HU Travellers Meeting Switzerland 2017

Ted Simon ''Jupiter's Travels''

On the 6th October 1973 at the age of 42 Ted Simon left London on a 500cc Triumph Tiger to complete a four year solo round the world trip covering 64000miles and passing through 45 countries. On the 27th January 2001, aged 69, Ted repeated the journey, this time on a BMW R 80GS to discover what had changed over 28 years. A journey of 59000 miles through 47 countries.

One man. One motorcycle. One world.

Ted's books, Jupiter's Travels, Riding High and Dreaming of Jupiter, are to this day an inspiration to the traveller who seeks to understand the world and his/her place in it through personal adventure.

Ted will show a film (Ken Burns style) about the first part of his first trip, with a voice over by himself. This film was critically acclaimed in the USA, this will be the first showing in Switzerland!

Check out Ted's website Jupitalia, and here's an excerpt of his inspiring book on Google Books: Jupiter's Travel

Christian Schlatter Follow your destiny against the current

... or how a baby dosn't change your travel

After a certain point in my life I decided that I have to do something different in my life: Traveling around the world by motorcycle I started 4 ½ years ago to Central Asia, I crossed Iraq, Iran and Pakistan. Then I met a beautiful Italian Girl and for sure we felt in love. We decided to continue on my motorcycle together and so we crossed South East Asia and stranded in Australia. There we were surprised, because Francesca told me that she is pregnant! After some discussion we continue the travel, got our baby and in Canada we found a nice compromise to continue with all three: we bought a sidecar! Slowly we traveled the Americas and the last continent (Africa) I crossed solo and in a couple of days I will finish my travel in Switzerland. An epic story who changed my whole life.

Dylan Samarawickrama When the road ends

Beating the Darien Gap on a Boatercycle

Then you arrive at a point where there is no road to continue. Between Panama and Colombia, there is one of the most dense jungles of this planet: The Darien! Stretching from the Pacific coast from the West to the Atlantic coast on the East, the Darien is home to many different groups of guerrilla fighters, drug smugglers and randomly scattered but notorious tribal groups which makes it to one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on Earth.

A perfect challenge for Dylan! As the first man ever he sails, solo, 650km around Darien, on the Pacific Ocean from Panama into Colombia on a self-built raft propelled by a motorcycle and experiences one of a kind adventure! A journey that is not only takes him across country borders but also tests his personal limits.

Constant break downs, storms, currents and zero sailing experience were some of the challenges of his incredible journey. When things go from bad to worse, dolphins come to his rescue! Watch the video excerpt of his trip.

Dylan Samarawickrama has travelled around the world for three and half years and modestly says he has 'done some interesting adventures'.

Dylan's book 'Am Ende der Strasse' has now been published in German and English 'When the Road Ends'! Ask him to autograph your copy at the meeting!

Andrew Dysart Lessons Learned Crossing Africa

How to survive overlanding Africa, develop metal strength, deal with officials and bribes, health and how to read and hustle situation.

How physically and mentally strong do you think you are? Presented will be lessons learned from circumnavigating Africa. From hunting animal poachers in Namibia to police escorts in Egypt. Andi will show you the gear you'll need, keeping a healthy mindset and dealing with all types of situations from bandits, corrupt officials or animal encounters. By the end, you'll want to pack your gear and get face to face with one of the wildest untamed and most beautiful continents and people in the world.

About Andrew

Andi is a serial traveler, circumnavigating Africa on a motorbike, rode horses through Patagonia and traveled to over 80 countries on with 6 of 7 continents. He is a kiwi that lives in a rustic off-the-grid alpine hut in the Swiss alps and currently traveling for over two years. Check out Andrew's Facebook page!

Michael "Maikel" Hoh Siberia the most insane ride of my life

Riding the BAM on high water an absolute insane offroad trip. Physically and mentally challenging trip, rewarded with awesome hospitality.

4 Riders planned to ride the BAM, 3 started, 2 accomplished the Mission. Start and End in Mongolia. The first Offroad chapter led us to Gussinojesee to check out the skills of the motley new team. Some technical issued slowed us down but where fixed still fast. From Irkutsk we made our way to North of Lake Baikal via the boring Schigalowo Road. Our team was reduced again in Sewerobaikalsk before we entered the interesting part of the BAM Road. Dirt, Water, Mosquitos waited for us there but also a unique challenge. The few people we meet were the kindest people ever. We made our way on everything a bike can drive on or drive through before we finally were spit out to civilization again in Tynda.

About Maikel

I'm Maikel and since I started motorcycle travelling 2013 I did several more or less big journeys through Europe, Siberia and Central Asia. My preferred way is travelling with a light bike and far from tourists. If people don't call it a road anymore my heart starts to beat faster. I'm an absolutely passionate Enduro driver. Check out Maikel's webpage!

Toshi Meier-Brook Barging Barriers in the Balkans

Turning travel into adventure using a motorbike and a wheelchair

We went to the Balkans on our leaner sidecar combination this year. One goal was to attend the Montenegro HU meeting, which (in contrast to us and our bike) is highly off-road oriented. Seeing where the road would take us during the day, we carried a tent which we didn't use (too many low priced cabins), and a kitchen which we didn't use (too good local food). Apart from admiring some truly amazing landscapes, we didn't really do much sightseeing, and rather tried to get in contact with local people and their culture as much as possible. Despite the title, don't expect our presentation to be mainly about the peculiarities of motorcycle travel with a wheelchair. But, of course, since using a wheelchair can add some spice to many situations, we will loose some words on that. And we will gladly answer any questions concerning travelling to places that are not barrier-free using a wheelchair.

About Toshi

Heike and Toshi have a travel companionship reaching back more than 25 years. Heike is using a wheelchair and needs assistance for most activities. Despite Heike's handicap, together we have explored many parts of the world. Since 2012 we are reaching out for more adventures on a BMW R1200GS with a leaner sidecar. We try to make contact with local people, as much as we can, as our travel is more about the people than about sightseeing.

Judith Seeberger Solo? por qué?

The probably most asked question during my 6-months-trip through the Americas. And it took me a while to find the - for me - right answer.

While showing you some impressions from my solo trip from Anchorage down to Santiago de Chile (July - December 2015) I will as well tell you some stories about the great, interesting, sometimes funny but always friendly encounters with local bikers, their families, with tourists from all over the world, with policemen and border officials.

About Judith

Riding motorcycle since 27 years, I spent my motorcycle holidays mainly in Europe on road and since 5 years off-road as well. Finally I dared to go for 6 months on a solo trip from Anchorage to Santiago de Chile. The best decision in my life! Check out her website!

Mirjam Grunwald Planning makes no sense

After my first trip outside of Europe: Riding back home from India with a friend, I longed for more. And finally, 4 years later I rode of. My goal this time: Mongolia. Again I crossed Turkey and Iran and what a different experience it was this time! Because of a very stressful period before this trip it took me longer then expected to get in the travel mood, but when I finally got it after riding the Pamir highway, having that exciting feeling of being a 100% alive, my trip ended with an accident. This trip learned me 2 things: 1. Planning has no sense and 2. Other people's experience do not have to be yours.

About Mirjam

After many solo trips in Europe I wanted to push some boundaries. Traveling in India has always been my dream, but never succeeded getting there. Then all came together: I had time, money and a friend who wanted to come along, so all I could say was 'yes'! We started organizing and then finally the day came to start our trip. There in India on the highest passes of the world, riding on 'dangerous roads, I felt a 100% alive. The travel virus caught me and never left. Last year I started a second trip, solo and this time my goal was Mongolia. I crossed the same countries and had different experiences. Traveling is being in the moment and the moment is different for everyone.

Hans-Ueli Flückiger From Cancún via Cuba to Panama

Last year the schedule for the Stahlratte.de certain my journey. This 113-year-old sailing ship with six sails drove me in 2013 from Colombia to Panama. The Stahlratte provides the only way Cuba to travel with your own bike. About 4'000 km in five weeks give new impressions and contacts. Jamaica and Providencia, a Colombian island, are quite different. Another highlight are the many wonderful snorkeling dives at different locations. I am happy when I can show you this journey with enthusiasm!

About Hans Ueli

I am 66 years old and travel since 2008 with my Africa Twin through Latin America, total 87'000 km. Part 8 of my journey brought me last year from Cancun with the Stahlratte.de via Cuba, Jamaica, Providencia to Panama. From there I drove the Africa Twin back to Cancun. Check out his website!

Heike & Filippo Fania, 2 Live the Dream From Europe to the Himalayas and beyond!

2 years and 81.000 km on the road

Favorite pics and some great stories from 2 years on the road... due to the limited time, further stories will follow at the campfire...

About Heike & Filippo

Heike & Filippo met 2011 at a Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting in Germany. Soon they realized that they share the same dreams of changing our lives – and so they decided that they both are not going to continue dreaming, but instead to live their dream together. So they gave up their lives at home in Germany and Switzerland, packed everything they need on their motorcycles, and hit the road to discover the world and its people. In 2014, they returned from their 2-year world trip, and settled down in the north of Switzerland, in the beautiful Jura region, where they continue to live the dream.

Filippo Fania Solving Mechanical and electrical problems on the Road

No need to worry about mechanical or electrical problems - all you need is a little basic knowledge and lots of creativity, Filippo "McGyver" will show you

This will be an interactive workshop, where we will focus on what people are interested in. Bring your questions and problems, and together will try to find a solution - in particular for electrical and electronical issues.. Bring your bike and show us also your modifications and special fixes. Filippo will also explain and present some modifications that have proven very helpful during his world-trip with his wife Heike, 2 Live the Dream

Filippo has extensively travelled the world by motorcycle, truck, 4x4 - he has huge experience in motorcycle mechanics and in particular the electrics and electronics. He now runs a business specialised in motorcycle and automobile electrics and electronics.

Judith Seeberger Woman's discusion session

How to travel light and woman on bikes - a contradiction? This and many other female topics

There are many female topics we can discuss about: security, what to take with or not, what bike on a solo trip, how much technical or mechanical knowhow is needed, etc..... with the experience of me and - hopefully - other female travelers there will be a interesting discussion started.

About Judith

Riding motorcycle since 27 years, I spent my motorcycle holidays mainly in Europe on road and since 5 years off-road as well. Finally I dared to go for 6 months on a solo trip from Anchorage to Santiago de Chile. The best decision in my life! Check out her website!

Filippo Fania, 2 Live the Dream Bike Handling Tips & Tricks

Tips on how to handle your fully loaded bike in tricky off-road conditions

Tips and tricks for travellers that want to go off-road with a fully-loaded motorcycle, and don't want to risk a crash. E.g. how to turn around on a very steep and slippery slope with a fully loaded BMW - going downhill save and slow - handling of heavy bikes in difficult situations - turning on a narrow track - etc.

Border crossings - How to get through borders with minimal stress and cost!

Packing light - Tips and techniques from experienced travellers to reduce weight and bulk.

Regional discussions - e.g. travelling in South America or Asia.

For Women Only - A must for the ladies, so be sure to plan on being there! A chance to talk to experienced travelling women without the men around!

Experienced Travellers Panel - ask the experts anything you want!

Walk arounds / Show and tell!

Tents and Bedding discussion (in the camping area) - What works, cheap vs dear and which ones keep you dry, warm and comfy!

Farkle Walk - Take a stroll and talk about your best bike mods - homemade saddle bags, toolbox mounts, GPS mounts, seats, side stands, tank panniers, cup holders, etc.