The Authors' Tent in the central courtyard is where you'll find the likes of Ted Simon, Austin Vince, Graham Field, Dom Giles, Helen Lloyd, Tom Allen and Kevin Turner (hopefully with his new book "From Crystal Palace to Red Square").

We're also delighted that Ivan Cooper will be joining us for the first time with readings on the Saturday from his new book "Tibet: An Accidental Pilgrimage".


"Inspired by the work of Ippolito Desideri, a pioneering, eighteenth-century Jesuit who wrote the first detailed account of Tibet, Ivan Cooper travels by clapped-out jeep and on horseback across the remote grasslands of eastern Tibet. In the company of an itinerant painter of deities who serves as guide and mediator he encounters, amongst others, Lama Sonam, a living Buddha held in reverence by the surrounding nomads, who summarily condemns him to rebirth in one of the Buddhist hells. In a chaotic monastic shanty town that has been illegally constructed around the residence of a living saint he narrowly avoids arrest. Alone and isolated in a land where few foreigners have set foot he is forced to re-evaluate both who he is and the fixed certainties of the culture in which he grew up."

Great news that Radio Mary are able to join us round the Fire Drums on Saturday night. Have a look at the link to find out more about them. And while here, many thanks to Danny Taylor for arranging this. Nice one!

And a taster? Have a listen to this link.

Will there be a parking charge for non-expedition vehicles? I doubt I'll get my bike fixed by then. Might have to borrow a car...

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That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing...

Hi Senno, nope no charge. That's one of the great things about being at Donington. But bad news about your bike. Good luck on that!!!

Thanks Sam. Glad to hear the parking charge is gone. I've happily paid it in the past but this year money's too tight to mention!

Gonna need all the luck there is to get this bloody bike fixed
Grrr!!

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That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing...

The problem with aging is that you get things wrong
Yes your correct and I am getting senile..well the wife says so .i guess it must be right if she says so lol

Hia organisers. My partner (non-member) and I have booked to attend on our bikes, however I am struggling a bit. I spent much of last year on chemo and have only just started riding again after a 2 1/2 year break. I have had quite a bit of physical damage from the chemo, and I have had to downsize carrying capacity, and my ride stamina is still very poor. My question is: if I am unable to ride on the day, can we bring our Suzuki Jimny instead. It's not expedition, although I hope she will be one day :-D and will we find somewhere near to the camping area where we can park her up securely?

Many thanks, Deana

Hi Deana, brilliant to hear that you guys are coming but really sorry to hear you are battling. Fantastic that you are back on two wheels! You must be smiling big time. I'm sure it'll be a gentle process getting back on track though. Wish you all the best with that. But your question. No problem at all if you have to bring 4 wheels. We have a small but nice spot set aside for people who need to be near their wheels due to medical issues. When you get to Registration, let the guys know we have talked and they will point you in the direction of your pitch. See you in three weeks

I was having a chat with Gabe Bolton the other day and I asked him what stood out in his mind about last years HUBB UK. He didn't think for a milli second before replying.

'For me one of the memorable events at HUBB 2013 was a very impromptu motorcycle problem solving session. I’d bought a bike on ebay a few days before HUBB 2013, and being close to Donington it made sense to collect at while we were in the area. Mary kindly went & collected the bike while I manned the stall, but upon delivery we found it refused to start. Keen to see if it would actually run at all, we started tinkering and before too long a group of a dozen or so people had gathered.

Rather than an hindrance, this group was a collective of great mechanical experience and source of tools! Together we methodically worked through the electrical system of the bike, and after an hour or so, and at least a dozen fuses we isolated the problem to a switch unit on the handlebar, and then to a frayed cable that was shorting on the bars and blowing the same fuse that the fed the ignition system. It occurred to me later that this could have been the ultimate technical demonstration, made all the more interesting as we started with absolutely no idea what the problem was, or if we’d be able to solve it.

The bike ran beautifully and has done since, with the insulation tape still wrapped around that wire and keeping the ignition fuse safe. What’s more, on the Sunday I went on to win the slow bike race on this lovely little NX250.'

2014 is the first time Shop4bikers have been with us. They asked us to mention a new range that they think will be of real interest to overlanders be they bicyclists, motorcyclists or expedition vehicle drivers. Shop4bikers are the sole importers of a new range of waterproof bags from Italian company ‘Amphibious Dry Equipment’.

They tell us that the range includes duffel bags and storage cases for mobile phones, iPad, iPod, GPS, cameras etc are all waterproof and seal tight from water, humidity, dust, sand and dirt. All seams are high frequency welded and guaranteed to be totally waterproof even in the most extreme conditions.

The 60ltr ‘Voyager’ Duffel bag is proving very popular. An ideal size bag for everyday use. Overall dimensions are 57cm (L) x 37cm (W) x 37cm (H). Manufactured in PVC HD 500D with a roll top closure system( no need to worry about zips!) and additional waterproof sealing flap. The bag has a waterproof rating of 5 which means it will float if accidently immersed in water and will remain waterproof to a depth of 1m!!

The bag has a comfortable cordura carry handle and is supplied with an additional,removable shoulder strap. It’s also available in a smaller 45ltr or larger 80ltr size and in 5 colours (Red, Black,Blue,Yellow,Grey). 01246 472758 for more information and catalogue. Shop4bikers motorcycle accessories Chesterfield Derbyshire UK, Amphibious soft seat, motorcycle LED indicators UK, motorcycle tail lights UK, motorcycle security UK, motorcycle covers UK, motorcycle garage UK, Christmas motorcycle presents , Lampa, or visit their Facebook page: Shop 4 bikers. First of course, have a chat with them at the HUBB UK and take a good look at the kit.

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So less than 3 weeks to go and I guess Sam, Iain and a host of others are busy behind the scenes - such a superb event does not happen by itself and I am sure they will be open to any offers of support and assistance in the run up.

As a non commercial presenter I have been putting together some photos which I hope the techies will be able to handle on my behalf .......

Meanwhile if you can't wait almost 3 more weeks have a sneak preview here:

Travellers Tales: HUBB UK 2014 19th-22nd June

Loved those shots on your 'sneak preview'! Thanks very much for sharing. Looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks.

Suzuki have just given us some more info on the bikes they will have at the HUBB UK for you guys to test ride

They will have:
3 x V-Strom 1000
2 x V-Strom 650
and 1 x GSX1250FA

You'll need both parts of your bike license, and you'll need to be over 25. As with most test rides they don't allow pillions and you'll need to have a £250 excess. Have a natter with them more when you arrive. They are a friendly bunch.

Hi Guys

I am at work abroad at the moment, hope to be back for the Donington Park Event and I am planning being there for the 21/22. Can I join and become a Gold Member at the event? Also I would like to order the 2015 calendar and get some HUBB t shirts. I would rather do it this way than use PayPal.
Thanks

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

Hi Caps, sounds great. Susan will give you the gen. She's at the Germany HU event at the moment so will be in touch asap.