Dreaming of a motorcycle trip to distant climes? This section will help you to plan your trip, whether it's to the next state, country or all the way around the world! Start here!
The Achievable Dream 5-part series - the definitive video guide for planning your motorcycle adventure. Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
You could just get on a plane with your credit card and passport and buy or rent everything you need when you get there. That includes the bike, riding gear, etc. etc.
Gear Up! is a 2-DVD set, 6 hours! Which bike is right for me? How do I prepare the bike? 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! "will save you a fortune!"
See the trailer here!
So you've done it - got inspired, planned your trip, packed your stuff and you're on the road! This section is about staying healthy, happy and secure on your motorcycle adventure. And crossing borders, war zones or oceans!
Tire Changing!
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!
With an HU blog, you'll get a lot more readers than in some obscure corner of the web, it's all set to go, no setup required, and it's free! Start your Travel Story Blog right now!
800+ HU Communities in over 115 countries! People who want to meet travellers - yes that's YOU - and can provide local assistance, and may be your new best friends!
Make a Difference Tips on fundraising or donating time and energy to a cause.
After the big trip - Was the trip the best - or worst - thing you ever did?
Resources and Links
Horizons Unlimited Presents!
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.'
"It has me all fired up to go out on my own adventure!" See the trailer here!
Meet people who don't think you're crazy for wanting to ride your bike to South America or across Asia! They will encourage you, share their experiences and advice on how to do it!
We're not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown a hobby into a full time job and a labour of love.
When you decide to become a Member, it helps directly support the site. You get additional privileges on the HUBB, access to the Members Private Store, and more. Of course, you get our sincere thanks, good karma and knowing you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. :-)
All contributions are greatly appreciated and acknowledged.
T-shirts, Calendars, Stickers
T-shirts 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.
World Map Sticker for PanniersShow your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Travel BooksMotorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
Videos - Watch and Learn!
Horizons Unlimited presents!
Achievable Dream 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.
"The series is 'free' because the tips and advice will save much more than you spend on buying the DVD's."
Road Heroes"Inspiring and hilarious!" (only on DVD)
Advertisers- Horizons Unlimited is well-established as the first source of reliable, unbiased information on all aspects of adventure motorcycle travel.
We reach a dedicated, worldwide group of real travellers, and are the only website focusing exclusively on long distance motorcycle travellers.
If you sell motorcycles or motorcycle accessories, riding gear, camping equipment and clothing, transport motorcycles, organize motorcycle tours, or have motorcycles to rent, you should be advertising with us!
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere elseThis is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Search Forums ONLY searches the HUBB, and not well. Use Site Search to search everywhere.
'Born To Be Wild' by Steppenwolf. There comes a moment on any trip where you have ridden slowly, warming the bike up and letting the luggage settle, and then you start to pick up the pace and start proper riding. That's when those clangy guitar chords in the song's intro start to chime in my head, and I become Dennis Hopper.
Later in the day, when the road is good and the speeds are higher, that's when Chris Spedding's 'Motorcyclin' starts to play inside the old helmet.
Movin' on the Queen's Highway, movin' like a streak of lightnin'
When you gotta go, go, gotta go motorbike ridin'
So many Frank Turner songs which could fit the bill for this thread - Vital Signs, I Am Disappeared, Journey of the Magi, Wanderlust - although 'The Road' is probably at the top of the list.
I'd also add "After the Rush Hour", from the Million Dead days.
I am the small town linesman
And you'll find me out here on the line.
Searching ceaselessly to simply
Find a place i can call mine.
Every corner of this country
Criss-crossed out with coloured lines.
The city lies before me,
Another city sprawling out behind.
Since the Scramble ended,
Since the West was won with wagon trails,
It seems the Mazzini's paradisical
Panopticon prevailed.
My walkabouts no longet take me
Beyond a choice of different gaols.
Why should i have to choose a state
When every one of them has failed?
I am a frontiersman,
Trapped in suburban England.
And i promise not to overthrow the state
If allowed to redraw the atlas before
I emigrate.
So I have sailed the seven seas alone,
Trying to find a shore I can call home.
But all i found are different flags,
Double-speaking diplomats, and
I do not have time for that.
So I'll declare my own sovereign state,
The borders based on the
Bottoms of my boots,
And i will open embassies
Wherever the hell i please,
And at assemblies
You will see me sat
But never on my knees.
And I'd gladly leave your
Metternich's alone as long as where
I lay my head i can be my very own.
I am the Winchester lineman.
I am a frontiersman,
Trapped in suburban England,
But here I will not remain-
I'll ride into the sunset,
My horse waits on the plain,
And I keep walking the line.
Here's a new great one especially for women but inspiring for everyone. Road Running by Imelda May. [url=http://www.ImeldaMay.com]Imelda May
Get up, roll up
Goin up in the world
Goin round, yeah round
Goin round in a whirl
Gettin by I'm fly that's movin so fast
Never stop.
Cause I'm having a blast
Never slow down dk dk down down
dk dk down down
dk dk down down
Gettin high, gettin love
Oh as good as a drug
I got a great, great feelin
I'm as snug as a bug
I got no class
No glass celing to break
Never stop.
Cause I'm on the make
Never slow down dk dk down down
dk dk down down
dk dk down down
I'm a road runner, I'm road running
yeah I'm a road runner oh...
I'm a road runner, I'm road running
yeah I'm a road runner oh...
B-B-B-Bye boo
Yeah I'm lookin at you
Don't tie yourself to your womanly dues
You gotta run gotta run
Gotta take what you can
Never stop
Oh make like a man
Never slow down dk dk down down
dk dk down down
dk dk down down
I'm a road runner, I'm road running
yeah I'm a road runner oh...
I'm a road runner, I'm road running
yeah I'm a road runner oh...
Not too late
Never had a watch
That old parlait
Tick-tickedy-tock
Have a go Joe or (it'll) blow in your face
Never stop.
Its a human race
So Never slow down dk dk down down
dk dk down down
dk dk down down
Never never slow down
Never never slow down
Never never never never...
I'm a road runner, I'm road running
yeah, I'm a road runner oh...
I'm a road runner, I'm road running
yeah, I'm a road runner oh...
It is maybe a little bit offtopic - but on a longterm trip i suggest to not only use Songs - during driving.
We sit 300 hours in our car, during our transafrica (2 months, 20k km) - and we loves to hear some audiobooks.
Maybe this is to dangerous for biking - but for travelling by car - it was really nice!
Just to hear music - is not enough for extended travelling
good call surfy
i managed a 18 hour straight drive on little sleep because of audio books.
v for vendetta kept my mind active and me awake. didn't even get drowsy with the audio book playing
It ain't easy, livin' like a gypsy.
Tell ya, honey, how I feel.
I've been dreaming,
Floatin' down stream and
Losin' touch with all that is real.
Whole earth lover, keepin' under cover
Never knowin' where ya been.
You've been fadin', always out paradin.
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin.
Well you've always got your tail on the wag.
Shootin' fire from your mouth just like a dragon.
You act like a perpertual drag.
You better check it out,
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon.
It ain't easy, livin' like ya wanna,
And it's so hard to find piece of mind. Yes it is.
The way I see it, you've got to say shit.
But don't forget to drop me a line.
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen.
And workin' for you dad is just a drag.
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams.
You better check it out,
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon.
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin.
Tell her where you've gone and been.
Livin' out your fantasy,
Sleeping late and smoking tea. [repeat once]
It ain't easy, livin' like ya wanna,
And it's so hard to find piece of mind. Yes it is.
The way I see it, you've got to say shit.
But don't forget to drop me a line.
Said you're as bald as an egg at eighteen.
And workin' for you dad is just a drag.
He still stuffs your mouth with your dreams.
You better check it out,
Or someday soon you'll have to climb back on the wagon.
Keepin' touch with Mama Kin.
Tell her where you've gone and been.
Livin' out your fantasy,
Sleeping late and smoking tea. [repeat once]
Just about any song from Santiano, particularly Santiano, Frei Wie der Wind, Gott Muss ein Seeman sein, Tanz mit Mir (with Faun), and Es Gibt Nur Wasser. Then Divna Ljubojevic for when in traffic ( to keep from kicking the cars, LOL)
Missed this the first and second time round. much as i like most music as long as it's not banging my head and ear drums, there is only one piece for me that is so evocative by it's first chord, that it stops everything else I'm doing and brings a grin to my face.
Eagles- Take it easy. I've stood on a corner in Winslow on a warm summers day and this takes me back to the American west coast and esp riding from San Diego up to San luis Obispo on the ''1'' way back in 1985 on a clapped out panhead. Happy days.
'' Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy''
__________________
-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)
Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's thelist of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.
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)
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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
"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
Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
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 availablefrom the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
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.
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!
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.
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