HU Austria Adventure Weekend 2024

Horizons Unlimited SECOND Annual Austria Adventure Weekend
Gasthof ESCHAU, Palfau, Austria

Thursday September 12 - Sunday September 15, 2024

Horizons Unlimited Austria Adventure Weekend Schedule

The event is taking place from Thursday September 12 - Sunday September 15, 2024, at Gasthof ESCHAU, Palfau, Austria. This great venue is perfect for riding, and that's the focus of the weekend!

Hengst Pass, Austria.

Schedule

Evening presentations, workshops/challenges and daily ride outs - details to come!

 

River, Austria.

Presenters at HU Austria 2024 - So Far!

Workshops and Tech Sessions below

Hermine Obermann

Hermine Obermann, @HermineObermann Youtube

Chile als Schotter-Anfängerin?
Wie aus einem Plan etwas ganz anderes wurde. Zwei Monate durch den Süden Chiles und Patagonien

2023 durfte ich mit meiner Presentation From Dream to Reality - Solo zum Nordkap als Fahranfängerin beitragen zu der Faszination Motorradreisen. Meine innere Stimme rief mich wieder. Es sollte auf einen anderen Kontinent gehen, mit einem großen Plan. Doch dann kam alles anders. Meine Reise fing in Chile an, solo, mit gemischten Gefühlen, denn Schotter war mein Feind. Drei mal Bein gebrochen, reichten. Jedoch waren die Neugierde auf die Schönheiten und dieser innere Call größer, als die Angst. Ich freu mich, wenn meine Erlebnisse und Erkenntnisse inspirieren und Mut machen, denn Ängste können überwunden werden.

Hermine Obermann, her motorcycle, Chile.

Hermine Obermann at an icefield.

HERMINE OBERMANN's Leben änderte sich, als sie 45 Jahre alt war. Sie entdeckte die Welt des Motorradfahrens und des Reisens. Erst als Sozia, 4 Monate später machte sie ihren Führerschein und seither ist sie mit dem Motorrad unterwegs. Seit 2022 mit ihrer Africa Twin namens Trinity. Der Weg war nicht immer einfach, dreimal Beinbruch und Misserfolge waren hart, jedoch hat sie nie aufgegeben und ist ihrem Traum gefolgt. Viel in Europa unterwegs und 2024 Chile, Argentinien - Südamerika.

Jonas Autenrieth

Jonas Autenrieth

Nordkapp im Winter
Wie bereitet may sich auf eine Reise ans Nordkapp im Winter vor, auf was sollte man Achten?

Im Winter 2023/2024 unternahm ich eine Motorradtour zum Nordkap. Mein Motto dabei lautete stets: Einfach machen. Über Norwegen ging es für mich Richtung Nordkap. Immer wieder wurde ich von Einheimischen vor der, wie sie es sagten, "Höllenwoche" gewarnt. Zu der Zeit wurden negative Rekordtemperaturen vorausgesagt, was dann auch eintraf. Bei -36C musste ich die Reise in einem Hotel für ein paar Tage unterbrechen. Die Temperaturen sanken auf bis zu -41C, an Fahren war da nicht mehr zu denken. Aber auch das ging vorüber und nach vielen harten, kalten und vor allem wunderschönen Tagen erreichte ich das Nordkap.

Jonas Autenrieth, Winter camping with motorcycle

Jonas Autenrieth, Freezing cold outside at -33 Celsius.

JONAS AUTENRIETH: Mit 23 Jahren entschied ich mich dazu, entlang der Westküste Afrikas bis nach Südafrika zu fahren - zunächst mit dem Auto. Doch bald darauf kam mir die Idee: Warum nicht mit dem Motorrad? Mit 25 Jahren erwarb ich dann meinen Motorradführerschein und kaufte mir eine Honda CRF 250 Rally. Es bereitete mir so viel Freude, dass ich ein Jahr später den Entschluss fasste, von Deutschland aus entlang der Ostküste Afrikas bis nach Südafrika zu fahren. Ich hatte keine Ahnung vom Motorradfahren. Zum Beispiel hatte ich zuvor noch nie einen platten Reifen* repariert, trotzdem habe ich es gewagt.

David Gritl

David Gritl, @dear_cleo_ride

AUF MICH GESTELLT
Wie ich als Fahranfänger einen Motorradtrip durch Europa, Indien und Nepal überlebte und Du das auch kannst.

Diese abenteuerliche Reise hat ihren Anfang in einer spontanen Idee, von der ersten Überlegung bis zur Abreise vergehen gerade einmal drei Monate; Führerschein machen und Motorrad kaufen mit eingeschlossen. Klar, dass das nicht ohne Anfängerfehler abläuft. Gestartet wird in Schiltberg. Bis Istanbul nimmt dieser Trip langsam Fahrt auf, bis sich schließch die Herausforderungen häufen: Nach einem Zusammenstoss mit einem Auto in Adana in der Türkei geht es zunächst nach Georgien. Vorbei an zugefrorenen Seen, über eisige Gebirgspässe und gehetzt von wilden Hunden. Da der Iran kein Visum ausstellt, geht es an der Schwarzmeerküste zurück nach Istanbul, während dieser Fahrt erfolgt der zweite Unfall mit einem Auto. Angeschlagen geht es mit dem Flugzeug nach Delhi und von dort aus mit einem geliehenen Motorrad zuerst nach Nepal. Während hier eine Begegnung mit einem Tiger noch glimpflich ausgeht, ist der Angriff eines StraเธฃยŸenhundes nicht ohne Folgen. Mehrere Injektionen und Krankenhausbesuche sind nötig, bevor die Umrundung Indien fortgesetzt wird.

David Gritl, Loading bike onto a boat

David Gritl, Royal Enfield motorcycle

DAVID GRITL: Motorradführerschein seit September 2023. im Oktober aufgebrochen nach Nepal. Auf einer Royal Enfield Bullet. David lässt den Alltag hinter sich und erkundet auf seiner Royal Enfield Bullet die Welt. Er ist immer auf der Suche nach auเธฃยŸergewöhnlichen Orten und Erlebnissen, die er am liebsten mit seiner Tochter Cleo teilt.

Jakob Weinknecht

Jakob Weinknecht, Der.Weinknecht

Android-Based GPS Navigation
Including TET Europe, TET Austria Status, Development, Topics, and Outlook!!
Android is providing a rich portfolio of navigation apps: sharing and best practices

I have done and am doing training for GPS navigation for motorbike riders for more than ten years. In the beginning, it was strongly focused on Garmin devices, software, and applications. Meanwhile, alternatives based on Android outrun the possibilities provided by Garmin and, at the same time, various devices prepared for outdoor used are available on the market. Concept for the proposal is to provide a condensed workshop of using Android as basis for route and track planning as well GPS navigation on the bike, including state-of-the-art solutions for controlling the device directly from the handlebar.

No, I am neither a seller nor influencer for any of the products, applications, or services. I have been much more into this field for many years, including supporting others in developing solutions for rally notebook navigation and more.

JAKOB WEINKNECT is a 46-year-old traveling by motorcycle since 2002. Always searching for the roads and tracks less traveled, and even participating from time to time in amateur Rally. His focus is on navigation and travel through remote areas and wonderful landscapes, so it's no surprise that he has built up three travel and two rally bikes throughout these years on his own.

Jakob Weinknecht

Jakob Weinknecht

Joshua Steinberg

Joshua Steinberg, Wetzlos Weltwärts

Lass uns mal ein Ründchen Fahren
A pro and a beginner on their way around South America

The option in mind that Joana should wait a year for her love that has just been won has a life-changing decision. Without further ado, she gets her motorcycle license, quits her job, and just rides. More adventure than romance, she tells of hospitality and aggressive demonstrators, of friendly customs engines and insurmountable borders, of reunion with old friends and great grief to the back, left behind, of dreamlike landscapes and ruthless nature forces. A story with ups and downs like the geology of the continent on which it is told: South America. Joshua and Joana from the tranquil Haunetal cross the deserts of the Atacama, dig through the mud masses of the Amazon, and overcome the highest passes of the Andes. From the icy deep of Patagonia to the fiery peaks of the volcanoes, they soon notice that this path demands everything from them.

Joshua Steinberg, Motorcycle bogged down on very muddy road

Joshua Steinberg and Joana

At four months old, JOSHUA STEINBERG travelled in the sidecar of his family's Moto Guzzi for the first time to see his grandma a few towns away. At eight, he sat solo on a motorcycle. Ever since, he has been riding extensively in spite of being chronically ill with cystic fibrosis and Type 1 diabetes. None of that stopped him from traveling and he shares this fact to motivate others to overcome their fears and to follow their dreams, even when the odds are against them. Joshua is committed to the German Red Cross with his father and they run the local DRK association to provide voluntary medical services and refugee assistance.

Mat Docherty

Mat Docherty, Vintage Rides

Vintage Rides - Awakening Adventures
Discover the world's unspoilt routes on a Royal Enfield with Vintage Rides

Royal Enfield and Vintage Rides, the world's largest Royal Enfield-only motorbike tour company, bring their passion for adventure travel to thrill seekers and motorbike enthusiasts around the world. Vintage Rides was founded in 2006, after a 20,000-kilometre journey across the Indian continent on a Royal Enfield. Behind the wheel: Alexandre Zurcher, 19 years old. This motorbike trip was a first. A personal challenge to prove to himself that there are no limits to adventure, except those you set yourself. It was the start of a new life, fuelled by an unbridled desire to share the experience.

Today, Vintage Rides operates on four continents, 19 destinations with over 1,500 motorcyclists per year. This presentation will focus on Mongolia, showing a short film of riders' experiences and amazing scenery. Join us on this virtual experience and learn about all of our tours and destinations.

Mat Docherty, Vintage Rides guided tour group.

Mat Docherty, Photographing a group of children.

MAT DOCHERTY got his license five years ago and never looked back! He rides around 30,000 km per year in Europe and overseas. He works with Vintage Rides in the DACH region allowing normal riders to become adventurers on guided tours around the globe.

Educational Sessions

Because Horizons Unlimited events are about informing, not just inspiring, we also have a great lineup of educational sessions for you...

Mark Lee

Mark Lee

Advanced Riding: Cornering [WORKSHOP]
How to enter and exit corners faster AND safer.

This workshop will involve a multi-media presentation and discussion. It is not intended to be a practical. The tips given can be practised alone on a subsequent ride out.

Mark covers the basics and crucial factors of safe cornering. These are often overlooked which can subsequently lead to increased accident or fall risk. Mark will talk about how to approach and go through corners, the correct speed to enter a corner, how to gauge stopping distance, and how to maintain positive throttle throughout the corner. He will also discuss why we should not use trail braking or racing lines when riding on the roads.

Mark Lee, Great Ocean Road

Mark Lee, Blood services motorcycle

MARK LEE has been riding since he was 16, even riding his Suzuki TS50 to school. He loves all things motorcycle-related, including being a Blood Rider, a RoSPA motorcycle instructor, a motorcycle marshal, and even competed in the GS Challenge. 'The best way to learn is to teach' is a great motto to live by, so Mark wants to give back to the motorcycling community whilst trying to fulfill his mission to ride on every continent.

How about you?

We're all here to learn, and there's LOTS to learn! We want to do more presentations and seminars - but we need volunteers to give them! Any topic you can contribute having to do with motorcycle travel, maintenance, planning etc, lasting 20 minutes or more, would be great. Please sign up here.

Online registration is now closed,
but we have plenty of room,
so come and join in!

I'M READY TO REGISTER NOW!

SELECT YOUR PRE-REGISTRATION OPTION BELOW


The Adventure Travel Zone

  • Equipment Specialists
  • Manufacturers
  • Tour Operators
  • Adventure Travel Authors and Film-Makers
  • The HU Store

Exhibitors - So Far

KTM will be on-site with their 2024 model exhibition bikes. You are invited to go for test rides and to check out the latest in KTM gear!

KTM, orange logo


[TBC] - Mosko Moto will be here with adventure and dualsport motorcycles outfitted with a fantastic array of their adventure-ready soft luggage. Check out comfortable and functional apparel, all to meet your needs perfectly.

Mosko Moto logo, black on white


Andes Adventure Bikes make it easy for international travellers to buy a motorcycle in Chile and go on epic adventures. Save yourself the hassles of bike shipment and ask them about the logistics of crossing borders, insurance, and storage before you start your Pan American trip.

Andes Adventure Bikes logo


If you know of any other motorcycle or travel equipment vendors or tour operators who should be there, please suggest it to them! Vendors please contact me for details.

Facilities for a Fantastic Four Days

Gasthof ESCHAU, Palfau, Austria
Gasthof ESCHAU | Fam. Rainer https://www.gasthof-eschau.at/de/
Eschau 102, 8923 Palfau, Austria (Latitude: 47.690273 | Longitude: 14.781493 | Altitude 660m)
Tel.: +43 (0) 3638 / 274

Mat has found a great venue in the Salzatal with stunning views and beautiful crystal clear rivers!

Facilities

  • Separate Camping Area just for us
  • 2 Fireplaces
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Toilets and nice showers (included in price)
  • Austrian Restaurant on site (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Good for hiking
  • Archery and rope walk garden on site
  • Rooms are also available (up to 30 people)

HU Austria 2023 will be at Gasthof Eschau, Austria.

Camping

Official campsite with showers and toilets. Camping fees are not included in registration and have to be paid in cash upon arrival:

13€ per person/per night in a tent
15€ per person per night in a camper

Campers at Gasthof Eschau, Austria.

Accommodation:

Rooms available on site (please pre-book directly) https://www.gasthof-eschau.at/de/uebernachtung/zimmer

PLEASE NOTE: Booking a room DOES NOT register you for the meeting, you will still have to register as usual and pay the full registration fee.

Rooms at Gasthof Eschau, Austria. Rooms at Gasthof Eschau, Austria.

Food:

Breakfast is available (pre-book day before on-site) for 11€ and is a full buffet with tea, coffee, cereal and freshly cooked eggs. There is a restaurant on site which proves À la carte meals from 11:30am to 7pm.

Dining room at Gasthof Eschau, Austria. Food at Gasthof Eschau, Austria.

PRE-REGISTRATION PRICING FOR FULL PASSES

Includes admission to all slide shows, workshops and demos.
Camping is NOT included. Meals are NOT included.

Pre-Register & Pay before:

Event Price

1 Mar 2024

€35 (saves €20)

6 Sep 2024

€45 (saves €10)

AT THE EVENT PRICING (APPLIES AFTER 5 Sep)

Pay Cash on Arrival

Full Pass

€55

I've already registered - I just want to pay!

I'M READY TO REGISTER NOW!

SELECT YOUR PRE-REGISTRATION OPTION BELOW




 

days to go!

Join the discussion:

On the HUBB!
On Facebook!

What happens at HU events?


HU South Africa


Comments about HU Events

"So many trips, tips, subjects, discussions, questions, answers, experiences, insights... I could go on and on. I will be back, and back, and back."

"It was like being with family... a friendly group with shared love of adventure."

"Everyone was humble, genuine, and encouraging, and I really needed that kind of 'we're all just people' kind of atmosphere."

"You'll see and hear the most useful ideas on so many subjects that it boggles the mind."

"Full of very inspiring people who got me fired up again and motivated for my next trip!"

"What a fantastic inspirational weekend...we will be back."

"I have picked up so much information... and met some new friends and wonderful people."

"...a new league of awesomeness."

"Great atmosphere and camaraderie, especially at dinner time, and interesting presentations."

"I have learned so much, made some great mates and met some of the best people. I was buzzing by the time I got home. I have a little trip planned and just can't wait to get out there."

For more about HU Events, see some magazine articles here.

Be a Presenter

We're inviting submissions for presentations, so whether you're attending the event or exploring a distant continent, if you've got a story to tell or expertise to share we'd like to hear from you.

We love to hear stories about your travel adventures, especially if you have great pics! Also, practical how-to sessions such as roadside cooking, navigation / GPS, trip prep and planning, adventure motorcycling medicine, packing light, setting your bike up, communications / blogging from the road, self-publishing your story, yoga for bikers, bodging / bike maintenance, self-defense, photography, videography, tire repair, safe riding techniques, how to pick up your bike, off-road riding, all are of interest.

There are 45 minute and 100 minute sessions available for talks, workshops, demos and live web chats.

Click here to submit your ideas

PLEASE NOTE:

Submitting a Presenter registration DOES NOT mean you will automatically be included in the schedule, as we can have more presenters than available presentation slots. We will confirm one way or the other as soon as we can (but not immediately!)

You can help!

If you have a few minutes, please download the poster (Adobe pdf format) and print off a few and hand them round your club or your local bike shop or anywhere seems like a good place.

Deutschland flag. Deutsche

Poster in pdf format, Deutsche (1.6 MB) full colour Event poster:

HU Austria 2024 meeting poster, Deutsch.


POSTCARD

DEUTSCHE Postkarte im pdf format (450 kb)
und Vollfarbige Veranstaltungspostkarte, kann 4 auf eine Seite gedruckt werden (1.2 MB):

Horizons Unlimited Austria 2024 postcard.

UK flag. English

Poster in pdf format (1.4MB) full colour Event poster:

HU Austria 2024 poster.


POSTCARD

ENGLISH Postcard in pdf format (450 kb) full colour Event postcard, can be printed 4 to a page (1.2 MB):

Horizons Unlimited Austria 2024 postcard.

You may need to right click and choose "save target as..."

Thanks!

Join the Volunteer Crew

From welcoming travellers at the gate, to taking care of the campsite and making sure all the presentations run smoothly, the success of every HU event relies on the enthusiasm of its volunteer crew.

Dee Masters, volunteer extraordinaire!

"What a wonderful bunch of people. I had no idea how much fun I'd have by helping out!"

Volunteering is a great way to make new friends, get more involved with Horizons Unlimited and have loads of fun! You can sign up to volunteer when you register for the meeting, OR click here if you have already registered and want to add volunteering.

Austria Venue Location

Gasthof Eschau, 102, Palfau, 8923 Eschau, Austria

A fantastic location in the beautiful Gesäuse region of Styria in the heart Austria with stunning mountain scenery and crystal clear rivers! See the Danube (1h) or visit Erzberg (2h) or just ride the amazing local roads.

47.69175,14.78142


Information about the area

Places to go / things to see (before or after the event !) :

Wasserlochklamm https://wasserlochklamm.at/en/

One of the most popular destinations in Landl/Austria is the Palfauer Wasserlochklamm. This is ensured by a breezy suspension bridge, numerous wooden staircases and bridges, five intoxicating waterfalls, a wonderful view over the river Salza and the mystery all around “Wasserloch” itself.

Palfauer Wasserlochklamm.

Erzberg
https://www.abenteuer-erzberg.at/en

The Erzberg is the largest open-pit mine in Central Europe, the most important ore deposit in the Alps, a symbol of industrialisation and a central part of the Iron Route.

ErzbergRodeo

More importantly, it's the site of the World Famous Erzberg Rodeo, World Xtreme Enduro Supreme, part of the FIM World Hard Enduro Championship.

KrausCave https://geodorf.com/ausflugsziel/
kraushoehle-gams/

Become a spelunker and learn about "The world's first electrically lit cave", "The largest gypsum-bearing cave in the German-speaking world." and "The only show cave in Europe where hydrogen sulfide converts lime to gypsum.” - Guided tours only!

Austria Tourism
https://www.austria.info/en

If you have any more links or details for the area please let us know.

Local Hosts

Mat and Karla Docherty

Your hosts for the HU Austria Adventure Weekend are Mat & Karla Docherty.

We're VERY grateful to Mat & Karla for stepping up and making it happen with a lot of legwork and effort.

We can always use help on the day - please volunteer to help out for a couple of hours when you register!

HU Events Refund Policy

Like adventures, life can throw surprises our way. Stuff happens. While we would love for you to join the fun and connect with everyone at our events, we understand that you (and the funds) may be needed elsewhere. We'll catch up later!

On our side, we know you appreciate that we have financial commitments to venues and caterers!

The best way to let us know that you're unable to attend an event is to reply to the Registration Confirmation Email you got from us when you first signed up.

Up to 30 days prior to event start, we will refund all fees in full less a $10 (or €9 or £8) handling fee and PayPal charges. At your request, we can apply your Event Registration and all fees to any subsequent HU event you wish in that year or following year.

Up to 15 days prior to event start, we will refund only the camping/accommodation and food packages in full less a $10 (or €9 or £8) handling fee and PayPal charges. At your request, we can apply your Event Registration fee (with no handling fee) to any subsequent HU Event you wish in that year or following year. If you purchased a t-shirt, we will ship it to the mailing address you provide.

Within 15 days of the event start, there will be no refunds. At your request, we can apply your registration fee (with no handling fee) to any subsequent HU event you wish in that year or following year. If you purchased a t-shirt, we will ship it to the mailing address you provide.

If WE cancel an event:

We are constantly evaluating the situation for every event, and very much err on the side of caution. We will endeavour to announce "Final" decision one month or more before the event, but the situation COULD change closer to time, and we could be required by law to cancel.

If we are forced to cancel for COVID or natural disaster, we will roll your registration over to next year automatically.

If you want to transfer your existing registration to any other HU event in the world, just let us know.

Need a full refund? PLEASE REPLY to your original Registration Confirmation email to make it easier for us to find. If you can't find it, please email a request to: events-c (AT) horizonsunlimited(-)com with the subject line: "Refund event-name event-year"

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 

New to Horizons Unlimited?

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80 G/S motorcycle. The website, HUBB forum and regular events across the globe have inspired thousands of people to follow their dreams and take the road less travelled.

Susan and Grant Johnson
Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - Show you're proud to be a Horizons Unlimited Traveller!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love overland adventure travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events such as this one (18 this year!); we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, the HUBB or to receive the e-zine. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.

You can join at a reduced rate as part of your meeting registration. Note that new Memberships with your Meeting Registration are applied as of the Meeting date or as soon as possible thereafter, not earlier, unless you make a special request in the Comments box when you register.