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6 Jul 2020
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Short period. Same start. Somewhere new. How?
Many of us are limited by responsibilities such as work or kids etc. This means that long trips are often impossible or few and far between, particularly where overlanding is concerned.
For those of you in that position, if you want to do a bike trip (instead of jetting off on a plane), what are your tricks for making the most of that 2 or 3 week summer holiday?
More precisely, how do you manage to see something new bearing in mind you start from the same place?
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6 Jul 2020
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As it happens your timing for this question is perfect. Adventure Rider Radio (ARR) have just done an episode with a guy that plans in greta detail short tours - there are also links to his website that gives tips on planning.
Anyway here is the link to ARR - https://adventureriderradio.com/adve...entures-better
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6 Jul 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog
For those of you in that position, if you want to do a bike trip (instead of jetting off on a plane), what are your tricks for making the most of that 2 or 3 week summer holiday?
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You still can jet off on a plane. Rental bikes are a thing in most places where you might want to ride. I've ridden rental bikes across New Zealand and North Vietnam, and those were great experiences.
The other option is to put your bike on a truck (using a commercial hauling service), ship it somewhere nice, then fly out to meet it at the start of your holiday.
In Europe, there are also options to skip long boring transit stages. E.g. from Estonia, I can use the Helsinki car train to get up to the Arctic overnight; a ferry from Helsinki or Liepaja/Ventspils to get to Northern Germany in about 24 hours; and the ÖBB Car Train to get from Hamburg or Düsseldorf to the Austrian mountains overnight. And when you compare to the cost of fuel, consumables, and hotels, then the vehicle-carrier trains and ferries are not a big expense.
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6 Jul 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx
You still can jet off on a plane. Rental bikes are a thing in most places where you might want to ride. I've ridden rental bikes across New Zealand and North Vietnam, and those were great experiences.
The other option is to put your bike on a truck (using a commercial hauling service), ship it somewhere nice, then fly out to meet it at the start of your holiday.
In Europe, there are also options to skip long boring transit stages. E.g. from Estonia, I can use the Helsinki car train to get up to the Arctic overnight; a ferry from Helsinki or Liepaja/Ventspils to get to Northern Germany in about 24 hours; and the ÖBB Car Train to get from Hamburg or Düsseldorf to the Austrian mountains overnight. And when you compare to the cost of fuel, consumables, and hotels, then the vehicle-carrier trains and ferries are not a big expense.
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Interesting. You're in the same boat as me.
My problem is that if i want to see something of Italy or France or Spain to takes me half my holiday just to get there and back.
The shipping option is interesting. I looked into it briefly but I think I picked the worst year to get an idea of its potential.
Rental is also possible, but expensive, I imagine. And only outside Europe, I think.
Ideally I'd like to use my bike during the summer holidays. Particularly as I bought it for that reason.
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6 Jul 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog
Interesting. You're in the same boat as me.
My problem is that if i want to see something of Italy or France or Spain to takes me half my holiday just to get there and back.
The shipping option is interesting. I looked into it briefly but I think I picked the worst year to get an idea of its potential.
Rental is also possible, but expensive, I imagine. And only outside Europe, I think.
Ideally I'd like to use my bike during the summer holidays. Particularly as I bought it for that reason.
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There's several companies that ship / truck bikes regularly UK to Spain, and especially close to Morocco to get you most of the way there.
Rental is "expensive" versus your own bike, but factor in shipping / flights, and depending on how long you're going - for a week, it's a bargain, for a month it's way too much. Worth checking!
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7 Jul 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog
The shipping option is interesting. I looked into it briefly but I think I picked the worst year to get an idea of its potential.
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Ask motovedu.ee for specific quotes (they group and organize shipments to popular destinations like Northern Italy and Barcelona). There's a thread on biker.ee right now where a guy wants to share a one-way trip to Milan/Bergamo - 325 EUR + VAT, all-in.
The trick with motorcycle shipping is that you can stack two bike transport frames on top of each other inside a standard trailer, in which case you're only taking up about as much space as two europallets. So shipping two bikes is much cheaper per bike than shipping one. I know that from Estonia, DSV has been willing to truck-ship bikes all over Europe - and I think Motovedu is using them, just providing its own frames.
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7 Jul 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson
Rental is "expensive" versus your own bike, but factor in shipping / flights, and depending on how long you're going - for a week, it's a bargain
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Absolutely. A week's worth of V-Strom 650, including full gear rental, out of Auckland or Christchurch, cost me less than seven hundred euros! Considering that I got to ride a brand-new bike, didn't need to worry about insurance, depreciation, tires or maintenance, road taxes etc., that's dirt cheap. (How many owners get less enjoyment out of their motorcycle per season than I did in a week of riding some of the world's best roads?)
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7 Jul 2020
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I will say that, when it comes to travelling further afield, rental sounds like a winner.
I don't regret one bit shipping my bike across the Atlantic when I rode Argentina as it was a 3 month trip and a dream come true, but the chances of a long trip like that again is slim now.
As such rental might well be the option (even if it doesn't quite meet my fussy, inner criteria of adventure overlanding!)
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7 Jul 2020
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What about staged trips?
Ride your bike as far as you want, in the direction you want to overland for your allotted holiday time then find a place to store it. Fly out to your bike the next holiday season and carry on.
Plenty of people use this technique,it’s something we are seriously considering ourselves.
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7 Jul 2020
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It's a nice idea.
I guess it's dependent on a good network of reputable motorcycle storage options at various points along the way.
HU Communities?
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7 Jul 2020
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I know 2 people who did it round Africa and a couple who did it travelling to Siberia doing ROBs and Telegraph and home again to Western Europe in 2/3 week chunks.
It’s surprising how many people travel like that in or on vehicles, there appears to be plenty of storage facilities around the world - it doesn’t have to be specifically for motorcycles.
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7 Jul 2020
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That is actually encouraging and something I had never considered before!
I'd sort of written off long trips in far-flung places until my kids had left home. They're barely in school....
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7 Jul 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog
I will say that, when it comes to travelling further afield, rental sounds like a winner.
I don't regret one bit shipping my bike across the Atlantic when I rode Argentina as it was a 3 month trip and a dream come true, but the chances of a long trip like that again is slim now.
As such rental might well be the option (even if it doesn't quite meet my fussy, inner criteria of adventure overlanding!)
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As long as you're DOING it, HOW doesn't matter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog
It's a nice idea.
I guess it's dependent on a good network of reputable motorcycle storage options at various points along the way.
HU Communities?
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The Communities LOVE to help people out - that's why they signed up, and there's over 800 Communities worldwide, many with 100 people in them - and many with one! Be sure to connect with them when you're travelling, they also just want to meet travellers and hear a few stories, and they are the BEST way to find out what's what in their area - they know the great rides, shops, tips and tricks etc.
Check out the Communities
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Seek, and ye shall find.
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www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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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)
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!
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!
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.
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.
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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.
Short period. Same start. Somewhere new. How?
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