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The Ted Simon Foundation
The Ted Simon Foundation encourages those who adventure into the world to go the extra mile and transform their experiences into something of value for the world to share.
An Introduction The Ted Simon Foundation is a non-profit organization, based in Northern California, and has been created by a group of people who believe that individuals of good will, moving among foreign cultures and making themselves vulnerable to the beliefs and customs of strangers, have great importance in promoting world understanding, and even more so when they can distill the essence of their experiences into a form that can be absorbed by many. The purpose of the Foundation is to encourage and assist travellers in making an extra effort to develop their observations and insights into something of value for the rest of the world to share, whatever their medium of expression might be. To those who are setting out we will offer advice, contacts and, where possible, practical help. To those on the road or returning, we will offer assistance in transforming the raw material of adventure into something stunning for the rest of the world to appreciate. We will not be timid in our assessments and we will strive for high standards. The words we live by are Exploration, Comprehension and Communication. Our tendency will be to favour those who travel alone, since this removes barriers to communication, but there are always notable exceptions. Otherwise our doors are open to travellers of all kinds, and not exclusively motorcyclists. The work of the Foundation will be supported by the talents and expertise of a Committee of Advisors, well known in their fields of publishing, photography, film, and other media; the Foundation's website, designed to promote awareness of the projects and the travellers we support, who will be known as Jupiter’s Travellers; and the Jupiter Awards, which will be given annually at a special ceremony for the projects we judge to be best. The members of the Committee of Advisors will be announced at the Foundation's launch event on 6th October (see the post below for more information). The organization has been co-founded by Ted Simon, Iain Harper, Erdem Yucel, Chris Miles, and Kate Kilbourne. The Foundation can be found on the web at jupiterstravellers.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheTedSimonFoundation Working with Horizons Unlimited Horizons Unlimited is one of the Foundation's media and event partners. We would like to thank Grant and Susan for their generous support and for providing the Foundation with the facility to publish this HUBB thread. |
Launch Event - 6th October 2011 - Coventry Transport Museum
The Ted Simon Foundation will be officially launched to the public and press at a special fundraising event on 6th October 2011 at Coventry Transport Museum in the UK.
The launch coincides with the 38th anniversary of the beginning of Jupiter's Travels on 6th October 1973. As well as meeting a host of veteran adventure travellers, guests will be able to enjoy a private tour of the museum, followed by a hot buffet; have their photograph taken with Ted Simon and his round-the-world 1973 Triumph Tiger T100-P; and take part in a special auction to help raise funds for the Foundation. The members of the Committee of Advisors will also be announced. The launch event is kindly sponsored by Adventure-Spec, James Cargo Services, Kriega, Little Brown Book Group, Metal Mule, Rowan Public Affairs, and Traveldri-Plus. E-Tickets for the launch event cost $60 (approx. £37) and can be purchased online via TicketLeap.com We are offering Horizons Unlimited users a 10% discount off the standard ticket price. To take advantage of this offer, simply enter the code HORIZONS when prompted during the ticket purchasing process. |
Jupiter's Travellers
Through direct mentoring and support from Ted and the Committee of Advisors, the Ted Simon Foundation will assist selected adventure travellers with advice, contacts, and practical help, particularly with helping to transform the raw material of adventure (e.g. journals, video, photographs) into something stunning for the rest of the world to appreciate.
Anyone can apply to become a Jupiter's Traveller, whether they are planning, currently undertaking, or have completed a journey, and regardless of their form of transport. Jupiter's Travellers are people who seek to understand the world, and their place in it, through personal adventure travel, and who are inspired and motivated to develop their observations and insights into something of value for the rest of the world to share, whatever their medium of expression might be. A number of interesting applications have already been received and the Foundation plans to announce the names of the first Jupiter's Travellers during August. For further information, please refer to the frequently asked questions on the Foundation website. Applications can be made via the Jupiter's Travellers application form. |
Ride the Redwood Highway with Ted Simon - August 28th 2011
Join Ted Simon on Sunday, August 28th, for a celebratory ride down the iconic Redwood Highway in northern California.
The ride is a combined celebration of Ted Simon's 80th birthday back in May, the long-awaited completion of his new book Rolling Through the Isles, and the launch of the Foundation in his name. A memorable way to enjoy some northern Californian roads, it will also be an opportunity to talk to Ted about his vision for the Foundation and Jupiter's Travellers. Starting from Benbow at 2pm, the route will follow the stunning Redwood Highway (US-101) south for around 50 miles to Longvale, before turning north east on to CA-162 for a further 30 twisty miles towards Ted's home town of Covelo. If you'd like to be part of the ride, please click the I'm Attending button on the Facebook Event page to register your attendance. Motorcycles only please. Rendezvous locations and other information will be made available nearer to the date. |
Revised Start Time for Redwood Highway Ride
The start time for the Redwood Highway Ride with Ted Simon on 28th August has been changed from 2pm to 12pm.
This is to make life easier for those with a long way to travel before or after the ride itself. |
Opportunities to meet Ted Simon during October
As well as attending the California HU Travellers' Meeting at Cambria, Ted Simon will be giving a number of talks and book signings in the UK during October to coincide with the launch of the Foundation.
The full schedule is available here and includes Bristol, London, Coventry, Dorchester and Swansea. |
First Launch Event Auction Lots Announced
One of the helmets worn by Ted Simon during his original journey around the world in the '70s, along with Austin Vince's Terra Circa overalls, will be auctioned at the Foundation's launch event on 6th October.
Full details here... |
Chris Scott's "Desert Riders" Jacket
Chris Scott has kindly offered to support the Foundation's fundraising auction by donating the Aerostich Darien jacket he wore during his Desert Riders expedition (along with a copy of the DVD).
Chris will be at the launch event at Coventry Transport Museum on 6th October. Many thanks Chris! |
Overland Expo 2012 Bonus at Launch Event Auction
Overland Expo have just confirmed that they're offering a full 'Overland Experience' package at OX 2012, worth $270, to whoever places the winning bid for Austin Vince's Terra Circa overalls at the Foundation's launch event auction on 6th October.
More information here.... Don't forget that HUBB users can get a 10% discount off the price of tickets for the launch event by entering the code HORIZONS during the checkout process on TicketLeap. |
Fundraising Auction - Original Artwork and a 1st Edition
The fundraising auction taking place during the Foundation's launch event on 6th October at Coventry Transport Museum has expanded even further.
New lots include a 1st edition of "Jupiter's Travels" in its original hardback format from 1979 (which Ted Simon will sign on the night) and a piece of the original artwork from "Tea with Bin Laden's brother" signed by the author and artist Simon Roberts. |
Carla King interviews Ted Simon about the Foundation
On Tuesday night (23rd August), Carla King interviewed Ted on the SideStandUp radio show about the origins of the Foundation, his hopes for the future, and the plans for the launch event on 6th October.
The full interview was around 40 minutes long, but you can listen to an edited version on YouTube. |
Triumph Sponsorship Announced
Triumph has confirmed it will be supporting the Foundation as a sponsor and will be bringing a Tiger 800 XC along to the launch event on 6th October at Coventry Transport Museum.
They've also offered a VIP Tour of their Hinckley factory (for a group of up to four people) as a lot in the fundraising auction. |
35 days to go...
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Stanfords Sponsor Launch Event
With just under a month to go until the Foundation's launch, the map and travel book specialist, Stanfords, have just confirmed their sponsorship of the event on 6th October at Coventry Transport Museum.
More info here.... |
Jupiter's Travels - The Film
Not long before his 70th birthday in 2001, Ted Simon began a second round-the-world motorcycle journey with the aim of discovering how the world he experienced during Jupiter's Travels had changed since the '70s.
The journey was chronicled in Ted's book, Dreaming of Jupiter, and the first part of the trip through Africa was filmed by Manfred Waffender. The feature-length film is available on DVD in both English and German, but for the first time we're very pleased to have a short trailer available online. You can watch it on the Foundation's YouTube channel here... We'll be giving away a copy of the DVD as a bonus prize for whoever places the winning bid on the first edition of Jupiter's Travels at the launch event auction on 6th October. |
Redwood Highway Ride - Short Film by Helge Pedersen
Helge Pedersen made a fantastic short film of the Redwood Highway Ride on August 28th. It features Ted explaining what the Foundation is all about and why going the extra mile is so important. Huge thanks to Helge for documenting the ride on our behalf.
Watch it on YouTube here... |
Two Weeks to Launch - Only 9 Days Left to Buy Tickets
The launch of The Ted Simon Foundation is two weeks today on 6th October at Coventry Transport Museum in the UK.
Ticket sales will close at midnight (BST) on Saturday 1st October, so there are now only nine days left to buy tickets if you'd like to be there on the night. Tickets won't be available on the door. You can buy tickets online here.... Don't forget to use the "HORIZONS" code for a 10% discount. |
ooh, getting close now. Are the tickets going to sell out? My father and I could love to go, but pay day is friday! I hope there are some left on friday!!!
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Hope to see you there. |
Ticket Sales Closing Soon
Time's running out to secure your place at the Foundation launch event on 6th October. Ticket sales close at midnight (UK time) tomorrow - Saturday. 30 hours and counting....
Tickets can be purchased here |
Too late for me, I didn't manage to have tickets. I'll turn up to Covent Garden anyway to see if I get lucky at the door :-(
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You might want to try the Coventry Transport Museum... |
Thanks for the tips but I think even for that one it's too late and I'll be working anyway:(
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I made it.
I'm quite happy I turned up to the Stanford's, I thought my efforts would be useless but I happily smiled when staff told me there were tickets available, I got in and had a great time with the nice experiences and photos Mr. Simon shared with everybody in there. Lots of pictures and videos, I was running out of battery at the beginning of the event. I obviously got my books signed and walked away extremely happy to have been part of the audience. I'm sure some of you guys were also there but I didn't notice people wearing motorcycle gear.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ilies/clap.gif http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...es/scooter.gif
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Spare ticket
hi
I have a spare ticket for tomorrow, please email fernhume at gmail dot com or text 07765 243180 or pm me if interested. Cheers Fern |
A Good Launch Last night
I expect there are some people who would have liked to attend this last night but were not able to, so a few words.
Iain Harper made a very good introduction to the proceedings and explained the aims of the foundation, which seem to revolve around helping selected travellers fulfil their 'dream' trips, to help them help others on their way and also to help them share their experiences and findings with others on their return. Don't take this from me as gospel though, best check the Foundation site for a proper explanation. Ted himself was a star of course, very humble and amusing about the prospect of a weighty and worthy 'Foundation' being established in his name, but at the same time slightly proud that others will get a chance to see the world through travellers eyes as he has done. By the way there was a somewhat stellar audience of attendees, I think I recognised Tiffany Coates, Chris Scott, Dan Walsh, Lois Pryce and enjoyed a chat with the 'nicest man in overland motorcycling' Sam Manicom and the lovely Birgit. I'm sure there were other glitterati present with whom I'm not familiar, and not forgetting Colin Overland (Editor of Ride magazine) who is a really pleasant down to earth chap. Presentations were made on the first batch of selected 'Jupiters Travellers' and I will be keen to follow their progress. Finally Austin Vince made a hilarious and very revenue-focussed auctioneer fund-raiser. I was disappointed to not clinch Ted's 'Jupiter' helmet, but it went for a very worthwhile £500. Finally I'd be happy to hear from anyone who also attended and also my new mate Nick who I had a good chat with at the event, and we can perhaps talk some more about trundling down to Greece sometime. Cheers Rob. |
It was a good event and great to see the regulars and meet Ted.
If anyone who went has the 'group photo' that was taken in front of Teds bike could they send it over so I can pop it on our blog - I'm the guy with the 'Shoei' racing crutches |
Henry, I've seen one of the grouP on Facebook, when I get in front of a computer I'll see if I can find it for you.
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need 5 posts before I can PM, oh the joys of a new username....
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and one more...
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yes - excellent evening - well worth the long travel down to see it all happen ! Look forward to the "products" of the Ted Simon Foundation - looks very promising and some great potential there !
Iain |
After the Launch
Great to hear all the positive feedback about the launch event and many thanks to all those who trekked up/down/over to Coventry for it.
There's a quick run-down on the event here, which includes a link to a selection of photos from the night. A list of the members of the Committee of Advisors is now online (including Grant, with profiles on everyone to follow soon), along with details of the first group of Jupiter's Travellers. For those of you attending the Cambria Traveller's Meeting this weekend, look out for Ted Simon who'll be talking about the Foundation and Jupiter's Travels. He'll also have some Foundation stickers and pin badges for anyone that's interested. |
Jupiter's Travellers and The 2012 Jupiter Discovery Ride
It's been quite a while since I last posted an update about the Foundation, so here's a quick catch-up....
Last week we announced another seven Jupiter's Travellers who join the 29 already being supported by the Foundation. You'll find the announcement on the blog here. There's a new magazine-style section on the website called Journey Insights, where Jupiter's Travellers share their perspectives in writing, photography and film. Back in February, Rene Cormier joined the Committee of Advisors. And bringing things right up-to-date, earlier today we launched a new project called The 2012 Jupiter Discovery Ride: LA to Flagstaff, which is an opportunity to spend two weeks riding a BMW R1200GS to Overland Expo in Arizona in May. Applications close on 20th April. Ted Simon will be presenting at Overland Expo as well as at the big UK summer HU Meeting in Ripley in July. |
Major Foundation Update
It's been well over a year since I last posted about The Ted Simon Foundation in this section of the HUBB, which is a reflection of the conflicting commitments I and my Foundation colleagues have had until very recently.
Lots has been happening in the background though and we've just finished a significant update to the Foundation website. For those that may not be familiar with it already, The Ted Simon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation based in northern California. We encourage adventure travellers to "go the extra mile" and be reporters of truth in the world. The purpose of the Foundation is to bring those truths to the general public, to counter the generalisations of the media, and to remind us all that life is lived family by family, mile by mile, regardless of the great issues which may be dominating the news. We're now supporting a total of 77 Jupiter's Travellers from 14 different countries who are either planning a trip, on a journey right now, or returned home and working on a book, film or other project to communicate their experiences. We'll soon be launching a new membership scheme and starting to prepare for the 40th anniversary of the beginning of Jupiter's Travels in October. One of the many things I should have posted a long time ago is this video from 2011 in which Ted talks about the concept behind the Foundation's work (from around 3 minutes in).... |
New membership scheme - Jupiter's Companions
The Foundation's new membership scheme was launched this morning.
It's aimed at individuals who share our principles and would like to contribute their ideas, enthusiasm and experience to help our Jupiter's Travellers and their writing, photography and film-making projects. Full details are available on the Jupiter's Companions page of the website. |
Jupiter's Angels - Corporate Membership
Following on from the announcement last month about the Jupiter's Companions personal membership scheme, The Ted Simon Foundation has now launched a corporate membership option called Jupiter's Angels.
It's aimed at businesses that would like to associate their brand with the principles of the Foundation and support the writing, photography and film-making projects of our Jupiter's Travellers. Your help in spreading the word about the new scheme would be very much appreciated. |
Is the Website down? Why?
https://jupiterstravellers.org/ does not respond - Server not found!! Is there no more foundation activity? |
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I think it's all ended sadly. I will check and confirm.
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Regards, Uli |
Update from Ted today:
"...Unfortunately the woe is all over the foundation which has subsided out of sight and now exists only in the minds of our heroic travellers. We just couldn’t get anyone to give us any money, so we really couldn’t afford to keep the site going. I guess we didn’t make enough of a difference." So, sadly, it's all over. |
Sorry to read that Grant. I never really 'got' Ted's foundation but there were enough travel 'A' listers involved that you'd have thought it would have been mainstream in the bike travel world. Certainly sad to see it go though.
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