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19 May 2023
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Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Texas coast
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The Ride - Texas headed north and east, way east
The wife and I took a long awaited long distance ride that was planned but canceled because of the C word. So May 1 we depart from our home near Corpus Christi, Texas to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and ride with the Texas Trike Group that is really from all over. Iowa, Alabama, Arkansas and Texas were represented this year. The theme was TTR (Texas Trike Reunion) Lost in the Ozarks, a fun week with good friends. Pic was at Buffalo River Outfitters by Low Gap, Arkansas. For those that have never ridden Arkansas, it is a bikers paradise. Great roads, food and people and the state encourages bikers. After spending a few days with friends around the camp fire and ridding great roads, we were off to Toronto, Canada to put the Trike on Air Transat May 11 for a trip to Rome, Italy.
What comes next, who knows, we sure don't. We have the first night lodging nailed down but from there, it's a Wing (pun intended) and a prayer. More to come.
Last edited by bingle64; 20 May 2023 at 21:44.
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21 May 2023
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Heading to Italy - hope the Trike is on the plane
We departed Toronto on Thursday May 11th at 9:30PM, arriving Rome International Air Port on time May 12th at 12:40PM with Trike in tow (we hope, never saw it loaded and we were looking). As we departed the plane in Rome, we went to the airport tarmac to take a bus to the terminal, the Trike was sitting on it’s pallet just waiting. It would be four long hours before we saw it again. We were not allowed to store any gear on the bike to ship it so we had to hump our luggage and a big disposable box containing tools, helmets, wet gear, heat gear and miscellaneous stuff to customs to meet our arriving agent. Seems that rules have changed since the big C word, you now have to have an agent both out bound and inbound, the individual can no longer deal direct with the airline. Our agent in Rome was Mauricio, heck of a nice guy and kept in touch before we departed thru arrival. Getting the bike, though time consuming, was easy with Mauricio’s help. The total bill for his services, custom fees and freight fees (not the shipping) was a little over $450 US. When next I saw the bike,, it was in red velvet jail…..wow, can’t be too careful. People were taking pictures nonstop. Got the bike, loaded the stuff, disposed of the box and off we went, 6 miles to the B&B, we were both exhausted. Who says you can sleep on the plane. We had discovered by accident a gold mine for travel in Italy, though we did not know it at the time. The B&B was AgriSesto, an old converted multi story farm house with entry in the back and a restaurant in the front. The rooms are plain, utilitarian but clean and perfect for us. The restaurant is rustic with a wood burning fireplace, wood fired pizza oven and a wood fired grill. We had a large handmade pizza cooked in a wood fired pizza oven. We met a couple from Canada staying at the same B&B, it was their last night. Apparently there are lots and lots of this places spread out across Italy that vary from working farms to grape vineyards, olive plantations and hunting lodges. They can be found on https://www.agriturismo.it , our new found friends shared this information. Saturday the 13th we are off to Sicily with stops along the way. My quest for Italy is to visit where my father’s generation came ashore with the 7th Army and also visit where Monty made his landing while seeing sights along the way.
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21 May 2023
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On to Sicily - stop in Naples
May 13th, heading to Sicily, first stop is Naples and Pompeii, tonight we sleep in the shadows of Mt. Vesuvius. What have we learned;
In Italy –
Cash is king
It cost $46 Euros to fill the trike, 6.2 Gal.
It is not uncommon for 3 vehicles to occupy a 2 lane road at the place at the same time, no worries, just scoot over.
The center line of the road is there to line up the center of the hood on a car, bike can use any part of the road no matter which direction you’re traveling
Stop lights, stop signs, speed limits are all suggestions, not really mandatory
In the city, you dive with your horn, in the country, not so much
Tunnels are everywhere, from one lane to four lanes with S turns in the tunnels.
Southern Italy, including Sicily is mountainous, the main highways are smooth and the village road can be rough. The top speed limit is 81 MPH on the major highways, some of the two lane roads have 62 mph speed limits on roads an Indy cart could not possibly handle the curve at 40 MPH, what are they thinking.
The photo is Breakfast overlooking Naples.
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24 May 2023
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On to Sicily - stop in Scilla
May 14 Sunday, Left the Naples area still working our way to Sicily, stopping for the night in Scilla, a little beach resort town. We were one block from the beach in a rustic, clean and very nice hotel. Lots of sea side beach restaurants, we followed the crowd, they made a good decision, loved the dinner. Unfortunately the old castle on the point is closed. Tomorrow we are on Sicily, it just an hour away by ferry.
Last edited by bingle64; 27 May 2023 at 20:12.
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28 May 2023
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Finally made it to Sicily and Messina
5-15-23 Sicily – Took the ferry to Sicily, Hotel Europa just out of Messina, rained most of the day, Messina is overcrowded, imagine Houston with the same border but 3 times the people. Big 4 course dinner at the hotel restaurant, which was good but just to much. I did, however get my homemade real Italian cannoli and it was everything I had hoped it would be. Did a little shopping, now that is a bottle of white wine, check the price on Pinot Grigio, it is a bit more expensive at Specs or Wine and More.
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29 May 2023
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To Gela and Syracuse
5-16-23 Gela, where Patton landed with the 7th Army. Overnight at Masseria Sul Mare, a real farmhouse close to Syracuse. This is the second Agri property we have stayed at, extremely cheap, clean, comfortable and just amazing. The hostess made reservations for us at a Pizzeria/restaurant which was wonderful. We did find out that you do not order coffee before the meal in Italy, the waiter was stunned or shocked or both, I do not know. We insisted and everyone stared. I think we committed a national sin.
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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)

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
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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