Dreaming of a motorcycle trip to distant climes? This section will help you to plan your trip, whether it's to the next state, country or all the way around the world! Start here!
The Achievable Dream 5-part series - the definitive video guide for planning your motorcycle adventure. Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
You could just get on a plane with your credit card and passport and buy or rent everything you need when you get there. That includes the bike, riding gear, etc. etc.
Gear Up! is a 2-DVD set, 6 hours! Which bike is right for me? How do I prepare the bike? 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! "will save you a fortune!"See the trailer here!
So you've done it - got inspired, planned your trip, packed your stuff and you're on the road! This section is about staying healthy, happy and secure on your motorcycle adventure. And crossing borders, war zones or oceans!
On the Road! is 5.5 hours of the tips and advice you need to cross borders, 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!
Tire Changing!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!
With an HU blog, you'll get a lot more readers than in some obscure corner of the web, it's all set to go, no setup required, and it's free! Start your Travel Story Blog right now!
800+ HU Communities in over 115 countries! People who want to meet travellers - yes that's YOU - and can provide local assistance, and may be your new best friends!
Make a DifferenceTips on fundraising or donating time and energy to a cause.
After the big trip - Was the trip the best - or worst - thing you ever did?
Resources and Links
Horizons Unlimited Presents!
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.'
"It has me all fired up to go out on my own adventure!" See the trailer here!
Meet people who don't think you're crazy for wanting to ride your bike to South America or across Asia! They will encourage you, share their experiences and advice on how to do it!
We're not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown a hobby into a full time job and a labour of love.
When you decide to become a Member, it helps directly support the site. You get additional privileges on the HUBB, access to the Members Private Store, and more. Of course, you get our sincere thanks, good karma and knowing you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. :-)
All contributions are gratefully appreciated and acknowledged.
T-shirts, Calendars, Stickers
T-shirts 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.
Calendars Featuring the 13 winning photos from the Horizons Unlimited annual motorcycle travel photo contest!
World Map Sticker for PanniersShow your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Travel BooksMotorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
Videos - Watch and Learn!
Horizons Unlimited presents!
Achievable Dream 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.
"The series is 'free' because the tips and advice will save much more than you spend on buying the DVD's."
Advertisers- Horizons Unlimited is well-established as the first source of reliable, unbiased information on all aspects of adventure motorcycle travel.
We reach a dedicated, worldwide group of real travellers, and are the only website focusing exclusively on long distance motorcycle travellers.
If you sell motorcycles or motorcycle accessories, riding gear, camping equipment and clothing, transport motorcycles, organize motorcycle tours, or have motorcycles to rent, you should be advertising with us!
Those of you planning new adventures and grappling with the subject of the venerable Carnet de Passage will be pleased to hear that the RAC are going to be giving a Carnet masterclass at the event - provisionally planned for the Friday afternoon.
It'll be a great opportunity to quiz the experts on where you need a Carnet, what to do with once you've got it, renewals, costs and what to expect from the application process.
On a completely different subject.... if anyone has any fold-out Michelin (or similar) maps they'd be willing to donate to the event we'd be very grateful. We've already got world maps and Michelin maps covering Africa, but South America and Russia, the 'Stans and Mongolia (and anywhere else) would be really useful. If you do have a map you'd be happy to part with, please bring it along and drop it off at the Registration Tent when you arrive. Muchos gracias!
Everyone wants to take better photos of their journeys, so we've got a double-whammy of sessions on the Friday afternoon from professional photographers about how to do just that.
It'll begin with Seb Leeson giving a talk on how to take better pictures without expensive equipment. Seb will cover the technicalities of how a camera actually works before moving on to demonstrate the what makes a good vs bad photo. He'll then go on to practical tips for using some of the more popular cameras, together with using a tripod and wireless transmitter for action photos.
Immediately after Seb's session, Ken and Kristina Binns will take over with a workshop session out and about around the venue with the aim of helping you create more satisfying results with your camera by improving your skills through practice.
By looking at subject opportunities around the grounds, the workshop will cover things like deciding how to compose the image, what is the appropriate exposure using the camera controls, how to analyse the image before and after, and how to quickly problem solve when the result is not what was expected.
And then for those of you with an interest in film-making, we're really lucky to have Austin Vince, Tom Allen and James Newton sharing their expertise with informative and entertaining sessions - provisionally scheduled for the Friday and Saturday.
Once again we will be holding our raffle in aid of our nominated charity, Prostate Cancer, at the 2013 HUBB UK event.
We have some really fab prizes lined up for you already but we are always on the look out for a few more.
If you have any new kit laying around that you don't want, perhaps an unwanted gift or something you never got round to fitting, please bring it along to the meet (or message me and I will give you my address to send it to me if it is easier).
Or if you have any bike shops or dealers in your area that you think you could convince to donate a prize then that would be fab!
The other thing I'm looking for is people who will be at HUBB UK this year that would get a warm fuzzy feeling from donating an hour or two of their time to sell some raffle tickets. If you would like to then please let me know - either on here or come and find me at the event.
I'm really hoping to smash last year's 'total raised' amount so any help would be greatly appreciated
The other thing I'm looking for is people who will be at HUBB UK this year that would get a warm fuzzy feeling from donating an hour or two of their time to sell some raffle tickets. If you would like to then please let me know - either on here or come and find me at the event.
When I'm settled in, I'll come and search you out sometime. See if I can twirl raffle tickets with a pair of spanners and wrench money out of good folks.
Here's just one of the many types of treatments that Prostate Cancer UK help chaps like me come to terms with - every weekday for about 7 weeks:
My blog on this site is a bit old and rambling now (time for an update methinks), so here are two past entries.
I've tried to offer an irreverent account of the diagnosis and treatment process, and how, with good expert help, it can be considered as 'just another adventure.....'
Is there an event schedule/itinerary yet? Can't seem to find it if there is.
Not yet Stephen. I sent a draft version out to all the presenters this afternoon for them to check and comment on by the end of this week. Once I've had all the feedback and made whatever changes are necessary (hopefully not many!) I'll finalise the schedule and make it available online for everyone to see.
Will post on here (and Facebook and Twitter) when it's done.
When I'm settled in, I'll come and search you out sometime. See if I can twirl raffle tickets with a pair of spanners and wrench money out of good folks.
.
Great, thanks for the support.
I look forward to meeting you, I should be central most of the time, but if you can't find me, just find someone with a radio and get them to give me a call
Hi Reggie, none of the companies have said anything to me about doing so. Why don't you drop the most likely candidates a quick line. You may find that if they don't have any in stock they might order some in!
With luck the companies are all picking up on this anyway but belt and braces...
Very cool with your comment about supporting the companies who are coming. We are repeatedly told that the event wouldn't be as good without all the kit to look at, and the guys on the stands to talk to. Nice to have the chance for some in depth conversations isn't it. Always easier to know you are buying the right stuff then eh.
Hi Sam,
well I searched everyone of the websites of the exhibitors and not one had the Helinox chair.
So if I can't buy one from them can anyone else direct me to a UK seller (not Ebay) for a Helinox Chair One?
Jupiter's Traveller, and Pecha Kucha presenter, Claudio Gnypek from Germany is going to be recording a couple of podcasts during the event - made up of interviews with overlanders.
If you have an interesting story to tell and fancy being immortalised in audio, look out for Claudio wandering around with microphone in hand.
The other day I posted about a winching and recovery workshop, plus a Carnet masterclass from the RAC.
We've just had last-minute news that neither of those sessions will be going ahead. Circumstances beyond our control 'n' all that.
There's always a silver lining though.... the spaces vacated in the schedule will be filled by Grant Johnson giving a workshop on motorcycle ergonomics and Ed March reprising his highly-entertaining Malaysia to UK presentation.
Ed will also be stealing the show on the Friday night with a brand new presentation about his recent C90 adventure to the Arctic Circle.
Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's thelist of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.
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
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.