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
  #16  
Old 29 Nov 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
I have only done one decent overland trip, but did that on my todd because the guy I was supposed to go with couldn't get the cash together. It is definitely the way to go! The warmth of welcome I got off everyone I met was amazing - I think being alone makes you seem a lot less threatening and more approachable, so you get a lot more contact with the 'natives'
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 29 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
When you travel alone people are always happy to approach you with , food or help. I've lost count of the times guy's come over with a just to look at your bike and 99% of the time they've had to leave theirs at home and take the family on hols in the car ! As for sharing hotel rooms one word..
"Snoring". Ear plugs just aren't enough, especially with my chainsaw going all night. The extra 20 Euro's for your own room would be money well spent !
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 20 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: vallejo, ca
Posts: 42
..99% times I prefer go alone...
1% time I meet someone (feminine mostly time) and I can allow share a part of road...
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 21 Dec 2007
DLbiten's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Camano is. USA
Posts: 440
solo

Im a solo rider. I stop when I want to eat when an where I want to. Some days are long 800+ miles some short hops. If Im told where and what to stop for how long to ride for Id go nuts. Hell If I had to travil that way Id save the money and ride on a bus and get a backpack.

When I have goten to where I want to go I like to talk to people and talk to people on the way. Im not antisocial I gust like to go my way.

Riding with people seems to be just follow the leader and stay in some silly formation. Grate if your in to the cookie cuter Harley-Davidson mind set but hell if your not. Ever notice that many of the new Harley riders all look the same, dress the same, sound the same, talk the same, and ride the same, Individual most have a different definition in the official Harley handbook.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 21 Dec 2007
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Im a slut........

I love travelling with lots of differnt people but also like to break away on my own for a few days too..

I dont think i could travel with just one person for 6 months.. We´d drive each other mental !!

saying that, been on my own for 5 days now and im ready for some Quilmes with some other travellers now !
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 22 Jan 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Vännäs, Sweden
Posts: 66
Question The more the merrier?

Well, I can see the point you are making about solitary travel, but my thoughts have been towards getting a group of friends (or friends of friends) together and travel as a group.

My main inspirations are Terra Circa and Mondo Enduro, that´s what I´m looking for.

Besides sitting alone watching photos and giggling to myself I cant really understand the thrill of travel withhout anyone to share the experience or the memories with.

Sitting in a pub a rainy november friday evening, with your companion and a couple of s remembering and laughing. A memory for life, or kind of...

Am I totally wrong here?

RZ
__________________
Rikard the Swede
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 23 Jan 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rikard the Swede View Post
Sitting in a pub a rainy november friday evening, with your companion and a couple of s remembering and laughing. A memory for life, or kind of...

Am I totally wrong here?
Depends on what you remember ?

The people you travelled with?

Sights you saw?

The local people you meet along the way?

---------
Travelling by yourself means

you do meet more local people! Either that or you are alone.

you are freeer to change the plan.

--- If going in a group - 6 is good .. enough to cope with an emergency - 3 can go off and get help leaving 2 to care for the victum. With more than 6 you increase the possiblity more than 1 will have problems at once.

------
Hotels here have fire plans .. those plans are made with a number of people in each 'room' .. if they go beyond that a huge fine can result .. there have been a number of deaths in 'backpacker' type places burning down .. expect no cooperation in overfilling any hotel room here!
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

Last edited by Frank Warner; 23 Jan 2008 at 02:07.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 23 Jan 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Vännäs, Sweden
Posts: 66
Smile

Hmm, good point. What do you remember... it might turn out to be just like an company event type of thingy with all the experiences centered around the group instead of the people/culture/country you´re currently visiting.

I thought I knew how I wanted my trip to be...

I don´t think that I´ll be travelling alone though. If I fall down with my leg trapped under my very old Ténéré I will need someone to help me up/take me to the doctor when I´m sick/get spare parts for my wreck of a bike and so forth.

(Anyone for Europe-Istanbul-Vladivosktok-Toyama-Anchorage-NewYork-London in 2009?)
((I know its another thread for that...))

RZ
__________________
Rikard the Swede
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 23 Jan 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rikard the Swede View Post
If I fall down with my leg trapped under my very old Ténéré
I found pushing the bike away to be useless .. pull the bike towards you, lift up - remove leg from under bike .. free .. took say 10 minutes of pushing away .. strain .. think.. strain, think .. pull towards, strain .. strain, leg out .. collapse.
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
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
Engine/Chassis numbers: Don't get caught out! NAMSA Trip Paperwork 3 19 May 2007 18:42
Non-Matching numbers - a problem? Wheelie Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 4 18 Mar 2006 01:52
Seeking partners for Djanet roro North Africa 6 2 Feb 2004 15:34
Frame and Engine Numbers? Version Information? Tony Robson Yamaha Tech 9 13 Jan 2003 20:36
Model Numbers sjbarrow Yamaha Tech 1 23 May 2001 12:51

 
 

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. 11-15
  • 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 23:16.