Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > TRAVEL Hints and Tips
TRAVEL Hints and Tips Post your TIPS to travellers - all the interesting little tidbits you learned on the road about packing, where to get stuff, and how to cope with problems. Please make sure the subject describes the tip clearly!
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: somewhere on the road between Ushuaia and Alaska
Posts: 377
Leaving your guidebook at home

Hi all,

I hope I'm not stating the obvious for some people here, but I thought this would be worth sharing:

I just compressed a few guidebooks that I bought into a motorcycling-worthy-space-saving format, onto a CompactFlash card.
Tools used: tripod, camera and external flashgun. I put the guidebook on the floor. Camera above the book, pointing down. Flash on camera, swiveled around 180 degrees so the light is bouncing against the ceiling (gives a softer light without hot-spots).
The results are great, and I managed to compress 200 pages into less than 100 MB at A5 size (black and white JPG).

Save it onto a small USB memory stick, and access at any Internet Cafe on the road. I'll probably tape a second memory stick with the same information onto the bike's frame.


Cheers
Bjorn
__________________
__________________________
http://www.panomoto.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Jan 2008
DLbiten's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Camano is. USA
Posts: 440
Another way to do it is is to saw the binding off and with a scanner scan in the pages. Dont know about copy right however.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London
Posts: 249
I just colour scan the pages i want, and make myself my own little book. Taking pictures sounds like hard work! I don't think anyone in the office understands why i have been spending so long my the photo copier.
__________________
Thanks
Joe
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Jan 2008
Hindu1936's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Yongin, South Korea
Posts: 327
scan using your computer printer. save as b/w text. use "shink" on the photos (downloadable from afterdawn.com) and you can put a whole book in one megabyte. the average novel will run about 1.4 megabytes. I put a whole Lonely Planet guide into 2 megabytes including most of the maps.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ripley, Derbyshire
Posts: 373
I seach the internet and save the HTML to my ipod and now iphone to read while I'm on the road.... BUT I still always ask a local if there's anyplaces nearby that they like, normally leads me on a few nice adventures and great food but you do have to be flexable in your route and times.

Just my 2cents
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Jan 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Almeria, Andalucia
Posts: 185
I never use guidebooks. I know I've missed some incredible places and faces.. but it forces me to meet and talk to people, to find out what they recomend. Which is not always the obvious tourist attraction or guidebook entry.

And best of all -- by not knowing in advance -- I'm often totally and pleasantly surprised when I round a corner and find something *incredible*.

(Though in the interests of full disclosure I should also point out that I'm riding in Europe, and therefore most of the time have a pretty good idea of what to expect.)

--Mike
__________________
www.BesideTheSeaside.eu
---I'm back. Now what?---
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sax, Spain
Posts: 901
im with Mike

im with Mike, yeah a guide book can point out Places of INTEREST but LOCAL KNOWLEDGE will show you the best & usually cheapest family run places to Eat n Drink, good places to Stay, local Mechanics, roads that lead to the most amazing swimming holes under waterfalls with a bar and a barbecue....

the Lonely Planet don't tell you about THOSE!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: I S T
Posts: 655
As being a non native English speaking guy want to ask:

How can I learn something from thisthread?

or is this just a joke?

Or Hubb is going to be a place to help boring people to have fun together.
I don't want to teach or say something to you but I really wonder if I miss something?

Sure we need fun sometimes,

Cheers,
__________________
"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Mar 2008
Caminando's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike View Post
I never use guidebooks. I know I've missed some incredible places and faces.. but it forces me to meet and talk to people, to find out what they recomend. Which is not always the obvious tourist attraction or guidebook entry.

And best of all -- by not knowing in advance -- I'm often totally and pleasantly surprised when I round a corner and find something *incredible*.

(Though in the interests of full disclosure I should also point out that I'm riding in Europe, and therefore most of the time have a pretty good idea of what to expect.)

--Mike

Nice one Mike - you might be interested in the title of a novel by Graham Greene - Journey without maps. This is an extension of your idea. Mine is to buy Rough Guides/Lonely planets from my local library - they sell them when they are out of date. This means I get the info on monuments, museums etc, but I have to hunt for restaurants, budget hotels myself, as they have often changed. This has given me a large book collection for about 50 pence each, as opposed to £14 - £20 per book.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 30 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: West Virginia, USA
Posts: 33
A lot of what is in guidebooks is not much of interest to me.

For example, I am more interested in seeing the 3 places in London where my mother lived in the 1950s than the Tower of London, the London Art Museum or Buckingham palace.

When I get to Belgium, the only thing I am interested in really doing is watching Supermoto, motocross and motorcycle races at Spa, and then visiting a couple friends. I don't really care too much about what tourist attractions are there.

Generally guidebooks don't have my interests in mind. I am not interested in fighting crowds to some tourist trap that I have seen on TV or in photos a zillion times.

And as someone pointed out, the surprise aspect is neat. I saw two unusual islands connected by rope off the coast in Mie Prefecture in Japan, just happened across it, saw the tour buses stopped so I checked it out. I was stoked to later see this exact same attraction in a black and white photo in a turn-of-the-last-century encyclopedia. It was exactly how I remember it. Wow, it was really that famous, and I just happened across it.
__________________
Better to be an idiot than a crook.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 8 May 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 26
Smile forget the guidebook...

I never looked at my guide book, the entire time. I asked locals "what should I see while in your country?" where ever I was and I stumbled onto magical places that aren't even in the guide books.
It seems the guidebooks direct you straight to the most touisty places, the same 'ol same 'ol, scruffy back-packers doing their little fire twirling thing, selling their home made jewlery, etc, etc... I think it's been done to death. I'd rather meet a local farmer and spend time with him and his family. I've seen things you could hope to find simply by talking with the locals.
I was the guest of honor in a religious ritual in Ecuador that I just happened to stumble across; unforgetable.
Simply arriving on a bike, racoon face from dust, shows that you've earned the right to be where ever you are. People are genuinley curious about you when arrive on a bike as opposed to a tour bus along with fifty other tourists.
Also, traveling alone you're much more approachable to locals. When there are more than one of you you tend to be isolated in a cacoon of sorts which leaves the locals less likely to approach you. Being alone has it's advantages for sure.
I hope this helps,
Jeff
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 8 May 2008
Alexlebrit's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
Posts: 920
But, back to the topic, thanks for the tip on photographing books I'd not though to bounce the flash and they never came out right for me. I've just tried it and it's so much better.
__________________
Happiness has 125 cc
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 8 May 2008
djorob's Avatar
Seek and thou shalt find.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Midlands/UK
Posts: 231
Smile Lol.

Samy, I know exactly what you mean!
Reply With Quote
Reply


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
Leaving a bike in Chile and flying home njneuberger South America 18 20 May 2009 13:22
South America, leaving country w/o vehicle Rosho Trip Paperwork 5 16 Dec 2007 11:33
Home sickness *Touring Ted* Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 17 14 Oct 2007 07:35
leaving a vehicle in Maroc Richard K Trip Paperwork 2 13 Aug 2005 21:27
Insurance for driving back home to UK from Madrid prolificbrown South America 0 19 Oct 2004 02:03

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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!

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 09:30.