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22 Jul 2005
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Location: Oslo, Norway/ Provence, France
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Backpackers on 2 wheels or Adventure Motorcyclists?
Just out of curiosity... and with a smile...
Is there a difference between backpacking on 2 wheels and Adventure Motorcycling?
Sometimes I get the feeling that some riders are elevating them selves to explorers and adventure-riders, while the rest (me being one of them) are not hardcore enough, and our new, expensive shining BMW,s or whatever is a thorn in their eye. And our dreams about doing Africa from north to south should remain just that... a dream. So we dont ruin their image or steal some of the glory.
Or is it just me...
P.S.
I,m not on Lariam. Not yet anyway :-)
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Dizzie
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22 Jul 2005
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The mainthing is that you are happy with the way you are dooing it, not what people call it.
So just enjoy 
Yngve
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22 Jul 2005
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I asked a similar question on the HUBB a while ago. Since then I have come to believe that it’s all a matter of opinion. Don’t be too concerned about such things, rather be glad that we all are different and do things in different ways.
I want to ride around the world but I refuse to be eaten up by the fact that I haven’t gotten round to it yet.
What did Bobby McFerrin say before he killed himself? “Don’t worry. Be happy”
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BMW R1200GS
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6 Jan 2007
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McFerrin
Quote:
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Originally Posted by LuckyStriker
What did Bobby McFerrin say before he killed himself? “Don’t worry. Be happy”
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Bobby McFerrin is still alive.  ; I know, but just want to clear it up.
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"courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death"
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6 Jan 2007
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See what I mean
So, you describe yourself as traveller, not adventure motorcyclist, backpacker or anything else for that matter. Good call! Keep on travelling.
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6 Jan 2007
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My 2 penny worth.
The guys at work back home think what I am doing is adventurous. I think that I am just travelling from New York to Colombia where I finished, I camped, I stayed at Youth hostels, motels and hotels. I read Lonely Planet and Footprints. I had a backpack strapped to my motorbike.
I think it is just travel by a different medium than buses. Have met the 'high class backpackers' who fly to their next destination and skip the local buses.
Everybody has a diff agenda, a diff time frame, a diff goal from a trip.
Let em do it their way, you do it your way and see the parts of the world than you want to see and in the way you want to experience it.
Just my thoughts
Paul
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6 Jan 2007
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I think we are all travellers, just from time to time the means changes.
we probably all use feet, boats, bikes, 4wheels, and aeroplanes from time to time. For most maybe the bike is just the preferred option...
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22 Jul 2005
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No there ain't. We're all tourists wether we like it or not! We may have sexy looking motorbikes and cool looking motocross clothes but we still queue up in Boots to buy suncream and Immodium like everybody else!
matt
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http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/
*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such! 
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31 Oct 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Cartney
...We're all tourists wether we like it or not!... matt
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Sums it up for me, no matter how 'heroic' I think I look. 
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I've a feeling I'm not in Kansas anymore.
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31 Oct 2008
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Bloke on a bike
I think it depends on what we mean by all these terms (but I would say that I'm a linguist). So for me: - Explorer - someone who sets out to map a particular area and find out what's in it - Livingstone
- Discoverer - someone who sets out into the unknown to see what's there and finds new things/knowledge and brings it back - Columbus
- Expeditionary - someone who sets out with a specific goal in mind or a specific place to reach - Burke and Wills
- Adventurer - someone who goes looking for excitement and who likes to test themselves by not taking the easy road - McArthur (Dame)
- Traveller - someone who moves on from place to place seeing what's there and experiencing what goes on in everyday life - Me
- Tourist - someone who goes to see the sights, eat the food, drink the wine, lay on a beach, stay in hotels - My mum and dad
- Backpacker - someone who goes to the see the sightsn, eat the food, drink the wine, lay on a beach, but doesn't have the cash to stay in hotels and so stays in hostels instead- Me, when I was a student.
So I seriously doubt many of us are Livingstones, Columbuses, McArthurs, Willses or Burkes (especially not given what happened to those two) although we may be berks. I like to think of myself as a traveller as I'll rough it with the best, and I don't like to hang out in groups of my fellow countrymen(women) that much.
That said, I've been an explorer in my own small way, making my own mental maps of places I've been to or lived in; I've certainly been a tourist when I could afford it and felt the need for loos that flush and showers and beds, and I know I've been a backpacker seeking out places where fellow Europeans hang out at times. I'll occasionally even be an adventurer, when I'm feeling the need to push my envelope and get out of my comfort zone - haha.
About the only thing I can safely say I couldn't argue with is - bloke on a bike.
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Happiness has 125 cc
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31 Oct 2008
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Google 'mid-life crisis' - it explains everything.
Enjoy the ride! 
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I've a feeling I'm not in Kansas anymore.
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1 Nov 2008
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I was called a drunk lout one or twice. But I see my self as a traveller.
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2 Nov 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit
I think it depends on what we mean by all these terms (but I would say that I'm a linguist). So for me: - Explorer - someone who sets out to map a particular area and find out what's in it - Livingstone
- Discoverer - someone who sets out into the unknown to see what's there and finds new things/knowledge and brings it back - Columbus
- Expeditionary - someone who sets out with a specific goal in mind or a specific place to reach - Burke and Wills
- Adventurer - someone who goes looking for excitement and who likes to test themselves by not taking the easy road - McArthur (Dame)
- Traveller - someone who moves on from place to place seeing what's there and experiencing what goes on in everyday life - Me
- Tourist - someone who goes to see the sights, eat the food, drink the wine, lay on a beach, stay in hotels - My mum and dad
- Backpacker - someone who goes to the see the sightsn, eat the food, drink the wine, lay on a beach, but doesn't have the cash to stay in hotels and so stays in hostels instead- Me, when I was a student.
So I seriously doubt many of us are Livingstones, Columbuses, McArthurs, Willses or Burkes (especially not given what happened to those two) although we may be berks. I like to think of myself as a traveller as I'll rough it with the best, and I don't like to hang out in groups of my fellow countrymen(women) that much... |
I like your list, and I agree with how you've described different types of travellers. But when you doubt that many of us are Livingstones and Columbuses etc, you are almost certainly correct to the degree of these particular peoples achievments, especially by everyday modern standards. However you are not necessarily correct in terms of people who use this site to plan their trips, because I would have thought that a great number of them were at least explorers and expeditionaries - isn't that what adventure motorcycling is all about?
When I was younger I was, at times, a backpacker. But I have since been a tourist, a traveller, an adventurer, and expeditionary and an explorer all to varying degrees, but still within your definitions. I have yet to become a discoverer (unexplored places are becoming harder to reach - but they're still out there), but have every intention of discovering something, somewhere or someone... somewhen!
As for Dizzie's original post, I have to agree that some people who call themselves adventurers etc are just glorified backpackers or tourists. But in many cases, that is as close to being the real thing as they're ever going to get, so I reckon we should let them have their glory.
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BD.
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10 Nov 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit
About the only thing I can safely say I couldn't argue with is - bloke on a bike.
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Yeah, that'll do.
But here's a question for you all. Is the most important thing for you:
a) the travelling, or
b) just being on a bike
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10 Nov 2008
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Too Easy
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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...
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What others say about HU...
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"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!
Every book a diary
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Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
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Read more about Grant & Susan's story
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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!
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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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