HU Travellers Meeting Queensland 2025

Lala Barlow YOLO!!! Traversing South America SOLO High passes, bare arses, sing-a-longs at the border, and Hi I'm Lala, the Sock Hoarder.

Five years ago, after noticing she was dreaming about mountains, salt flats, and smiling llamas, Lala followed her intuition which she noticed was nudging her towards South America, on a motorcycle. However, she didn't have her motorcycle license. That didn't stop her from getting it and buying her first bike. Two years later, she'd taken her Yamaha V-Star Donna for a "test run" from Melbourne to Winton QLD. Two years after that, she arrived in Peru, terrified and exhilarated, and on a motorcycle she'd never ridden before. She took off into Peruvian traffic and has never looked back.

Through her unique, uplifting, and comedic lens, Lala will share with you the delights of travelling solo as a woman, leaning daily into discomfort, and what it feels like to become a nomadic resident of the "open road". And now she's addicted.

What was my life before I was a motorcyclist again....?

LALA BARLOW is an actress, singer, choreographer, musician, and writer who has worked professionally in the performing arts industry across Australia and the United Kingdom for the past 15 years. Covid proved to be the catalyst for a herculean pivot in her professional career and she now proudly considers herself a motorcycle gypsy adventurer. Lala is also an English, Music and Drama teacher, a qualified personal trainer, and a mean interpreter of a tarot card.

Gary Wood, Digital Swaggie Gun Fights, Ghosts, and Goannas A solo motorcycle tour through the heart of Queensland and the soul of Australia.

This presentation takes the audience to some of the most iconic places in central Queensland, from the ghost of the old swaggie murdered at the billabong in the song Waltzing Matilda to the gun-slinging opal town of Opalton. Gary travels past the place where the Labor Party was formed and finds the site of the elusive teddy bears picnic. Along the way, he camps in out-of-the-way places, loses his money betting on flies and chickens, and finds out why they call this place the Outback.

The light-hearted and humorous presentation has a serious side. He introduces the audience to the concept of WoW factors and Moments and how these can be used to improve men's mental health. He talks about the freedom you feel as a biker when you have nowhere to be and all the time to get there.

GARY WOOD is an educator, adventurer, and award-winning author. As an adventurer, Gary has climbed and skied glaciers, and camped in snow caves. He has SCUBA-dived the Great Barrier Reef, and competed in sailboard ocean races, and holds a black belt in Judo. He has ridden motorcycles from the age of six and has had a fascination with them ever since. Gary is the author of the motorcycle adventure book Gun Fights, Ghosts and Goannas and the soon-to-be released Red Dust and Rainforests.

Ashim Ranadive Australia to India on a Sportbike Ten years after presenting 'Dreaming of RTW' at HU Snowy Mountains in 2015, I'm back with a dream realised of riding a sportbike to far-flung places.

Have you ever wondered how to work up to something as daunting as "riding around the world"? For me, it started with reading the HUBB and an overnight trip with a bag strapped to the back of my bike. At HU NSW 2015, I presented on how slowly increasing the distance and duration of my travels taught me something new each time, as I worked towards my ultimate goal of 'The Big Trip'.

This presentation encompasses my journey leading up to and culminating in a ride from Australia to India on my ex-race bike GSXR600. Exploring the Siberian wilderness, crossing the Mongolian steppe, navigating border control in the Pamir Mountains and breakdowns in Pakistan. This is a tale of hardship, resilience, and achievement (that's the bike; I was just along for the ride to take pretty pictures).

ASHIM RANADIVE is a stubborn individual who didn't know much about overland travel or motorcycles and who decided to take his first bike (a Suzuki GSXR600 sportbike) on an overnight trip. A decade later, that has turned into riding the world on a GSXR, including quite possibly being the first person to cross Mongolia, and one of a few to tackle Central Asia, on a sportbike.

Robin Leven Motorcycle Musing [Book Release and Signing]

ROBIN LEVEN, debut author of the soon-to-be released Motorcycle Musing, joins the Bowerbird Publishing alumni from the beautiful Atherton Tablelands. A medical officer, wife, mother, motorcyclist, poet, and now the author of this exciting motorcycle adventure novel.

Robin has ridden extensively throughout the eastern states of Australia, fully embracing the biker lifestyle and living alongside her characters. As a dedicated general practitioner with advanced anaesthetic skills, Robin balances her medical career with her passion for riding and socialising within the FNQ biker community. With a deep appreciation for nature and an insatiable zest for life, medicine, motorcycles, music, and adventure, Robin brings her experiences to life on the page. A master of imagery, she vividly captures the musings of a motorcyclist's universe, from vibrant landscapes to profound reflections on existence. This book serves as a testament to her life on the road and a legacy of her love for the motorcycle world. Motorcycle Musing is scheduled for release on 17 March 2025.

Robin will have her own author's booth in the Adventure Travel Zone on-site. Book pre-sales will commence soon - keep an eye out for the announcement!

Lyn Williams Eastern Europe: the Hidden Gem Crossing into Slovenia was such a pleasant surprise and so was the rest of Eastern Europe.

We all have our ideas about what to expect when visiting different countries, and we were in for a delightful surprise in Eastern Europe! Far from the dull images you might see on TV or the boring countryside, the 14 countries we rode through were vibrant and full of life. The people we met were incredibly friendly and eager to help, the roads were fantastic for riding, and the sights we encountered were simply amazing. Eastern Europe is truly a hidden gem just waiting to be explored!

LYN WILLIAMS has been involved with motorbikes from the age of 15, riding a friend's 125 Honda road bike around the paddocks to moving on to dirt bikes, then finally onto road bikes. She has owned lots of bikes from VT 250s , St 1100 , and Yamaha V-Star to her beloved Harley 2008 Softail, and the Yamaha XT 660 that took her around the world, the adventure bug is in her system and will probably never leave.

Alan Curtis Magical Mexico Three months travelling around Mexico on our XT 660s. What a magical experience!

It was an incredible three months and 8,000 kilometres of exploring a country that many warned us was too dangerous to ride. We rode to Creel, via the Devil's Backbone, known as one of the world's most dangerous roads - it's famous for its steep drops, tight hairpin turns, and even some drug-running activity, but on our way back from visiting the Copper Canyon, we decided to try a different route. Come with us on a trip through Magical Mexico, you won't be disappointed. Welcome to Mexico—what an adventure it was!

ALAN CURTIS and Lyn Williams Lyn left Australia in 2014 on 2two Yamaha XT660s, and rode around the world for three and a half years. We then travelled for 12 months in the U.S., Canada, and Alaska in a box truck.

Bec Fox and Dave Pidcock Indo-China: The People and the Present Planning a year-long trip in 2026, we needed a decent shakedown ride to assess bikes and gear suitability. We thought, "Southeast Asia!"

A chance lift on a BMW Airhead while hitchhiking through Syria 40 years ago led Dave to dream of travelling the same way one day. With the right person, there could be no better way to see the world. Our shakedown trip involved 9,000 km over two months through Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. From barely navigable single-track to the busiest cities in the world, the riding was amazing. The people were even more so.

It was a life-changing journey with challenging tracks, laughter, breakdowns, jungles, dodgy river crossings, the horrors of the past, human connection, frustration, mud, beers, love, flat tires, dust, horizontal rain, challenging borders, language mix-ups, generosity, attempted bribes, bad fuel, new friends, amazing food, and offs in the most unexpected places. We wouldn't have changed a thing.

BEC FOX is an avid adventurer, having spent most of her life travelling with a backpack. About eight years ago, she discovered motorcycles! What a great way to see Australia and the world.

DAVE PIDCOCK retired in 2024 and is looking to spend a lot of time with partner, Bec, on the road going forwards. He has travelled extensively both on and off a motorbike, and has lots to share and plenty to learn - bring it on!

Heather Ellis Africa to the Silk Road / Travel Writing Workshop

HEATHER ELLIS is an Australian motorcycle adventurer, author and speaker who rode solo across Africa and Central Asia along the Silk Roads to China on her Yamaha TT600. She is the author of two bestselling books, Ubuntu: One Woman's Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa and Timeless On The Silk Road: An Odyssey From London to Hanoi.

1. Africa to the Silk Road
The power of the journey: from Africa to Central Asia by motorcycle

Australian motorcycle adventurer, writer, and author, Heather Ellis travelled across Africa, Europe, and central Asia on her Yamaha TT600 from 1994 to 1997. After Africa, Heather worked as a London motorcycle courier, then packed her TT600 to ride the ancient Silk Roads of Central Asia. Heather Ellis is the author of Ubuntu: One Woman's Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa and Timeless On The Silk Road. Both books have received praise from Joanna Lumley, Cheryl Strayed, Tony Wheeler, Ted Simon and many others. In this presentation, illustrated with inspiring images from her travels, Heather will outline her own unique journey and discuss how to discover and hold on to the 'power of the journey' especially in this all consuming age of social media. Heather's next adventure on her Yamaha TT600 will be South to North America.

2. Travel Writing Workshop
Learn what it takes to write your motorcycle travel memoir and get it published.

Heather Ellis is the author of Ubuntu: One Woman's Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa (Black Inc. 2015) and Timeless On The Silk Road (Phonte 2019). Both books are highly rated on Amazon and elsewhere online and have received praise from Joanna Lumley, Cheryl Strayed, Tony Wheeler, Ted Simon, and many others. Writing a best-selling, even readable, travel memoir starts when you're on the road. But it's much more than a 'blow-by-blow' account of what you did. In this travel writing workshop, learn the key steps to writing a book and magazine features. Heather's first book Ubuntu was traditionally published, but she self-published her second book Timeless On The Silk Road. Heather also shares her book sales data, which will surprise you! And, most importantly, you will learn how not to bore your reader because your story has lost that sense of expectation of what comes next.

Linda Bootherstone-Bick Sixty Years of Motorcycling and Music Around the World

In her 60+ years of motorcycling around the world, Linda saw how adventure travel has changed since the 1960s. Back then, motorcycles were common for daily transport in many countries, bike mechanics were simpler, and motorcycle clubs were a fascinating mix of all kinds of riders.

While bikes are more reliable and sophisticated (and bigger, heavier!) today, they're also almost impossible to fix yourself without specialized equipment. In short, while there's more variety in bikes and gear now, there's so much specialization. Still, these changes have influenced how and where many women adventure riders have explored and influenced the experiences they gained.

Linda touches on motorcycling and making music around the world over sixty years. Singing and playing a musical instrument always leads to new friends. She's still very much into shorter trips where she can rent or buy a small bike for the time she's in a country.

LINDA BOOTHERSTONE-BICK is a British-Australian author and motorcyclist who rode solo across Africa in 1974. She's travelled through North America, Europe, northern Africa, and, in 2005-2007, from Germany to Indonesia.

Kathleen Perry Riding Solo Around the World: Part 1 Riding Solo Around the World: Part 2

KATHLEEN PERRY is circumnavigating the world, riding solo on "007" non-stop Alaska to New Zealand.

1. Riding Solo Around the World: Part 1
Alaska to New Zealand riding non-stop - 62 countries over 105,000 km.

Not on my bucket list it just happened. Circumnavigating the World on "007". Hitting on 57-years-old when my journey began. Flying from New Zealand to Alaska on the 1st May 2023. The goal was to ride around the world non-stop with another girl.... Hitting the points of Prudhoe Bay top of Alaska, North America down to the most southern tip of South America Ushuaia. Riding to Nordkapp the top of Norway, Europe, then home to New Zealand. My journey became a solo ride after three short months and the fun began from August 2023 Mexico. Currently, January 2025, riding a small corner of Australia before heading home to NZ late February to ride the length of the The Long White Cloud. This will be the end of this journey riding a Triumph Tiger Rally Pro 900 - Officially the lowest one in the world. Fondly named "007". A journey including a major crash, a few other spills, thrills, and challenges on my way.

2. Riding Solo Around the World: Part 2
Alaska to New Zealand - non-stop, solo most of the way.

Riding around the world from Alaska to New Zealand. The journey has taken me through 62 countries, over 105,000 km. Preparation before the ride started. Challenges of riding solo with a big bike. Border crossings, visas, and the paperwork. The gear I chose and how it has performed. The beauty of meeting others, the solitude, navigation, camping, weather.... Where I chose to ride and why.

Chris and Dale Bartlett, African Odyssey How Often Are You Asked: Is It Safe?

We're so glad you're safe and sound back home. (Well, no thanks!)
Let's stay in and organise the sock drawer. (... said no overland motorcyclist ever!)

Why ride a Moto Guzzi through Africa? Especially, a Quota? Firstly, it was the most bike (by kilo) that we could buy for the least dollars. Secondly, it is agricultural in its technology; little has changed in 50 years. And lastly, an esteemed motorcycle engineer friend supposed it to be possibly the worst bike to choose for a trans-African trip ... it seemed to tick all boxes.

Rumour has it however, that the Quota was designed in response to a request for a desert-capable motorcycle for Gaddafi's Libyan Army. The design brief was for a robust vehicle, capable of 20 years' service on rough to non-existing roads with a 100 mile per hour top speed.

Certainly, the Guzzi is tough enough, and there is a lot of steel to weld stuff to, but it would take a much better rider than me (Dale) to take it across the Sahara. Especially two up. Especially fully loaded with a year's travel accessories...

After eight amazing years living in Oman, Qatar and Dubai, in April 2018 DALE and CHRIS BARTLETT flew their "Guzzi" to Cape Town. Attending HU Queensland 2015 and 2019 with added valuable tips and tricks to their kit.

Elizabeth Norman, Karakoram Bikers Pakistan - The Ins and Outs An immersive tale of the logistics of visiting this most misunderstood country.

Crossing Pakistan falls into most overlanders' world rides. Whether it be arriving from China, India, Iran, and even now Afghanistan, Shah and Lizzy know the ins and outs of every corner of this most underated and misunderstood part of the world and have been supporting overlanders with all the nitty-gritty of visitng and crossing Pakistan since 2016.

From border entries, security alerts and protocols to the mind-blowing scenery and out of the way routes, hospitable people, and love of riding. Based out of their mountain home and traveller guesthouse in Gilgit, Northern Pakistan, they bring a presentation filled with fun stories and a beautiful journey to fulfill a dream. We welcome all motorbike adventure travellers and look forward to sharing our stories with you.

ELIZABETH and SHAH run a motorcycle travel company, Karakoram Bikers, that offers tours and support for overlanders in Pakistan. Liz shared details about travelling through Pakistan at the last HU Snowy Travellers Meeting, which was lots of fun. Liz and Shah have travelled through Asia, Pakistan, and southeast Asia, exploring independently by motorbikes and scooters.

Tim Neale South Island NZ - Easy Adventure Riding! Some say once you ride New Zealand, it will ruin your expectations forever! Easy. Twisty. Food. Scenic. Postcards.

This presentation is to inspire those who might want an easy, scenic adventure without the hassles. New Zealand is the mecca for adventure riders - empty highways, no potholes, not a straight road in sight, awesome people, sensational food, postcard views around every corner, and quality accommodation. Tim will cover choosing a bike, things to see and do, the route we took, accommodation options, and the glorious food on offer. It's not a budget-friendly place, but you might not care!

TIM NEALE has been riding bikes since he was a teen and currently rides a BMW F800GSA. He hasn't ventured too far from home yet, only NZ and around Queensland/NSW.

Glen Cochrane Bike Mods More tricks and tips than dodgy repairs.

What works and what doesn't for extended travel. Proven products tested or many years of off-grid adventure travel. Things to take and what to leave at home

GLEN COCHRANE has done several overseas trips. The longest was from Alaska to Ushuaia over three years and 120,000 km. That's plenty of time to think of how to make his motorcycle fit his needs.

Shane Kuhl Open forum on the psycho-social world of motorcycle travel!

Shane will host an open forum of all the difficult questions and conversations we could, should and sometimes don't deal with. Like:

• How will the time away affect relationships?
• The pre-trip anxiety.
• The separation anxiety whist away.
• How has COVID affected travel?
• Should I leave a copy of my will, statement of choices, power of attorney somewhere handy?

And others. As a social worker, Shane has come to value having those conversations now that he may not have considered before. This will be an open discussion, hopefully leaving nothing on the table.