Hi All,

Well it's just over five weeks since Ripley and Sam and I have been burning the candle at both ends planning things for next year. After lots of discussion with Grant and Susan, taking account of everything we've learned from nine years at Ripley and all the feedback received, we've come to the firm conclusion that it's time for something new.

We're therefore really excited to announce that the UK Summer Travellers' Meeting is being completely re-invented to create a brand new event for all overland adventure travellers at a cracking new venue near Donington Park.

The name for the new event is HUBB UK and it's going to be taking place from Thursday 30th May to Sunday 2nd June 2013. Get the date in your diaries!



The event will have something for everyone, combining all the best bits from the past with lots of new features, and to better reflect the HU community it'll be an event for adventure motorcyclists as well as cyclists and drivers of 4x4 and other expedition vehicles too.

We'll also be supporting a new charity that I'm sure will be close to many of your hearts.

There's still lots to do before we're ready to properly reveal all the details of the event, so please bear with us until early September when the event's web pages will go online and pre-registration will be up and running.

I hope we can look forward to plenty of positive support with what we're doing.

Keep an eye on the HUBB or follow the hashtag #HUBBUK on Twitter for further news.


Cheers

Iain Harper
HU Event Organiser

Sounds interesting. I like the idea of combining cycling and others.

Had to look up where Donington Park is (about 15 miles straight line south of Ripley).

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

I would say I'm looking forward to it, but actually I'll be a little disappointed if I'm there as hopefully I'll be on the road.

However I just have one little query but I'm pretty certain organisers have this one sorted. Donnington (Download) Music Festival usually takes place around the first weekend in June so if the two events clash traffic is likely to be murder.

EDIT: just looked it up and there's two weeks between the two events.

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http://mudandknobblies.co.uk
http://www.justgiving.com/FMFox

Mornin' Iain,

I reckon you're right with the need for change and, I for one, am looking forward to something fresh.

No doubt you guys will manage to keep the best from Ripley and add to it.

Bring it on!

Regards

Reggie

And that date clashes nicely with the Isle of Man TT.

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'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.

It's great to hear all the positive comments and that the idea is a welcome one - thanks guys.

About the IOM - yes, unfortunately it does coincide with the middle weekend. Picking a weekend anytime between the beginning of May and the end of September is bound to clash with something somewhere. On the upside though, loyal TT fans who didn't want to miss either the HUBB UK or the racing could be on the SteamPacket on the Sunday afternoon/evening and still be on the island in time for the whole of race week.

I imagine those of us on the testosterone side of the hormonal divide probably get mentioned a bit

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

Just bring the 'bear' necessities Ted!

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!

I hope one of the trade stands has a Kriega Hydro 3 with them, please put one aside for me!

Why does technology overtake enjoyment ???????

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.

Hello,

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

Is there an event schedule/itinerary yet? Can't seem to find it if there is.

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www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness

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.


Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' Stories - Ken Thomas


Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' Stories - Ken Thomas


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.....'

.

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town