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16 Oct 2011
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+1 on the achievable dream serie.
Warning : be aware that there's good chances that your "maybe doing it" will become "must do it".
That's what happened to me  I'm leaving in 2 days (yikes)
Also find out the blogs from people who've done this trip before. Tons of invaluable infomation and inspiration there as well.
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16 Oct 2011
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Set a date! Seriously, you will be surprised how fast everything else falls into place once you have a date that you told people about. If you are just playing with the idea and not seeing it in your immediate future (and I would say a year away would be an "immediate future" for such a trip), or if you are planning it for certain, a lot of the prep work will be the same. I think the two biggest issues with any major trip will be money and time off of work. Everything else falls into place as you do the research. But if you have no date there is no pressure to save the money or let work get use to the idea, and both can be bigger blocks to your dream than any amount of planning.
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16 Oct 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsyprincess
Set a date! Seriously, you will be surprised how fast everything else falls into place once you have a date that you told people about. If you are just playing with the idea and not seeing it in your immediate future (and I would say a year away would be an "immediate future" for such a trip), or if you are planning it for certain, a lot of the prep work will be the same. I think the two biggest issues with any major trip will be money and time off of work. Everything else falls into place as you do the research. But if you have no date there is no pressure to save the money or let work get use to the idea, and both can be bigger blocks to your dream than any amount of planning.
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Setting a date is not possible. My Mum is in a nursing home and I can't go anywhere until she dies. I know that sounds horrible, but it is being pragmatic. There is no way I can go away for more than two weeks while she is alive.
Actually, maybe I could do a short Spanish trip..............
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17 Oct 2011
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Join Date: Aug 2008
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Do the 2 weeks!
Sorry to hear about your mom, but giving what you wrote I think the 2 weeks Spanish trip would be a brilliant way for you to plan for the bigger trip. You can find out if you even like going long term motorcycle travel (we met one guy who gave up after 2 weeks, turns out as much as he loves one week trips, long term was not his goal at all) and if you like solo travel or if you want to find a partner (be it your boyfriend or another person).
A practice run that is easy to plan and go on helps you know what you need to take and what to expect. And we find we take almost the same amount of stuff if we go for a week or months (so long as we are camping.) Then based on that experience you can start planning what you would do the same or different next time around!
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17 Oct 2011
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Hi,
Anyway i would recomend to start with small trips. They will get bigger and bigger every year anway but then you know how it works, what you realy need and what you have to plan in advance (visa stuff etc).
Have fun, Tobi
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17 Oct 2011
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: St Louis, MO
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Planning a trip like Lois's would be a lot of fun, even if you don't go. You could download Garmin's Basecamp (free) which comes with a world wide global map. As you read a travel book or guide book and think you might wish to visit that location you could place a way point there.
Find a blog of someone who's currently on the road traveling though the country you wish to visit. Then just sit back and absorb everything. As they stop in a city, search a travel guide to see whats there and what you might like to see if in their shoes.
The Adventure Begins
The internet is loaded with great information, Horizons Unlimited is a great site and there are many others out there too.
Vagabond Journey Budget Travel Guide
Bicycle Touring Around the World: cycle tourings best bike tour and travel travelogue story
Have fun!
daryl
Last edited by dlh62c; 17 Oct 2011 at 11:20.
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17 Oct 2011
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LONDONISTAN, England
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SallyBMWrider
Setting a date is not possible. My Mum is in a nursing home and I can't go anywhere until she dies. I know that sounds horrible, but it is being pragmatic. There is no way I can go away for more than two weeks while she is alive.
Actually, maybe I could do a short Spanish trip..............
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Given your circumstances, I would stay at home for the time being, as for any trip anywhere I don't think your head will in the right place.
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
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17 Oct 2011
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SallyBMWrider
Actually, maybe I could do a short Spanish trip..............
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If not that, then at least use your time before you go and learn Latin Spanish, this will be useful for Mexico south, until you get to Chile and Argentina, then you need Castillano Spanish
Good luck
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17 Oct 2011
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: St Louis, MO
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SallyBMWrider
Setting a date is not possible. My Mum is in a nursing home and I can't go anywhere until she dies.
Actually, maybe I could do a short Spanish trip..............
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Who says you have to do it on a bike?
Pick a city from Lois's book and take a plane there and walk around.
I was set to do a trip south this year. Had LOA set up at work, had the bike ready and all my kit. Then mom passed away on Feb 19th. She was my dad's primary care giver. Now the job is mine. For seven months we did great, then he fell and broke his hip on Sept 19th. After a hip replacement I placed him into a care facility, so I know your pain. I won't go anywhere until he passes. It's a personal commitment I will not break. He's all I have.
On a brighter note...the care facility has damn fast internet. So when I drop by for a visit and he's asleep I can surf the net and work on my blog site. I'm living at his house for the time being. Time to time, I set up my camping hammock between a couple of trees, and dream of riding in some far away distant land.
daryl
Last edited by dlh62c; 17 Oct 2011 at 16:12.
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18 Oct 2011
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
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For more information and inspiration you could get yourself along to a HU meeting. A mini meet might have somebody who has been where you hope to go and Ripley will have several people who have done it and will be glad to share their experiences.
Most long distance routes have weather windows, some places, Alaska and Ushuaia for instance can only be visited for a few months of the year so bear this in mind when planning.
It has already been stated and I too have never met anybody who has done a long trip and regretted it.
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19 Oct 2011
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On that point about setting a date, well, it also helps to make it public, because the only way to back out of it is to break a leg I guess.
I knew I was going to Europe next year, but not sure when and actually where to land the bike to start.
Once I thought about it a bit, with regards to weather and climate, I decided on Anzac Day in Gallipoli, Turkey so I could attend the dawn service on 25th April 2012.
That was the easy part, setting the date, then I had to tell people that so it was set in concrete. If you check out my blog page below, you will see I have added a countdown timer, THAT is reality, and makes it a lot closer to the date that I expected 
Cheers
TS
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17 Oct 2011
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Sheffield
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsyprincess
Set a date! Seriously, you will be surprised how fast everything else falls into place once you have a date that you told people about. If you are just playing with the idea and not seeing it in your immediate future (and I would say a year away would be an "immediate future" for such a trip), or if you are planning it for certain, a lot of the prep work will be the same. I think the two biggest issues with any major trip will be money and time off of work. Everything else falls into place as you do the research. But if you have no date there is no pressure to save the money or let work get use to the idea, and both can be bigger blocks to your dream than any amount of planning.
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That's where I'm at - date set for April 2014. Big map on the wall with a route sketched on it and a plan to raise the money and get the time I need off work.
Then you have a target. A meaning and a reason to put it all in place.
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17 Oct 2011
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Calgary
Posts: 34
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What have I learnt from doing semi-ambitious trips? As mentioned, set a date.
Once the word gets out, things start planning themselves. When you get those moments of doubt, you push yourself along saying "it's too late now" because the commitement is made.
I'm leaving this Friday on a trip with undetermined amount of time. No real plan other then a direction: South. Plans are made on the road. Plans are problems when they are broken on the road which happens all too often.
Biggest thing to start doing now is prep the bike. Make sure it's in tip top shape as you don't want to be ordering parts and be installing last minute, or worse, on the road.
Here's something to think about:
1) When have you heard somebody say "my travels weren't worth it". Or it "wasn't a good decision"
or
2) I wished I waited to travel more when I was older...
Just do it. Life can wait. This is coming from a guy who's normally resevered and passed out on way too many experiences using "work" as an excuse..
I'll likely never get a chance again to move to London for two years, or Australia, or even that trip to Thailand. All likely gone now. The sad thing is I'm only 28.
__________________
"Old enough to know better, young enough to not care"
2003 Honda XR650R, 2005 Aprilia RSV1000R, 2008 KTM 250XC
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16 Oct 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guillaume
+1 on the achievable dream serie.
Warning : be aware that there's good chances that your "maybe doing it" will become "must do it".
That's what happened to me I'm leaving in 2 days (yikes)
Also find out the blogs from people who've done this trip before. Tons of invaluable infomation and inspiration there as well. |
Where are you going? Are you going on your own? How long are you going for?
Good luck and I hope you have a marvellous time.
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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)
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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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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.
Hybrid Mode
