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!
Ride TalesPost your ride reports for a weekend ride or around the world. Please make the first words of the title WHERE the ride is. Please do NOT just post a link to your site. For a link, see Get a Link.
Search Forums ONLY searches the HUBB, and not well. Use Site Search to search everywhere.
Still in the Catlins area on this day, we rode on many gravel roads and hiked a few tracks. Episode 11 is about 4 minutes long. It starts at Purakaunui Falls, a visit to Jack’s Blowhole follows and the video ends with spectacular views of the coast at Nugget Point.
Another short video (3 :30) starts at Dunedin Railway Station, then we went see the view from Signal Hill and then checked the steepest street in the world. We camped that night in Hampden.
This video starts with a short visit in Oamaru and it's 6 minutes long. Then we move on highway 83 along Waitaki River, on our way to Omarama. We camped that night at Ahuriri Bridge Campground, which is a Department of Conservation (DOC) basic campground, therefore providing only an outhouse. Although the surrounding scenery was very beautiful… it was free of charge.
A note for my friends at Parks Canada : There is no entry fee to the National Parks in New Zealand. All campgrounds within National Parks are managed by the DOC and 4 different rates apply. Note that rates are per person. Services : $18. ; Scenic : $13, Standard : $8 and Basic (free). From my experience so far and from what you have seen in episode 8, there is no control on the number of campers. People are free to set-up their tent, car or camper van (RV) anywhere, one or two rangers try to apply minimum control to ensure revenues however facilities are clearly overused and the land not always thoroughly protected…
A splendid day for our visit to Aoraki/Mt Cook NP with spectacular scenery of mountains covered with snow and hanging glaciers. The episode shows some scene from our 3 hour walk on the Hooker Valley Track and the setting of White Horse Hill campground, a scenic DOC campground. This video lasts 5:30.
This video starts in Lake Tekapo area and then takes us through the Inland Scenic Road that goes around Christchurch. There are some winding portions on that road, specially around the Rakaia River and Gorge. The video ends at the Amberley Beach campground with some funny scenes and lasts about 3:20.
Here's the map showing our itinerary for the second portion of our trip in South Island. We have added about 1400 km more in that section, therefore a total of 3400 km from Amberley to Westport where we arrived on Feb 20.
Map 2
The next video (episode 17) shows our trip from Amberley through Lewis Pass (Hwy 7 North), going to Hanmer Springs next to Waiau River, then taking Hwy 6 along Buller River and ends at Westport.
Other episodes should be posted shortly, we are still having challenges finding proper unlimited WiFi connection. We are currently close to Whangarei, North Island. Weather is great, getting warmer every day!
Foulwind Colony of Seals and Paparoa National Park
In this episode, you will see nice views of the sunset at the colony of seals near Westport. It felt to me like we were teenagers again as we were both on Richard's bike while maintenance was done on mine. We had lots of fun on a very curvy road going to Pancake Rocks and back to Westport.
So far, I have not added any music to the videos and left purposely the natural surrounding sound so that you can hear for example the noise from crickets as we take a trail in the 'jungle'. Sometimes, we can also hear our comments in some scenes which of course, are in French. Some sequence in this video have been accelerated (2X), therefore in this case the sound is automatically muted.
The video is about 15 min long.
In this video, you will see scenes from our ride to Abel Tasman NP, coming back through Kaiteriteri road, going through Takaka Hill (25 km of curves) and ends with a refreshing swim at Pohara Beach (Golden Bay). Some scenes have been accelerated (X2). The video is about 14 min long.
Episode 20 - Abel Tasman NP and Cape Farewell, South Island, NZ
In this episode, we are leaving Pohara Beach, going east to Wainui Falls (Abel Tasman NP) then going west along Golden Bay to Cape Farewell where there are spectacular views of the cliffs and bay. On our return, we were very impressed when visiting Waikoropupu Springs Scenic Reserve, the NZ largest freshwater springs which are exceptionally clear. This site is absolutely gorgeous!
Finally on our way back south, a stop at Hawkes Lookout after riding through Takaka Hills again (Hwy 60). Some scenes have been accelerated (2X) therefore the sound is muted automatically for those. The video is about 10 min long.
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.