 |
|
14 Jul 2010
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 10
|
|
|
Tyre change?
Hi Susan and Grant.
Lars and I will be riding from Copenhagen to the HUMM event, so we changed to street tyres. Will there be any workshop fascilities available on the camp for tyre change? If not, I hope there will be som experienced travellers willing to supervise a tyre change. 
See you all soon.
Henriette
|
15 Jul 2010
|
 |
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,313
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by HenrietteThiim
Hi Susan and Grant.
Lars and I will be riding from Copenhagen to the HUMM event, so we changed to street tyres. Will there be any workshop fascilities available on the camp for tyre change? If not, I hope there will be som experienced travellers willing to supervise a tyre change.
See you all soon.
Henriette |
No problem - there will be tire changing available, or you can do it yourself with a few pointers! 
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
|
15 Jul 2010
|
|
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: West London
Posts: 14
|
|
|
HUMM / Gendarmes warning...
Riding back from the HUMM last year, I got screwed by the Gendarmes on the last peage on the A26 as you close in on Calais (just before J3 - Saint Omer).
I got flashed by a forward facing camera on the A26 heading north from Paris, and the Gendarmes were waiting for me at the Saint Omer peage (before I paid!). Now as motorbikes don't have a front number plate, there was absolutely no evidence that the camera photo was me, and I never saw it. Unless of course they were making it up. I tried arguing the case but they cops weren't having it. So they relieved me of 90 euros, confiscating my passport whilst I went off to get it. Was a struggle to get a receipt and the Gendarme refused to show me his ID. Theiving barstewards.
OK it was a fair copy - I was speeding - but not excessively as was keeping below the max rated speed of TKC80's - <100mph. But was really got me was that they felt able to fine me without evidence.
So if you are going to speed - here's a plan to avoid my plight. Come off the A26 at J4 (Inghem) and head to St Omer. Rejoin at J3 which is just downstream of the peage. Head for Calais and hopefully avoid getting screwed. Check it out on google maps.
Enjoy !
Mike.
|
15 Jul 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW France
Posts: 304
|
|
|
Sounds like a con to me. I've been stopped a few times by mobile radars and they always show you the reading on the radar gun. Also, I doubt that they can get the photo off the speed camera live. You probably think now that you should have denied that you were speeding and insisted on seeing the evidence (with the benefit of that great thing - hindsight)
Apparently some statistics were published for, I think, 2008 where there were 2 million speeding bikes flashed by speed cameras. Of these 1.5 million were forward facing cameras and 400,000 were rear facing but the no. plate was illegible. In the end only 80,000 resulted in fines.
|
16 Jul 2010
|
|
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: West London
Posts: 14
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnon
Sounds like a con to me. I've been stopped a few times by mobile radars and they always show you the reading on the radar gun. Also, I doubt that they can get the photo off the speed camera live. You probably think now that you should have denied that you were speeding and insisted on seeing the evidence (with the benefit of that great thing - hindsight)
Apparently some statistics were published for, I think, 2008 where there were 2 million speeding bikes flashed by speed cameras. Of these 1.5 million were forward facing cameras and 400,000 were rear facing but the no. plate was illegible. In the end only 80,000 resulted in fines.
|
This is where it starts to get interesting. I did insist on seeing the evidence, but to no avail; my request was followed by garlic and onion fuelled laughter from a man in overly tight blue pants with a "screw les anglais" look in his eyes. Am pretty sure it was a con; but will never know. However, it was late on Sun, I was tired after a night out in Paris and starting a new job the next day. On balance, the "cheaper" option was to just pay and get home. I just wish I'd had the time to fight it ! Sometimes its best to just let these things go. However, next time I am riding I will come off the autoroute and go around that Peage for sure ! This year its motorhome & trailer, so no chance of speeding.
|
17 Jul 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cyprus
Posts: 168
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by HenrietteThiim
Will there be any workshop fascilities available on the camp for tyre change? If not, I hope there will be som experienced travellers willing to supervise a tyre change. |
If you are on the campsite I'll give you a hand. I have levers etc. Can't guarantee I will have the right spanner to take the wheels off though.
There will be 2 of us, both with bmw Xchallenge. Mine has the grey lowered seat and tools stored on the front of the bashplate.
Iain
|
19 Jul 2010
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: London
Posts: 28
|
|
|
Transport Back to the UK
hey all,
at late notice my team-mate has had to pull out. no problem for the HUMM itself as i think i have a team to join, and no problem getting down there as i had always planned to ride on my own via a 30th birthday party in guernsey.
however.... my team-mate was going to hire a trailor and drive down, and i was going to dump my bike on his trailor for the trip back to the uk... without a trailor my only option is to ride my bike back but that is really going to interfere with my planned week in the sun on the costa brava after the HUMM...
sooooo does anyone have space in a van or on a trailor for a mild mannered Super Tenere and a couple of metal panniers?? i'd be more than willing to pay her way.
__________________
"I think we've stumbled onto something substantial"
|
10 Aug 2010
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 10
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rossi
If you are on the campsite I'll give you a hand. I have levers etc. Can't guarantee I will have the right spanner to take the wheels off though.
There will be 2 of us, both with bmw Xchallenge. Mine has the grey lowered seat and tools stored on the front of the bashplate.
Iain
|
Hi Ian, Thanks for your offer, which I see now!!!!  Lars, Ashley and Long John helped me out, so I was in good hands. But thanks anyways.
Henriette
|
11 Aug 2010
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Derby
Posts: 1
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyp
Riding back from the HUMM last year, I got screwed by the Gendarmes on the last peage on the A26 as you close in on Calais (just before J3 - Saint Omer).
I got flashed by a forward facing camera on the A26 heading north from Paris, and the Gendarmes were waiting for me at the Saint Omer peage (before I paid!). Now as motorbikes don't have a front number plate, there was absolutely no evidence that the camera photo was me, and I never saw it. Unless of course they were making it up. I tried arguing the case but they cops weren't having it. So they relieved me of 90 euros, confiscating my passport whilst I went off to get it. Was a struggle to get a receipt and the Gendarme refused to show me his ID. Theiving barstewards.
OK it was a fair copy - I was speeding - but not excessively as was keeping below the max rated speed of TKC80's - <100mph. But was really got me was that they felt able to fine me without evidence.
|
France is not the UK. There is no requirement for speed traps to be big white vans staffed by people in dayglo jackets, or for them to show you any evidence.
You won't have been stopped because of the fixed camera photo, you'll have been caught by a manned speed trap a few miles back up the road from where they stopped you. You won't have seen this speed trap, it will be hidden. The first you will know is when you reach the second group of police and they pull you over.
They won't show you a reading on a radar gun, because they don't have the radar gun. They've just been radio'ed your details and the speed you were doing.
Again, France is not the UK, you've just got to accept that it's their country, their rules, and that speeding back towards a ferry port is really asking for trouble.
On a more positive note, got back to the UK on Sunday after another great HUMM followed by a week or so touring back up through France - Tenere loaded up to the max neatly sidestepped any temptation to speed anyway 
|
18 Aug 2010
|
|
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: West London
Posts: 14
|
|
|
HUMM 2010 Crash Antics...
HUMM2010 Antics - Check this YouTube vid out
- I was riding my mates 1200GSA up a steep rocky climb - too fast - hit a large tree root and got pinged off to the side.
- Binned it and managed to face plant a tree and invert the bike and get one of the pots over the bank and embedded in the soft ground.
- Took 7 people to lift the bike back onto the track.
- Damn those 12's are heavy.
- No damage to me or the bike.
- Funny thing is that it's my mates bike. He bottled the climb and we swapped bikes so he could go on my 650XC.
Thanks to all those that helped levitate the GS and to DaveH for filming. All quite convenient being in the middle or nowhere, stuck, and a few minutes later 9 HUMMers turn up. What's also quite funny is the Tim from Loco Motos also turned up with his Disco and trailer en-route to pick someone else up.
Enjoy!
Mike.
|
19 Aug 2010
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: London
Posts: 28
|
|
nice one mike... in a similar vein, there are a few pic's and text here of our humm, right up to the point where i tried to get my team-mates s10 up a hill and holed the engine casing...
Super Tenere Owners Forum • View topic - HUMM 2010
Tim was on his way to our bike when they passed by the fallen GSA on day 2... all good fun eh??
Chris
__________________
"I think we've stumbled onto something substantial"
|
7 Sep 2010
|
|
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,313
|
|
Great stuff guys, keep it coming! 
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
|
7 Sep 2010
|
 |
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyp
my request was followed by garlic and onion fuelled laughter from a man in overly tight blue pants with a "screw les anglais" look in his eyes.
|
Perhaps this kind of dated attitude wasn't helpful when you were caught speeding. It's a bit rosbif Jeremy Clarkson; and being English doesn't give immunity.
There is at the moment in France a big crackdown on those who speed, because of the huge number of road deaths, I think 8000 last year. Nobody likes being done for speeding.
You're right to avoid the autoroutes in future - much more pleasant! But watch out on the lesser roads for mobile, hidden, rear facing speed cameras there too. I have found the French cops much more open to reason than their UK counterparts, and got off with a few things.
There are often speed traps on the autoroute from/to Calais, because lots of mostly English motorists and motorcyclists go well over the limit there. It's an attitude thing.
Better luck next time.
|
7 Sep 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW France
Posts: 304
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caminando
There are often speed traps on the autoroute from/to Calais, because lots of mostly English motorists and motorcyclists go well over the limit there. It's an attitude thing.
|
So what is the attitude of the French registered vehicles that come hurtling past me way in excess of the speed limit (160-200kph at a guess)
French Gendarmes are like most other European police forces - some are reasonable and some are power crazed twats.
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
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
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle 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 all over the world with the help of volunteers; 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, or ask questions on the HUBB. 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.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
More footage
Linear Mode
