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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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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This is a non political comment, so I'm not promoting one party or another, not even discussing the party names.
According to the YouGov survey I just participated in (sample size over 3,000) 5% of the respondents don't plan to vote tomorrow, 88% have made their minds up on how they will vote, but a massive 8% haven't yet decided.
If this holds true for the population as a whole, out of the total of 45+ million voters, 3.6 million of them will wake up tomorrow, look out of the window, and only then somehow make their mind up. Will it be the sight of a black cat crossing the road? Or an eclipse of the sun that will finally make their mind up?
How representative is the sample? I should have thought those who were savvy enough to sign up for a smartphone app or use a web browser would be amongst the most decisive in the population.
The mind boggles.
(Please don't turn this into a political thread. No party names allowed!)
__________________ "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)
In Australia, it is no problem being undecided, but if you want to stay out of the polling booth it will cost you a $50 fine. Sounds like it might be a good idea to bring that in in the UK. At least nobody can say that a particular outcome wasn't their fault because they didn't vote.
There are lies, damn lies and then there are statistics! You can speculate about hypothesised statistical analysis until your bum falls off but it won't change the outcome!
I liked the talking dog and stripping grannies but can live without yet another urban dance group/choir. Can't tell the difference between the soap box jokers though.
[U][B]
According to the YouGov survey I just participated in
.
Why assume that each and every one responding to a survey tells their innermost thoughts, much less the truth of their real intentions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie
Can't tell the difference between the soap box jokers though.
Andy
Nor I.
Nations get the politicians they deserve and this nation is pretty decrepit so, sure enough, the totally of politicians are equally decrepit and there isn't a Statesman among the lot of them.
So, there is nothing to pick between them, no matter what party they claim to have allegiance with.
The corollary is that it really doesn't matter who happens to be in government for another 5 years - ultimate control of the UK will come from elsewhere.
It could be worse. You might have been unlucky enough to be born across the Atlantic and have to suffer the US election circus.
But hang on. I live way across the Pacific and we have to suffer through most of it. Probably a direct result of allowing Sesame Street into the country all those years ago.
Thankfully the UK process doesn't rate in the colonies so we are spared most of it unless we look at the Guardian on-line.
It could be worse. You might have been unlucky enough to be born across the Atlantic and have to suffer the US election circus.
But hang on. I live way across the Pacific and we have to suffer through most of it. Probably a direct result of allowing Sesame Street into the country all those years ago.
Thankfully the UK process doesn't rate in the colonies so we are spared most of it unless we look at the Guardian on-line.
I didn't even know an election was coming in UK. All we hear about is the new Baby girl. Is Bridget Jones' boy friend Mark running?
You lot are doing much better than us, only 57% voted in US presidential election in '12. Lowest turnout since WW2. Think voting doesn't matter?
You just have no idea just how fooking crazy our nutjobs really are.
World War 3 ? They won't even hesitate. (or ... as some X president who talks to God sez: "bring it on") War! ... it's what we do best!
I've followed this year's campaign intensely even watching the Scotland-only and Northern Ireland-only debates. I think all of the politicians are well intentioned even if I don't share their particular vision of the future and I would gladly go for a drink with any of them and have a natter.
I actually got my photo in a national newspaper at the 2010 election along with a funky chicken.
My daughter is a producer with the BBC and was running a doorstepping crew at Nick Clegg's house in Putney. We live only about 400m away and I got a call real early to say she was cold and could I do a coffee run. So I organised coffee for the BBC, Sky News, ITV and whatever and then the Daily Mirror's 'Mirror Chicken' turned up to get in the photo at which stage Cleggy appeared—doesn't he look young?
You have to admire his composure, seriously answering questions about the coalition talks with a chicken at his elbow.
I couldn't find the image with me in it, but in the one above from the Daily Mail my daughter is in the white hat.
__________________ "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)
[U][B]3.6 million of them will wake up tomorrow, look out of the window, and only then somehow make their mind up. Will it be the sight of a black cat crossing the road? Or an eclipse of the sun that will finally make their mind up?
Possibly a better way of deciding than listening to the election bs coming out from them all
I voted last weekend as I have a postal vote, and then realised, shit, what happens if I see a black cat crossing the road on election day? and have already voted for the wrong person
First of all, I wish people could look up the word 'democracy' in a dictionary and research its origins before using that word to describe any aspect of the first world political circus.
Fining people for not voting?? That really makes no sense, whilst I would argue that it is irrelevant which main stream party candidate anyone votes for, people at least maintain the right to protest by having the right NOT to vote.
Personally, I have no respect for any of the candidates, they are simply the face(less) representatives of the various lobby groups that control our political establishment and ensure that the corporations and billionaires become richer and richer, whilst the workers and middle classes pay for the 'joy' of working for the aforementioned.
In UK terms, the last 2 politicians of any credibility were probably Enoch Powell and Tony Benn. Opposite ends of the spectrum in many ways, but that had ideas and conviction.
UKIP might be able to return a little power to the UK with a swift exercise of removal from the EU, but they seem frighteningly American in their outlook to everything IMHO. Otherwise its all the same...... Integration into the Fourt Reich..........
It makes relatively little difference as I live in a Conservative stronghold. I, "Agreed with Nick" last time and still respect Vince Cable but feel a little let down by Cleggy. I won't be voting Labour and certainly not UKIP.
I've done some online questionnaires this evening. The Independent told me to vote Labour, the Torygraph said vote Conservative.
Apparently, my party matches are:
Conservatives - 66%
Labour - 60%
Liberal Democrats - 59%
Green Party - 51%
UKIP - 43%
Either way, I just wish my vote actually mattered and am seriously considering moving to a marginal constituency.
__________________
Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand
I'm one of the alleged 8% Tim refers to. My view of the 2015 lineup is
I live in a safe seat for one of the parties that I can't bring myself to vote for, so my vote is pointless. The constituency next door has this chap as it's MP. I wonder if he'll be in a job by 10pm GMT +1 tomorrow?
I didn't even know an election was coming in UK. !
That is pretty much how all the press and other media perform when it suits them.
A few days ago we had a large circulation newspaper here in the UK with 3 different front pages for 3 separate areas of the UK campaigning for 3 different outcomes.
Why should the population be anything other than ambivalent?
I don't blame so many people for being undecided - it's usually a matter of choosing the lesser of two (sometimes more) evils.
I remember as a young boy asking my father who he was voting for in the upcoming election, and he told me he always voted for the underdog. I figured that was a pretty good idea then, and it is often a good idea now.
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...
"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.
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.
16Likes
(or ... as some X president who talks to God sez: "bring it on") 
War! ... it's what we do best!
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