We're very pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2014 Horizons Unlimited Ontario Overland Adventure Travellers meeting, to be held from Sep 11-14!
HU Travellers Meeting Ontario 2014 | Horizons Unlimited

We're back at Camp Manitou, on Lake Manitouwabing, north of Parry Sound. Fabulous venue and fantastic riding, not to mention the great food!

If you register and pay before the end of December you can save $50 on a full event pass.

Typical comments from 2013:

"Thank you again for organizing such a great meeting. It was our first and we are certainly looking to attend again."
"Camp Manitou was a great place for this event. The food was excellent. It was fantastic."
"My first HU meeting but not my last! I thought I'd feel awkward but there were quite a few 'newbies' and I discovered I had been to a lot more places than I had thought. The friendliness and diversity of the people attending made it great! See you next year!"
"A special thanks goes out to Bill Hooykaas for leading us through a great GS ride along the Algonquin trail. Like Andy and Keith said: 'What a hoot!'"

HU Travellers meetings are for everyone who dreams of adventure along the road less travelled, on two wheels or four. There are no bands and no wild parties, but we do have great people and interesting bikes - and fantastic stories about travelling to interesting places, plus tech seminars on everything from tire changing to GPS usage to packing lists. For a taster of HU meetings, see the video here:
HU Events, the place to meet and be inspired by other travellers! | Horizons Unlimited

We are very grateful to have a strong organizing team for 2014, led by Bill Hooykaas. Our thanks to Bill and the team for stepping up to make this event happen, but they can use some help, so please consider volunteering when you sign up. It's a great way to meet people too!

We're all here to learn, so if you have information to share, consider signing up as a Presenter - free entry and t-shirt - bonus!
Please pass this on to any serious travellers and would-be travellers you think might be interested in attending or presenting!

Thanks for anything you can do to help spread the word about the event. There is a poster on the webpage you can print off and hand around to local venues and bike shops too!

As we count down the days, you can get the latest event updates by subscribing to this thread, (thread tools, subscribe) or 'Liking' the HU Ontario event page on Facebook.

We'll be there, and hope to see you there!

Grant and Susan Johnson
Welcome to the global home of motorcycle travel and overland adventure travel! | Horizons Unlimited

Will be there, always great people to meet, trails to ride and adventures to hear about, and the camp and food are top drawer!

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The less one knows about bikes, the more one loves Harleys!

Hi,

Last year I attended my first HU Travelers Event at Iron Horse Lodge in Stecoah, NC. I am investigating the 2014 HU Ontario event at Camp Manitou.

Can anyone share more information about:

- On the HU website, I saw some photos of deep rutted roads. What are the general day loop riding options and conditions?

- Does anyone have a compiled list of short loop rides and destinations?

- Where is closest place to stock up on provisions and beverages like wine? Any grocery stores nearby?

- What was the temperature and weather like in September?

- For those tent camping, I assume there is common bathroom and shower facilities?

- Are meals cafeteria style buffet, or served at window like Iron Horse?

- Does Camp Manitou rent towels, provide washer / dryer facilities, and rent coolers?

Just trying to do my planning early. Many thanks.

Kam

Sure thing Kam. Bill here, host of this years event. Answers are highlighted below your questions.

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The less one knows about bikes, the more one loves Harleys!

I'm signed up! Maybe you'll even have to listen to me talk again!


Is it too early to reserve that same camping spot?

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I write books about motorcycle travel. Small, cheap, motorcycle travel. Also superheroes.

Hi Susan,

Is this HUBB session a good place to start discussion about things like:

- Border crossing tips for U.S. travelers & other advice for our lower 48 state riders.
- Pros and cons of travelling the east vs. of west of the Lake Ontario up to HU event.
- How do you travel 407 ETR without electronic pass or cash.
- Scenic route recommendations from Mid-Atlantic region.
- Must see destination, routes, places around HU event.

Otherwise, please direct me to a good place to start posting Q&A and discussion.

I cannot wait.

Kam

Thanks Bill. Your responses greatly appreciated. Perfect.

Thanks.

Kam

I'm not useful for route stuff, since I spend a lot of time with no clue where I am or how I got there. But I can say there's a lot of pretty stuff 'round those parts.

You can travel on the 407 without the epass or cash, they will mail you a bill later. At least, that's what they've done with me.

I've gone to this event twice, both times from the west, so I can't help you with which side of Lake Ontario. I can say the Niagara side is pretty developed, and that is where I am planning to cross this year since I'll be coming from the south. I want to visit the Tesla Museum and...you know..Niagara Falls (which I've seen but are still cool).

As for border crossing, it's not that bad. But don't exchange money right at the border. Even though it's Canada they'll still (apparently) rip you off. Grr. Have your passport, make sure you say you have a job back home, smile lots, don't bring a gun.

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I write books about motorcycle travel. Small, cheap, motorcycle travel. Also superheroes.

So, I should make sure the clean the mud off my license plate before getting on the 407 toll. Thanks.

There are non-toll options as well. The 401, I think.

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I write books about motorcycle travel. Small, cheap, motorcycle travel. Also superheroes.

I noticed the HU Ontario web Events page has two different street address for Camp Manitou. The first address on the right pane states 110 Camp Road. The second one at the bottom of the page states 10 Camp Road. Moreover, the Camp Manitou home website has 199 Camp Road. I made some inquiries directly to the staff at Camp Manitou, and this is the explanation for various addresses:

Quote:

"I hope you are well. Thanks for the email. Simply put good question. Our mailing address is 10 camp road, our courier address is the 199 camp road for the purpose of gps our address is 110 Camp Road, McKellar ON, P0G 1C0. Sorry for the confusion it is a remote area which is why all of the confusion exists because our property is so large they have the three designations."

I also noticed my Garmin nuvi 1490 software has no Camp Road. But it does recognize "The Camp Road." Typing in "The" Camp Road, brings my GPS to correct address. If your GPS doesn't show Camp Road, I would use the 110 THE Camp Road address for your GPS. The GPS coordinates for 110 The Camp Road are as follows:

DMS format (Degrees, Minutes, Second):
N 45° 29' 32.292"
W 79° 52' 58.373"

DD format (Decimal Degrees) :
Latitude: 45.492303
Longitude: -79.882882

Kam

I didn't have a GPS or map that showed the roads around McKellar. There are signs to the camp, and really there just isn't that much around there. I like to think I can get lost with the best of them, but I found it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I write books about motorcycle travel. Small, cheap, motorcycle travel. Also superheroes.

All of the 400 series highways are boring on a motorcycle. There are lots nice scenic alternate backroads and highways.

Going north from the Carling Bay area you won't be disappointed by this route. The last few kilometers is good condition gravel and the rest is well paved with some nice twisties.

http://tinyurl.com/northbound2HU

Any questions? windtogo.wordpress.com
I live in Kingston Ontario but previously in Parry Sound so I know some of the nice back roads and am happy to help any HU riders to decide on a good route.

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Old grey guy goes Stromabout
windtogo.wordpress.com

Hi,

I am planning on attending the HU Ontario event. I live in Virginia. Just outside Washington, DC. I am trying to find scenic roads, places, and byways for my trip. Any suggestions?

Kam

From group: HU Ontario Parry Sound 2014
It would be interesting to have the perpective as speaker of the young Holly Johsnon (she was their last year as a participan)t and she did an amazing trip "Motorcycle for Miracles Hall of Fame" with her Dad Bruce Johnson

https://www.facebook.com/events/625767034133395/