RITEC VALLEY QUADS
FAQ
Q) I've been looking at where to go Quad Biking,
why come here?
A) Here at Ritec Valley we run Track and Trail riding. Nearly
all other operators either run one or the other BUT NOT
BOTH! We also use the best possible bikes for each
operation; Suzuki LT-A50's, Z50's, LT-80's, Z90's and Yamaha 125's
(All automatics) for our track and the awesome Suzuki Z250
semi-automatic geared bikes for our Trail.
Q) Why do you use the Suzuki LT-Z250 geared sports
bikes for Trail riding instead of 125cc Automatics?
A) Where do you want us to start........?? They have far
superior power and will outrun a 125cc hands down. The 5
gears give you all the control you need from flying across a flat
stretch in 5th at 50mph to winding in and out of the trees on
a steep bank in 2nd. They have gas and oil filled shock
absorbers giving them far better suspension than
125's. They have front hydraulic disc brakes which are far
better than 125's which have primitive cable and drum brakes.
Also with the gears, you get engine braking when you go down steep
stuff. 125's can be dangerous as they can freewheel down
hills.
Q) I've never been on a Quad before, what should I
do?
A) If you are under 16, you have to ride the Automatics on the
Track (Arrive and Drive) If you are 16 or over, we'd
recommend the "Full Monty" which will give you some time on
the flat track before stepping up to the 250's on the Trail.
We have the largest Arrive and Drive tracks around and probably the
best Trail in the UK.
Q) We want the full quad experience, what do you
recommend?
A) As long as you are minimum age 16, the "Full Monty" packages
give everyone a 15 min blast on the automatics around the track and
a geared Trail session.
Q) What's the maximum amount of riders you take in a
Trail group?
A) 6.
Q) I see other operators can take more than 6 people
in a Trail group, if you're so established, why don't you do
this?
A) We have been running Trail riding long enough to know that it's
not about how many people you can take in a group. Everyone gets
more out of the activity with smaller, more manageable group
sizes. We have a very low client to instructor ratio
(Absolute Max 1 to 3). If you are looking at going Trail
riding somewhere else, we suggest you ask them the instructor ratio
they use before booking.
Q) Am I going to get dirty?
A) Quad biking can be a messy affair when it's wet (that's part of
the fun of it!). For Trail Riding and Full Monty, high quality
waterproof clothing is included in the price so you don't pay
extra. For Arrive and Drive quad biking, we operate a hire system
to help keep your clothes clean. We don't make you buy waterproof
gear like some other centres and we don't charge you the earth to
hire it either. Wellington boots are always included in the price
of all rides so you don't have to get your own shoes dirty. We
don't recommend wearing your best clothes quad biking at any
time.
Q) What about your staff?
A) All our Trail instructors are First aid qualified and are
minimum age 16. They all hold a respected instructor qualification
from an outside agency.
Q) How do you deal with Trail groups?
A) Generally we treat each booking separately. Although you may
start with other people, we quickly assess riders and split groups
up if there is a considerable ability difference. Our absolute
maximum instructor to client ratio is 1 to 3.
Q) Why do I have to follow an Instructor around the
Trail?
A) All we want to do is show you one of the best Trails in
the UK. The Instructors job is to show you around the 12KM
course along with teaching how to ride a quad correctly/safely and
basically become a better rider.
Q) Can I take my 4 year old on the back with
me?
A) No. Next question..
Q) I'm good on a geared quad I don't want to follow my
gran around on the Trail.
A) Don't book in with your gran then (LOL)! You should expect to
ride with the people you book in with. Having said that, we do
split groups up if there is a considerable ability
difference.
Q) My son's 12 and races quads, why can't he do the
Trail?
A) If your son races quads, you should understand a bit about
Insurance and Health and Safety. It's our Insurance we are
protecting and we don't let 12 year olds loose on a Z250 strangely
enough.
Q) Do you do a Full day quad biking?
A) No. We are not that sort of setup. Some hire operations run
"Quad trekking" or "Green laning" that may run half-day or
full-days covering vast distances on relatively unmarked
terrain/routes. What we have here is 12KM of groomed trail routes
and 2 well managed Arrive and Drive automatic tracks. If you want
the full experience, consider the "Full Monty" which includes track
and trail riding.
Q) How do you deal with Adult groups of up to 12
people?
A) We would recommend "Full Monty". We split you into 2
groups of maximum 6 riders. The first group starts on
the flat track while the second group sits down and has a
Tea/Coffee (Included in price). The first group then get
briefed and go out on the Trail while the second group start on the
flat track. When the first group get back from the Trail, the
second group start on the Trail and the first group have
Tea/Coffee.
Q) I've got a large party of more than 12 Adults, how
do you deal with that?
A) Basically we can deal with up to 12 Adults at a time.
For larger parties, we need you to stagger the arrival time of
your subsequent groups. If you are looking for something to
do for the subsequent groups, we have Heatherton (www.heatherton.co.uk) which
is 5 minutes away and offers a number of activities to keep
you entertained while you wait (Go karting, Paintball, Golf,
Archery, High ropes etc)
Q) I'm organising an Adult group, what do you advise?
A) We always recommend that you try and match your groups with
what you think they're ability might be on the quads. e.g.
Put the guys who have been on geared quads in one group and the
ladies in another (no offence ladies LOL)
Q) Can I bring my own quad to your
centre?
A) No sorry. We are a hire only setup.
Q) Can I ride an automatic bike on the
Trail?
A) No sorry. If you want an automatic bike, you have to ride on the
track.
Q) Why do I have to give you a credit/debit card
number when booking Trail riding/Full Monty?
A) When you make a booking, you are agreeing to our terms and
conditions that can be found at the bottom of this FAQ
section. We don't take money off your card, you can pay on
the day. We keep your card details on file until you have
finished your session then they are destroyed.
Q) Do I have to pay a deposit?
A) If you are booking more than 6 riders then a
£10/person deposit is required minimum 2 weeks before your
booking. The balance is then payable on the day. We
don't keep your deposit money if your numbers change as long as you
keep us informed if people drop out or want to be added.
Q) What are your booking terms and conditions?
A) If you booking in 6 Adults or less, we do not require a forward deposit and you can pay on the day. We do however require a credit/debit card number as you are hiring a vehicle and your details are held on file until you have completed the booking and then the details are destroyed.
A) If you are booking a group of more than 6 people, we require a £10 deposit/person payable minimum 2 weeks before the booking. You are free to cancel the booking up to a day in advance and we will refund your deposit in full. If you cancel your booking within a day of the booking, we may keep your deposit at our discretion.
A) If you have made a booking and not paid a deposit and fail to turn up or inform us you are not coming, we reserve the right to charge a booking fee to cover our incurred costs. This is at our discretion and could be up to £10/person based on how many people were booked in.
