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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Hello all,
I am planning a 365 day rtw in 2017 and need to know if there is any information on wild camping-which means free pitching or as free as possible. I am trying to look for sites on this. Maybe this thread will add up info on this issue. I wish to wild camp at least half of the way.
Cheers!
FuseBox
Have a look at iOverlander.com and although the rest of the world isn't as well covered as South America and central America, it will give you a good idea of what other overlanders consider reasonable wild camping spots. Also shows regular campgrounds plus info on repairs and border crossings. The name describes what it is about
A work in progress which is user generated (but then moderated to clean up duplicates etc) and completely free (but the odd dollar or two donation will help pay for bandwidth). Web based or via iphone and android apps. Photos too when people care to add them.
iOverlander is excellent for finding established campsites and moto-friendly hotels however it's pretty useless for true wild camping [in my experience solely from using it for two years in South America] as most users define camping as sleeping in a vehicle. I should add I'm extremely fussy and won't usually camp if there is garbage or fire pits, etc in the vicinity.
I found that nearly always it was better (as a tent camper) to seek out my own locations (though that said there are some gems on there too!). Always think about where you are camping and take note i.e. If your very exposed on flat ground what will you do if a freak electrical storm rolls in? Likewise, often dry river beds make nice camp spots until there is a flood a hundred miles north and at 2 a.m you'd find yourself knee deep in water (this happened me recently!).
Wild camping seems daunting at first but with time gets easier. While it's good to be hidden from main roads and prying eyes, don't hide like you were doing something wrong. This makes you look suspicious and you have to think, whose tent would you rather rob? The one hidden in the bushes or the one that's sat right out in the open?
Unless it's obvious that no one is around that would care, it's best to ask people. This at least let's someone know you are there so in event natural disaster (flood, landslide, earthquake etc) people might come to help you out.
It's also much better to have permission too and learn to ask if it's safe to sleep out in general. If some dude pitched up on your lawn I guess you'd be pretty perplexed. Only once has someone denied me to camp and that was because he was worried about my safety. Some people find it strange that you'd want to sleep outside when 'there's a hotel down the road' but once you communicate that's what's you want (most understand to save cash as a good reason), they're pretty cool.
But yeah wildcamping is the best! Not ideas about Africa or Asia but South America was pretty much made for it!
Having a good map helps: a dead end road or the route of an old road for example. It is much easier if you just want an overnight stop, even if someone has an issue they won't be too bothered if you are leaving in the morning.
One interesting piece of advice I got was to ask the police for suggesyions!
Good luck.
I did wild camping for many years. The basic rule is dont leave any waste, dont make a fire and if there are people ask for permission first. The only country out of 90 was Germany were i had to pay a 15 Euros fine for wildcamping: http://afrikamotorrad.eu/?report=en_...te&design=dark
Can't imagine why anyone would be- ahem...
Here's 'me' giving one a manicure and a cuddle...
It weighs close on the same as one of those bmw Starbucks behemoths cruisers and roughly with the same belligerent attitude as many of its riders which you are way more likely to come across that their furry counterparts
Of course... either way, if you do,... you're sc**ed!
(yes, I'm a little bored in lock down today- no bun fight intended!)
Cautiously aware, but not scared in the least. I've camped all over the American, Canadian and Alaskan west, in cars, on motorbikes, by boat and on foot. I've run into grizzlies in camp and on trails, and black bears more often than I can count. I've had more damage done by 1) ravens, and 2) mice; I've seen more damage done to other people by 3) porcupines and 4) marmots.
When I was 16 I had a particularly intelligent bear rip a hole in my backpack while it lay next to my head at the entrance to my tent. It returned the next night and somehow managed to make off with my food bag from where I'd hung it in a tree. That was 49 years ago, and although it made me skittish for a while it was never repeated. Naturally YMMV, but it's worth focusing your attention on actual, high-probability problems rather than fairy tales.
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.
Virginia: April 24-27 Queensland is back! May 2-5 Ecuador June 13-15 Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 CanWest: July 10-13 Switzerland: Date TBC Ecuador: Date TBC Romania: Date TBC Austria: Sept. 11-14 California: September 18-21 France: September 19-21 Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2
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...
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"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.