Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meetings

January 13-14, 2012

Short History of HU Meetings

Thailand Meeting Report January 13-14, 2012
By M. Lloyd

Horizons Unlimited was where many motorbiking adventurers in Southeast Asia were found as they gathered for the sixth time in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

74 motorcycle global wanderers and serious adventurists met at the largest motorcycle traveller’s meeting held in Southeast Asia!  As the Horizons Unlimited meetings have grown over the years they have become a destination point for travellers vectoring through Southeast Asia during the winter months. This year the event was held at the Rider’s Corner Restaurant and Inn located on the corner of the ancient moat in Chiang Mai.

Some of the attendees swilling and chilling during the Welcome Reception

There was a “Welcome” reception offered on Friday night by the famed Golden Triangle Rider Band for all travelers wanting to “meet and greet” before the Saturday shows and barbeque.  After an hour of complementary beer and Jameson whiskey mixes, the crowd of over 60 was entertained with soothing background music of the Golden Triangle Rider Band which included musical poetry and ballads like Motorcycle bludger on early retirement (Tuba solo); Me, a Golden Triangle washed-up old drunk (100 Pipers flutist); We’re the real “Golden Triangle Ryder Sycophants” (All holding members); and With my Thorazine and Keamine I’M UNDER CONTROL (Rubber band man). The playlist included 12 new titles from their soon to be released CD.

One multimedia presentation was offered by members of the Shan State of Burma (62,500 square miles) outlining their struggle for recognition, democracy and recent accomplishments. The Department of Foreign Affairs, Restoration Council of Shan State, told their incredible story including the relations their government has had since 1947. 

Robert Hiekel had ridden his motorcycle from China to Pattaya, then tagged a part of Burma (Myanmar) on his way up to the HU Meeting, completing “The Umpung Tung Yai Naresuan Jungle Track” as described on RideAsia.Net

The Friday night presentations also included motorcycle travel multimedia presentations by Jim Barbush about motorcycle adventures and travels in Laos and Taiwan.  Barbush and his company Remote Asia (www.RemoteAsia.com) availed their extensive experience on motorcycle travel, rentals and security to the audience and served as the resident expert on Asia travel throughout the two days.

Some of non-camera shy attendees were found having fun prior to the evening meetings.

Saturday found many travelers gathering for a group photo in the afternoon while others explored the area surrounding Chiang Mai, both on and off-road. 

A sidecar had come overland from Germany and was working its way around the world.

Saturday evening began with an All-You-Can-Eat barbeque by the staff of the Rider’s Corner Restaurant, known as the best barbeque in Chiang Mai.  Following the meal were introductions cajoled by Jeff Pike of all the attendees telling where they were from, going and what types of motorcycles they were using.  It was a wildly mixed audience with several travellers circling around the world while others were beginning their motorcycle adventures in Thailand.

Actor Detective Sgt. David Late of Miranda was seen laughingly chasing around playing a DEA agent in the hunt for secret members of the Heaven and Earth Golden Triangle Riders.

Three multimedia shows followed the barbeque.  They were: Motorcycling in Burma (Myanmar) by Dr. Gregory Frazier and Kerstin Hassmann, Around the World by Motorcycle by Geoff Thomas and Iceland by Motorcycle by Sherrie Thomas.  Following the presentations there was a question and answer period chased by swilling and chilling until closing time.

Motorbikes from around the world were on display from the Rider’s Corner to nearly the Kafe hangout of watchers drawing plenty of attention. 

January 11 and 12 were announced as the dates for the 2013 Horizons Unlimited Traveller’s Mini-Meeting, again to be held at the Rider’s Corner Restaurant and Inn www.riderscorner.net, the Horizons Unlimited touch point for serious motorcycle travellers throughout Southeast Asia.

Big and small motorcycles for serious riders to inspect and photograph made for fun tire kicking and telling of tall travel tales.

end Report.

To attend the 2013 Thailand HU Travelers Meeting, see the registration page here.

Many thanks to The Ride Inn Hotel for hosting hte event and their terrific support.
Also thanks to Greg Frazier for his efforts, and all the many helpers, organisers and speakers who make the event what it is. Thanks to all!

Grant and Susan
Horizons Unlimited

 

More information:

Commemorative Poster

2012 Poster in pdf format 900kb) full colour poster

Thanks for the help!

Accommodation

Major Accommodation

The Ride Inn Hotel
357 Moon Muang Road
Tel: 087-0481787, 085-6188914
Note: The Ride Inn Hotel is the base camp for the 2012 HU Mini-Meeting. They have a limited number of rooms but can find you local accommodations if filled. Located on the corner of the moat surrounding the old city of Chiang Mai, it is easy walking distance to many of the local sites.

Other Accommodation Possibilities

Numerous accommodation possibilities are nearby, but do reserve early as this is the "high season" in Chiang Mai.

Top North Hotel
41 Moon Muang Road
8 rooms are reserved under "Horizons Unlimited"
1,050 TB per night, with air con
Tel: 053-279-6235
topn...@hotmail.com, www.topnorthgroup.com

Top North Guest House
approx 600 Thai Baht (Big Room, air con) 500 TB (Small room, A/C), 400 TB (Small, fan)
15 Moon Muang Road, Soi 2
Tel:  053-278-9000
topn...@hotmail.com, www.topnorthgroup.com

Lai-Thai Guest House
No rooms reserved, but vacancies
111/4-5 Kotchasarn Road
750 Thai baht - Double/Twin
Tel: 053-271-725
m...@laithai.com www.laithai.com

Note: All three of the above are short walking distance to Amora Tapae Hotel, Art Café, "Chill and Swill" Oasis's on The Moat, as well as Internet shops, Starbucks, and numerous other restaurants and tourist shops. They are also very popular with motorcycle travelers attending Chiang Mai Bike Week and have off-street motorcycle parking.

The Meeting Location

Riders Corner Bar and Restaurant
357, Moon Muang Road
Chiang Mai

More information on how to find it.

GPS: N18.47.701, E98.59.602 (Located in the heart of Chiang Mai, on the northeast corner of the old moat, just minutes walking from the central Tapae Gate. Easy to find by tuk-tuk from most hotels and guest houses.)

Menu: Western and Thai.

HU Mini Meeting Special: 15% off all meals for HU travellers Friday and Saturday!

Free Wifi, some off-street parking, open late, English spoken and a "HU traveller friendly" atmosphere. Motorcycle traveller DVD player with multiple screens! Got your special adventure travel DVD? Bring it along and the management will try to play it on the house system.

The Riders Corner Bar and Restaurant and Ride Inn Hotel have become "the meeting point" for serious local and international motorcycle travellers in Asia and especially those in the Golden Triangle of Thailand. It is here that the latest information can be found on motorcycling and travel through the wide network of contacts in and out of the location. The motorcycle specific and freshest maps of North Thailand and Laos are sold from here with net profits going to charitable organizations in Asia. If a motorcycle traveller wants Golden Triangle riding tips, this is the place to start in Chiang Mai!

Getting There - GPS, Maps

If you're heading there, check out the HUBB for the Thailand Meeting thread, who's going etc!

GPS Co-ordinates:

ART CAFE (Swill and Chill near Tapae Gate)
N18.78786 E98.99367

GOODWILL/JOE'S BIKE TEAM (Motorcycle rentals and repairs)
N18.78898 E98.99602

TONY'S BIG BIKES (Motorcycle rentals)
17 Ratchamankha Road, Tel: 053207124

Information about the area

Can you supply us with links, and other info on the places to ride, and interesting things to see in the area? Let us know here.

Local Hosts

The Thailand HU Meeting "Official Travel Agency" is:

Boutique Travel Service
E-Mail: serv...@btsthailand.com
Tel: +66 (0) 53 284 042 or +66 (0) 89 433 1505

If you have any questions, please contact Grant or Greg: glob...@yahoo.com

The Horizons Unlimited events couldn't happen without the support of the local organizers and other helpers, and we greatly appreciate their assistance and support - please be sure to thank them too!