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!
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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!
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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.
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I'm planing a trip by motorbike to marocco in March. I'll have about 4 weeks in country. While I have a bit of off-road experience I do not go there for the dirt roads. I certainly want to see the beauty of the country and some of the more remote places but would prefer to avoid having to mount off-road tires.
Also March is quite early in the year which might mean snow in some places or gravel soaked gravel roads.
I know this is quite a generic question and conditions will vary a lot.
What kind of conditions can be expected in March? Is is recommendable to go on road tires or would this limit me to the really big roads?
Expect it to be wet, therefore depending on where you are there may be the possibility of mud/gravel slides onto the mountain roads. Very wet weather will see the roads being washed over in the Wadi/Ouds which you will be able to get through with care. Further south it will be much dryer but still not very warm. I did a March trip to Morocco about 7 years ago, the other three I've done since, in Jul/Aug have been better. If you can only go in March still do it, it's a great country, just prepare appropriately. Get the ferry to Tangier Med (not any other) as this is currently the best crossing point.
Normally I would say it could rain, but more likely not. It could snow but probably only around Azrou/Ifrane (80km south of Fez). With some luck it will be mainly sunny and in the middle of the day quite warm in the sun, but chilly in the mornings and evenings. If there's no sun it will be chilly all day—viz "Morocco is a cold country with a hot sun."
However weather varies and it's impossible to predict what it will be like, especially in the middle of a massive El Niño oscillation.
The further south you go, generally the warmer it becomes. Keep your eye on weather forecasts for various places in Morocco and if it's cold in the north consider hopping onto the motorway to Marrakech and then over the mountains to warmer climes. My favourite winter destination is Tafraoute in the Anti Atlas mountains, see below (filmed in February).
My first two suggestions for Morocco are always
(1) don't be too ambitious with distances, and
(2) try to avoid the N (national) roads where possible and instead ride on the R (regional) and P (provincial) roads which are both quieter and often more scenic.
N, R and P roads are almost always tarmac. Road tyres will limit you to tarmac or graded pistes. A good compromise choice is a mid tyre such as Metzeler Tourance. Personally I ride Continental TKC 80s most of the time and they are OK on tarmac.
__________________ "For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
this is exactly the type of information I was looking for.
thank you very much.
I got some almost new Anakee 3 on my bike now. Would say they are quite comparable to the Tourance that you recommended.
Sounds like i could get along with them quite well if I avoid the dirty-dirty roads.
Now my only challenge is to get there. I'm thinking about taking the ferry from Genoa but that means crossing the Alps end of Feb. Well if the winter stays as it is now that would not be an issue. there is another ferry from the south of France but for some strange reason this one seems to suspend operation in March / April.
I might be there in April. (as my trip plans change constantly ).
I will ride down to the Ardèche at easter. I´ll take the route du soleil, down the Rhone valley.
It´ll be a bit chilly in the Rhine Valley and the Jura (as always when I pass there
But if you are beyond Besancon, the weater will get more and mor pleasant.
In the Provence you take a left turn until Genova, the ferry will take two nights.
From Tangier take the R road to Chefchaouen [tschauwenn].
Take a break, you´ll arrive there at around 1600 o´clock.
If you like a nice 420 friendly hostel run by a scotch guy with his wife and son (who is a hell of a help with everything), book two nights at Daar Scotlandee.
It´s not easy to find, but it´s worth searching.
In Marocco you´ll almost always find a place with acceptable weather.
And this year you can´t forecast anyway, bc. of the El Nino.
You can reach almost all destinations on Tarmac, but sometimes there is roadwork in progress, and the detour is worth a hard cross circuit
Good luck and I wish you a good time!
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!
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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.
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