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14 May 2017
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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Friday May 5 we had arranged to pick up the bikes at 9 am at Motosoul and they kindly let us use their facilities to do the work we needed to do. We had a few snags. The first was there was a 1200 parked in the door to the garage with the steering locked. This required careful maneuvering and a bit of shimmying to get our bike out. Next the new batteries from Louis that are we checked the “correct” ones do not fit in the bikes as the cables can not be connected. Luckily the Deka’s we have are amazing and again started right away after 8 months off tenders. Next after 45 min of struggling with the screws for one exhaust silencer we gave up and packed them in the luggage for later. We really need a magnetic driver to try to get the angle of attack right without fear of dropping ht screw into the pipe. Dan's is a bit bent after the crash last year in Italy. This is a project for later in Kosice. Now the bash plate…. stupid system of rubber and metal bolts that are very difficult to get out. We did not manage to get out more than 1, but back at the guest house and with help and tools from Matthias they finally got them off to be able to mount the new bash plate at 9 pm. After 5 hours of fixing and packing later at Motosoul we dropped off all the gear 20 km south at the guest house and then had to drive 40 km north to the Louis in Leipzig to return the batteries and then another 15 km north to drop the rental car at the airport. This done we had to go back for Sara’s bike at Motosoul and finally arrived back to the guesthouse tired and starved after no food all day at 630. Nicole we will be forever grateful for the delicious hot dinner. Needless to say jet lag and all the work we did not take a single photo! This is courtesy of MotoSoul!
 Wendeberg_Schloss_Mutzschen_HiRez by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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15 May 2017
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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Our plan today was to be up at 7 get the bash plate on and the bikes packed and be on the road after breakfast at 9….have jet lag and be awake at 4 am and then sleep until 9….left there at almost 11.
 The Best Guest House-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We had some fog and drizzle and cool 8.5 degrees weather until after 1 pm and then it was mostly sunny on our ride south into Czech republic after 6 hours and 367 km. This was mostly on small secondary roads, but we did have about 60 km of highway today. There are lovely winding roads thru picturesque villages in Germany and Czech.
 Screen Shot 2017-05-06 at 23.39.51 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Screen Shot 2017-05-06 at 23.37.00 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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15 May 2017
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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We are staying in a guest house of a restaurant in Chvalšiny, Czechia, which is 12 km from the UNESCO city of Cesky Krumlov. We did a short hop down to the city for an ATM and a few photo ops! Then we returned to the Pension for the garlic and cheese soup and a pizza ( fall back meal when you can not read the menu).
 Cesky Krumlov by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Cesky Krumlov-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Cesky Krumlov-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Cesky Krumlov-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Cesky Krumlov-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Cesky Krumlov-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Cesky Krumlov-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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15 May 2017
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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We woke up to a grey and ultimately rainy day. We headed back to Cesky Krumlov for some fuel and then made for the small roads in an almost direct line across Czech to arrive to Trencin Slovakia after 381 km.
 Screen Shot 2017-05-07 at 17.58.53 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We had some heavy rain for about 45 min and this was also on the only freeway section we did. This was a nasty 30 km. Czech’s drive very fast and pass dangerously close too often. Finally we did have some sun in the afternoon. The route is cross-country to the Slovakian border.
 Slovakia by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We arrived to Trencin just before the rain started and we did not get to see the castle as it was closed by the time the rain stopped at 630. We did have a nice dinner on a terrace overlooking the city. We were staying at a very cheap hotel that was above a small casino. Small but clean and comfortable.
 Slovakia-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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15 May 2017
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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Today the forecast is 20% rain, but it is pretty windy and chilly for our ride across Slovakia to Kosice.
 Screen Shot 2017-05-07 at 18.11.01 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We set out first for Bojnice (Bod-neet-sa), where we had breakfast with a view of the castle. The funny thing today was we asked the waitress if she spoke English and she said no, but her friend that did not work there said “ yes” and proceeded to take our order and serve us! “The town is most known for its castle, first mentioned in 1113 and originally built as a wooden fort, it was over time built as a stone castle and in the 20th century in the Romantic style.”
 Slovakia-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
From here we continued on the narrow secondary road thru the Low Tatras national park and onto the 18, which wound around not far from the main road. We ultimately had to put on the rain gear at Poprad because of the cold. It then got sunny and warm by the time we were in nearby Levoca. There was a great fair taking place in the old town and we stopped for a break and some fresh donuts.
 Slovakia-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Last edited by saralou; 16 May 2017 at 12:51.
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15 May 2017
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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Our plan was to keep riding from here on the 547 past the hill top Spis Fortress and then onto Kosice.
 Slovakia-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
It was all going well until we arrived to Jaklovace, where the sign for Kosice had a red X thru it. This means in Europe the road is blocked ahead. This is sometime a small detour, but in this case when we were 35 km from our goal it was blocked and had to re route back 60 km. Later this week we saw why when we approached the bridge from the other side. About a month ago it started to sag in the middle. We were a bit low on fuel, but made it with a few liters left and arrived to Kosice after 382 km and strong wind all day. Of course our Slovakian fiends who were watching us on Spotwalla saw the problem unfolding.
 Screen Shot 2017-05-09 at 22.40.45 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Last edited by saralou; 16 May 2017 at 12:55.
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16 May 2017
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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Arriving to Kosice we were warmly greeted by Tomi, Majka, and Lenka. They had a customary welcome drink for us and a hot soup “which you need after a long days ride”.
 Slovakia-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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16 May 2017
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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We had brought a few “Canadian” gift for them. They are small, but as bikers they know that having carried such items on the bike is “special”.
 Slovakia-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We have been hosted here by them for 3 days including a walking tour of the old town, visits to the Dam and boat tour, Cognac tasting and a tour of the Congac institute, a tour of the Old time car collection of Kosice, small airplane flights over the city and surrounding countryside, a KTM event, and a number of parties.
At KTM they were setting up for an event, but for us they had a special demonstration of the motorcyclists air bag. You have to pull surprisingly hard on the release, but this simulates being ejected from the bike.
 Slovakia_ by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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16 May 2017
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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We drove outside the city and made a detour for some Venison goulash for lunch. It was the off
to the Ruzin Dam for a visit to Marcella and Peter’s lake house and for another welcome drink or 3! We had a bout tour, which was a bit chilly when we started out, but warmed up out of the wind.
 Slovakia_-24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Slovakia_-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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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
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
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.
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
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!
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!
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!
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.'
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.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
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.
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