The non-negotiables
You will not be allowed on the range without these. This is not a dress code — it is the difference between a bad afternoon and a hospital.
- A helmet. Bring your own. If you are buying your first one, buy it before the course, not after.
- Eye protection — a face shield, goggles, or glasses.
- Over-the-ankle boots. Sturdy, and they must cover the ankle bone. Trainers and low boots do not count.
- Full-fingered gloves. Not fingerless, not gardening gloves.
- A long-sleeved jacket or shirt.
- Long, sturdy trousers. Denim is fine. Leggings and shorts are not.
Worth having, not required
- Water. More than you think, especially in summer.
- Sunscreen. A range is an open lot with no shade.
- Layers. A 6:30am start in spring is cold; by 1pm it is not.
- Ear plugs, if you already know you want them.
- Something to eat. Blood sugar and clutch control are related in ways you will discover.
What riders forget
Three things come up again and again: boots that turn out not to cover the ankle, gloves left on the kitchen table, and no water. All three are avoidable the night before.
Rain
Classes run in a range of conditions. If you have wet-weather gear, bring it. If the weather is genuinely severe, the school will be in touch — the class page you registered on is where any change is handled.