Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > The HUBB PUB
"How Overlanders are Ruining Overlanding" "How Overlanders are Ruining Overlanding"
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
The HUBB PUB Chat forum - no useful content required!

BUT the basic rules of polite and civil conduct which everyone agreed to when signing up for the HUBB, will still apply, though moderation will be a LITTLE looser than elsewhere on the HUBB.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree11Likes
  • 6 Post By AnTyx
  • 1 Post By Turbofurball
  • 4 Post By Vaufi

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Sep 2023
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,111
"How Overlanders are Ruining Overlanding"


A bit of a clickbaity title, but I think the guy makes some very valid points. And while motorcycles are not as big of an offender, I think (and there are more than enough good moto routes like the TET/TAT/TCAT to fill up an adventure), it's worthwhile to remember to be respectful of the places you're traveling through.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Sep 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 845
The TET is an impending problem in itself, IMHO. There's a lane near us on the TET, that used to only see the occasional group of riders on lightweight trail bikes - maybe a group of 3 or 6 once a month. Since the TET 'opened' I see groups of up to a dozen once or twice a week, including heavy adventure machines with full camping gear. Predictably I can see the lane taking more and more wear until one day there will be TRO signs and it'll be lost to everybody for good. In the UK, legislation has removed about 95% of the lanes that people used to legally ride, and while light traffic on the remainder was tolerable anything that concentrates traffic on to a set route is going to cause a problem sooner or later. And guess what, the publicised route now attracts huge 4WD vehicles as well.

I've raised this concern on various forums and usually the result is one or more of the guys involved in the project start by getting defensive and progress on to personal attacks, so I don't bother any more.

That said the ACT from what I've heard of it seems more sustainable, being based mainly on gravel tracks more suitable for big bikes and 'heavier' use.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 9 Sep 2023
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 338
Mmm, there's old donkey trails here which are unused by motorised vehicles and they're the absolute best fun to ride ... no way in hell I'd put them on Wikiloc when we already get at least 6 large groups of enduro / light adventure bikes and a couple of lots of 4x4s going past our house each week. They rip up the trails, annoy the hell out of those who live here, and often ride faster than is safe
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Sep 2023
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,060
Basically it's the internet and everything connected with it like Youtube etc. People ride with helm cameras, post it and then that specific secret gem is no secret anymore.....


Albania was years ago such an off-road paradise til some turps published ride reports in the internet, in off-road magazines etc. Today it is pita. Like @Turbofurball said: even the donkey trails are ruined by massive trucks like Unimog, Defender, Landcruiser and the like.


If you find a hidden gem, enjoy it and please keep it to yourself
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Oct 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 276
@Tomkat it's pretty much the same situation with TAT in some spots.

While the parts of it are legally still public byways people gate them and prevent traffic from coming through, because there hasn't been any for decades.

Sent from my BV4900Pro which I haven't managed to drown yet
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Oct 2023
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 338
Land access seems to be an entirely different subject! Closing off trails is illegal here, but some farmers still try it ... the flipside is that here and there there are genuinely private tracks (generally just going to one field or house, but sometimes not), and lots of trials that aren't mapped but are legal, so one has to be careful.

On the plus side, unlike the US you're unlikely to get the sharp end of a gun pointed at you unless you're causing damage.
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Oct 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 276
The issue in the states that for example people build a house and turn the access road maintenance (grading, snow removal, etc) to county, still genuinely believing that it is their road because it is on their land. Well it may be their land but it is still a public road which can be used by public.

And even if the road has been taken off the maintenance list, most likely the owner hasn't hired a lawyer and it hasn't gone through the proper legal process, so it's still a public road.

The other point of confusion is that it costs money to install cattle guards, so in many places people just put burb wire fence gates. It doesn't mean that you can't go through just be a good neighbor and put it back up so cattle don't wander off.

And then I have a friend who had a gun pointed at him, or gates bluntly locked, you can't argue with that.

Sent from my BV4900Pro which I haven't managed to drown yet
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Africa ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Invalid for Overlanders Posttree sub-Saharan Africa 2 18 Jul 2024 10:55
Why All Overlanders Should Pay 5 EUR For Camping? thepinproject The HUBB PUB 24 22 Apr 2018 01:49
Any overlanders in Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya around July? Lotte van den Brom Travellers Seeking Travellers 4 15 Jul 2015 13:37
Open Street Map for Overlanders Jan van Bekkum Route Planning 7 16 Feb 2015 22:27
Website Services For Overlanders maximondo Communications 12 18 Dec 2012 10:10

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

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

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:55.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top