Off-Roading as a Passenger

Are you new to off-roading as a passenger or just new to off-roading in general? I want to first tell you about my first experience as off-roading as a passenger! It was around 11 years ago and I can remember that night like yesterday! Funny how some experiences just stick. Mike and I had just purchased a Land Rover a bit before the event we were at.

The group was taking a night ride and it was supposed to be only “easy” trail rides in Uwharrie National Forest. Now keep in mind this was my very first time EVER riding with someone off-road. We were in the middle of the group and trails were easy so I was having a blast. Until the vehicle in front of us went up and over some obstacle that didn’t look safe to me. (Again, I was new and this particular obstacle wasn’t hard or unsafe at all.)

The guy that was spotting that night came to my window to tell Mike which line he needed to take. I told him I wanted to get out of the vehicle that I didn’t feel safe inside. He of course told me I was safer inside the vehicle then outside of it. We went back and forth for a few minutes before I finally said, “I am getting out so move or I am going to open my door into you!”

I tend to be an anxious person and this particular situation had my anxiety very high. After getting out of the vehicle I didn’t even watch Mike complete the obstacle. I got out of the vehicle and went up to the front of the line, haha! Silly right? Well, not really for someone that deals with anxiety and new adventures can cause it to increase! We finished that ride that night and I think my hands were as white as a ghost from holding on tightly!

First Time Off-Roading as a Driver

Fast forward several years, I began watching Mike train new off-road drivers and listening in his classes. I decided I wanted to learn the ins and outs of driving off-road. It looked like so much fun!!! Another time I will not forget is when we hosted a trail ride at a private property around Uwharrie. Mike was having to spot vehicles so there was no way he could pull our vehicle forward.

Mike told me to jump in and watch his hands for exactly what I needed to do. Again, I was a ball of nerves. But I trusted him and knew if I did everything he told me to do I would be ok. I went up and over rocks, that looked so intimidating from the outside of the vehicle. However, I never took my eyes off of Mike. I am sure I made some mistakes but I DID IT! After completing the “rattle snack” trail and I was on fire! It was such a thrilling thing to accomplish. When I got out I told Mike “I loved it, now I want my own off-roading vehicle!” It set a fire in me that had never been there before.

I hope these two stories will help someone, if you are a passenger and struggle with anxiety like I did or if you are new to driving off-road altogether. It is ok to be nervous about both but it truly is so much fun. Of course I was lucky enough to have one of the very best instructors teaching me everything I have known. If you want to learn how to drive off-road I challenge you to reach out to us and get Mike to teach you everything he knows. I promise you will not regret it!! He is the most calm, encouraging and knowledgeable trainer there is. I may be bias since he is my husband. But, I can hands down tell you I have heard this from a lot of our students!!!