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21 Mar 2012
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To ask for a list of the best roads in the whole wide world is a big ask!
Somewhere else in here, the website shown below (and the route therefore) has been flagged up.
It is a route that I have covered on a motorbike and it is certainly a contender for "best in the world" as far as Europe is concerned.
La Route des Grandes Alpes - The trail - Association Grande Traversée des Alpes
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23 Mar 2012
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I guess since you listed bolivia you are aware of the Uyuni - Bolivia to San Pedro de Atacama - Chile ride. I did this last year and I must say that it is challenging in every way, from extreme corrugate gravel roads to no roads, through deserts gorges, mountain passes, river beds, riding up mountains over boulders the size of basketballs yet with sharp points like knives, to desert sand so soft that it's like riding in meter thick snow, to salt lakes covered with water and mud and... I could go on and on... it's definately one of the most challenging rides in the world (a friend of mine almost died in the desert when he took a wrong turn, hit deep sand and suffering exhaustion and insanity, dumped his bike and went for a walk, only surviving when he stumbled 5 hours later across a road and managed to flag down the last truck that passed that night just before it turned -25 degrees celcius). After you survive it you can say it was fun!!!
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24 Mar 2012
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Location: Sucre, Bolivia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zundapp
I guess since you listed bolivia you are aware of the Uyuni - Bolivia to San Pedro de Atacama - Chile ride. I did this last year and I must say that it is challenging in every way, from extreme corrugate gravel roads to no roads, through deserts gorges, mountain passes, river beds, riding up mountains over boulders the size of basketballs yet with sharp points like knives, to desert sand so soft that it's like riding in meter thick snow, to salt lakes covered with water and mud and... I could go on and on... it's definately one of the most challenging rides in the world (a friend of mine almost died in the desert when he took a wrong turn, hit deep sand and suffering exhaustion and insanity, dumped his bike and went for a walk, only surviving when he stumbled 5 hours later across a road and managed to flag down the last truck that passed that night just before it turned -25 degrees celcius). After you survive it you can say it was fun!!!
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I've done this on a DR200 in mostly first and second gear the whole way, it wasn't so bad although sometimes people get stuck out there in winter, you have to keep an eye on the weather if riding across then. Also there are 4WD tours everywhere and some accommodation in between.
Having had several close calls in the amazon areas of Bolivia I'd say the roads up there were far more dangerous and challenging.
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29 Mar 2012
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there's a National Geographic book called "drives of a lifetime" which has some good routes not mentioned here, it covers the world and breaks them into different catagories
or you could look at this, the 50 best adventure roads in the world - The 50 best adventure roads in the world - ADVrider
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30 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brclarke
South Island, New Zealand.
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We just did 13.000km there... amazing!
A MUST DO is>
Thomsons Track
Rainbow Road (Only open from Boxing day till end of January I think)
Molesworth Station RD (Only open from Boxing day till end of January I think)
Skippers School
Denseys Pass
Arthurs and Lewis Pass
Get the New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas, a good Atlas makes life easier...
Helped us a lot>
This handy reference book is a must for all motorcycle enthusiasts. Containing 100 top rides, this atlas has suggestions for great trips on both sealed and gravel routes. The rides are categorised into North and South Island sections, and each section is colour-coded for easy reference. Users can easily follow the rides in the complete Hema road atlas at the back of the book.
Features:
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New Zealand's first full colour motorcycle guide
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100 top rides, written by Peter Mitchell: author of Great Escapes - A guide to motorcycle touring in NZ
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Tough plastic sleeve to protect the atlas
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100 sealed and gravel routes shown
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80 pages of touring maps
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26 CBD maps
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Camping Areas
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Department of Conservation Camspite Facilities
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Fully Indexed
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Listing of National Parks showing facilities available
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Rides categorised by State, each state section is colour coded for easy reference
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Rides are actually marked on the map pages with a highlight and a number
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Smile ratings to give readers a quick idea of how good each ride is
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Handy list of every ride, and its smile rating, on the contents page
EDITION: 2nd Edition
SIZE: 168mm x 242mm
PAGES: 196 pages
BINDING: Spiral
PUBLISHED BY: Hema Maps
PUBLISHED DATE: 2007
ISBN: 9781877302329
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30 Mar 2012
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Serra do Rio do Rastro in Brazil is also a great road to visit. Many people say that this road is the Brazilian version of the Passo dello Stelvio in Europe.
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2 Apr 2012
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Great photo and thanks to all for so many great suggestions. I will consolidate all on a website as things get closer to the trip. More suggestions please!
Quote:
Originally Posted by bkm_br
Serra do Rio do Rastro in Brazil is also a great road to visit. Many people say that this road is the Brazilian version of the Passo dello Stelvio in Europe.
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2014 Monster 1200S, 2007 X Challenge, 2016 1200GSA, 2024 CRF300L Rally
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2 Apr 2012
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Great Roads in Oz
Look out for the Great Ocean Road in Victoria Australia. Runs along the clifftops overlooking the Great Southern Ocean on a coast line called the Shipwreck Coast. This name harks back to the days when sailing ships enroute from Fremantle to the east coast ran on to this rugged bit of coast line in the night in the 1800's
Check out
Great Ocean Road, Victoria - YouTube
Have a great trip
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2 Jul 2012
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The Croatia costal road is pretty immense from Dubrovnik to Senj it is dream, lots of cafes, campsites too. Blue adriactic on one side, 1000 metre mountains on the other and enough corners to make it biking fun too.
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9 Jul 2012
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Himalayan rides are my favorite
How about the Karakoram Highway? I love that ride.
Or Manali - Leh and the loop through Lahaul and Spiti.
The rides to Badrinath and Gangotri
East to West through Nepal
Sikkiim...
Ahh memories...
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19 Jul 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elliott Ness
Don't forget the west coast of scotland, mid Wales for gloriously beautiful countryside and great riding roads
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Just did a 1000 mile loop on a rented 1200GS through Scotland (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Portpatrick, Portree, Applecross (my favorite), Nairn, Ballater, Edinburgh). It was a fantastic long weekend, and the team at BMW Motorrad Central in Edinburgh was terrific (ask for Tony).
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CJ
2014 Monster 1200S, 2007 X Challenge, 2016 1200GSA, 2024 CRF300L Rally
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19 Jul 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by parkie
Himalayan rides are my favorite
How about the Karakoram Highway? I love that ride.
Or Manali - Leh and the loop through Lahaul and Spiti.
The rides to Badrinath and Gangotri
East to West through Nepal
Sikkiim...
Ahh memories...
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Quite keen on descending from Kashgar into Pakistan on the KKH, into India for the Manali-Leh road, and crossing Nepal west-east before exiting back into China through Kathmandu. Hoping as we get closer to departure that things are calm in Gilgit area and Pakistan generally. Thanks for the suggestions.
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2014 Monster 1200S, 2007 X Challenge, 2016 1200GSA, 2024 CRF300L Rally
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20 Jul 2012
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Happy travels CJ,
Coming down the KKH it's well worth doing a side trip out to Skardu & beyond.
Can loop back via the Deosai Plains and Astor
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20 Jul 2012
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My favorite road I've ever ridden is the croatian coast road from Rjekia to Dubrovnik.
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20 Jul 2012
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It has to be the IOM TT course.
That's 'Tourist Trophy' by the way, not another name you may see here and there.....
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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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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...
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Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
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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.
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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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