instruction via an in-helmet communication system, enabling them to apply new visual strategies and to sharpen cornering and braking skills enroute. Another unique feature is the use of video-taping which provides opportunities to later review situations and technique and to reinforce those critical "visual strategies."

The Training Tours are different in that each route offers different terrain. For example, on the WV/Switzerland of Ohio training tour you’ll encounter lots of twisties spread out over the foothills for a real “roller coaster” effect. The N. GA/Smoky Mountains training tour has the steepest climbs and decents, with all the dramatic mountain scenery you’d expect (elevation changes of over one mile!). The Shenandoah/Blue Ridge training tour is a cross of the two, alternating between the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge (about 3000 ft. elevation).

While differences of rider skill and experience level are inevitible (from riders with 1 year to riders with 40 years), we attempt to group participants with compatible riders, and split the varying skill levels into separate groups. However, please note that participants must be able and willing to ride at the speed limit on straight highway sections (which are quite rare on a NeoAlpine Tour!). A motorcycle operator's license and a machine in sound mechanical condition, with good tires and quiet exhaust (no loud pipes), are required. Rentals are available in some locations. We generally recommend that participants have 3000 miles of on-road experience prior to their training tour.

We realize that opinions on motorcycle sound emissions run the entire gamut from those who espouse "Zero Tolerance" to those who promote "Loud Pipes Save Lives." Although we do not wish to offend anyone or appear unsympathetic, stated simply, mufflers louder than stock factory-equipped OEM exhausts don't work well on a Stayin' Safe Motorcycle Training Tour for a number of reasons.

First, we found that the increased sound level emanating from bikes with modified exhaust systems interferes with the ability of students, and other tour members, to clearly hear the radio commentary -- an SSMT trademark.

Second, a morning drill is often scheduled prior to breakfast. In this regard, we do not wish to offend our host or ruin our long-standing reputation for respecting the rights of other guests. And since excessive noise is a leading reason given by many members of the non-riding public who oppose motorcycles, we don't want to further exacerbate this issue -- especially early in the morning. It has also been our experience that riders with "quiet" motorcycles generally prefer to ride with other people who have quiet motorcycles.

Finally and in anticipation of the argument "It's not loud if I don't accelerate hard," it is necessary to point out that in order to maintain a safe time and space cushion with other vehicles/hazards, we encourage students to aggressively use their throttle when necessary. We hope that you understand our concerns and appreciate the rationale behind these decisions.

Planning to tour abroad?
Sharpen your riding skills on a NeoAlpine Training Tour before going, and increase the fun factor!

Note to Riders of Heavyweight Cruiser and Heavyweight Touring Bikes:
Whereas some of our roads are steep and narrow, we do not recommend these tours to riders with extremely large motorcycles who have never ridden (on any motorcycle) in the mountains. If you’ve not ridden in the mountains or if you lack confidence in low speed turning, we recommend that you A) schedule private instruction or B) rent a mid-size or smaller motorcycle.

Training Tour itineraries are subject to minor change without notification.